Built in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk, evoking the timelessness of ancient civilizations, the Washington Monument embodies the awe, respect, and gratitude the nation felt for its most essential Founding Father. When completed, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world at 555 feet, 5-1/8 inches.

The "pointy thing" in the center of the National Mall is the Washington Monument, a 555-foot-tall marble obelisk built to honor George Washington, the first President of the United States. Completed in 1884, it was the tallest building in the world until the Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889. The structure is unique for its "two-tone" appearance; construction was halted for 22 years due to the Civil War and a lack of funds, and when it resumed, the stone used from a different quarry didn't quite match the original. Inside, an elevator takes visitors to an observation deck at the 500-foot level, offering a panoramic 360-degree view of the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the Lincoln Memorial. In 2026, it remains an enduring symbol of American democracy and engineering, and access is managed via a strictly timed-entry ticket system that often sells out weeks in advance.