landmark
Jefferson Memorial
Neoclassical domed memorial on the Tidal Basin dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence.
19 km · about 20 min drive
North AmericaUnited StatesMaryland
Fort Washington
Maryland, United States · North America
About Fort Washington
Fort Washington works well as a base: 10 minutes from Fort Hunt, 19km from Jefferson Memorial.
Fort Washington is in Maryland, United States, with about 24,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Fort Hunt, about 4 km away.
Fort Washington, located near the community of Fort Washington, Maryland, was for many decades the only defensive fort protecting Washington, D.C. The original fort, overlooking the Potomac River, was completed in 1809, and was begun as Fort Warburton, but renamed in 1808. During the War of 1812, the fort wasRead more
destroyed by its own garrison during a British advance.
The current historic fort—maintained by the National Park Service—was initially constructed in 1824. It is a stone structure with a good cannon shot down the Potomac River. The fort was extensively remodeled in the 1840s and 1890s. The Fort was turned over to the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1946 after its last military personnel departed.
The expansive grounds of the present Fort Washington Park, with its extensive hiking/bicycle paths and river view, are a scenic venue for picnicking, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Historical re-enactments are held periodically at the Fort, and there is a small museum. In 2006, repairs were done to shore up the crumbling outer wall, in preparation for the 200th anniversary.
The Fort Washington Light, located below the fort, was established in 1857. The current tower, standing 28 feet tall, was constructed in 1882.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Fort Washington?
Within an hour or so of Fort Washington: Jefferson Memorial (19 km), National Mall (20 km), Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (20 km), National Gallery of Art (20 km).
Are there any good drives near Fort Washington?
The nearest famous roads are Skyline Drive.
Where is Fort Washington?
Fort Washington is in Maryland, United States, about 4 km from Fort Hunt.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 23,717
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Maryland
- Timezone
- America/New_York
- Coordinates
- 38.7073, -77.0230
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United States
AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.
Full driving guide for United StatesTags
Worth the detour from Fort Washington
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
National Mall
America's front yard stretching from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments, memorials, and Smithsonian museums.
20 km · about 25 min drive
museum
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Home to the Hope Diamond and over 148 million specimens, making it one of the world's premier natural history collections.
20 km · about 25 min drive
museum
National Gallery of Art
A free world-class museum on the National Mall featuring masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present, including the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas.
20 km · about 25 min drive
museum
Smithsonian Museums
The world's largest museum complex with 21 museums and galleries, all free, including the Air and Space Museum and Natural History Museum.
20 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Powerful stone monument on the National Mall honouring the civil rights leader, featuring a 9-metre carved figure emerging from rock.
20 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
World War II Memorial
Grand open-air memorial on the National Mall honouring the 16 million Americans who served in the Second World War.
20 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
United States Capitol
Neoclassical seat of the US Congress topped by the iconic cast-iron dome, a centrepiece of the National Mall.
20 km · about 25 min drive
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