Constitution Gardens
Constitution Gardens
Constitution Gardens
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
93 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
34
Average
24
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Eyekaytoo
Leverkusen, Germany3,121 contributions
Jun 2023
We walked past these gardens on our way up the Constitution Avenue towards the Lincoln Memorial. It's quite a peaceful area with enough park benches to sit down on and watch the world go by. Perhaps annoying is the number of people on bikes, electric scooters and Segways who come through this way with disregard to those of us on foot. Oh well.
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrMrsHappyR
Liverpool, UK1,439 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Beautiful lake and park area North of the WWII Memorial. Easy to miss but well worth a visit. Lovely relaxing lake with lots of benches to sit and watch the world
Written September 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Les M
Cincinnati, OH474 contributions
This isn't up to the same level as the other monuments/memorials but I really enjoyed Constitution gardens and the monument to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
It is a little away from the rest of the memorials, so you have to watch for it, but it's worth a trip from the beaten path that is the reflecting pool. Basically, it is a pond that has a bridge to an island. n the island is a block that has the names and signatures of all the Signers organized by state.
I thought it a fitting tribute to men that in 1776 might as well have been signing their own death warrants. Stop to think about what chances the revolution had in succeeding. If the war was lost, these men would have been ruled traitors and hanged. Simple as that. Also keep in mind that in 1776, most people did not want separation from England, they simply saw the war as a way to get England to redress the wrongs that had suffered over the years.
I'm not sure what was going on when other reviewers visited, but the pond was neither drained, low or disgusting. I thought it was picturesque. I thought the landsaping was beautiful and I had no problems resting on any of the benches.
It's really worth the 15 minutes needed to walk around and see this.
It is a little away from the rest of the memorials, so you have to watch for it, but it's worth a trip from the beaten path that is the reflecting pool. Basically, it is a pond that has a bridge to an island. n the island is a block that has the names and signatures of all the Signers organized by state.
I thought it a fitting tribute to men that in 1776 might as well have been signing their own death warrants. Stop to think about what chances the revolution had in succeeding. If the war was lost, these men would have been ruled traitors and hanged. Simple as that. Also keep in mind that in 1776, most people did not want separation from England, they simply saw the war as a way to get England to redress the wrongs that had suffered over the years.
I'm not sure what was going on when other reviewers visited, but the pond was neither drained, low or disgusting. I thought it was picturesque. I thought the landsaping was beautiful and I had no problems resting on any of the benches.
It's really worth the 15 minutes needed to walk around and see this.
Written August 4, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bourdeaux
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA14 contributions
My husband and I were in Washington D.C. this past week-end on business. We stayed 3 days/2 nights. We had a few free hours on Sunday afternoon and chose to head over to the Mall area and spend time viewing the momuments section of the city.
As expected we toured The Lincoln Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, The Vietnam & Woman's Memorial, The Reflecting Pool and The WWII Memorial. All of these important monuments surround Constitution Gardens and thus...to see one or two means you often see them all and stroll through the garden area to get from one area to another. You can get through the main paths to the Gardens in about 15-20 minutes or longer if you take a leisurely stroll. We did not tour the entire site but, the main connecting areas.
Constitution Gardens is technically a 50 acre site with winding paths, trees, shrubs and foliage and a small lake in the middle. The lake is actually dedicated to the Signers of The Declaration of Independence. A wall near the site has all their names on it. Guide books often tell you of the glorious history of this site -simple in design yet, important. Each year, since around 1986, new citizens are sworn in by the lake.
The gardens sound good on paper but, were lacking in person. I kept asking my husband are we in our nations capital - the heart of America or somewhere else? We were suprised at the benches along the paths that had peeling paint, birdie doo and yuck all over them, the constant trash that littered the paths, and grass (cigarette butts, food wrappers, drinking bottles and more) and the large quantity of bird doo/feathers and "gunk" that was along the entire lake edge. This area was unfortunately no living paradise and a serious disappoint in the midst of so many goregous monuments.
It appears The National Park Service apparently over-sees the upkeep, security, narrative assistance and more in the Mall.
We saw a handful of NPS employees giving tours and talks in different areas, a handful of security personnel around busy areas but...only one person sweeping up trash (at the new WWII memorial no less). We saw no one in any other areas - after acres and acres of walking - doing clean-up and it was definately needed. We were disappointed and embarrased at the condition we found one of our great national parks.
Note, there are public rest rooms in the gardens area and as expected, they are not staffed or cleaned (or so it seems). There was toilet paper in the females rest room but, the stalls were dirty as were the toilets and no soap to wash your hands. It felt unclean and I'm sure it was. Recommendations are to always try to use a hotel, restaurant or museum bathroom when you can - the ones in the park are poor choices but, sometimes a must in emergencies.
We are trying to remain hopeful that perhaps the park was lacking as high tourist season had just ended and perhaps with 9/11 memorials in high gear up mode...perhaps clean up took a back seat for a bit. Let's hope clean-up will occur soon.
The park has great possibilities and could be gorgeous - it simply needs a lot of work, clean-up and re-design to be all that it could be. For a nation and law makers that spend billions and billions on bridges that go to nowhere and ridiculous pork barrel spending - they are long over-due in pumping a few needed dollars into a gem like Constitution Park that deserves more TLC than it gets.
This is a world class city - this park is NOT up to snuff.
It's a shame that we can build practically the eighth wonder of the world - Las Vegas - and re-create Rome, Venice, Paris, New York and other great cities in a vast desert YET, we can't keep a simple park like Constituion Gardens clean and appealing in our nations heart.
Make your way through the park to your other destinations and keep your expectations low along the way - you'll be fine. Once you reach your other destinations - you can raise your expectations again. Everything surrounding this park is solid.
As expected we toured The Lincoln Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, The Vietnam & Woman's Memorial, The Reflecting Pool and The WWII Memorial. All of these important monuments surround Constitution Gardens and thus...to see one or two means you often see them all and stroll through the garden area to get from one area to another. You can get through the main paths to the Gardens in about 15-20 minutes or longer if you take a leisurely stroll. We did not tour the entire site but, the main connecting areas.
Constitution Gardens is technically a 50 acre site with winding paths, trees, shrubs and foliage and a small lake in the middle. The lake is actually dedicated to the Signers of The Declaration of Independence. A wall near the site has all their names on it. Guide books often tell you of the glorious history of this site -simple in design yet, important. Each year, since around 1986, new citizens are sworn in by the lake.
The gardens sound good on paper but, were lacking in person. I kept asking my husband are we in our nations capital - the heart of America or somewhere else? We were suprised at the benches along the paths that had peeling paint, birdie doo and yuck all over them, the constant trash that littered the paths, and grass (cigarette butts, food wrappers, drinking bottles and more) and the large quantity of bird doo/feathers and "gunk" that was along the entire lake edge. This area was unfortunately no living paradise and a serious disappoint in the midst of so many goregous monuments.
It appears The National Park Service apparently over-sees the upkeep, security, narrative assistance and more in the Mall.
We saw a handful of NPS employees giving tours and talks in different areas, a handful of security personnel around busy areas but...only one person sweeping up trash (at the new WWII memorial no less). We saw no one in any other areas - after acres and acres of walking - doing clean-up and it was definately needed. We were disappointed and embarrased at the condition we found one of our great national parks.
Note, there are public rest rooms in the gardens area and as expected, they are not staffed or cleaned (or so it seems). There was toilet paper in the females rest room but, the stalls were dirty as were the toilets and no soap to wash your hands. It felt unclean and I'm sure it was. Recommendations are to always try to use a hotel, restaurant or museum bathroom when you can - the ones in the park are poor choices but, sometimes a must in emergencies.
We are trying to remain hopeful that perhaps the park was lacking as high tourist season had just ended and perhaps with 9/11 memorials in high gear up mode...perhaps clean up took a back seat for a bit. Let's hope clean-up will occur soon.
The park has great possibilities and could be gorgeous - it simply needs a lot of work, clean-up and re-design to be all that it could be. For a nation and law makers that spend billions and billions on bridges that go to nowhere and ridiculous pork barrel spending - they are long over-due in pumping a few needed dollars into a gem like Constitution Park that deserves more TLC than it gets.
This is a world class city - this park is NOT up to snuff.
It's a shame that we can build practically the eighth wonder of the world - Las Vegas - and re-create Rome, Venice, Paris, New York and other great cities in a vast desert YET, we can't keep a simple park like Constituion Gardens clean and appealing in our nations heart.
Make your way through the park to your other destinations and keep your expectations low along the way - you'll be fine. Once you reach your other destinations - you can raise your expectations again. Everything surrounding this park is solid.
Written September 13, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saberman48
Washington DC, DC25 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
For the past week and the foreseeable near future, the pond is being cleaned with dumpsters of organic waste. You probably should avoid walking around this due to the smell. Walk around the reflecting pool instead.
Written April 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QuickWhitTravel
Washington DC, DC3,781 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
I'm so glad there is a memorial in DC for the 56 signers. This is a lovely spot with a garden and water features, so it's a nice place to get a little peace and maybe bring your lunch. I recommend a stopover!
Written May 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R B
4 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
My husband and I got married here in 2011--it was fantastic. We wanted to be married somewhere that was significant to our relationship, our personalities, and our lives (he's in law enforcement; I'm an attorney). We were married in July, so the weather was very hot--and this particular monument wasn't congested like the other monuments were, so we were able to have a bit of privacy. Also, I'm not sure what the wedding permit situation is with the other monuments, but I don't think you need one here. We did our pre-wedding photos at the WWII fountain, and that made for a gorgeous backdrop. Anyway, it was a beautiful ceremony under a weeping willow tree, with the Washington Monument in the background...and it was free, so you can't beat that. It's a fantastic and meaningful place, and if it speaks to you, you'll know it.
Written May 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendan S
Arlington, VA2,152 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
Constitution Gardens are on a small island in the middle of a pond between the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.
There are stones arranged in a semi-circle identifying each of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and their occupations/state, with an engraving of their signatures (look for John Hancock's famous scrawl!).
It's very small and will only take a few minutes to see. The pond and surrounding environs are beautiful, an oasis in the bustling Tidal Basin. The ducks in the pond are quite tame, too.
Also, be advised that you can only access the Gardens from a bridge on one side; go the wrong way around the pond and you'll have to walk all the way back around to access them.
There are stones arranged in a semi-circle identifying each of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and their occupations/state, with an engraving of their signatures (look for John Hancock's famous scrawl!).
It's very small and will only take a few minutes to see. The pond and surrounding environs are beautiful, an oasis in the bustling Tidal Basin. The ducks in the pond are quite tame, too.
Also, be advised that you can only access the Gardens from a bridge on one side; go the wrong way around the pond and you'll have to walk all the way back around to access them.
Written April 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James G
Fairfax County, VA186 contributions
Jun 2020
I have been here many times over the years. It is right on the National Mall and it is a good place to sit down for a little bit and rest. There are usually ducks there that you can feed. I would not make a special trip to go here but since it is right on the Mall, you almost have to go, even if it is just walking by.
Written May 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DRLaskeyTrips
Canton, OH1,437 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
We went through the park on way back to subway and it was not that great expected better,. The water was murky green color with tress around the lake and benches to sit. There is concession stand here for drinks.
Written September 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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