Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
National Mall and Memorial Parks
Discover the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
Ever wondered what supports the Lincoln Memorial? Now you can experience the “Undercroft,” where floor-to-ceiling glass reveals the impressive grid of concrete columns that uphold this iconic structure. After completing a security screening, you’ll enter an interactive exhibit space that explores the memorial’s construction history and highlights its enduring significance.
The exhibit includes:
Educational Displays – Learn about the engineering and craftsmanship behind the memorial.
Bookstore – Find resources and items to deepen your understanding.
Restrooms with Historical Detail – Featuring replicas of graffiti left by the workers who built the memorial.
This unique experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of America’s most treasured landmarks.
Discover the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
Ever wondered what supports the Lincoln Memorial? Now you can experience the “Undercroft,” where floor-to-ceiling glass reveals the impressive grid of concrete columns that uphold this iconic structure. After completing a security screening, you’ll enter an interactive exhibit space that explores the memorial’s construction history and highlights its enduring significance.
The exhibit includes:
Educational Displays – Learn about the engineering and craftsmanship behind the memorial.
Bookstore – Find resources and items to deepen your understanding.
Restrooms with Historical Detail – Featuring replicas of graffiti left by the workers who built the memorial.
This unique experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of America’s most treasured landmarks.
Need to Know
- Walk-up Tickets
The walk-up same day tickets are for the same day. These tickets are FREE and can be acquired from the Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk, located along Daniel French Dr. near the Lincoln Memorial. Ticket distribution begins at 8:45 a.m. ET and is on a first-come, first-served basis. One visitor (must be over 16-years old) can request a single ticket or a group ticket (up to 6) - children under two do not need a ticket.
Please Note: On weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) tickets are highly sought after, and the line will begin to form early. It is highly recommended to arrive as early as possible to join the waiting line. Weather, holidays and peak season will also be factors when considering how early to show up to obtain a ticket for the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft. Once all tickets have been distributed, the ticket window will close and will re-open at 8:45 am ET on the next day of operations.
- Online Advanced Tickets
30-Day Advance Reservations - Reserve tickets online up to a month in advance of your visit. Inventory for the next available day (30 days out) becomes available at 11 a.m. ET each morning (e.g. - on May 26 at 11 a.m., tickets will become available for visits on June 25).
24-Hour Advance Reservations - A portion of the advance tickets are made available at 4 p.m. ET each day for the next day's visits (e.g. - on June 24 at 4 p.m., tickets will become available for visits on June 25).
Group Tickets (Online Only) - Groups may reserve up to 50 tickets up to 30 days in advance through Recreation.gov. No walk-ups are available for large group tours.
Advance reservations may be made through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Ticket availability is limited and all tickets for a given day are often reserved the day they become available. Though there is no admission fee for the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft, there is a $1.00 service charge per ticket to cover reservation service; these fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
- Important Information
All members of your group are required to be present when your ticket is scanned for entry.
The National Park Service recognizes Recreation.gov and the Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk as the official ticket distributors for the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft. Only tickets from these two locations are valid and accepted. For advance tickets only, you may print a physical copy to bring with you, download it onto your mobile device for easy access, or display it directly through the Recreation.gov mobile app.
Be aware that Recreation.gov will issue only 1 ticket per reservation, and it is important for all members of your party to be together at the time of entry. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least 5 minutes early before their scheduled ticket time.
Entrance lines for the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft will begin near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial kiosk. National Park Service Park Rangers will give a security briefing on prohibited items into the undercroft and can answer any questions that visitors may have. The National Park Service reserves the right to deny entry into the undercroft if visitors arrive past their scheduled time listed on their ticket.
Park Rangers will do their best to accommodate late arrivals, but the National Park Service makes no guarantee that entrance will be permitted upon lateness of visitor(s).
- Prohibited Items
The National Park Service and the United States Park Police prohibit the following items from entering the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft.
Please do not leave bags or other property unattended on or near the plaza of the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service Park Rangers will not hold any prohibited or personal item(s) for visitors and any item(s) left unattended will be at the owner's risk and discretion.
Smoking and/or vaping is not permitted inside of the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
Weapons such as guns, ammunition or knives, pocket-knives (e.g. - any sharp metal-pointed items such as scissors, fingernail clippers, boxcutters, tweezers, utensils and tools are also prohibited)
No food or drinks (except for food in sealed bags, bottled water and baby formula in clear bottles)
No glass or ceramic items such as bottles or mugs • No mace, pepper spray or aerosols (e.g. - spray sunscreen, spray deodorant or bug repellent)
Strollers that do not fold to a maximum size of 21"x29"
No animals are allowed inside the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft, with the exception of trained service animals—which does not include emotional support animals
Bags larger than 18"x16"x8" are not permitted (if an item cannot fit into the X-Ray machine, it will not be permitted into the undercroft)
No recreational items such as bicycles, skateboards or scooters will be permitted to enter the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
Matches, cigarette lighters and anything that can cause a flame
Explosives or anything that is flammable
PLEASE NOTE: There are no lockers or provided parking area for strollers available on-site – visitors are encouraged to make arrangements ahead of time on how to secure any prohibited item.
- Operating Hours and Unexpected Closure
The Lincoln Memorial Undercroft is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET (March - October) and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (November - February.) The last timed entry ticket into the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft is an hour before closing time, with entrances ceasing 45 minutes before closing time. The Lincoln Memorial Undercroft is closed once a month for scheduled routine maintenance. It is also closed in observance of July 4th and December 25th. Unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather, safety and security may also force the closure of the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft.
Please note that in the event of an unforeseen or premature closure of the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft, all service fees are NOT refundable. New tickets will be required for entrance into the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft. The National Park Service Park Rangers will do their best to accommodate ticketed visitors affected by the closure when operations resume, but they make no guarantee of entrance.
- Accessibility
The Lincoln Memorial Undercroft is fully accessible to all visitors.
- What to expect inside the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
Upon your arrival at the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft, line for entrance begins near the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial. A ranger will lead groups to the undercroft entrance.
Upon entering the undercroft, visitors will have their tickets scanned and go through airport-like security screening. Photography and video recording within the security area is prohibited, but once visitors clear the security area and enter the exhibit space, photography and video recording is allowed.
Visitors can look forward to watching a short video before entering the exhibit space. Visitors are welcome to explore the undercroft for a maximum of two hours prior to its designated closing time. The tour is self-guided; however, a ranger will be present to answer questions. Restrooms and Bookstore are available inside.
Booking Windows
Advance reservations may be made through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
30 Day Advanced Reservations - Reserve tickets online up to a month in advance of your visit. Inventory for the next available day (30 days out) becomes available at 11 a.m. ET each morning (e.g. - on May 26 at 11 a.m., tickets will become available for visits on June 25).
24-Hour Advance Reservations - A portion of the advance tickets are made available at 4 p.m. ET each day for the next day's visits (e.g. - on June 24 at 4 p.m., tickets will become available for visits on June 25).
Group Tickets (Online Only) - Groups may reserve up to 50 tickets up to 30 days in advance through Recreation.gov. No walk-ups are available for large group tours. Though there is no admission fee for the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft, there is a $1.00 service charge per ticket to cover reservation service; these fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
Walk-up Tickets - Ticket availability is limited and all tickets for a given day are often reserved the day they become available. Ticket distribution begins at 8:45 a.m. ET and is on a first-come, first-served basis. One visitor (must be over 16-years old) can request a single ticket or a group ticket (up to 6) - children under two do not need a ticket.
Changes and Cancellations
There is a $1.00 service charge per ticket to cover reservation service. Tickets may be cancelled until 2:00pm the day prior to the tour. No refunds are offered under any circumstances.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW Washington DC 20002
Phone Number
202-426-6841
