So You Wanna Know How High the Washington Monument Is? Buckle Up, Buttercup!
Ever looked at a picture of the Washington Monument and thought, "Dang, that's tall!"? Well, you're not wrong, my friend. This pointy tribute to George Washington is a real whopper, but how whoppin' exactly? Let's dive into the fascinating world of presidential monument measuring!
How High Is The Washington Monument |
Feet, Inches, and a Whole Lot of History
The Washington Monument stands at a towering 555 feet and 5⅛ inches (or, for our metric system friends, a very respectable 169.294 meters). That's pretty darn high, especially considering it was built way back in the 1800s, when folks were rocking top hats and rocking horses (probably not at the same time, that would be a safety hazard).
Fun Fact: The Washington Monument actually held the title of "World's Tallest Structure" for a glorious five years, from 1884 to 1889. Then that fancy Frenchman, Gustave Eiffel, came along and stole the show with his ridiculously tall Eiffel Tower. But hey, second place ain't so bad, right?
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Eyeballing the Monument: A (Slightly Inaccurate) Measurement Technique
Let's be honest, who carries a fancy measuring tape around all the time? Here's a handy, dandy guide to guesstimate the height of the Washington Monument like a pro (emphasis on "guesstimate"):
- Stack three Statues of Liberty on top of each other. Lady Liberty clocks in at 305 feet, so three of her would get you pretty close. Although, this method might not be the best for public transportation.
- Imagine 18 giraffes wearing trench coats. Giraffes are the world's tallest land animals, and a full-grown one can reach up to 19 feet. Eighteen of them would definitely get you in the ballpark (giraffe ballpark?).
Disclaimer: These are not scientifically proven methods. Please don't use them to impress your significant other on a date to the National Mall.
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Frequently Asked Monumental Questions
Alright, alright, so you want the real, nitty-gritty details. Here are some quick answers to your burning Washington Monument height inquiries:
How to measure the Washington Monument yourself? Unless you're a professional surveyor with some serious climbing gear, this one's best left to the experts.
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How much taller was the Washington Monument than the Eiffel Tower? Not a single inch! The Eiffel Tower was a whopping 691 feet tall, making the Washington Monument look a little short in comparison.
How many steps are there to the top of the Washington Monument? There actually used to be stairs, but they're closed to the public now. Thankfully, there's an elevator to whisk you to the top in style (and without burning leg muscles).
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How high can you see from the top of the Washington Monument? On a clear day, you can see for about 25 miles, which means you might be able to spot the White House, the Capitol Building, and maybe even a few squirrels plotting world domination.
How many times would a football field fit inside the Washington Monument? A regulation football field is 360 feet long. Since the Washington Monument is 555 feet tall, a little over one and a half football fields would fit inside, with some room leftover for snacks (important).