Hello,
Planning a last-minute first
trip ever to DC.

We don't have tickets to the white house, but
is the visitor's center open w/o tickets?

Regarding the lincoln memorial, is it
possible to see this without a ticket?

Finally, from Marriott Metro Center, which
attractions can be done with the least
walking and just one train ride?

THANKS!!!

The Lincoln Memorial is in a large open building--there's no way to close it, as far as I can see. So you don't need a ticket. The same applies to the Jefferson and FDR memorials.

Tickets are not required for the WH Visitor's Center.

Tickets are not required for the Lincoln Memorial.

From Metro Center, I'd take a blue or orange train to the Smithsonian stop. You'll be on the National Mall and within walking distance of many of the Smithsonian's, White House, Holocaust Museum, the Mint, National Gallery of Art, Hirshhorn, Washington Monument, and the Capitol. More too, I'm sure I'm leaving things out.

Hope it's a great trip!

corsica, I just looked at your other post asking about hotels and noticed you had a "sun sensitive" member of your group. I'm guessing that means you want to limit your outside walking time.

Almost all of the sites I mentioned are outside walks at least a city block from the Smithsonian Metro and many are multiple blocks. It IS the stop with the most popular sites within a walkable distance. Just didn't want to mislead you.

Suggest that your sun-sensitive friend get a sunblock shirt and hat. Those will help a great deal.