Washington DC offers hundreds of outside sculptures, monuments, and memorials that visitors can see and tour free of charge.  These structures provide information about the founders, architects, and political and cultural leaders of the city. The best part is that many of the city’s memorials can be accessed by public transportation, plus because many are located around the National Mall, tourists can easily go from site to site. Here is a list of memorials that visitors and locals do not want to miss:

Lincoln Memorial: Positioned east of the National Mall, this 19-foot statue is dedicated to the 16th US President Abraham Lincoln. This memorial is one of the most well-known and frequently visited in Washington DC, and it’s location on the east of the National Mall makes it an excellent place to start a day full of site seeing.
 
Washington Monument: This monument places on the list of top DC memorials because it was built in commemoration of George Washington, the first US President. Visitors can take the elevator to the top of the structure for spectacular city views and observe the bronze statue of Washington on the ground floor.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial: Situated south of the National Mall right along the Potomac River is this eloquent structure dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, the nation’s third President and one of its Founding Fathers. The shelter is a beautiful Neolithic structure that houses a bronze statue of Jefferson inside.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial: One of the newest DC memorials, this site consists of four outside rooms dedicated to the nation’s 32nd President. Stroll through the manmade waterfalls, poignant sculptures reminiscent of the Great Depression, a statue of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and engravings of famous quotes on war and freedom.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: Set to be officially dedicated fall of 2011, this site will honor the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the US Civil Rights movement. It will offer a visual line to the Lincoln Memorial, the location of King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” at the March on Washington in 1963.

Ulysses S. Grant Memorial: Situated between the US Capitol Building and reflecting pool, this memorial was built to honor Grant, a Civil War General and the nation’s 18th President.  This site boasts the third largest equestrian statue of the United States showing Grant on his war horse Cincinnati.

African American Civil War Memorial: In commemoration of  the service of 209,145 African American soldiers and sailors who fought on the side of the Union during the Civil War, this site dispalys panels with the names of those who served and the Spirit of Freedom sculpture. The location is the U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro stop.
 
US National World War II Memorial:  This memorial is made up of 56 granite pillars, two 43-foot archs, and a reflecting pool standing before the Washington Monument on the National Mall. It honors Americans who served during World War II. It was officially dedicated by George W. Bush in 2004.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Most well-known for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall that lists the names of over 50,000 men and women who served during the war, this memorial also includes the Three Soldiers statue and Vietnam Women’s Memorial sculptures, all on the National Mall.

Korean War Veterans Memorial: A unique memorial dedicated to Americans who served during the Korean War, this site is most famous for its 19 stainless steel, larger than life size soldier sculptures. This memorial also contains a wall showing people and other images from the war, a reflecting pool, and the American flag.

These 10 memorials are not only some of the most popular sites in Washington DC, but they are all free of charge. Last but not least, they are conveniently located by the metro and not far from one another making them the perfect basis to form your travel schedule for a trip to Washington DC.