Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Memorial park · West Potomac Park

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Memorial park · West Potomac Park

1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20004

Highlights

Powerful tribute with inspiring quotes and symbolic design

1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20004 Get directions

nps.gov

@nationalmallnps

@nomadicmatt

25+ Free Things to Do in Washington, D.C. (Updated 2025)

"I found the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to be a powerful tribute: a giant carving of Dr. King with quotations from his 'I Have a Dream' speech and an Inscription Wall featuring 14 quotes from his speeches and writings; it was the first memorial on the Mall to honor a person of color when it opened in 2011." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/free-things-to-do-in-washington-dc/

View Postcard for Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Deeliteful

Google

The night shadows on this exhibit creates a different feel than a day visit. Learning that the monument's legs were left unfinished on purpose to represent his life's business was not finished. He died too soon.

Keqi Gan

Google

If you like cherry blossom, and the warm weather, last weekend was made for you. There are so many people around the Tidal Basin area so the best choice is to park near Kennedy Center. We enjoyed the scenery very much. Last time I was here for the event, that was 30+ years ago.

Desiree Simmons

Google

Amazing contribution and worth seeing along with the African American history museum. Thank you to everyone that made his statue available for all to see and to those that did an amazing job on his sculpture.

Lawrence

Google

One of my favorite sites around the national mall! Very well done memorial!

Mark Steele

Google

Very important piece of American history. I can imagine one would enjoy at nighttime when mire serene and peaceful.

Beverly Versey-Riley

Google

Beautiful monument for a great human being. Truly enjoyed see this monument at night. Breathtaking.

Abid Gill

Google

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is a powerful and moving tribute to one of history's greatest leaders. As you approach the memorial, you're immediately struck by its sheer size and the profound impact it has. The centerpiece of the memorial is a colossal statue of Dr. King, carved into a massive granite stone. The inscription, "Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope," encapsulates his enduring message of hope and equality. As you walk around the memorial, you're greeted with quotes from Dr. King's speeches, each one more inspiring than the last. The memorial's design is both striking and thought-provoking. The way it's nestled into the landscape, emerging from the "Mountain of Despair" and culminating in the "Stone of Hope," is a powerful visual representation of Dr. King's journey and his ultimate triumph.

Kay Cee

Google

The detail was truly captured in this memorial exhibit. I loved the entrance to the memorial and the symbolism of a stone of hope. Along the walking path are various quotes from this great man. He faces the Jefferson Memorial off in the near distance.