Washington DC Photo Guide HomepageWashington DC Photo Guide

Have Camera Will Travel

  • Cherry Blossoms
  • Photos
  • Monuments & Landmarks
  • Museums & Galleries
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Map

Pentagon Memorial

Arlington, Virginia

Pentagon Memorial with flowers

Monuments & Landmarks
Arlington VA, Military

The Pentagon Memorial commemorates the 184 victims of the September 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon. Situated on the southwest corner of the Pentagon, it consists of 184 benches, each illuminated at night and with a small pool of water underneath, arranged according to the age of the victims at the time. It was opened on the 7th anniversary of the attack and designed by Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman.

Please note that photography is not allowed elsewhere in the Pentagon complex.

Photos of the Pentagon Memorial

Flowers at the Pentagon Memorial

Pentagon Memorial 1963 sign and US flag

Pentagon Memorial Benches

Pentagon Memorial Bench Close-up

Pentagon Memorial Dedication Sign

Pentagon Memorial Benches

Pentagon Memorial benches and trees

Benches of the Pentagon Memorial

Pentagon Memorial Entrance Sign

Pentagon Memorial Close-Up

How to Get Here

The Memorial is designed as an outdoor space for reflection and more closely resembles a park than a traditional memorial with a central focal point. The benches are illuminated at night.

By far the best way to get to the Pentagon Memorial is by Metro to the Pentagon stop (0.4 miles) on the Blue line. Metro has a handy Trip Planner and here’s a map of the Metro lines.

For Photographers

Photographer Friendliness RatingYou are free to photograph within the Memorial, but the rest of the Pentagon reservation is strictly a no-photography zone. And you’d have to be pretty foolhardy to put that to the test. My advice is to take it seriously–this isn’t just any no-photography zone, after all. But taking photos within the Memorial is fine.

Cameras are allowed, as is flash.

Nearby & Related:

  • Flowers at the Pentagon Memorial
    Pentagon
  • Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC
    The Jefferson Memorial
  • Vietnam Memorial, Washington DC, at Sunrise
    Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Winter Mists Reflection
    Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
  • George Mason Memorial Reflection in Washington DC
    George Mason Memorial
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial Reflection, Washington DC
    Korean War Veterans 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.

Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2019
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2019
  • Ford, Elise Hartman (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
DK Eyewitness Family Guide Washington, DC (Travel Guide)
DK Eyewitness Family Guide Washington, DC (Travel Guide)
  • DK Eyewitness (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C. 25 Best 2020 (Full-color Travel Guide)
Fodor's Washington, D.C. 25 Best 2020 (Full-color Travel Guide)
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
MallSmart Washington DC Map by VanDam -- Laminated City Street pocket map...
MallSmart Washington DC Map by VanDam -- Laminated City Street pocket map...
  • Stephan, Van Dam (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.


Location:
Coordinates:
      Latitude:
      Longitude:

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # Arlington VA
      # Military



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.

Connect

© 2009–2019 David Coleman · Have Camera Will Travel LLC · all rights reserved


Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


Privacy & Disclosure · Cookie Declaration · Disclaimer · Terms of Service · Copyright · Contact