D.C. Monument to Reopen Viewing Decks

The Washington Monument is reopening its observation platforms, which have been closed since December 1999--and intermittently before then--as part of a three-year, $10-million renovation. Starting Monday, visitors can again ascend to the 490-foot and 500-foot-high decks of the 555-foot-tall structure, the capital’s tallest, for a panoramic city view.

The decks will be closed again for about two months, starting in December, while the final renovation work, installation of a new elevator cab, is done, said Donna Donaldson, the National Park Service’s chief of visitor services for the site.

The renovation is the most extensive since the monument was completed 116 years ago. Among the other changes: new exhibits, new heat and air-conditioning systems, cleaning of the marble exterior and restoration of commemorative stones on the inside wall. The monument will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets are free at the ticket booth at 15th Street and Madison Drive. They can also be reserved through Ticketmaster at (800) 551-7328 (add 50 cents per order plus $1.50 per ticket).