Landmark · Washington, D.C.
Lincoln Memorial: free entry days, tickets & hours
The temple-like memorial to Abraham Lincoln at the west end of the National Mall, overlooking the Reflecting Pool; since 2026 with a new museum in the undercroft beneath it.
Independent guide, not the official Lincoln Memorial website. Official links are under Sources.
Lincoln Memorial is free to enter.
- Open today 00:00–24:00.
- Almost free: Undercroft museum advance tickets on Recreation.gov: free, $1 service fee per reservation.
- Up to 30 days ahead on recreation.gov or 877-444-6777; new tickets at 11am daily; up to six tickets per reservation.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeMain chamber and exterior free for everyone, day and night | everyone | — | No |
| Free areaUndercroft museum: free same-day tickets at the Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk | everyone | Supplies are limited; expect a line before the window opens. | No |
| Free with passUndercroft museum advance tickets on Recreation.gov: free, $1 service fee per reservation | everyone | Almost free: $1 service fee per reservation (not per ticket). | Yes |
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Undercroft museum advance tickets on Recreation.gov: free, $1 service fee per reservation: Up to 30 days ahead on recreation.gov or 877-444-6777; new tickets at 11am daily; up to six tickets per reservation.
- Come at night: the memorial is open 24 hours and floodlit.
- Find the 'I Have a Dream' stone on the steps where Martin Luther King Jr. gave the speech in 1963.
- The new undercroft museum needs a timed ticket; same-day tickets come from the Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk from 8:45am.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Lincoln Memorial
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 00:00–24:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 00:00–24:00 |
| Wed | 00:00–24:00 |
| Thu | 00:00–24:00 |
| Fri | 00:00–24:00 |
| Sat | 00:00–24:00 |
| Sun | 00:00–24:00 |
Memorial open 24 hours every day; restrooms, the undercroft museum and elevators close in the evening. NPS lists Christmas Day as closed.
2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, DC 20002, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Lincoln Memorial: common questions
Is Lincoln Memorial free?
Yes — Lincoln Memorial is free to enter.
Do I need to book for free entry to Lincoln Memorial?
Up to 30 days ahead on recreation.gov or 877-444-6777; new tickets at 11am daily; up to six tickets per reservation.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Lincoln Memorial
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Sources
Where this comes from
- nps.gov/linc/planyourvisit/visit-the-lincoln-memorial-chamber.htm · checked Tuesday, 27 October 2026
- nps.gov/linc/planyourvisit/undercroftvisit.htm · checked Tuesday, 27 October 2026
- nps.gov/linc/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.