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Pay tribute to America’s heroes and celebrate the start of summer with these top events during Memorial Day weekend.
The National Memorial Day Parade: Our Sacred Honor tells the story of American sacrifice from the Revolution to today along Constitution Avenue through live, on site historical re-enactors, veterans, and active duty military personnel, joined by musical performances and celebrity appearances. The in-person parade will take place ‘live’ in Washington, filmed for a television special that will air on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox stations nationwide.
This motorcycle rally on May 24 is held to raise awareness of critical issues faced by veterans every day, as well as in tribute to those missing in action and prisoners of war. Rolling to Remember aims to deliver a message to Congress and the American people that veterans are in need of assistance, as the group struggles with a suicide crisis. Visit the event website for scheduling updates, registration and attendance info for this year's procession.
The National Memorial Day Concert salutes the sacrifice made by the men and women in uniform, as well as their families. The free annual concert will be aired on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, May 26 at 8 p.m. Actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna will host the proceedings, which will feature numerous other celebrity performers. The event will also be live-streamed online and will be available on-demand for two weeks after the performance.
The National Mall features plenty of ways to honor American servicemen and women. Visit the magnificent National World War II Memorial and its famous effervescent fountain. Stop to pay your respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial; take a piece of paper from one of the volunteers and etch a name from the famous wall included in the former. Admire the steely faces of the 19 servicemen depicted in the Field of Service at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. And a visit to the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial is a solemn and powerful reminder of the very human cost of war.
Arlington National Cemetery is the country’s largest military cemetery, with thousands of veterans and members of their immediate family resting there. In the lead up to Memorial Day, servicemen and women place American flags at more than 250,000 graves, with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation providing free roses to visitors who come in tribute.
Memorial Day weekend signals the start of summer, so why not take the crew to one of DC’s many scenic rooftop bars? You can find them throughout the city’s neighborhoods, and many feature craft cocktails and delicious bar bites. Standouts include the Top of the Gate at The Watergate Hotel, La Vie and Whiskey Charlie at the Canopy by Hilton.
Historic Georgetown's river waterfront is home to tons of great restaurants – many, including Sequoia, Tony and Joe's Seafood Place, Nick's Riverside Grill and Farmers Fishers Bakers, offer patio seating in warm weather – and plenty of outdoor activities. In summer, children (and adults, too) can splash in the sprinkler-style water fountain, watch the boats and feed the ducks.
Located just outside of Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial (also known as the Marine Corps War Memorial) is one of the most moving monuments in the region. From 6 a.m. to midnight, you can view this breathtaking sculpture that depicts the six American soldiers who raised the second American flag at Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945, signifying a U.S. victory in the Pacific during World War II.
Take in the summer sun and the sights and sounds of the city, all while dining and drinking, at one of the District’s delightful outdoor patios. To start, there’s the sophistication of Opaline, the rustic vibes of Lupo Verde, Italian delights at Osteria Morini and tasty craft brews at Right Proper Brewing Company's Shaw Brewpub & Kitchen.
The famous Clara Barton lived at the site of this DC museum in Chinatown during and immediately after the Civil War. The building was set for demolition in 1996, until Richard Lyons (an employee of the General Services Administration) discovered artifacts that revealed the building’s incredible story. Inside, you can be treated to a guided tour of preserved rooms where Clara Barton helped families who had tragically lost loved ones during the bloodiest war on American soil. Visit the museum's website for hours and details.
Washington Nationals
Celebrate the national pastime in the nation’s capital by cheering on the Nats as the team takes on the Seattle Mariners over Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-26, with a Lane Thomas bobblehead giveaway on the 25th). Head to nats.com/tickets, select the game you wish to attend and enter the promotional code VISITDC for up to 20% off. If you have a group of 13 or more, call the group sales department at 202-675-6287 for even bigger discounts and exclusive experiences.
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