United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center
United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center
United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A statue of The Lone Sailor peers over this memorial, which consists of a plaza bearing a granite world map flanked by waterfalls and fountains. The heritage center contains exhibits on naval history.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
How to get there
- Archives • 1 min walk
- Gallery Place • 5 min walk
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Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
196 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
80
Average
28
Poor
2
Terrible
1
RLWOrangePark
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL3,667 contributions
This memorial is located directly downtown; adjacent to the Archives/Navy Memorial Metro Station. When you leave the metro station and before you enter the building be sure to look around outside and the map of the world on the ground and the statue of the Lone Sailor in the courtyard. In the Memorial, there are videos, display boards and maps showing the Navy's history and experiences around the globe. There are uniforms and objects used by the various arms of the Navy. Check out the Navy Log, the nation's largest publicly available repository of Sea Service personnel. If you have a friend or relative that has served in the Navy, chances are you can find them in this database. Note that this is different from the National Navy Museum which is located on the Washington Navy Yard and is well worth a more extensive visit and tour of Navy history.
Written November 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gabe10101
Lexington, KY900 contributions
Family
Right outside the Archives Metro Station is a unique Memorial to the United States Navy. It's not as elaborate as other memorials around DC, but is worth 30 minutes of your time to learn about the Navy's history, and traditions - especially collecting water from around the world (the Seven Seas) to include in this fountain. Read the interpretive signs, climb around the fountains, or just relax a few minutes during your DC visit. Occasional concerts and other activities also occupy the Memorial.
Written November 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ScubaGSO
Greensboro, NC89 contributions
Both the memorial and the Heritage Center are must visits for anyone that served in the sea services. The Heritage center is small, but it does have some nice displays, and a wonderful library of books.
Written December 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Søren H
Alleroed Municipality, Denmark765 contributions
Business
Not much of a kick. Maybe if you are a US navy veteran it is exiting but I cannot get much out of it. Even forgot to take a picture of the marine guy statue.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
daff0dil74
Saint Louis, MO8 contributions
Solo
This Navy Memorial honors everyone who served in a US naval capacity. I entered my submariner husband in the Navy Log there so that his grandchildren, great grandchildren and those who come after will be able to connect with him and who he was, in years ahead. Registration was easy to do: just need a photo, with time and location noted, and basic information ( name, rank, serial number, etc). . Once entered in this archive the information can be brought up on computer’s there, and on your computer devices at home, anytime, anywhere. If you’ve been a Navy family the two statues there will be an emotional tug. The Lone Sailor and his Seabag stands outside on the Seven Seas plaza; and the “ Homecomig” statue of sailor, wife and child is inside in the archives area. Have a tissue in your pocket if they are a poingnant reminder of ‘ been there, done that’.
Written September 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John C
Coventry, UK37 contributions
We had looked forward to this, USN HQ and as Jack Nicholson said, seeing them in their 'faggoty white uniforms'. However it all went wrong, so lessons learnt. It cost us $100 taxi ride from Washington DC to Annapoilis. But hey make sure you take your passport as everything and I mean everything is barred unless international visitors have ID. So another $100 back to DC without seeing anything. Big negative was Annapolis Tourist Information telling us no taxis back from Ann. to DC but the local cigar shop telling us yes there were. The cigar shop was correct. Love to go again but major lesson learnt, take ID everywhere you go in the USA. A costly lesson.
Written September 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert L
Los Angeles, CA1,627 contributions
Solo
The Navy Memorial and Heritage Museum is the place to learn about all things Navy. It’s a great tribute to the Navy past, present and future. Interactive displays, videos, books, a theater and more. As we say in the Navy, “Well Done!”
Written June 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TAIPANPR55
Cream Ridge, NJ138 contributions
Family
Was here for the Blessing of the waters of the seven seas. on 4/13. This is a must stop for anyone who served in the US Navy
Written April 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
springbank
Greve, Denmark3,638 contributions
Couples
Very small and quaint memorial. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue midway between the White House and the Capitol Building. We stumbled onto this memorial by accident. It
honors those who have served or are currently serving. The artwork in the cast murals is amazing. This isnt a mind-blowing memorial.
In the centre of the memorial is a granite sea map of the world and a large compass rose surrounded by a circular structure followed by what seemed like a pool and fountain fountains with water from the seven seas.
There are informational writings on the outside along with (sort of) sculptures describing different key events.
We had a cup of coffee lunch at a cafe, nearby and watched people passing by and visiting the memorial from our outdoor table.
honors those who have served or are currently serving. The artwork in the cast murals is amazing. This isnt a mind-blowing memorial.
In the centre of the memorial is a granite sea map of the world and a large compass rose surrounded by a circular structure followed by what seemed like a pool and fountain fountains with water from the seven seas.
There are informational writings on the outside along with (sort of) sculptures describing different key events.
We had a cup of coffee lunch at a cafe, nearby and watched people passing by and visiting the memorial from our outdoor table.
Written October 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gooner10-8
Dublin, Ireland1,955 contributions
Solo
I came here before, and I said at the time that I felt this was an under-appreciated Memorial : it's very imaginatively designed, and impactfully delivered - particularly on a good day, it's also a great place to sit, reflect on its themes, and enjoy your surroundings.
This year, I felt fortunate to enjoy this venue once again : as workers on their Lunch-Break sat around, I savoured my surroundings (especially the Water-Features), sipped a Coffee, and listened to the Water.
[Sadly, the adjoining "Naval Heritage Center" is far less attractive : unwelcoming, dark, poorly laid-out, confused and confusing in conveying "Information & Messages" about the U.S. Navy & its associated Bodies - I wondered whether this was due to a lack of funding, of imagination, of leadership, or a combination of all three?]
This year, I felt fortunate to enjoy this venue once again : as workers on their Lunch-Break sat around, I savoured my surroundings (especially the Water-Features), sipped a Coffee, and listened to the Water.
[Sadly, the adjoining "Naval Heritage Center" is far less attractive : unwelcoming, dark, poorly laid-out, confused and confusing in conveying "Information & Messages" about the U.S. Navy & its associated Bodies - I wondered whether this was due to a lack of funding, of imagination, of leadership, or a combination of all three?]
Written November 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center, Washington DC
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- United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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