Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

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Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: West Potomac Park Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is located in the state of District of Columbia and is a popular tourist attraction for history buffs.

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Summary

The memorial represents the life and legacy of the 32nd President of the United States and features four outdoor rooms, each representing one of his terms in office. Visitors can see impressive sculptures, quotes, and water features that pay tribute to Roosevelt's accomplishments and his leadership during some of the country's most challenging times, including the Great Depression and World War II.

Some of the must-see points of interest at the memorial include the bronze statue of Roosevelt sitting in a wheelchair, a tribute to his fight against polio, and the Wall of Quotes, which features some of his most famous sayings. Visitors can also take in the stunning views of the Tidal Basin and cherry blossom trees that Washington, D.C., is famous for.

Interesting facts about the memorial include that it was designed by Lawrence Halprin, an American landscape architect, and that it opened to the public in 1997, more than 50 years after Roosevelt's death. The memorial covers seven and a half acres and is composed of a series of outdoor rooms, each of which represents one of Roosevelt's four terms in office.

The best time of year to visit the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, adding an extra layer of beauty to the already breathtaking views. However, visitors can also enjoy the memorial year-round, and it is open 24 hours a day. By visiting the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, visitors can learn more about one of America's most influential and beloved presidents and pay their respects to his legacy.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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