The big three memorials in DC
The three sit at the corners of a rough triangle, which is why doing all of them is a longer day than the 1.9-mile Mall figure suggests. Lincoln to the Washington Monument is most of that 1.9 miles; the Monument down to Jefferson adds the Tidal Basin. Walking the triangle is comfortably a morning, and I would not try to fit a museum into the same three hours.
Only one of the three has an inside to get into. The Washington Monument runs a nonstop elevator to the observation deck at 500 feet; timed tickets are released at 10:00 a.m. daily for dates 30 days ahead, more come out one day before the visit date, and the walk-up window at the Washington Monument Lodge opens at 8:45 a.m. for same-day tickets while supplies last. The full mechanics are on the Washington Monument tickets page.
Do Lincoln first thing and Jefferson last thing. The Jefferson Memorial faces north across the water, so at dusk it is lit and the Washington Monument is reflected in the basin in front of it, which is the photograph people come home with.
If you want all three plus the war memorials without walking the triangle twice, one three-hour small-group tour at $55 includes the timed Monument ticket and visits the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, Korean War, MLK and WWII memorials with a photo stop at the White House South Lawn. It rates 4.9 but from only 25 reviews, so treat that as encouraging rather than settled. Both the memorials and the rest of the Mall are listed on things to see on the National Mall.
Frequently asked questions
What are the big three memorials in DC?
In my experience of being asked, people mean the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. All three are free, and the Washington Monument is the only one with an inside to visit, by free timed ticket. Others use the phrase for the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans and Korean War memorials at the west end.
Can you see all three in one morning?
Yes, on foot, if you are content to walk roughly three miles and skip the museums. Start at the Lincoln Memorial, walk east to the Washington Monument, then drop south to the Tidal Basin for Jefferson. Timings are in how long it takes to walk the Mall.
Do the big three memorials cost anything?
No. There is no admission fee to any of them. Going up inside the Washington Monument needs a timed ticket, which is free, with a $1 non-refundable service charge if you book it online in advance. See is the National Mall free.