Is the Washington Monument Open Again
What to Know
- The Washington Monument reopened Thursday morning after iii years of work on its elevator and security systems.
- Security is college. Visitors will now laissez passer through two huge, vault-like doors.
- First lady Melania Trump attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and was joined by elementary school students from Southwest D.C.
For the first time in three years, you can go to the height of the Washington Monument and see panoramic views of the Capitol, all the monuments and everything in between.
The Washington Monument reopened to the public Thursday, following $xv one thousand thousand repairs on its elevator and security systems.
Showtime lady Melania Trump attended the ribbon-cut ceremony and was greeted by excited fourth-graders from Amidon-Bowen Elementary Schoolhouse in Southwest D.C.
Visitors started lining up at three:30 a.m. to get inside.
"I'm hither to meet the city. This is the best identify to see information technology from," a human visiting from Kansas said.
News4 got a sneak peek from the meridian on Wednesday. The stunning view included the National Mall, White House, Capitol Edifice, Potomac River and planes taking off and landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The 555-foot stone obelisk closed in autumn 2022 in society to replace the aging elevator and upgrade security systems. The elevator broke downwards several times over the past decade, including one incident in which more than xl people were trapped at the acme.
Visitors will now pass through two vault-like doors to go toward the lift. So, they'll go up 500 feet in sixty seconds to become to the top observation platform.
"In my 22 years working, this is the smoothest-running elevator nosotros've ever had," Sean Kennealy, the professional services chief for the Park Service, said.
Local
The experience isn't over in one case you've finished taking in the views. On the way down, the elevator slows to requite you a chance to run into the stones of the monument from the inside.
Once you go off the lift, bank check out graffiti carved into the stone past a Civil War soldier.
Philanthropist David M. Rubenstein donated $3 million for elevator modernization project.
The monument has been closed for almost of the past eight years. An August 2011 earthquake left cracks in the stones near the top of the obelisk. Information technology reopened in 2022 simply National Park Service officials were forced to close it once more two years afterwards subsequently a serial of elevator breakdowns.
The monument, which was completed in 1884 and remains the tallest building in Washington, averages about 500,000 visitors per year.
How to Get Tickets
From Thursday through Oct. 18, aforementioned-day free tickets will be available on a commencement come, first served basis starting at eight:thirty a.1000. To get tickets, go to the Washington Monument Club starting at viii:30 a.grand. It's located just east of the monument (Psst: That's in the direction of the Capitol Edifice).
The monument will be open up belatedly through the end of September, with 9 a.m. to nine p.k. hours. This offers a rare opportunity to see sunset from the top of the monument.
Start in October, the monument volition exist open every day from nine a.m. to five p.m.
Starting October. x, tickets for Oct. 19 and after can exist reserved at recreation.gov or past calling 877-444-6777. At that place will be a "nominal" processing fee, the Park Service says. Same-day free tickets will even so be available on a first come up, first served basis.
Other Things Visitors Should Know
There are no bathrooms, water or food inside the monument.
"Visitors who are uncomfortable with heights, enclosed spaces, crowding, and elevators should consider that the Washington Monument involves all these factors," the Park Service warns.
The list of restricted items includes pets, large numberless and strollers. Go here to encounter a full list.
Source: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/washington-monument-to-reopen-after-3-year-closure/1959766/
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