Soaring 555 feet above the National Mall in Washington DC, the Washington Monument honors our first President, George Washington. Construction on the monument began on July 4 1848, and the capstone was laid on December 6 1884. At the time, it was the world's tallest structure and held that honor until the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889.

Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the monument for breath-taking views of 30-40 miles on clear days, and spectacular views of the Capitol on any day.

Tickets are free and are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. The daily allotment is often given out early in the day, so plan on getting tickets early. Better, reserve tickets ahead of time for a nominal fee.