The George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Very Clean. Affordable tours. Great view at top. If you like architecture, there is plenty to see and learn on first and second floor. You can see and tour all in about 3-4 hours. For the history buffs, a lot of insights can be learned from the tours, specifically on the upper floors. 2 Active lodges are located here. Solve the elevator mystery!

Such an amazing place. I saw this tower from my hotel and had to check it out. I figured the tour just took you up to the observation deck but there was so much more. Every room on every floor was packed full of history, art and architecture. Such grand spaces, only pictures can describe.

Wonderful monument to visit. Book the tour and buy the tickets on line. Plenty of free parking. Great tribute to George Washington life outside of his presidency.

Great stop. Small crowds with an amazing tour. Amazing collections and awesome insights into freemasonry. One of the highlights to our DC trip.

The George Washington Masonic Memorial @ Alexandria is a neoclassical shrine dedicated to George Washington who was a Masonian himself. It was built during the period 1922-26 and offers a fascinating look at the history of Freemasonry. The tallest structure in the DC region, the top of the tower offers a panoramic 360 deg view of the DC region, the Potomac river and the town of Alexandria. It is advisable to take the guided tour as access to the top of the tower and use of elevators is aided by the staff

$20 per person is pretty steep but we were curious to see what the tour had to offer. The tour guide just took us to different floors and had us roam around and look at various things on display. Gift shop lacked anything worth purchasing.

It was great. Incredible facility and some beautiful rooms and treasures. The only bummer was that the gift shop person didn’t show up so we couldn’t get anything. Highly recommend.

Beautiful building inside and out. I was there for the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra concert. I highly recommend attending music performances here. I would throw a rave if I could 😀

Im always a fan of public monuments for all to enjoy and share. The walk from old town is very easy and they have guided tours to go inside to learn more about the 1st president. I only visited the monument on the outside but it is fairly quiet on a weekday. Literally no one after work hours. Great place to walk, enjoy the scenery and views!

Beautiful grounds but beware they were NOT open when we arrived at 3:30 on Sunday even though google said they were open!

I have tried to come here multiple times. So glad I finally got to tour this place. This is such a cool place to learn about our first US president's life as a freemason. We reserved a tour same day, and we were able to see so much. There are artifacts, historical facts, and my favorite, the overside murals! The art is phenomenal! One floor has a mini museum! It's nuts. There are banquet halls, conference rooms, and a beautiful amphitheater. Once, my husband and I tried to come here with no reservation. There was a huge party. They thought we were part of it, lol! At the very end, we were able to enjoy the view from the top, where you can see Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. Overall, we enjoyed the tour and will probably come back to visit again! The view alone is spectacular.

Absolutely beautiful Art Deco masterpiece building with excellent historical artifacts from George Washington. Close to Metro and King St.

Visiting George Washington Masonic National Memorial during the pandemic is a tale of two cities. The inside is temporarily closed. If it were open, you'd find a museum, grand architecture and a famous statue of George Washington. When it reopens, go. For now, the outside is all you'll experience, but it's worth a visit. Here's why: 1) Building: Standing on top of a hill once used for a Civil War fort, the building is 300-feet tall. With its height, it can be seen in the Alexandria skyline always. It's a neoclassical building modeled after the ancient Lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt. Because of this, it's one of the most unique buildings in the D.C. area. Built in 1932, it took decades to finish the inside. 2) Grounds: There's a parking lot at the top of the hill and a path that leads down to Alexandria's Union Station (built in 1905). Once you're at the top, you'll take in a beautiful view of Alexandria and even into D.C. Signs explain the area's significance and history of the building. Being on a steep hill, it becomes a popular place for locals to go sledding, skiing and snowboarding. There's a sign on the grounds that says these activities are "at your own risk," so technically they are allowed. 3) Area: Spend time wandering the surrounding area. Close by is the Alexandria War Memorial honoring citizens who served and gave their lives during World War I. Behind that is a historic train station. A few blocks north is a little general store called Grape + Bean.

Spent the morning learning about President George Washington and the Masonic chapter of his life. It's a very curated tour and I learned a lot about George Washington that I didn't know. Knowledge is power.

I love spending time here whenever we are in Alexandria. Plenty of bench to sit, pray and meditation. Currently, under renovation with scaffolding around the exterior. Can't wait until completed, as I've never been inside. Maybe next time I'm in VA

George Washington Masonic National Memorial [GWMNM]. (4 stars). Me: Ooh what's the cool looking temple building thingie?? BF: That's GW Masonic Memorial. (In a matter-of-fact tone)! Me: Umm what's a Masonic. BF: A builder of walls! Duh! Me: Oh OK. I knew that! Let's go check out the cool architecture!! BLUF: Definitely worth the GUIDED tour price of $18 per person!! Mason. Free-Masonry. Masonic. If you're anything like me, you may have known that one of the definitions of a MASON is a brick-layer. But I never knew there were other definitions... I looked up the GWMNM website and found out that there were tours available. So we decided to sign up for the GUIDED tour for 2 main reasons: 1) We actually enjoy human interaction, interactive Q&A, and listening to the tour via a LIVE HUMAN BEING vice a recording or a video. 2) We wanted to support our local community, especially during this tough time!! *Note 1: The GUIDED tour is $18 per person and reservations must be made in advance. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there is a MAX of 6 people per tour. I have to admit the smaller group tours are much more enjoyable. We had a total of 5 people in our group which included our tour guide. **Note 2: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the upper level rooms, to include the chapel and the observation deck, are not accessible at this time. You will receive a link to enjoy the "virtual tour" of those rooms upon receipt of your GUIDED tour reservation and payment. I wanted to share a little of what I learned about Free-Masonry and why this Memorial is named after GW. After taking the tour, I've learned that Free-Masonry is a fraternal (brotherhood) organization that lives by the code: "Faith, Hope, Charity". Masonics seem to practice a "way of life" vice wanting to be classified as a religion. GW was a practicing Mason and many of the artifacts featured belonged to GW as well as some other famous Masons including Benjamin Franklin and President Harry Truman! This 9-story memorial was built in the 1920s by millions of American Free-Masons to memorialize GW and to instill and promote the character and virtues of the Masons. In 2015, GWMNM was added as a National Historic Landmark!! The memorial is still utilized as a Masonic temple and we were unable to tour some of the rooms due to meetings that were being held at the time of our tour. But there were so many other rooms and sights to see and plaques to read that I was quite overwhelmed with information! One of the interesting facts that I learned on the tour was that the Masonic coat of arms that is displayed in the theater, centerline, belongs to GW. Another interesting fact that I learned on the tour was that the District of Columbia's (DC) flag design was based off of GW's coat of arms!! I believe we were able to tour 8 or 9 rooms and I got to see their 100+ year old elevators!! The elevators do work but the tour guides try not to utilize them unless they are needed due to the age of the equipment. Only service animals are allowed on the premises. I can see why! Our woofers would be running all over the halls and I definitely couldn't replace all these priceless artifacts!! Our tour guide Rachel was a lovely young woman who just started as a tour guide a few months ago. Most of the tour guides are not Masons but just enjoy sharing American history with all who visit. We enjoyed ourselves and would definitely recommend the guided tour to everyone! ============ There is a free private parking lot on-site. The gift shop, which was the last stop on the guided tour, was fun to peruse and the prices are actually quite affordable. The BF and I both got t-shirts and a sticker. We want to return when the observation deck opens up so we can see Alexandria in all its beauty!!

On a road trip, I spent a couple days in Alexandria. King Street is known as one of the best walks in the country so that is what I did (rainy day and all). At the end of King Street, you'll reach The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. It's a bit of a workout getting inside as you'll have to walk up some inclines and then a good amount of stairs. But hey, I'm all about working on my fitness. As you walk up, make sure to take some snaps of the building and as you reach the top, you'll have a nice panoramic view of Alexandria which makes for another photo opp. When I walked inside, I learned that there is a charge to tour the interior. I believe it was $10 if I was mistaken. Since I was in a time crunch, I decided to pass. Being inside, however, gives you the opportunity to see a stunning statue of George Washington in a beautiful hall. One of Alexandria's top highlights!

Eh. I only went to the observation deck with the Alexandria key to the city, but it wasn't really worth the time. They wouldn't let us go to the observation deck unescorted so we had to wait until the tour guide let us up and we couldn't come down until the tour group joined us and was done, and we were done looking around in 30 seconds. Yeah it's always nice to have a tall view of landscape, but it's not a 10 minute need. You can only walk around 4 sides so slowly. There was also a lower level with bathroom/gift shop, but it was actually really hard to find the exit. The only good part was a big parking lot we could park all day and go down the hill to catch the free shuttle at the beginning of the line. It was a crowded shuttle too, so it is a good idea to catch it earlier on the line than wait until the 3rd or 4th stop when it's packed. It's tough to walk all the way back up the hill at the end of the day though. From what else I saw from the lobby, it didn't strike me as something I wanted to return to for the full experience.

This was an amazing experience. If you are traveling this a requirement when looking at the history or the country, Washington, and Freemasons. The tours are included with the admission fees and worth waiting for. There was so much that I could not take it all in.

Ask around but many natives have not been here and I think this place is great. It is so impressive from the skyline that I knew I had to check it out. It stands regal and tall atop a hill in Alexandria. There is a flat entrance fee $10 with a fairly thorough tour ( about an hour). No discounts, but it was worth the admission price. Loads of history with pictures of all the Masonic Temples from each of the states. Photos of members and details of costume and trinkets. The building itself inside is impressive. The very top was a beautiful small room with carved wood and a balcony to step outside and appreciate the fabulous view of Va. 'On a clear day I can see .......," ha but truly remarkable. There is ample free parking so go I dare you to learn a thing or two. On the grounds is also a large gift shop for souvenirs.

Washington's Masonic monument reminds us all of the secretive, in-the-dark spy and secret society gatherings that went on in Early America! It is a gigantic monolithic tower that can be seen from all parts of Alexandria and Northern Virginia. Visitors can take tours up inside the stepped tower. Mostly we just hang out on the berm of the hill for the views: we walk around the stone tower and enjoy our days in the sun! Rebel review: 4

If you are visiting Alexandria, make time to visit the Washington Masonic Memorial. It's nice that it is open daily. We were able to stroll down King Street from our hotel and landed here. Well almost...we had to hike a number of steps to get to the door. The views were nice as you stop to catch your breath and look around. It was a little disappointing that the grass was brown and the weeds and tree seedlings were overgrown. Especially around the grand monuments on the way up...made for not so pretty photos. I under it takes $$$ to keep up with the large lawn and beds. You could see pizza boxes and beer cans around too. Both M and I have Masons in our family and several Mason friends. So it was interesting to see everything. We also enjoy visiting historic places. Standing in the grand entrance you have to take it all in. It's beautiful. I kept wondering how in the world...(that's why I enjoy visiting DC too, the buildings and architecture is fascinating). On the guided tour you are taken to a variety of floors to observe the artifacts showing the history of Washington and his journey as Mason, home, soldier, and President. You also see the levels of a Mason and the different orders. Another floor shows a chapel. Small as you are nearing the top of the monument, but the stained glass is beautiful. Finally you get to the top. Take a step outside and see from all sides the beautiful views. Take a look down King Street and compare to King Street from when this was built. Even if you don't know about Masons, this is a site to see. There's several things I've left out...don't want to give it all away!! There is a fee...I think $18...for the guided tour. The elevator works by key, so you can go look around the entry area, but you will miss out on so much.

As some of you know, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial was the site of my January 23, 2016 wedding. Let me repeat that for you: January 23rd. AKA the dead middle of Winter Storm Jonas's barrage on the entire Mid-Atlantic region. Yep, I got married in a blizzard, y'all. Now, getting married in the midst of a natural disaster meant that there were a lot of things that didn't go according to plan, and you kind of just had to roll with the punches. You make contingencies, you rework, you make it happen, which is what we had to do in several instances. But thankfully, and the credit is entirely due to the incredible staff at the GW Masonic Memorial, finding a new venue for my big day was not one of the things we had to deal with. The maintenance staff at the Memorial was nothing short of incredible. Roger, Kevin, and many others whose names I'm embarrassed to have forgotten, literally moved Heaven and Earth to ensure we would still be able to get to our wedding venue. They plowed and shoveled and swept nonstop from Friday night through Saturday to ensure that we'd be able to physically get ourselves onsite. They truly made my wedding dreams a reality, in spite of the insane storm raging on outside, and I will be eternally, eternally grateful. I actually ran into another #Snowzilla bride in the lobby of our hotel right before I was to head over to the Memorial, and her wedding venue cancelled on her due to the storm. So they had to scramble and rework her entire wedding to host it at the hotel instead, and hearing about that just made me so thankful at how much work the entire GW Memorial Team was willing to put into making sure my wedding still occurred as planned. Radka, the venue coordinator, wasn't able to be there during the actual wedding (obviously understandably), but was very pleasant to work with throughout the entire planning process, offering her advice and not batting an eye at how many times I showed up for various unplanned site visits before the big day. She can be a little bit tricky to get ahold of at times, but just be vigilant with your emails/calls and she will always deliver. I got married in the Memorial Theater, and had my reception in the Grand Masonic Hall. The venue was beautiful, grand, regal, and everything I could have asked for -- with or without the blizzard happening outside. This is the place you want to get married at if you're looking for that historic, opulent DC-feel without paying historic, opulent DC-prices. I am so, so happy with my decision to have my wedding at the George Washington Masonic Memorial! 5 stars is not even close to enough!

Beautiful history. Everyone should take this tour just once. It's well worth the trip.

A landmark building, this structure is visible from miles away with its wedding cake design. The tour is worth learning about our nation's history and George Washington's role with the Masons. This is the only Masonic Temple in the world that is dedicated to an individual - and, oh, what an individual. The guide was excellent, spilling all kinds of info about the Masons, George Washington, and the structure. So worth it!

One of the best kept secrets in Alexandria is the tour of this memorial. But first a few disclaimers: 1) I am not a Mason, nor do I ever believe that I will receive that invite. 2) I am a history buff and think George Washington is rather cool 3) I've been on this tour twice in the last 4 years. 4) I don't know if I believe in all of the conspiracy behind Freemasonry, but its possibility is fascinating. 5) I sometimes find myself visiting its picturesque grounds without taking the tour Some reviewers have claimed that this tour is dull and boring, but I love all of the artifacts that are contained in the upper levels. Everything from a lock of Washington's hair, to pictures of Alexandria during the time of the memorial's construction, really captures a history buff's imagination. However, I will say that the tour is now much different than the first time I took it, for they have cut out one of the most interesting parts of the tour and that is the Egyptian room at the top of the memorial. As I recall, it was designed like an Egyptian tomb, very cramped, and more than a little creepy. This room, for budget constraints or perhaps some darker mystery (evil laugh here..sorry, couldn't resist), has been replaced with a room filled with various Masonic ceremonial costumes. These costumes are ornately charming but not as interesting as the "secret: Egyptian room. The best part of the whole tour is the view of Alexandria from the top platform. It really is a postcard view and well worth the ($8) price of admission. Now some reviewers have complained that once you start the tour you can't leave the tour (duration of 1.5 hours.) Yeah, I know you're special, and you'd like to just rush to the top, see the view, and get on with your Starbucks drinking coffee day, but think about it: they can't just let people roam around unsupervised. Sorry, but the potential for theft or vandalism is just too great. Oh, and I am pretty sure that a guided tour of the White House requires the same of its participants. And besides, they do warn at the start of the tour, so it really shouldn't be a problem. One final note on this memorial, it is beloved site where locals love to sled ride in the Winter, but be careful. About 15 years ago an adult was tragically injured and died after hitting a tree, so take up this activity at your own risk. Beyond that, I wish that they would include the Egyptian room in the tour, for I feel people would be much happier with the whole experience.

I came here the other day when babysitting a 4 year old who lives a block away from the Masonic Temple Memorial for George Washington. We walked down here and played on the steps, snapped some pictures and immediately went in to get out of the cold. When you first walk in, you're overwhelmed by how open and large the interior is. I paid $5 to do a self guided tour. Admission is only charged for adults and children under 12 are free. You can't visit very much of the temple with the self guided tour... you can only look at a couple of floors which isn't worth it. Since I wanted to go to the top, I asked if I could pay the full admission and go to the top. My 4 year old didn't have much patience for a tour, but she was happy with going to visit the top. We skipped the tour, and the woman took us the top to get a great panoramic view of the cityscape of Alexandria and DC. It was beautiful! I'm certainly going to have to come back and do the actual guided tour when I'm not babysitting. The guided tour lasts about an hour and you are able to view all levels. Before leaving, I bought my grandmother a postcard to mail to her. My grandfather was a mason and I'm sure she ill appreciate the little gift.

Behold the grandeur of the stone when paired with Mason's square and compass. Few Washington area memorials are as ornate as this Egyptian-inspired tribute to our first president. The stately bronze figure of Mr. Washington welcomes visitors beneath a dome modeled after the Pantheon in Rome and looks out towards a grand entrance upheld by pillars inspired by those seen on the Parthenon in ancient Greece. The imposing figure, donned in Masonic regalia, is reflected in the marble entryway. The Masonic Memorial is as mysterious as it is captivating. Today, the Masons are said to be a philanthropic group of men that hand out over $2M a day to those in need. This privately funded lighthouse is home to a fraternal organization that has fueled wild rumors and accusations for centuries. Thanks to Dan Brown and The Lost Symbol, a whole new audience will continue to speculate on the activities of this intriguing brotherhood. I find it mysterious that a man that was often missing from lodge meetings would be memorialized in such extraordinary surroundings. For me, the $8 tour is money well spent, but it seems that my experiences have varied between visits. My first visit allowed us to tour the "fun" floors including the 5th for The Royal Arch Chapter Room, which contains a hand-crafted replica of the Ark of the Covenant. My most recent experience felt less Indiana Jones and more Smithsonian than my previous journey. Both trips were equally worthy of my cash, but my first tour was certainly the better of the two. Both tours permitted a tour of the Observation Deck which never disappoints. Why pay for the $5 self-guided tour when you can spend $3 more for one of the best scenic views this side of the Potomac River? What's so special about people born on February 22nd anyway? Well, George Washington has the nation's capital, a state, 31 counties and 17 towns named in his honor...and Danny V. has the honor of writing this review for an unknown audience who will potentially enjoy this sight. "99% of failures come from people who make excuses." George Washington

It's a beautiful monument and defiantly worth of seeing regardless of having interest in free masonry or not , there are one hour general tours , costs 10 $ per adult . They give brief about building , history of free masonry and fixtures in exhibit . The only way to get on observation deck on top is to go with the tour . View is great on top , they have scaffolding all around the deck which blocks the view little bit but still great to see . The tour guide said that there will be more items on exhibit on February 22nd (george washington birthday )

Wonderfully kept building filled with lots of history. The guided tour was very well put together. We ended up walking around the first 2 levels while waiting for the next tour. Dropped a small fortune in the gift shop. Was pleasantly surprised that they had my size.

So, the cold rain has got me thinking about snow this year. Unlike a lot of people around here, I love it. Now, I've never actually been IN the temple... although I know they do tours. But, I've scampered all around it and for those of you who like to get your sled on, this is the place. You can't tell from the posted picture, but on the East side of the temple, closer to Duke Street than King, are some excellent hills for sleddage and other snow day delights. Get there early. Bring a thermos of hot buttered rum. If you need to take a bio break, cross the street into the old train station. It's actually an historic building so take a look around after you've got your snowpants back up. And, get there before the kiddies. P.S. No dogs allowed. :( They used to allow them but some lazy *^&%&$ wouldn't pick up after their pets, so the Masons put the nix on that.

Having driven by The Masonic Temple hundreds of times I had always wanted to see what it is like inside. As the name suggests, the memorial is dedicated to George Washington who was a mason. For those who have studied Egypt, you'll recognize the resemblance to a lighthouse in Alexandria, which is one of the seven wonders of the world You can go into the lower hallways and take a self-guided tour anytime. There is also a gift shop on the lower level. The upper floors may only be visited with a tour guide. Highlights of the tour include a trip to see the amazing view from the observation tower, a recreation of King's Solomon's temple, and a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. When you see the replica, you'll think: "So, that's where it ended up after the Indiana Jones movie"!

Very cool place!!! Definitely take the tour, otherwise you're limited to the first and second floors only... The other floors include a small museum with a ton of George Washington artifacts and personal belongings. And of course the view from the top of the tower is beautiful!! Great photo op!! I know there are a lot of mixed reviews about the place, but I loved it!! I'm NOT a Mason, and I still found it very interesting and informative, but then of course I love history!! I did learn that the tour used to include more floors, but due to budget loss, those floors had to be closed. Bad economy means less donations... less donations, mean you can't afford to maintain everything.... so sadly, this to is another victim of the economy. All in all, I loved the tour and the architecture!! The exhibits were very informative and interesting. If you have the attention span of a gnats butt, and don't like or appreciate history, then you may find this place boring (see the negative reviews written by others).

Nice museum if you haven't been before. Worth the price. The guided tour was just enough information. Then he let us wander on our own. View from the top decking was amazing.

For the George Washington history buff this a must see. For the average Freemason it is interesting, for the public its a great introduction to freemasonry and the father of our country. It is a massive building and it has lots of hidden and noticeable symbology. The artifacts of George's are absolutely amazing, his family bible! The guide was knowledgeable about masonry, but seemed a little rough on the building details. Renovations have been ongoing so it'll be different when you go, but the observation deck was open for us. Also be sure to see the theater, its a beautiful space. Masons will love the south lodge room, and the small lodge room relating to the original Alexandria #22 of GW time. My major complaint is the price. We toured Ford Theater for 3 bucks, and this place wanted $15. The register lady wouldn't even let you past the counter to take a picture of the absolutely amazing memorial hall entrance way without paying. Yes I am sure its a huge financial burden but high prices will keep the people away from learning about George and Freemasonry, which would be a shame to miss.

I went during the middle of the day so it wasn't busy at all. I was in a tour group of 6 people, including me. Admission is $15 and not really worth it, in my opinion. Our tour guide was so awkward and pretty much talked at one person in our group. We toured toured the ground floor (including the tiny exhibit), the floor with the different outfits members of different ranks wear, an exhibit devoted the Washington, the chapel, and then the top of the tower. On each floor, the tour guide gave us a very brief explanation and then gave us 10-15 to just look around instead of offering anything more. This tour was actually pretty fascinating (from what I read), but the tour guide was pretty useless. I don't think that I should have been charged $15 to basically just walk around and read all the plaques, while the tour guide is just there to babysit. I honestly still don't really know what this memorial is about, but it's a very beautiful building with so much information to offer.

Nice museum but a bit pricey at $18. Doing the tour is a must to get to 3 additional floors to include the top scenic floor. Manager gave the tour and he did a nice job.

It's that building you pass all the time and you didn't realize you can go inside it nor know what it's really about. I can't tell you how many times I passed by it before I finally made my way inside. From your long winding approach up to the monument you can see that the grounds are immaculately kept. I didn't even realize that they sometimes have events held here. To see and learn more about the monument you're able to take a tour for a very reasonable price as well. I believe it was $8 at the time I went. Once you get with your tour guide you go up several floors and learn about the history of inside the building and the history of freemasonry which George Washington was a part of. Inside there are a lot of historical items, paintings and lots of neat things. One of the highlights to me was that you could also go up higher in the building and go outside and get some pretty decent views of Alexandria. All in all definitely worth the visit and there is parking too!

I've often heard that many Parisians have never been up in the Eiffel Tower, and I didn't want to be one of those people who, when asked about an iconic monument by guests, could only shrug. Hence my visit to the Masonic Temple. It's easy to forgo this place when some of the best museums in the world are only a Metro ride away, but if you've got even a little time to spend in Alexandria, it's worth checking out. Of course, this place was erected in the memory of one of the most famous Masons: George Washington. You can tell they like the guy from the huge brass statue overlooking the main entrance hall. They have a lot of cool Washington artifacts in their museum, including the trowel that laid the corner stones for a number of iconic DC buildings, and the chair old G. W. sat in (sorry, you can't add your butt to the list). Scheduled tours (check the website for times) are free, and volunteer Masons take you up the building. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and a really interesting guy to talk to. On your way up to the viewing floor, you'll find some Mason-specific exhibits that are, well, kind of cheesy and outdated. Still, it's interesting to see the history, and find out once and for all what's in this place. There's a lot of religious imagery, and faux-Egyptian murals since the building is built to resemble the lighthouse of ancient Alexandria. Overall, the temple is kind of a relic too, though a pretty awesome tribute to how much power and influence the Masons had at the beginning of the 20th Century. Though the sway Masons carry has diminished since then, you still get a sense that they remain a group of committed, caring individuals who are more than happy to show you around.

As an Alexandria native (lived here since.....), the Masonic Memorial (or the Masonic temple, as my parents always called it) intrigued me more through the years than the Washington Monument. (I have yet to go to the top of the Washington needle), but thanks to a connection with the curator at the GW Masonic Memorial, I was treated to a VIP "Tower tour" of the Masonic Memorial. Because of his knowledge (he's also written a book about Masons), the tour was exactly the way a DC tour should be: Informative, educational, fascinating. The Masons: A Lions Club-like brotherhood of Mozart and George Washington? Or something more sinister? I guess we'll have to wait for the next Tom Hanks or Nic Cage movie to find out. Each floor of the tower (design based on Egyptian architecture) is devoted to religion (or cult---you be the judge of that). Since we were on a "VIP tour," we visited floors not usually open on public tours, including the one right before the observation deck, with the ceiling so low you have to crouch down. Entering a tomb is not an extreme description. The view from the observation deck is the best in Washington.....I've never been on top of the Washington Monument but can't imagine the view beating this one. First off, it's a lot less stressful (not a lot of waiting in line) to go to the top of the Masonic Memorial. And it's an outdoor observation deck on the Masonic Memorial. Definitely worth checking out, and then hitting Theisman's across the park to discuss all matters of Masonry. Just don't let anyone hear you talking. They may have to kill you.

I'm owning my ignorance- I really had no idea what a Freemason was prior to visiting this spectacular structure located oh so conveniently near the King Street metro station. The tour- priced at $10 per person- gave a brief but thorough introduction into the world of Freemasonry, which I learned, at its heart, is a self- improvement organization that also emphasizes improving the community, both through morality and "brotherly love". There are only three qualifications to join: you must believe in a Supreme Being (many lodges contain members of multiple religions so whom that Supreme Being is remains unimportant), you must be of moral and honest character, and you mystery be recommended by a Mason (essentially vouching for you that you have the first and second qualifications). I highly recommend the tour because you get access to the tower exhibits and the spectacular views from the observation deck, which are not accessible with general admission(which runs $7 a pop). I also highly recommend wearing comfy shoes- the Masonic Temple sits atop a huge hill and there are tons of steps to make your way up to the entrance. The manicured gardens are quite impressive as well, leading up to the temple, with a perfectly carved out "G" ( I assume it stands for George, however my boyfriend liked the thought that it stood for -Original-Gangster) in the center. The main foyer has several stained glass pieces depicting famous Masons and two large murals on either side, one depicting the cornerstone being laid by GW at the Capitol. There is also a ginormous statue of GW in this main hall (which also happens to be where the tours begin). Downstairs is an exhibit of other Masons of the time. The upper floors on the tour are dedicated to GW and includes many items referencing Mt. Vernon as well. The tour ends on the observation deck where you have 360 views of Alexandria and DC. You can even see the National Harbor from there too! It's fenced in so even if you're afraid of heights you should be ok! The tour lasts an hour and if you want to browse around additionally, I'd say allow 90-120 minutes (including the tour) to gain the full appreciation for the Masonic Temple. I noticed a few tour buses here so I'm guessing it can probably get crowded, but it wasn't too bad during our visit on a Saturday afternoon. I'd say if you live in the area and have out of town guests, this would be a great place to begin your day in exploring Alexandria before you head closer to the Waterfront!

I took the guided tour of the Memorial on the day after Thanksgiving (that would be Friday) and it was thoroughly dull. The view from the top of the Memorial is great (can you see my house about 1/2 mile to the north?), but other than that it's a complete waste of time ... unless, of course, you're a Mason, in which case it's probably enchanting and enthralling. My dissatisfaction with the tour is that (a) it lasts far too long (1.5 hours), (b) it's unnecessarily restrictive / claustrophobic (you'll be cooped up in small, cramped rooms for 15 - 20 mins. with no windows, no exits, and no way to leave until the tour guide is finally finished), (c) it's evangelical about Masonry and the urgent need for YOU to become a Mason NOW, and (d) it idol-worships our first President to near-deification (George Washington would be appalled at the extent to which he is turned into a demi-god at this Memorial -- he was always modest in the extreme). I've lived in Alexandria since 1964 and had somehow never managed to take this tour. Now I know why it took me so long. In a city with so much truly fascinating history, this is one for the hard-core Masons. All others should stay home and watch the grass grow. P.S. The architecture is derivative, dull, and embarrassing.

We stayed across from this monument, and decided to check it out on our stay. Not a lot of people stop by and visit it, even the locals haven't been inside it, asides from the runners and joggers who go up (even though running and jogging is not allowed on the monument). It's a beautifully erected monument, and the views are nice on a clear day. We tried to go inside t see what the monument was about, but it was $15. Based on the reviews and from what locals told us, we felt it wasn't worth it for just a quick tour and a peek at the top of the monument on a cloudy day. $15 is a lot of money for something not very high on a go-to must visit list for tourists visiting the DC area, and we would expect that in DC, not outside of DC, Overall, the grounds and the monument from the outside was nice. It's a nice place to visit, but I'd probably just see it.

This place was pretty cool. I'm still amazed that they have bits of George Washington's hair on display. General admission is $7.00, with the tour is $10.00 per person. The tour only covers the 2, 3, 4 and 9th floors. The others are currently undergoing renovation. If you need to use the restroom or need drink of water, you will need to wait until the end of the tour to have access on the first floor, which has the souvenir store and water fountain. This is a small treasure that is tucked away in Old Town Alexandria that most tourists overlook. Be sure to stop in and view the beautiful displays and art.

Pay the $5 and take the tower tour. Lasts 1hr and worth the view. The elevators are angled at 7.5 degrees (very cool engineering feat). On the way up, you stop off in several rooms. One showcases the life of George Washington himself (expected), and includes wicked relics (e.g. pocket watch from the doctor who recorded his time of death). Gets a little weird though: they have a wooden goblet created from the original coffin he was buried in (and they drank from it too). If you like this one, the Temple at 16th St NW is also worth a visit.

I have no words. This place is not even worthy of wasting gas driving up the driveway. Waste of space. I have no interest in the Mason history, couldn't even bring myself to read my husband's Dan Brown book about them. The $5 fee is ridiculous to go up to the top of the tower. My son did enjoy the toy parade on the bottom level. I do commend the Shriners though for taking care of kids with spinal cord injuries and burns.

Its a nice structure with a lot of history. They have guided tours at somw times during the day and are really nice. Nice views of the city from here as well

Beautiful architecture, nifty relics and a great way to follow up on George Washington's Masonic history - my only complaint is that for a place that hosts info on Shriners and all the good work they do, it's hard to work out disabled access. Additionally, the elevator operator commented "you seem to be moving aorund pretty freely" when I asked about the lift - I'm disabled and am unable to climb stairs. Not cool.

Bad bad bad, all the way from Philadelphia back empty handed because the snob lady there didn't let me in, so you can only book a tour, isn't it supposed to be to the public???????

Great experience...i made someones dream come true! one of my friends whos a mason always wanted to come here so i suprised him by driving to it the night before & he couldnt believe it...and i took him there the next day to see the history & foundation behind his organization. Needless to say im #1 on his BFF list :) I enjoyed it as well , make sure you take the tour because you cant fully explore if you dont! Well worth it :) If your gonna bring kids i would say make sure they are well behaved like my daughter...(as per a man on the group tour...he complimented me on have such a well behaved child unlike the little girl who was acting like a spidermonkey) but id advise your kids be at least school age or well behaved for the sake of not ruining someone elses experience

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, a place to hang around if you are bored and trying to spend some money for the entrance fee, nothing really exiting about it except maybe if there's a fire work

We took the guided tour ($8) and it was below average - you don't really learn anything that you wouldn't learn just by reading the placards on the exhibits. Although you do get to go to the tower floors and the 9th floor overlook, which is a really good view, that you don't get to in the self-guided. I like guided tours because they usually give comprehensive insight through tying things together as well as pointing out/highlighting things you'd breeze over by wandering through a museum by yourself. There wasn't much of that on this tour.

We loved our visit to the Masonic Temple. Devon, our tour guide, was a wealth of knowledge about the history of George Washington & the Masonic Lodge. The ride up the elevator to the observation tower is well worth the $8 admission price! The view is fabulous.

Pretty cool! Great to learn the history of the Masons and come to a better understanding as to what they actually are. A church? A cult? A gentlemen's club? There are great artifacts all around. The ground level is jaw-droppingly beautiful. The tour is worth the money. They don't get redundant and visit the exhibits downstairs. I think most people do it just to take the elevator to the top, though. They could probably make even more money by offering a cheaper ticket to skip the tour and just go to the top for the views. Still, you can't not go here if you live in Alexandria or its environs. I'm glad I did. It was a nice way to pass 90 mins or so.

It's been a while since we took the tour but it's worth it just to learn more about the Masons and what they are about. The tour is free and guided by a docent who explains a lot. The Egyptian style architecture and decorations are totally fascinating as well as all the artifacts. While it is wheelchair accessible note that it is on a hill and the slopes are steep. I don't think all areas inside are accessible but they do make an effort.

My train was late and ventured across the street to check out the memorial. A lot of money was spent on making this thing. Lots of stairs to get up. The inside is pretty nice. Couldn't get upstairs because they stick to the tour schedule. Also, the tour guide does not accept bribes to get in the elevator outside of the touring schedule. Cool once, but been there done that. Maybe I would go back to go to the top though.

The best "off the beaten path" DC area attraction I have come across so far. It is inexpensive- I think the tour was 10 dollars. There are several exhibits on Washington and on Masonry inside. All are well curated and pretty interesting, especially to those who know little about masonry. The outlook platform on top of the building is my favorite view of DC. Unlike the Washington Monument, which only has a little window you can stick your head in, this is a full balcony with astonishing views of downtown DC a few miles to the north. This place is definitely worth a visit. Also, if you have ever wondered what that crazy looking tower is when you fly into, or out of DCA, this is it.