Timeline
15:40
Start at Tazza Cafe for an afternoon tea or coffee. It is a short walk from the Memorial and offers a quiet place to settle in before the crowds arrive. The cafe is open until 20:00 on weekdays and 20:00 on Saturdays, so it will be open when you arrive.
16:30
Walk over to the Lincoln Memorial. The Reflecting Pool stretches out before you, framing the Washington Monument in the distance. Find a spot on the steps or the plaza. The memorial is open 24/7, so you can arrive whenever you like, but aim to be here before the sun sets.
17:10
Watch the sunset. The sun sets toward the WSW, casting a golden glow over the Reflecting Pool and the statue of Lincoln. This is the moment the monument is most famous for.
17:40
Stroll through West Potomac Park. It is just south of the Reflecting Pool and offers a peaceful walk as the light fades. The park is open 24/7.
18:10
End the night at Pho 14 in Mount Pleasant. It is widely considered the best Vietnamese food in the city. The restaurant is open until 21:30 on Sundays through Wednesdays and until 22:00 on Thursdays through Saturdays, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy a warm bowl of pho after your walk.
Local tip
The walk from the Lincoln Memorial to Mount Pleasant is longer. Check the route for the best path.
Check before you go
- Tazza Cafe is open Mon-Fri 08:00-20:00 and Sat 10:00-20:00.
- Pho 14 is open Su-We 11:00-21:30 and Th-Sa 11:00-22:00.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Washington, D.C. (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).