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Iwo Jima Memorial

Arlington, Virginia

Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington VA Silhouette

Monuments & Landmarks
Arlington VA, Military, War Memorial

Through the fall of 2017 and into the beginning of 2018 there will be construction work at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Public access will be limited during that time. It was originally expected to be wrapped up around February 2018, but the project was expanded and is still going on. You can still visit the main sculpture, but the parking area around it is currently closed.

The work has also necessitated a move for the 2018 Sunset Parades; they will instead be held in the plaza in front of the Lincoln Memorial. You can find the schedule here.

The Iwo Jima Memorial is the world’s largest bronze statue. And it’s certainly distinctive.

It stands in a park adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery on the Rosslyn (northern) side. The statue itself is a photo cast in bronze, being based on the famous and controversial photo Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. Each of its six Marines stand 32 feet high.

Local Tip: Its formal name is the Marine Corps War Memorial, but most locals know it as the Iwo Jima Memorial. Both names are used on various signs around the area.

On Tuesday evenings in the summer, the Marine Corps Washington Barracks puts on a Sunset Parade by the Drum and Bugle Corps and the Silent Drill Team. More information is available here.

Photos of the Iwo Jima Memorial

Iwo Jima Memorial StatueCommandant's Own at the Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima MemorialIwo Jima MemorialIwo jima Memorial (Marine Corps Memorial) SunriseSilent Drill Platoon at the Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima MemorialMarine Corps Sunset ParadeIwo jima Memorial (Marine Corps Memorial) SunriseIwo Jima Memorial in Arlington VA Uncommon ValorIwo Jima Memorial in Arlington VA SoldiersMarine Corps Sunset Parade

Getting to the Iwo Jima Memorial

The Iwo Jima Memorial is accessible from 6am to midnight every day. You can wander freely in all 360 degrees around the Memorial. It’s illuminated at night.

There are a couple of dozen parking spots within the grounds of the memorial itself and there is often some parking on the street in the neighborhood around the Iwo Jima Memorial. You can also park at Arlington National Cemetery and walk across.

The nearest Metro stations are either the Rosslyn stop (0.5 miles) on the Blue/Orange line or Arlington National Cemetery stop (0.8 miles) on the Blue line. It’s a 10-15 minute walk from both. The walk from and through Arlington National Cemetery is more scenic (and you can ride the shuttle bus back), but slightly longer. The Washington Metro Trip Planner is very handy for working out how to get from A to B on Washington’s public transport.

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Official Website

http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/usmcwarmemorial.htm

For Photographers

You won’t have a problem taking photos for personal use. For special use photography and filming, permits are $50 and up and available here. There’s no problem using a tripod or flash.

More Photos of the Iwo Jima Memorial

You can find more of my photos of the Iwo Jima Memorial here.

Nearby & Related:

  • USMC Silent Drill Team at the Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial
    Marine Corps Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial
  • Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial with Red Tulips
    Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial
  • Pentagon Memorial with flowers
    Pentagon Memorial
  • MLK Memorial
    Martin Luther King Jr National Memorial
  • Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC
    The Jefferson Memorial
  • World War One Memorial in the Snow
    District of Columbia World War I Memorial

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
  • Lonely Planet (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
  • Pratt, Meredith (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.

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Location: Arlington, VA
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.890411
      Longitude: -77.069721

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # Arlington VA
      # Military
      # War Memorial



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing Images

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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