George Washington Masonic National Memorial
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A very visible tribute to George Washington stands on King Street in Alexandria, Virginia.
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How to get there
- Alexandria Station • 5 min walk
- King St – Old Town • 7 min walk
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4.5
697 reviews
Excellent
366
Very good
239
Average
67
Poor
16
Terrible
9
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NCDoc
Chapel Hill, NC444 contributions
Feb 2020
I've flown by the GWMNM many, many times on the approach to Reagan National. My wife and I decided it was time to get closer than a fly-by. Know that to really see it requires you take a tour, so viewing the memorial will be quite structured. Also, the memorial is as much, or more, about freemasonry than George Washington. As noted in the title, it helps that GW was a mason. Tickets are fairly expensive ($18 for adults), and that buys a complete 1 hour tour. You start in the entry hall, with two large paintings and a bronze statue of GW with mason's apron & amulet. The tour goes by elevator to the 3rd floor for a museum about the various societies in the masons, with information and example attire. The guide brings you the floor and you remain on that floor as long as members of the group seem interested. When you're done, it's back to the elevators as a group. The 4th floor has a small museum dedicated to the life of George Washington, with artifacts like a lock of his hair. The 8th floor has a small chapel dedicated to the Knights Templar, with attractive stained glass windows by Alyn Cox, who also painted the murals in the Great Hall. The last stop, on the 9th floor, is the viewing platform, which goes around the circumference of the memorial and provides quite a view of Alexandria and National Airport. The tour takes just over an hour. There are more interesting sites in the Washington area, but it was a pleasant way to spend an hour and a bit.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DClocal
Washington DC, DC44 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Built by the Freemasons and inspired by the Library of Alexandria, the George Washington Masonic Memorial is one of the most iconic buildings in the city’s skyline. Touring the inside of the building does require tickets but, if you enjoy observation decks and architecture, it’s definitely worth a visit. Depending on your guide the tour can be long but, it is extremely educational and nearly all of the people I have brought to visit have really enjoyed it. The observation desk offers stunning views of the entire region. There is ample parking but, if you are using public transportation, the King St Metro is directly in front.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Casey C
68 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
We traveled in from NJ and came straight to the masonic memorial for the 4:00 tour. There was another couple there, we were all early and the docent kindly started our tour without making us wait. Covid precautions were well executed and the symbols and history of the freemasonry was very interesting.
The top floors are currently closed but for us with a 1 year old, it was just the right amount of time.
The top floors are currently closed but for us with a 1 year old, it was just the right amount of time.
Written 4 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri R
Annandale, VA2 contributions
Aug 2022
As of today, 8/13/2022, they are still requiring guests to wear masks on the tour.
Tour is very informative. You visit several floors and view exhibits about the history of the Masons, and George Washington's involvement with them. Highlight of the tour is the observation deck on the 9th floor. It circles the building and the views are fabulous (on a nice day). There is metal "caging" on the observation deck, so it is very safe. Photography is allowed throughout, but no flashes and no video.
At the end we were directed to the gift shop and the exit. We could walk around more if we wanted. Parking is plentiful, or it is right across the street from the King Street Metro station. There was a handicap ramp, but I did not see an entrance that didn't have steps. I'm sure there had to be one though, and inside you go by elevator to the different floors.
The only challenge was at the start of the tour. It was hard to hear/understand the docent as the echo was horrible. In the first room it was very warm, but the echo wasn't as bad. After that, temperature was fine & we could hear the docent easily.
Public restrooms are available and pointed out.
We enjoyed the architecture, learning more about the Masonic orders, and about George Washington's involvement in the Masons.
Tour is very informative. You visit several floors and view exhibits about the history of the Masons, and George Washington's involvement with them. Highlight of the tour is the observation deck on the 9th floor. It circles the building and the views are fabulous (on a nice day). There is metal "caging" on the observation deck, so it is very safe. Photography is allowed throughout, but no flashes and no video.
At the end we were directed to the gift shop and the exit. We could walk around more if we wanted. Parking is plentiful, or it is right across the street from the King Street Metro station. There was a handicap ramp, but I did not see an entrance that didn't have steps. I'm sure there had to be one though, and inside you go by elevator to the different floors.
The only challenge was at the start of the tour. It was hard to hear/understand the docent as the echo was horrible. In the first room it was very warm, but the echo wasn't as bad. After that, temperature was fine & we could hear the docent easily.
Public restrooms are available and pointed out.
We enjoyed the architecture, learning more about the Masonic orders, and about George Washington's involvement in the Masons.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RLWOrangePark
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL3,581 contributions
Oct 2021
Unfortunately the main building is closed due to COVID precautions but you can still walk the grounds, take photographs of this impressive building and get a great view from the many, many steps to climb. Would have been great to go up to the observation tower. You can walk from the King Street Metro station in Alexandria where you have access to the free King Street Trolley.
Written 28 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler787105
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
To visit the Masonic museum you need to plan ahead and pay the entrance fee virtually, or else the same thing will happen to you that happened to me. I arrived late, the museum was closed, and I could only see the exterior facilities. I know I will return because for me it is very important to know the museum and grow in Masonic knowledge.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol P
Denville, NJ16 contributions
Aug 2022
Our guide Jose gave us a wonderful tour of this amazing building honoring George Washington and highlighting the history of the Masons who built this amazing structure. The memorial hall's huge granite columns, marble floor, wall murals on either side, and the huge statute of George Washington wearing his Masonic regalia was beautiful. On another floor we visited different exhibits learning the history of the Free Masons and similar organizations such as the Shriners and the Order of the Eastern Star. The 4th floor was devoted to the life of George Washington with exhibits of his life as a Virginia planter through his military career, his presidency, etc. Including many artifacts.
On the 9th floor we walked onto an amazing outdoor observation deck that went around the entire building offering views of Washington D.C., Alexandria, and the National Harbor. That was worth the price of admission alone! The views were breathtaking as you walked around. It was indeed a very interesting day.
On the 9th floor we walked onto an amazing outdoor observation deck that went around the entire building offering views of Washington D.C., Alexandria, and the National Harbor. That was worth the price of admission alone! The views were breathtaking as you walked around. It was indeed a very interesting day.
Written 28 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York4,364 contributions
Jan 2020
Take the tour and then explore the exhibits. You will learn a lot about the Masons and George Washington's association with them. The view from the top floor observation deck is superb. You can look down King Street to the Potomac, see the planes take off and land at nearby Reagan National Airport, and even see the other Washington Monument in DC. There are exhibits on the masons, George Washington, and a replica of the lodge that Washington attended. It is well worth the admission fee.
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve
Punxsutawney, PA2 contributions
Dec 2019
This was my second visit in 30 years. Now that I'm older and a fractional bit wiser (having listened to Masonic scholar lectures etc for the past several decades while walking) it is even more awesome. It's an easy walk from the Metro / AMTRAC station and there is lots of parking. Both times I've toured the tour was small in number which is nice compared to many other events. This is a bucket list site in my opinion.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will J
Riverview, Canada268 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
It's a nice piece of architecture on a high point. It's an interesting old building in it's own right. There is a great collection of Waashington memorabilia, and some interesting historic artifacts. The memorial has functional lodges within, and you can sneak a peek at these rooms if you're curious. Freemasony was an important aspect of life when men valued the quality of their characters. Someday, western men will return to these values.
There is a wonderful view from the top, take the elevator up.
Definitely recommended.
There is a wonderful view from the top, take the elevator up.
Definitely recommended.
Written 27 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Since this is a national memorial can you get a discount using your National Park Pass?
Written 16 October 2019
No, unfortunately not. Although it’s listed as a national landmark, its privately run and not part of the National Parks Service.
Written 16 October 2019
not sure about ticket for infant depending how old. Tour is long with talking. You can tour on your own without a group and I believe that is free.
take the King Street trolley to the end of the line and you do have a little hike, like up a big hill by road or hike the stairs. There must be parking but we walked. Also, Metro has a stop at the bottom of the hill.
no restaurant inside but on King Street lots and also at the bottom of the hill on King Street
Written 14 November 2016
I think there are many other areas but the memorial with a child? NO
Written 15 November 2016
Are they open on Veterans Day and Saturday ? What are the hours?
Written 11 November 2016
tours are only offed certain hours..must do the tour and go to the top...a must do to the top walkway.. that was our highlight
Written 11 November 2016
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