Anyone going to DC & visiting the Wash Monument 4/24..I have passes if u want them

[Crazy4mandms]

We were planning to stop in Washington DC on our way back from FLA on 4/24, however we changed our date to 4/25...I had pre-ordered tickets from the National Park Service to go up in the Washington Monument on 4/24 at 4:30. To visit the monument is free and to go up in it is free but passes are limited (that's why I pre-ordered, only paid a small ordering fee). So if there is anyone out there who is planning to stop in DC on 4/24 and would like these just send me a PM and I will mail them out to you. (Gotta do it by the time my counter says ZERO...Not much time )!!!!

 

[Cindy B]

I would like to say for anyone who wants to go, plan at least an hour for this.

I was just at the Washington Monument Tuesday, and I have to say it was the least enjoyable part of the trip.

First you need to get there before your ticket time (some people were there 3045 minutes prior).

They will not allow strollers, sodas, or anything besides water. (They will make you dump it! They did to me!)

After you get in line, the ranger will tell you to park the stroller if you have one and have other either drink or dump anything but water.

Then you go in bit by bit into the screening station. You are asked to remove all coats/sweatshirts to be X rayed individually. Since you are in a group of 20 or so people that takes a LONG time. All purses and back packs are screened individually. You aslo everyone goes through a metal detector . If anyone gets "beeped" the entire party can not go through. They will then search that person. (My son glasses caused the beep, they would not let anyone else through)

Once you get up, every other window is blocked out with a security camera. There is a total of four windows open. On Tuesday, there was a line four people deep to look out the windows. There was a line around the top for the return elevator which was about 25-30 people long (went around the whole base). Our total viewing time was less than 3 minutes!

Then the long walk back.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Thanks for bringing this topic up Crazy and for the review Cindy. We had thought we might want to do this in June but have not ordered the tickets. We were waiting to see when our Whitehouse and Capital tours were scheduled and won't know that for a month. I think we may pass on this one.
Curious if anyone else has done this recently. It has been many years since I have been up the monument.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

I'm sure we'll have lots of wait time on Sunday, since there is a huge rally going on that day in DC...we still plan on going up into the Monument on Sunday, tho....it will be worth it I think!!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Crazy4mandms
I'm sure we'll have lots of wait time on Sunday, since there is a huge rally going on that day in DC...we still plan on going up into the Monument on Sunday, tho....it will be worth it I think!!

You should get there early to get tickets. They are free at the ticket booth. The ticket booth opens at 8 am. We got there at 9 am and there were only tickets available for four times 12, 1230, 230, and 430 .

Just letting you know that the whole experience will take you about an hour.

 

[tkd lisa]

It's been years since I've done this, but I did want to point out that it is a beautiful view. Only you can decide if it's worth it for you and your family, but you will be able to see all of the downtown DC area, and when the cherry blossoms are blooming (as they are right now), it's absolutely gorgeous!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Hey Crazy, can you post a mini report on your experience when you return? We don't go until June, so I have time to decide. Thanks!

 

[NC Belle]

I grew up in the DC area and lived No. Va for a short time---I would suggest a trip to the 2nd highest vantage point, The Old Post Office Pavillion---it has a 315 foot tower-excellent viewing. Its just off 1100 Pennslyvania AVE. www.oldpostofficedc.com

It also has shops and dining if you need something different.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

I've already re-ordered tickets for Sunday....it only cost me $6.50 for 4 of them ...worth it to make sure we get to go up..that's why I was wondering if anyone wanted the ones I already had for April 24th that I won't be using (no charge!)....hate to see them go to waste and figured it might help someone out who is heading that way.

Bibbidi...I will def post a mini report...we are so excited about DC!! We are all history lovers..I am currently working on a Master's in History and all my studies have rubbed off on my kids (8 and 12)..my youngest is a HUGE Abe Lincoln fan and has been talking more about seeing the memorial than going on his fav disney rides!! I had another post on the community board about DC and there were some dis'ers who were very helpful with lots of info...forgot the name of it but u might want to search for it, it helped me make up my mind about where to stay and what to see.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Thanks! I will be looking for your report.
If there were any DC posts here in the last 6 months-I have read them! We have had this planned all out awhile. Got the hotel and flights booked months ago. Just waiting to find out when our 2 tours will be-they don't let you know until a month out. DH is the big history buff around here and we all enjoy it!
Our kids are very excited too!
Can't wait to read how your visit went!

 

[Jeafl]

Can you tell me where exactly you ordered the tickets from? My kids really want to do this, although is sounds like quite an ordeal.

Please post any Washington reviews you can when you get back. It always helps to hear another point of view.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

http://reservations.nps.gov/parklist.cfm

scroll down almost to the bottom. The tix are free, but there was a $1.50 surcharge per ticket, which I didn't think was so bad to have them ahead of time. I got them really quick, too.....maybe like 4 days from the day I ordered.