Although Pierre L'Enfant included a Navy Memorial in his plans for Washington, D.C., it wasn't until 1987 that one was built. The main attraction here is an 860-ton, 100-foot-in-diameter granite map of the world, known as the Granite Sea. It's surrounded by fountains, benches, and six ship masts. The Lone Sailor, a 7-foot tall statue, stands on the map in the Pacific Ocean between the United States and Japan.

The Naval Heritage Center, next to the memorial in the Market Square East Building, displays videos and exhibits of uniforms, medals, and other aspects of Navy life. The 242-seat theater shows a rotating series of Navy-related movies throughout the day.

Watch as the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard twirls their rifles in precision. The guard is just one of many groups that may perform, sing, and present wreaths at some 500 events that take place in front of the Lone Sailor throughout the summer. When the Naval Memorial Foundation hasn't reserved the space, the National Park Service may issue permits to private groups.

Bronze relief panels on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the memorial depict 26 scenes commemorating events in the nation's naval history and honoring naval communities. The panels are at a perfect height for children to look at and touch, and they're full of interesting items for kids to examine.

A memorial to army general Winfield Scott Hancock, whose forces repelled Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, is in the park adjacent to the Navy Memorial.