I’ve written about a lot of places since working for a student travel company, and many of them I couldn’t wait to see for myself. One of these attractions is a favorite for Washington DC student tours. So of course it made my list when I visited DC last spring.

It’s called the Illuminations Tour, and I had understood it to be somewhat of a drive-by. I thought groups were loaded on buses and driven around the National Mall and the rest of DC’s famous spots, so that they could view the pretty sights lighted up after dark. My Illuminations experience was quite a bit richer and more personal than that. But I did learn some things along the way.

Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial, and the sun went down while we were there. We didn’t see it in its fully lit beauty until later. It wasn’t fully dark yet when we reached the Vietnam War Memorial either. The full effect – the first memorial I witnessed after dark – and only after dark was the Korean War Memorial.

Do you know much about that one? It’s perfect for educational travel and it’s a part of the National Mall, so I’m sure you’ll see it if you ever visit. And it’s nice to know a bit about what you’re getting into. This memorial has several parts, most notably the larger-than-life soldiers which appear to be walking through a field of juniper. They represent several races, several branches of the army. And their faces truly are haunting, perhaps especially after dark while lit from below.

A second portion of the memorial is a wall with images engraved that represent many, many other jobs in the military. (Our guide helped us engage with the images by listing things to find and discover – I definitely recommend this for student groups). And here’s where I will introduce the tip.

While at the Korean War Memorial, though it was beautiful and haunting in the lights, I wished – well – that I could see better. That feeling was reinforced at the World War II Memorial with its beautiful pillars and fountains and decorative wreaths and so much detail. I felt certain I was missing some of that detail by only seeing them in the dark.

My final feeling was that the Illuminations Tour of the Washington DC monuments and memorials is absolutely not to be missed. Still, I think the best way to experience this most moving part of Washington DC is to view them during the daylight as well. There’s too much here to only view after dark.

Washington D.C. is well-known for its monuments and memorials. Throughout the national mall, you’ll find meaningful tributes to our national heroes from founding fathers to war veterans. You can see their own words inscribed in history, learn more about their lives, and find in their memorials quiet places to reflect and refresh. 

The National World War II Memorial is just such a place, and it is frequented by residents and tourists alike for its artistic setting, soothing fountains, and powerful tribute.

The soothing yet powerful design of this memorial was very deliberate. Its architects wanted to blend a modern feel with the neoclassical architecture in so many structures around it, like the Lincoln Memorial nearby. The Washington Monument towers directly above it, and together they create perhaps the most prominent landmark in the city.

The memorial has several parts besides its refreshing fountains. The freedom wall is a beautiful tribute to the more than 400,000 American lives lost during the war, each represented by a raised gold star. Pillars within the memorial’s design represent the Atlantic and the Pacific. Between those rest smaller pillars representing each of the 48 states in 1945, plus the territories of Hawaii and Alaska and the various commonwealths of the United States.

All of these components flow together as effortlessly as the water from the fountains. And yet, great effort went into the design and strength of the memorial. That effort is a tribute itself to the lives that are honored there. And the joy and refreshment visitors gain from the memorial every day is yet another way to honor those who died.

Washington D.C. student tours are some of the most popular in the nation. And the National World War II Memorial is just one of the many reasons why.

Photo Credit: Mo Kaiwen on 莫楷文 on Flickr