The Washington Monument: How High Does This Tribute Go?
Ah, the Washington Monument! Soaring majestically over the National Mall, it's become an iconic symbol of the American spirit. But have you ever wondered, as you crane your neck for a peek at the tippy-top, just how many floors this patriotic needle has?
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| How Many Floors Is The Washington Monument |
Floors? It's Not Exactly an Apartment Building, Folks!
Now, those of you picturing a classic office building with a Washington Monument-shaped elevator might be a tad disappointed. The Washington Monument isn't designed for cubicle dwellers or office parties. It's a massive obelisk, a fancy term for a tall, pointy pillar, built to honor our first president, George Washington.
So How Do You Get to the Top? Don't Worry, It's Not All Stairs!
While there are actually 897 stairs inside the monument (yikes!), those are currently off-limits to the public. Thankfully, for your leg muscles' sake, there's a modern elevator that whisks you up to the observation deck in a cool 60 seconds.
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But that observation deck? That's not exactly a floor either. It's more like a balcony with stunning views.
So, we can ditch the "floors" concept altogether. The Washington Monument is more about levels of appreciation for the great George Washington.
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
Key takeaway: The Washington Monument doesn't have floors in the traditional sense, but it offers breathtaking views from its observation deck!
Fun Fact Alert!
The Washington Monument's pointiness has a purpose! The pyramid-shaped tip, called a pyramidion, is made of gleaming aluminum, which helps the monument act like a giant lightning rod. So next time you see a storm brewing over D.C., you can rest assured the Washington Monument is busy channeling all that electrical energy away from the important stuff (like tourists' cameras!).
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
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How To FAQs: Your Washington Monument Must-Knows
How to Get to the Top? Easy! Take the elevator. Your legs will thank you.
How Much Does it Cost? Currently, there's no entrance fee to visit the Washington Monument.
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
How Long Does it Take to Get Up? The elevator ride itself is a speedy 60 seconds.
How High is the Washington Monument? A whopping 555 feet and 5⅛ inches! That's taller than most skyscrapers!
How Long Did it Take to Build? Believe it or not, construction was on-again, off-again for nearly 40 years!
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