The white obelisk soars from its ring of fifty flags, visible from almost everywhere in the city. Look closely and you will see the marble change shade partway up.

The monument

The Washington Monument is a 555-foot (169 m) obelisk honouring George Washington, the first president. Building began in 1848 but stopped from 1854 to 1877 because of money problems, a fight over the monument society and the Civil War; that is why the outside uses three different kinds of white marble. The stone was finished in 1884, and it was dedicated on 21 February 1885 and opened on 9 October 1888. It was the world's tallest structure until the Eiffel Tower overtook it in 1889. Robert Mills designed it with a colonnade, which was dropped for lack of funds.

Going up

Everyone aged 2 and over needs a ticket. Reserve online for a $1 fee per ticket, released 30 days ahead at 10:00 am with more the day before, or get free same-day tickets at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street from 8:45 am. The elevator reaches the 500-foot observation level in about 70 seconds, with windows on all four sides; the museum level at 490 feet has exhibits.

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  Observation level 500 feet, windows on four sides.
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  Fifty flags One for each state.
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  Reflecting Pool Toward the Lincoln Memorial.