Lincoln Memorial's Hidden Vault Opens June 25

Free tickets with a $1 service charge can be reserved every 30 days.

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Events

Put this on your summer list: Opening to the general public for the first time on June 25, the Lincoln Memorial "Undercroft" invites visitors into a dramatic, previously unseen space beneath one of America’s most iconic monuments, just a short commute from Alexandria.

This new 15,000‑square‑foot exhibit area reveals the massive concrete foundations that support the memorial and shares the story of how the Lincoln Memorial was built and how its meaning has evolved over the last century.

What you will experience

Step into the cavernous structural chamber that has stood hidden since the memorial opened in 1922. The undercroft features:

  • A soaring grid of concrete columns that support the memorial above
  • Interactive exhibits that explore the memorial’s construction
  • Multimedia presentations that trace the memorial’s role in American history and civil rights

This project, funded in partnership with the National Park Foundation, significantly enhances the visitor experience while preserving an essential part of the nation’s heritage.

Timed entry tickets

Timed entry tickets are required to visit the undercroft. Tickets are free, with a small service fee for advance reservations.

Advance tickets

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, you can reserve tickets online at Recreation.gov or by calling 877‑444‑6777

  • Reserve tickets up to 30 days in advance (on May 26, tickets will be available for June 25);
  • New tickets available at 11 a.m. daily
  • Each reservation allows up to six tickets
  • Tickets are free; however, a $1 service fee applies per reservation
  • Group tickets (online only) Groups may reserve up to 50 tickets up to 30 days in advance through Recreation.gov. No walk-ups are available for large group tours.Same‑day tickets — Available beginning June 25
  • Same-day tickets: Starting June 25, same‑day, walk-up tickets will be distributed in person:
  • Distribution begins daily at 8:45 a.m. at the Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk on Daniel Chester French Drive, just south of the Lincoln Memorial
  • One person (16+ years old) may get up to six tickets for an available ticket time. All visitors 2 years of age and older must have a ticket to enter the Lincoln Memorial undercroft.
  • Tickets are first come, first serve. Quantities are limited. Expect high demand especially on weekends and peak visitation periods. Expect a line to begin forming before the ticket window opens.

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