Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
National Mall—sample rating
AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, dedicated in 1997, is a series of four outdoor granite galleries along the Tidal Basin that trace FDR's twelve years in office and the Great Depression and World War II eras. Waterfalls, quiet pools, and bronze sculptures—including a famous depiction of men in a bread line and a statue of FDR with his dog Fala—give it a contemplative, garden-like character distinct from Washington's other monumental memorials. A statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, added later, honors her role as First Lady and the first U.S. delegate to the United Nations. Inscriptions throughout the memorial quote FDR's speeches on economic hardship, freedom, and war. Spread over 7.5 acres, the memorial rewards a slow, unhurried walk and is free and open 24 hours, with rangers typically on duty during the day.
Why visit
Its garden-like, room-by-room design offers a uniquely reflective and less crowded way to learn about FDR's presidency.
Best time to visit
Visit in the late afternoon for good light on the waterfalls and fewer crowds than the nearby Jefferson Memorial.
Recommended duration
Allow about 0.8 hours (45 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 00:00-23:59
Open 24 hours; staffed by rangers roughly 9:30am-11:30pm. No tickets required.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
400 W Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242
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Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
A memorial featuring 19 stainless steel soldier statues advancing through juniper bushes, honoring those who served in the Korean War.
Nearby restaurants
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Maketto
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