Located in West Potomac Park, set purposefully in the sightline of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial honors the struggles and successes of America's most influential civil rights leader. After passing through two towering mounds of white granite, The Mountain of Despair, you'll enter the memorial to stand at the foot of The Stone of Hope - alluding to a passage in King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Emerging from this stone is a 30-foot sculpture of King's likeness. After experiencing the memorial's powerful entryway, walk along its 450-foot plaza wall that honors Martin Luther King, Jr. with 14 of his most inspiring quotes. The newest addition to The National Mall, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial offers a moving and memorable experience.
Details
Prices -
Free
Hours -
24 Hours
Events
Ceremonies
Memorials
Holiday Celebrations
Activities
Sightseeing
Speech Inscriptions
Self-guided Tours
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Ranger Lectures
FAQs
What can I expect to see at the MLK Memorial?
The MLK Memorial is designed to commemorate the passage “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope” passage from Dr.King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech, The centerpiece of the memorial is the 30-foot likeness of Dr.King carved into The Stone of Hope. To enter the memorial, visitors first pass through two boulders, The Mountain of Despair. Once inside the memorial's plaza, visitors can walk along the 450-foot Inscription Wall, which features 14 inspirational quotes selected from Dr.King's speeches, sermons and writings.
What's the best way to get to the MLK Memorial?
The most convenient way to reach the MLK Memorial is by Metrobus or Metro. If traveling via the Metro, the Smithsonian Metro stop is the closest. The Metro stop can be reached by the Orange, Blue and Silver lines. If traveling by bus, visitors should use the 32, 34 or 36 Metrobus routes. The MLK Memorial is in close proximity to other memorials of the Tidal Basin.
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