Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Park Presidential memorial honoring FDR with outdoor sculptures
Along the Tidal Basin, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial uses sculptures, waterfalls, and open-air rooms to interpret FDR’s four presidential terms; visitors come for reflection and historical context.
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial honors the life and presidency of FDR and is located in West Potomac Park along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. The memorial was designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and was dedicated in 1997.
The site is organized into four outdoor rooms, each representing one of Roosevelt’s terms, with bronze sculptures, water features, and engraved quotations from his speeches. The memorial also addresses the Great Depression and World War II through sculptural groups and inscriptions.
Construction and dedication took place over the 1990s with design intent to provide a reflective, sequential experience through the chronological progression of Roosevelt’s presidency. The memorial is integrated into the Tidal Basin landscape and is visited year-round.
Located on the west side of the Tidal Basin, the memorial sits near other Tidal Basin sites and is a short walk from the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
- Layout: The memorial is arranged as four outdoor ''rooms'' representing each of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential terms and is oriented along the Tidal Basin shoreline.
How to Get to Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial #
By metro and walking: The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial sits on the Tidal Basin on the National Mall. Take the Washington Metro to Smithsonian station (Orange/Blue/Silver lines) and walk about 10-15 minutes along the Mall/Tidal Basin to the memorial. Alternatively, Foggy Bottom and L’Enfant Plaza stations are also within a 15-20 minute walk depending on which side of the Mall you approach from.
Driving and parking in the National Mall area are limited; using Metro, bike, or a short taxi/ride‑share is recommended.
Tips for Visiting Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial #
- Plan a visit early in the morning or around sunset to experience the memorial's contemplative spaces with far fewer tour groups; the memorial's layout is chronological-walk the four outdoor rooms in sequence to follow FDR's presidency.
- Enter from the Tidal Basin/West Potomac Park side and allow time to read the engraved quotations and study the bronze sculptures-many visitors pass through without pausing at the reliefs and water features that illustrate each term.
- Combine a visit with a stroll around the Tidal Basin (especially during cherry blossom season) to avoid backtracking and to see nearby memorials when crowds are lower.
Best Time to Visit Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial #
Aim for spring or fall to see the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in comfortable weather and to avoid the heaviest summer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial #
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1038 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (102 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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