Visit Washington, DC!

Hotel and travel tips for visiting Washington, DC

  • Home
  • Visitor Information
    • Traveling to Washington DC
    • Getting Around Washington DC
    • Parking in Washington DC
    • Guided Tours of Washington DC
    • Washington DC News, Media, and Weather
    • Shopping in Washington DC
    • Restaurants in Washington DC
  • Sightseeing
    • Monuments & Memorials
    • Museums and Galleries
    • Other Washington DC Attractions
    • Parks
    • Day Trips
    • Take the Kids
    • Annual Events
  • Hotels
    • Featured Hotels
    • Hotels Near the Mall
    • Hotel Package Deals
    • Group Accommodations
    • Washington DC Hotels
    • Virginia Hotels
    • Maryland Hotels
  • Tour Books
  • Event Tickets
    • Kennedy Center Tickets
    • Capital One Arena Tickets
    • Warner Theatre Tickets
    • Eagle Bank Arena Tickets
    • Wolf Trap Tickets
    • Royal Farms Arena Tickets
    • The Theater at MGM National Harbor
    • FedEx Field Tickets
    • Washington Capitals Tickets
    • Washington Nationals Tickets
    • Washington Redskins Tickets
    • Washington Wizards Tickets
    • DC United Tickets
    • All Washington, DC Events
  • Tour Deals
  • Top 10
You are here: Home / Washington DC Sightseeing / Washington DC Monuments & Memorials / FDR Memorial

FDR Memorial

FDR memorial in Washington, DC

This meandering 7.5-acre memorial—near the Jefferson Memorial, just off the Tidal Basin—pays tribute to both a president and an era. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s accomplishments during his four terms in office are honored through sculptures and words etched in four outdoor granite galleries representing time spans from 1933 to 1945.The 32nd president is shown in a bas-relief that depicts him riding in a car during his first inaugural, alongside his beloved dog, Fala.

Opened in 1997, the memorial spurred controversy when advocates for the disabled argued that Roosevelt should be depicted in a wheelchair, which he used after contracting polio in 1921. Because Roosevelt was careful never to be seen in his wheelchair in public, designers instead decided to include a statue of Roosevelt seated, covered in a cloak.  The design also incorporates Braille in some of its relief sculptures, as an aid to visually impaired visitors.

The park-like memorial is well-suited to photo ops; tourists especially enjoy posing among the figures depicted in the sculpture “Bread Line,” which conveys the mood of the country during the Great Depression. You’ll also find a number of pools and waterfalls, and a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt. This is the only presidential memorial to include a tribute to a First Lady.

Travel Tips

The memorial includes a small bookstore and gift shop, which offers souvenirs related to Roosevelt. There are no food concessions on site, so plan accordingly.

For more, visit: https://www.nps.gov/frde/index.htm

Photos of the FDR Memorial

FDR Memorial in Washington DC
FDR Memorial in Washington DC
FDR Memorial in Washington DC

FDR Memorial in Washington DC
FDR Memorial in Washington DC
FDR memorial in Washington, DC

Travel Information

FDR Memorial
1850 W. Basin Drive SW
Washington, DC  20037
202.426.6841

Hours: The FDR Memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Park rangers are on hand to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, except for December 25.

Admission: Free

Parking: General visitor parking is available along Ohio Drive, SW, between the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials.

Metrorail: Orange and Blue Line stops for the Smithsonian are closest to the memorial, but it’s a good walk from the station.

Nearby Attractions
Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Jefferson Memorial

Suggested Tours
Old Town Trolley Tour

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Best Rate Guarantee

Book a Hotel

Advertisement

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Promote Your Event

Know of an event that would interest tourists in D.C.? We want to hear about it. Drop us a note and we'll help you get the word out.

Goldstar Deals

Find fun things to do in Washington, DC and save. Check out the current deals at Goldstar!

Book a Hotel

AD

Copyright 2024 Big Fish Design. All Rights Reserved. The District | Advertising Rates | Privacy Policy | Contact Us