Today I’d like to share with you a beautiful area in Washington DC called the Tidal Basin. Curious to know where it is and what to see?

Where is the Tidal Basin?

A short walk from my apartment in Foggy Bottom, the Tidal Basin is a partially man-made reservoir between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel in Washington DC. Located next to the National Mall, it is a focal point of the National Cherry Blossom Festival held each spring. The Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the George Mason Memorial are situated adjacent to the Tidal Basin.

What to see along the Tidal Basin

The Korean War Memorial

Starting off at the Lincoln Memorial, I walked by the Korean War Memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices of the 5.8 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed services during the three-year period of the Korean War (1950-1953). It is not exactly along the Tidal Basin but fairly close.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Turning to the east is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, with an imposing statue of Martin Luther King. This Memorial features beautiful views over the Tidal Basin. Actually, the famous Cherry Blossom will take place in a few weeks and I’ve been told this is one of the best spots to see it.

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Walking along the Tidal Basin towards the right, you will reach the Memorial dedicated to former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, also known as FDR. He guided America through the Great Depression and World War II (from 1933 to 1945), his vast legacy is explained through his own quotations. His wife Eleanor Roosevelt, who would later become the driving force behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is also depicted here. The same goes for their beloved pet Fala! By the way, Eleanor was a prominent figure when I worked for the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva, so you never know. 🙂

The Jefferson Memorial

Author of the Declaration of Independence, statesman and visionary for the founding of a nation, Thomas Jefferson was America‘s third president. As you might remember from my recent visit to his Monticello estate in Virginia, he was a prominent figure in the history of this country. Standing in a straight line with the White House, this Memorial is also a great spot to experience the peak bloom along the Tidal Basin.

How did you like this tour along the Tidal Basin? Have you already visited any of these Memorials? Leave me your comments below.