While in the nation's capital, take time to view the many memorials and monuments, large and small, that grace the city and the outlying areas. Many will be familiar to visitors, others may not, but each has a story to tell and presents a life or lives the nation has chosen to honor and celebrate. Click here to see memorials and monuments in surrounding areas.

African-American Civil War Memorial - A memorial tribute to the African American members of the Union Army during the Civil War, this handsome 11 foot bronze statuary shows soldiers from several of theregimental services. / 10th & U Sts. N.W. / Free

The Albert Einstein Memorial - Seated bronze statue of physicist Albert Einstein designed by Robert Berks sits on a granite bench within a 28 foot circular map of the sky. The statue is located on the southwest corner of of the National Academy of Sciences. / 2101 Constitution Ave. / National Academy of Sciences / 202-334-2000 / Free

Constitution Gardens - Adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial, this 52 acre park holds the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (see below) and the Memorial to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. On the lake, there are 56 large granite blocks, each carved with a signature of a signer of the 1776 document. / 17th to 23rd and Constitution Ave. / 202-462-6841 / Free

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial - Dedicated to the memory of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the memorial depicts his four terms of office with four outdoor rooms filled with sculptures. From the depression years through the War, the last "room" commemorates his death and honors his wife Eleanor, the only presidential memorial to pay homage to a first lady. / West Potomac Park on the Tidal Basin / 202-619-7222 / Free

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site - (For information on this memorial see Historic Sites Section)

Kahlil Gibran Memorial Garden - To honor Lebanese-American poet and philosopher, Kahlil Gibran, a beautiful garden in Rock Creek Park stands filled with his quotations. / Massachusetts Ave. N.W. / Rock Creek Park / 202-282-1063 / Free

Korean War Veterans Memorial - Symbolized by a sculpture of 19 soldiers who appear to be passing through an unknown battlefield, the stark monochrome of the memorial reflects the black and white photographic images taken during the conflict. / The Mall near the Lincoln Memorial / 202-619-7222 / Free

Lincoln Memorial - Immortalized on American pennies and five dollar bills, the Lincoln Memorial is one of the country’s most recognized icons. Sitting on the eastern axis of the mall, the imposing 36 columned structure houses the colossal seated statue of Lincoln as he ponders the state of the union. Two of his most famous speeches are engraved upon the walls around him and the lower lobby displays a permanent exhibition designed by students. / The Mall / 202-426-6895 / Admission Free

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial - Dedicated to those who have fallen in the line of duty, the memorial park has walls inscribed with over 14,000 names of officers who have died while defending the public trust. A visitors center has photos, interactive video biographies of slain officers and historic exhibits relating to law enforcement. / 605 E. St. N.W. / Judiciary Square / 202-737-3400 / Admission Free

National World War II Memorial - The Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument / 202-426-6841. Dedicated on Memorial Day Weekend of 2004 to honor the heroics of America’s Greatest Generation during World War II. A long time in coming, the Memorial honors those men and women who labored, fought and laid down their lives to free the world of Nazi and Japanese aggression.

Robert Taft Memorial - A bell tower and statue of Robert Alphonso Taft, bell concerts are played on a irregular schedule except for the 2 p.m. presentation on the 4th of July. / one block north of the Capitol / Free

Thomas Jefferson Memorial - Honoring our third President and an author of the Declaration of Independence, the circular open columned dome is reminiscent of Jefferson's own architectural creations. In the central rotunda of the space stands a 19 foot bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson by Rudolph Evans, the surrounding walls are paneled with excerpts of Jefferson’s most important writings. / South east side of the Tidal Basin / 202-426-6821 / Free

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - (For information on this memorial see Museums Section)

U.S. Navy Memorial - The memorial is based on a 100 foot diameter granite map of the world which shows the vastness of the seas, surrounded by flags, pools and bronze markers which display in relief, events of naval history. Used as a amphitheater for concerts, the only statue on the memorial is of the Lone Sailor. The columned Naval Heritage Center is a backdrop to the memorial. / Pennsylvania Ave. between 7th & 9th Sts. / 202-737-2300 / Free

Vietnam Veterans Memorial - The "Wall" is a v-shaped black granite memorial that sits below grade, the graduated shape shows how many died during each year of the conflict. Every name of the U.S. men and women who were lost during the Vietnam conflict are carved into the polished stone. Accompanying statues of three servicemen and another of three servicewomen honor all who served in Vietnam. / The Mall near the Lincoln Memorial / 202-619-7222 / Free

Washington Monument - Honoring George Washington, this recently renovated 555 foot obelisk is one of the great symbols of Washington D.C. Its base is surrounded by a circle of 50 American flags symbolic of each state of the union. The elevator ride up to the 500 foot level is well worth the time to get a birds-eye view of the area. / The Mall between 14th and 17th Sts. / 202-426-6841 / Free Admission / Timed ticket required - available at Kiosk

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