Booking choice: The night coach tour, from $58 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
The Mall changes after sunset. The memorials are lit, the paths are cooler and quieter, and photos come out better than at noon.
Below: what is open, which stops you see, five tour styles side by side and what to wear. For prices, see the tour price guide.
The quick answer
Yes, the monuments are open at night: the memorials are outdoors and the National Mall park is open 24 hours a day. A night tour adds the guide, a seat and the route, from $58 on the coach to $89 in a small-group van.
Are the DC monuments open at night?
Yes. The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the park is open round the clock.
The NPS lists National Mall and Memorial Parks as open 24 hours a day, and ranger programs at the Lincoln Memorial run from 9:30 am to 10 pm. Indoor attractions have their own schedules: the Washington Monument elevator uses timed tickets (see the ticket guide) and hours are on Recreation.gov.
Which monuments are lit and what do you see?
The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, war memorials, White House and Capitol all show off after dark.
The electric cart passes the Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam and Korean War memorials. The trolley stops at the FDR, Lincoln and Vietnam memorials and drives by the Capitol and the Supreme Court. The small-group van adds the White House and the Capitol lit up.
Ten or more landmarks in one loop, with water on board and a guide who keeps the route moving.
Check dates for the night coach tourIs a DC monuments night tour worth it?
For most visitors, yes: the lights, the cooler air and the guide's stories are the three reasons.
The ratings agree. The night coach has 4.7 from 7,303 reviews, the trolley has 4.6 from 4,251, and the small-group van holds a 5.0 from 416.
Skip it only if you want to linger at one memorial for an hour. That is a walk, not a tour.
Which night tour is right for you?
Pick the coach for comfort, the cart for open air, the van for a small group and the trolley for a classic ride.
The table sets them side by side.
| Tour | Style | Length | From | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night coach | Coach, glass-top upgrade | 3 hours | $58 | U.S. Navy Memorial |
| Electric cart | Open-air cart, 7 seats | 2 hours | $56 | 450 F St NW |
| Small-group van | Van with audio link | 3 hours | $89 | 850 10th St NW |
| Open-air trolley | Trolley by moonlight | 2.5 hours | $60 | Union Station or Welcome Center |
| Open-air minibus | Minibus, ages 5+ | 2 hours 10 min | $49 | 333 G St NW |
Night versus day: which is better?
Night for atmosphere and photos, day for detail and the inscriptions.
After dark the lights pick out the columns and the Washington Monument, and the groups are smaller. By day you read the carved words and see the faces of the statues.
Cart, minibus, car and small cart tours run day or night, so you can pair one of each on a longer stay.
What should you wear on an open-air night tour?
Layers, closed shoes and a hat or gloves in winter, because open-air rides cool fast.
Bring a charged phone for photos, a small bag and water. Eating and drinking are not allowed inside memorial spaces, so finish snacks before you step up to a memorial.
The electric cart is open to the air on all sides. The coach and the van are air-conditioned.
Is a night tour safe?
The memorials are lit and busy with other visitors, and a guided group travels together with a leader.
Stay with your guide, keep your belongings close and meet the group at the stated spot. Small-group vans and coaches also keep you off the dark paths between memorials.
What is the best night to go?
Pick the evening your departure time and sunset line up, and check the date page for the exact start.
Winter gives early darkness; in summer the lights come on later. The trolley asks you to check in 30 minutes early at Union Station or the Welcome Center, so add that to your evening.
Weekdays are usually calmer at the memorials. Read the bus, bike or cart comparison if you are weighing vehicles.
A five-star small-group evening: the lit memorials, a guide in your ear and water on board.
Explore the small-group night tourFrequently asked questions
Are the DC monuments lit all night?
The memorials are outdoors and the park is open 24 hours a day. Check the date on the tour listing for the exact lighting and tour times.
Do you need tickets to see the monuments at night?
No. Only the Washington Monument elevator and the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft use timed tickets.
Can children join a night tour?
Yes on most, but age lines differ. The open-air minibus is for ages 5 and up; check each listing.
How long does a night tour take?
Plan 2 to 3 hours: about 2 hours on the cart, 2.5 on the trolley and 3 on the coach or the small-group van.
Ready to book
Choose your monuments tour
Every option here can be cancelled for a full refund; the deadline is on each listing. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
DC Monuments by Night Coach Tour
- About 3 hours after dark from the U.S. Navy Memorial
- Air-conditioned coach, bottled water and a professional guide
- More than ten landmarks, with photo stops at the main memorials
DC Monuments by Electric Cart, Day or Night
- About 2 hours, day or night departures
- Open-air electric roadster seating seven, small group or private
- Local guide, dedicated photo stops at the monuments and memorials
DC Monuments and Memorials Night Tour, Small Group
- About 3 hours in the evening from One CityCenter
- Air-conditioned van with an audio link to the guide at each site
- Lincoln, Jefferson and war memorials, the White House and the Capitol lit up
