National Mall

Located in the heart of the national capital, the National Mall is home to various monuments and memorials. Some of the notable landmarks include the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial, also known as the Presidential Legacies. The Mall is also home to many Smithsonian museums and serves as a place to reflect on American History. 

 

 

What to Know

When the word Mall comes to mind then it is automatically translated into shops and food stalls in the area, but that’s not true in this case. The National Mall in Washington, DC spans across 146-acre of land and is managed by the National Park Service or NPS. It features many national monuments and museums of America. The land from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial is all included in the National Mall. With that, it stretches south to include the Tidal Basin all the way to the Jefferson Memorial. Sometimes, the White House is also included in its vicinity. The idea of the National Mall emerged first when Pierre Charles L’Enfant was designing Washington, D.C. 

 

While you’re here, you will love to see the iconic Washington Monument. It’s best to see this monument early in the morning when the sun is rising. So, plan ahead and wake up early to see the contrast of the sun against this magnificent monument. There will be no crowds early in the morning, so you’ll really enjoy your time here. The massive obelisk is dedicated to George Washington and is up to 555 feet high. You can also visit this place later in the day to ride the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument. For this, you’ll need a ticket that should be reserved up to a month before your visit.

 

Another great thing about this National Mall is the World War II Memorial. It’s a place that pays tribute to those Americans who served, those who couldn’t make it, and the victories they achieved. The memorial honors the 16 million people in the armed forces. Opened in 2004, it immediately grabbed the attention of thousands of people. The memorial perfectly illustrates the relationship between the battlefront and the home front. Those who stayed at home and those in the war relied on each other for strength, courage, and support. The site pays tribute to those who made sacrifices during World War II.

 

It has two opposing archways inscribed with “Atlantic” and “Pacific” above the keystones. Then there are smaller pillars with the names of American states and territories from 1945. The individual components of this memorial are relatively simple and you can simply sit and reflect on the past events. You can also admire the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial from the other end of the reflecting pool. It is also open 24/7 a week, all year round. 

 

After this, make your way toward the Lincoln Memorial by walking along the reflecting pool of the National Mall. Here you can find a sculpture of Abraham Lincoln looking out for the country that he held together. A simple boy who grew up poor, reading in candlelight, was a plain speaker for common people. He was the man who held the nation together through thick and thin and aspired to lead it. Many people love to spend time on stairs but you can also go inside and admire the interior of the place. You can find a ton of collections here including items from archeology, construction items, and more. 

 

Next, head over to the Vietnam Memorial which is made from iconic granite walls—it is one of the best memorials in America. The granite walls list the names of fallen comrades during the Vietnam War and the 58,318 Americans who sacrificed their lives for this country. It includes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, the Three Soldiers statue, and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. The Vietnam Women’s Memorial pays homage to more than 265,000 women who served during the Vietnam era. It was dedicated in 1993.

The Three Soldiers Statue depicts three American soldiers from the Vietnam War looking out on the battlefield. If you visit this place in the early morning, the dew on the statues will create a picture of these statues as stricken with grief and sadness. 

 

Among these, there are several other great things to see at the National Mall including the Einstein Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, etc. If it’s the season for cherry blossoms, you’ll love to walk around the Tidal Basin. Keep in mind that it’s a huge Mall, so if you’re walking around then you might miss some of the places during early morning even if you wake up early. But, you can also jog or run around if the weather permits. Also, in the vicinity of the National Mall, you can find the Smithsonian Museums including the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, and more. 

 

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History features an extensive collection of human artifacts and natural history specimens. Admission to this museum is free and you can easily spend 3-4 hours here. You will really enjoy the Butterfly Pavilion, an amazing and beautiful exhibit featuring different butterflies. The multilevel museum has an area for rocks and minerals, the evolution of men with all the skulls, and the remains of dinosaurs. The jewelry section is also amazing, especially the Hope Diamond has a separate fan base.

 

Another attraction on the National Mall is the National Gallery of Art, featuring over 141,000 works of Western art. You will find lots of exhibitions including the “Impressionist Paris 1874”. The building is divided into two main buildings; the Neoclassical West Building and the Modernist East Building. You can spend days here but a few hours would also suffice. For more information, you can visit the Smithsonian website. And don’t forget to drop by the Constitution Gardens, a Park area in the Mall. It’s a very relaxing, peaceful place amidst the bustling activities in Washington, D.C. 

 

Just right next to the White House, you will find the Black Lives Matter Plaza. Although it’s not a part of the National Mall, it is a must-visit place. The George Floyd protests were the reason for this new addition. And the plaza is huge with cars driving on either side of the words. Between Black Lives Matter and the White House, Lafayette Square is situated. It’s a small park with statues of four foreigners who were an important part of the American Revolutionary War. It also features a statue of President Andrew Jackson with the White House in the background.

 

Overall, a trip to Washington, DC is incomplete without visiting the National Mall. It features tons of monuments and memorials for you to see. Here, you can reflect on the country’s history and how so many Americans sacrificed their lives so we could live in a free country. Also, the visitor centers along the Mall provide helpful resources. 

 

How to Get There

The best way to get to the National Mall and Memorial Park sites is via public transportation. You can use Washington DC’s subway systems such as Metro or Bicycle. If you’re traveling via car, then Interstate 395 provides access to the site from the South.

 

Best Time to Visit 

You can visit the National Mall depending on what you want to experience. The spring and Fall are usually the best times to visit with milder temperatures. The spring also brings the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Fall brings beautiful fall foliage, adding a perfect touch to the monuments and memorials. The summers are usually the busiest and hot too. But it also comes with lots of events and festivals. Winter is the least busy with fewer crowds. But the holiday season brings some life to the Mall. Also, you can book Walking tours that are perfect for learning about this place in more depth.

 

Features and Highlights 

- National Mall is a large Central Park in Washington, D.C. that stretches over two miles from the U.S. Capitol building to the Lincoln Memorial.

- Also known as America’s Front Yard, the National Mall is home to many American monuments and memorials. 

- Features many famous memorials such as the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and more.

- The Washington Monument is in the Center of the National Mall with the Obelisk honoring George Washington.

- At the Western end of the Mall is the Lincoln Memorial which is also the site for the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther Jr. during the March on Washington. 

- Between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, stands the World War II memorial honoring the 16 million people. 

- Along the northern side of the memorial stands the Vietnam Veterans Memorial featuring a stark and moving black granite wall.

- On the western edge of the Mall is Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

- At the southern edge of the Tidal Basin is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial featuring a Statue of Jefferson inside. 

Features many free Smithsonian museums including the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Gallery of Art, and more.

Features Constitution Gardens, a Park area that is really peaceful.

Features a reflecting pool that mirrors the Washington Monument and provides stunning photo ops.

The Tidal Basin is quite gorgeous, especially during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

There are also many walking and biking paths for taking a stroll or for guided walking tours.