Marine Corps War Memorial

The Marine Corps War Memorial is a national monument in Arlington, Virginia, that commemorates all U.S. Marine Corps personnel who have died in service. The memorial’s bronze sculpture is based on the 1945 photograph of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

The focal bronze group depicts six service members raising an American flag and stands on a landscaped plaza overlooking the Potomac and the Washington skyline. The site is frequented for memorial visits, ceremonies and views across to the national monuments in Washington, D.C.

Sculptor Felix de Weldon produced the bronze group inspired by Joe Rosenthal’s photograph; the memorial was formally dedicated in 1954. It has since served as an iconic remembrance site for Marine Corps ceremonies and public commemoration.

The memorial sits on a rise at the Arlington Ridge near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, with clear views toward downtown Washington, D.C.

Also called Iwo Jima Memorial: Commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, it is sited to overlook Washington, D.C., making it a popular viewpoint at sunrise and sunset.
Design origin: The bronze figures are larger than life and were modelled directly from the 1945 photograph by Joe Rosenthal that inspired the memorial's design.

How to Get to Marine Corps War Memorial #

The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) overlooks the Potomac in Arlington, VA, just north of Arlington National Cemetery and adjacent to the Netherlands Carillon. By Metro, take the Washington Metro to Rosslyn station (Blue/Orange/Silver lines) - it’s about a 10-15 minute walk (roughly 0.6-1.0 km) from Rosslyn along Memorial Drive/Marshall Drive to the memorial grounds. By car it is a short drive across the Arlington Memorial Bridge from downtown Washington, D.C. (about 1-2 miles/2-3 km); follow signs for Arlington National Cemetery/Netherlands Carillon and note limited on‑site parking.

Tips for Visiting Marine Corps War Memorial #

Visit at sunrise or around dusk for the best light on the sculpture and unobstructed skyline views of the National Mall across the Potomac-those times also tend to be less crowded for photos.
Access the memorial on foot from the Arlington National Cemetery area or via the Arlington Memorial Bridge; the site is open 24/7 and free, so plan early‑morning visits to avoid midday tour‑bus crowds.
Stand on the memorial plaza to take in the framed westward view over the Potomac toward the Washington Monument-it's one of the clearest vistas of the Mall but can fill up during weekends and official events.

Best Time to Visit Marine Corps War Memorial #

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for visiting the outdoor memorial; expect larger crowds in summer and around cherry blossom season.

Spring (busiest pleasant weather)

March-May · ~5-22°C

Mild weather makes walking around the memorial enjoyable; weekends and peak cherry blossom time in early April bring larger visitor numbers in the area.

Summer

June-August · ~20-32°C

Warm to hot and humid - popular time for tourists, so expect higher crowd levels, especially on weekends.

Autumn and winter (quieter)

September-November and December-February · ~-5-15°C

Fall offers crisp, pleasant conditions with fewer crowds; winter is quieter but colder - early mornings can be chilly.

Weather & Climate near Marine Corps War Memorial #

Climate

Marine Corps War 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 (1041 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

32°

Warmest Month

-4°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions