The Ultimate Guide to the National Mall & Beyond
The National Mall is where history is made and where the nation comes to remember its founders and heroes. It is home to some of our nation’s most iconic memorials, monuments, and museums. Each year, millions of people come to “American’s Front Yard” to honor our veterans and historical leaders.
The Washington Monument is positioned between the U.S. Capitol Building and the stately Lincoln Memorial. In between, you’ll find places like the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, the World War I and World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It is here that the AIDS Quilt was displayed and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered.
The National Mall is also a cultural hub for the United States. Here you can marvel at original works by Rodin, Da Vinci and Van Gogh mixed in with relics important to American History such as the Star-Spangled Banner, the hat Abraham Lincoln was wearing when he was assassinated, portraits of every president in the National Portrait Gallery, and a collection of dresses representing each of the First Ladies.
Table of Contents
History of the National Mall
When Pierre Charles L’Enfant drew his vision for the nation’s capital in 1791, he included a “grand avenue” that was 1 mile in length and 400 feet wide. On his renderings, he placed this avenue between the Congress House (now the US Capitol) and an equestrian statue of George Washington. The statue was placed directly south of the President’s home (now the White House), and directly west of the Congress House.
Just over a decade later, Mathew Cary drew a map which named this area the “Mall”, a name derived from The Mall in London, which was a promenade near Buckingham Palace.
In the 1880s projects such as dredging the river and creating the Tidal Basin, building “the Smithsonian Castle” and other buildings began to shape the modern day National Mall.
In 1902, a redesign of the Mall, which extended L’Enfants plan, would further map out the area.
In 1966, the National Park Service listed the National Mall on the National Register of Historic Places.
Getting Around the National Mall
The National Mall is pedestrian-friendly. You can easily explore it on foot, via scooter or bicycle, or hop on one of the Big Bus Tours.
You can easily spend a day walking the 2-mile loop trail along the National Mall and the 2-mile loop trail around the Tidal Basin.
DC’s grid pattern makes it easy to navigate. When walking the National Mall, keep in mind the Lincoln Memorial is on the western end of the mall, the U.S. Capitol Building is on the eastern end and the Washington Monument is in the center.
This map from DCCirculator is perfect! It offers a wonderful walking/biking route that starts and ends at the Union Station Metro and includes the entire National Mall. It is important to note that in order to really do the monuments, memorials, and museums justice, you’ll definitely want to dedicate more than a full day to the National Mall.
If you’re visiting in the spring, be sure to include the Tidal Basin loop where you’ll find the famous Cherry Blossoms in bloom.
Highlights of the National Mall
United States Capitol
Each year more than 3.5 million people visit the U.S. Capitol building. Not only is this where Congress meets, but it is also a museum dedicated to American History.
Only visitors with tour reservations are able to enter the Capitol Visitor Center. To schedule tour, visit the Capitol’s website. The tour is led by a tour guide and visits the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the National Statuary Hall. It does not include the House and Senate Galleries.
US Botanic Garden
The U.S. Botanic Garden is a living plant museum. From roses to orchids, the rainforest of the Mid-Atlantic and rare plants, there’s a wide variety of plants in the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Admission to the garden is free and there are no advance ticket reservations required.
The USBG consists of three locations: the Conservatory, Bartholdi Park, and the Production Facility. The Conservatory is divided into separate rooms, each representing a different habitat. The rooms are: the Garden Court, Rare and Endangered Plants, Plant Exploration, Orchid House, Medicinal Plants, Desert, Hawaii, Garden Primeval, Plant Adaptation, Jungle, Children’s Garden, and Southern Exposure.
Washington Monument
This white marble obelisk is probably one of the most recognized monuments on the National Mall.
Construction of the 555 foot monument started in 1848 to honor George Washington, the United States’ first president.
If you’re lucky enough, you can snag tickets to take an elevator to the top of the monument for impressive view of the National Mall. Tickets are available at recreation.gov.
World War II Memorial
56 pillars, representing each state and territory, surround an impressive fountain that honors those who lost their lives in World War II. Completed in 2004, the World War II Memorial, located halfway between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, is a great place to sit down and rest your feet as your honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Be sure to take the time to read the inscriptions on the wall in honor of the 16 million who served in the armed forces during WWII and the more than 400,000 who died.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
One of the most iconic memorials in the US honors one of the most iconic Presidents in our nation’s history: Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Memorial was completed in 1922 and features 36 columns (representing the number of states in the Union during his presidency) and a massive statue of Lincoln.
The Lincoln Memorial has been the backdrop for many key points in American history. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech took place on the monuments steps. The memorial was also the site of the Inaugural Celebration for America’s first black President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Visit: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Lincoln Memorial to learn a bunch of interesting facts about this memorial.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Dedicated in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most popular, and most moving, memorials on the National Mall. Two black granite walls are engraved with the names of 58,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in service in the Vietnam conflict. The memorial includes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, the Three Servicemen statue, and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
If you are looking for a specific name, there are several books near the wall that have the names of the veterans listed chronologically, by the date of causality.
Museums on the National Mall
The National Mall is lined with some of the most impressive, and most visited, museums in the country. All of the museums are free to visit. Our favorite museums are the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Art.
National Museum of the American Indian
This museum serves as a memorial to the indigenous people of the Americas. It was created after controversy erupted because the Smithsonian Institution held more than 12,000 Indian remains in storage. 2/3 of the collection (including human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and ceremonial objects) was given back to the tribal communities.
The Washington, DC branch of the museum opened in 2004. It was the first national museum in the country dedicated exclusively to Native Americans.
National Air and Space Museum
Did you know that the National Air and Space Museum is one of the most popular museums in the world? The museum is so large that its collection is actually housed in two locations one in Chantilly, Virginia and the other in Washington, DC. In this post, we’ll be discussing the DC location.
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has undergone a massive overhaul and re-opened their doors in October of 2022. Eight newly renovated galleries are now open. The remaining galleries are expected to be unveiled in 2025. The new exhibits invite visitors to explore air and space in new, interactive, and exciting ways. We can’t wait to visit again once the museum is completely open to see what this masterpiece evolves into!
Hirshhorn Museum
The Hirsshorn Museum and Sculpture garden houses collection of contemporary and modern art primarily from the post-World War II period. It is located halfway between the Washington Monument and the US Capitol.
Notable artists featured in the Hirshhorn include Picasso, Matisse, Cassatt, Pollock, Rodin, and more.
National Museum of African Art
The National Museum of African Art holds the largest collection of African art. 9,000 works of traditional and contemporary African art and 300,000 photographs are housed within the museum.
Founded in 1964, it was the first museum dedicated to African art in the United States. The museum’s objects range from 15th-century sculptures and masks to contemporary art.
National Museum of Asian Art
The Asian art collection is housed in two buildings the The Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. The Freer houses over 26,000 objects spanning 6,000 of history from the Neolitich to the modern eras. The Sackler Gallery also holds ancient and contemporary pieces, many of which were donated by pharmaceuticalist Arthur Sackler.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Opening in 2016, one of the newest museums on the National Mall is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This extremely popular museum is the world’s largest museum dedicated to African-American history and culture. The museum has more than 40,000 objects in its collection, although a majority of them are not on display.
The building, modeled after an old slave ship, features 10 stories- 5 below ground and 5 above ground. Some of the items you may see here include several items from the São José-Paquete de Africa (a slave ship excavated off the coast of South Africa in 2015), personal effects of Harriet Tubman including her hymnal and a shawl given to her by Queen Victoria, and garments, feet and wrist manacles worn by slaves.
You’ll also find an entire slave cabin that was deconstructed and rebuilt from it’s original location on Edisto Island, South Carolina.
Relics from the Jim Crow/Civil Rights era include a segregated train car, several historical signs, the dress Rosa Parks was sewing the day she refused to give up her seat, and more.
There are also several pop culture items such as Muhammad Ali’s gloves, a cape and jumpsuit worn by soul singer James Brown, costumes from the musical The Wiz, Chuck Berry’s red Cadillac convertible, Kobe Bryant’s uniform, and items from President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History houses some of the most important artifacts from America’s past. The collection features more than 3 million historical objects from colonial times to modern day.
The museum focuses on more than just history, you’ll find several relics from pop culture, scientific discovers, and more. Where else are you going to find the Star-Spangled Banner, C3P0, Alexander Grand Bells’ Large Box Telephone and Prince’s Yellow Cloud Electric Guitar, all under one roof?
The addition of pop culture relics helps make this museum fun and entertaining for all ages! The museum is a part of the Smithsonian Institution and is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is the world’s most popular natural history museum. The museum, which is larger than 18 football fields, is located in the heart of the National Mall and is definitely worth a visit. The museum follows the journey of the Earth and the life that inhabits it over the course of billions of years. The museum is home to the largest natural history collection in the world.
National Gallery of Art
The museum is split into two buildings, the East Building and the West Building. The East Building has an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art including pieces by Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Georgia O’Keeffe and Matisse. The West Building houses the historical collection including works by da Vinci, Vermeer, Monet, van Dyck, Raphael, and Cezanne.
Other Sites on the National Mall
Garfield Monument
Four months after President James A. Garfield was elected as the 20th President of the United States, he was assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau. The monument was unveiled in 1887, features three allegorical figures: the Student (depicting his time as an educator), the Warrior (commemorating his service during the Civil War), and the Statesmen (a nod to his career as a public servant).
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
This Memorial honors Dwight “Ike” D. Eisenhower, the President and Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. The memorial features large columns framing a mesh tapestry that depicts the site of the Normandy landings, and bronze statues of Eisenhower in various settings.
Smithsonian Castle
Nicknamed the castle because of it’s Romanesque and early Gothic motifs, this building was completed in 1855. It was the first Smithsonian Building and today serves as the Visitor Center to the Smithsonian Museums.
John Paul Jones Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to the man who once famously said, “I have not yet begun to fight!” John Paul Jones was our country’s first naval war hero and father of the United States Navy. He was the only naval officer to receive a Congressional Gold Medal during the American Revolutionary War.
His monument was dedicated in 1912 and was the first monument raised in Potomac Park, near the Tidal Basin.
District of Columbia War Memorial
Personally, I think this is one of the most beautiful memorial’s on the National Mall. It was constructed in 1931 to honor the 26,000 DC residents who served (and the 499 who died) in WWI.
The memorial is a circular, open-air Corinthian temple with a domed roof. It is surrounded by open lawn and flanked on the east and west sides by Ash Woods, a large grove of elm, maple, beech, and oak trees.
John Ericsson Memorial
Although he may not be as famous as some of his National Mall counterparts, John Ericsson is the man who revolutionized naval history with his invention of the screw propeller. Ericsson also designed the USS Monitor, a Union ship used during the American Civil War.
The Arts of War and The Arts of Peace Sculptures
These bronze statue groups are located by the Watergate Steps and the Lincoln Memorial. They were commissioned in 1929 to accent the plaza on the east side of the Lincoln Memorial and as part of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. The Arts of War were sculpted by Leo Friedlander and features Valor and Sacrifice. The Arts of Peace were sculpted by James Earle Fraser and feature Music and Harvest and Aspiration and Literature.
National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial
This brand new national monument is scheduled to be completed in 2024. It will honor those who served on active duty to support Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield. The monument will aim to educate visitors about the events of the two operations and celebrate the 34-nation coalition that banded together to liberate Kuwait.
Constitution Gardens & Signers Memorial
Situated next to the Reflecting Pool and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Constitution Gardens has a small pond which contains a memorial to the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Each stone includes the delegates signature, name, occupation, and place of residence. Some notable names include John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, and John Penn.
The Lockkeeper's House
Aside from the White House, this is the oldest building on the National Mall. It was built in 1837 at what i snow the corner of 17th Street, NW and Constitution Avenue. This area was once part of the Washington City Canal which connected to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal). The 35o square foot home served as the canal lock keeper’s residence. They were responsible for collecting tolls, recording commerce, and managing traffic in the canal.
In 2017, the National Park Service moved the building to its current location. The house now serves as an NPS education center.
Peace Monument
Also known as the Naval Monument or the Civil War Sailors Monument, the Peace Monument was erected on the grounds of the US Capitol in the late 1870s. It memorializes naval deaths at sea during the Civil War. Today, it stands as part of a three-part sculpture group including the James A. Garfield Monument and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
This memorial honors the American Civil War General and 18th United States President Ulysses S. Grant. The memorial is situated at the base of Capitol Hill, below the west front of the US Capitol. It features Grant on horseback overlooking the Capitol Reflecting Pool, and facing the Lincoln Memorial, which honors Grant’s wartime president, Abraham Lincoln.
Getting to the National Mall
By Car
I won’t sugarcoat it, parking in DC sucks. I’ve arrived to the National Mall via car many times, and each time we’ve had to circle around for parking. Visitor parking is available along Ohio Drive, SW between the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials.
There are approximately 1,200 metered parking spaces throughout the National Mall area. Pay stations accept credit and debit cards only- no cash. You can also e-pay using the Parkmobile app or website.
There are about 400 free parking spaces at Hains Point, in East Potomac Park.
By Metro
Using public transportation is the best option for reaching the National Mall with ease.
The Mall area on the east can be reached using the following Metro stations: Federal Center at 3rd and D Streets, SW; L’Enfant Plaza at Maryland Avenue and 7th Street, SW; Archives-Navy Memorial at Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street, NW; Smithsonian at 12th Street on the Mall, SW; and Federal Triangle along 12th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, NW.
The west end of the National Mall can be accessed using any of the following stations: Farragut West at 17th and I or 18th and I Streets, NW; Foggy Bottom/George Washington University at 23rd and I Streets, NW; and Arlington Cemetery across Arlington Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River.
Convenient Metro access to the uptown memorial parks is through the following stations: Foggy Bottom/George Washington University; Dupont Circle; Farragut West; Farragut North; U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo; Shaw-Howard U; McPherson Square; Metro Center; Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street/Convention Center; Gallery Place/Chinatown; Judiciary Court; Union Station; Federal Center SW; L’Enfant Plaza; and Waterfront.
Eating at the National Mall
The National Mall is the mecca for DC food trucks. We’re talking more than 100 of them! This means that food is not only easily accessible, but also that there’s something for everyone!
Additionally, several of the Smithsonian’s feature cafes.
- Sweet Home Café @ African American History and Culture Museum
- Mars Café @ Air and Space Museum
- Shake Shack @ the Air and Space Museum- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Courtyard Cafe @ American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery
- Eat at America’s Table @ American History Museum
- Jazz Café @ American History Museum
- Mitsitam Café @ American Indian Museum
- Dolcezza Coffee & Gelato @ Hirshhorn
- Atrium Café @ Natural History Museum
- Ocean Terrace Café @ Natural History Museum
- Castle Café @ Smithsonian Castle
Where to Find Public Restrooms
All of the museums and major monuments/memorials have public restrooms. You’ll also find restrooms near Constitution Gardens, near the Washington Monument, and by the World War II Memorial.
Nearby and Worth the Visit
East of the Capitol
Library of Congress
Believe it or not, an overwhelming 1.7 million visitors visit this library each year!
The Library of Congress was founded in 1800, making it the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Known as the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress has a collection of more than 38 million books, 14 million photographs, 5.5 million maps, and so much more.
Be sure to head upstairs to the overlook of the main reading room, it’s absolutely stunning.
Sure, the book collection is great, but the architecture of the Library of Congress, is awe-inspiring.
Highlights of the Library of Congress include a Gutenberg Bible and Thomas Jefferson’s personal library. In 1815, Congress approved the purchase of 6,487 books for $23,950. Visitors can peruse his private collection.
If you’re visiting with kids, be sure to check out the Children’s Library. It’s rather small, bu tour kids enjoyed browsing the familiar titles.
Supreme Court
Known as the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has the ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all US federal cases, and over state cases that involve a point of federal law.
Unfortunately, at this time, court hearings are not open to the public.
Folger Shakespeare Library
This independent research library is located on Capitol Hill. It features the world’ largest collection of printed works of William Shakespeare, and houses a collection of rare materials from 1500 – 1750 Britain and Europe. The collection also includes 250,000 playbills, 2,000 promptbooks, costumes, recordings and props. It holds 90,000 paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculptures and other visual arts.
North of the National Mall
Ford's Theatre
Ford’s Theatre is the scene of one of the most tragic events in American history; the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. This National Historic Site is composed of four parts: the Museum, the Theatre (where Lincoln was shot), the Petersen House (where Lincoln died), the museum, and the Aftermath Exhibits. These sites have exhibits that tell the story of Lincoln’s presidency, his assassination, and the legacy Lincoln left.
Although this venue is located off of the National Mall, you can easily access it from the Mall and it is well worth a visit. The Ford’s Theatre a must-see while in Washington, DC.
National Portrait Gallery
You can learn a lot about a nation and its history through portraits of its people- both the leaders and the commoners. The National Portrait Gallery is a prime example of this. The gallery houses everything from portraits of presidents to paintings of everyday people.
The Hall of American Presidents is probably the most visited part of the museum. There is a portrait of each president- each one of them unique in their own way.
National Children's Museum
The National Children’s Museum sparks curiosity in STEAM for children ages 12 and under. STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities help develop soft skills (creativity, problem-solving, collaboration), increase engagement and motivation, and help personalize learning experiences for children. The activities help capture their interest in fun, engaging, and innovative ways.
We found this was a great way to balance out out the heaviness of visiting Ford’s Theatre.
National Archives
The National Archives Building is where many of the key documents that have formed our nation are stored. These record include paper documents, microfilm, pictures, motion pictures, and electronic media. Census records are among the most frequently requested documents at the National Archives (for genealogy research).
Some notable documents include the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the United States.
Northwest of the National Mall
The White House
Visiting the White House is the opportunity of a lifetime. The White House tour is one of my most memorable experiences from all of my trips to Washington, DC. It requires a bit of planning to schedule a tour of the White House. Trust me when I say that it is well worth the effort!
Want to know how you can get a White House Tour? Read all about it in our Guide to Visiting the White House!
The White House Visitor Center
The White House Visitor exhibit area features nearly 100 historical artifacts, archival footage, interactive displays, informational panels, videos, and photos from the most famous house in the United States of America. There is even a large-scale model of the White House and tactile exhibits that kids will love!
Unlike the White House which requires that you book a tour in advance, the White House Visitor Center is open to anyone. The White House Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service and is free and open to the public. It provides an insight into what life in the White House is like for the First Families through artifacts. These relics include Franklin D. Roosevelt’s desk, Abraham Lincoln’s china, copies of the First Lady’s date books, and photos of visits from royal families around the globe.
Albert Einstein Memorial
The Albert Einstein Memorial depicts Einstein seated with manuscript papers in hand. It honors one of the most influential physicists of all time. He worked with President FDR to develop
Southwest of the National Mall
Arlington House
Arlington House is the national’s memorial to Robert E. Lee. Interestingly, it is the only national memorial that honors a person who fought a war against the United States. Lee served as a general in the Confederate Army from 1861 until 1865. On April 9, 1865, he was cornered by General Ulysses S. Grant’s Union Army where he eventually surrendered.
To be clear, the memorial doesn’t hoor the Confederacy, instead it honors Lee for his role in promoting peace and reunion following the Civil War.
The house itself was built on Arlington Estate by George Washington Parke Custis, as a memorial to his foster father, George Washington. Robert E. Lee never owned the home, however. Instead, it was left to his wife and son in Custis’s will.
Today, it is now in the middle of the U.S. Army’s Arlington National Cemetery.
Arlington National Cemetery
This cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 400,000 people. Arlington National Cemetery was established during the Civil War.
Notable burials include:
- President William H. Taft
- President John F. Kennedy & his wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- Senator Robert F. Kenney
- Senator Ted Kennedy
- Senator (and astronaut) John Glenn
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
Located just off the National Mall, the FDR Memorial was dedicated in 1997. It honors the only president to hold four terms in office. He was best known for leading the country through the Great Depression and World War II.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial was built to honor the incredible statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, Founding Father, and third President of the United States. Jefferson was the chief author of the Declaration of Independence, a pivotal intellectual force behind the American Revolution, and the founder of the Democratic-Republican Party.
The memorial is built in the neoclassical style and features multiple quotes that capture Jefferson’s ideology, philosophy, and legacy.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located in West Potomac Park, right next to the National Mall. King was a clergyman, activist and key leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He advocated for nonviolent resistance and inspired countless people of color to stand up for their rights.
The centerpiece of the memorial is a granite statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. called “Stone of Hope.” Inspiration for the piece comes from a line in King’s “I Have a Dream” speech where he stated, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”
The memorial opened on August 22, 2011 after more than two decades of fund-raising, planning, and construction.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
One of the most moving museums in the District of Columbia is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). The USHMM is our nation’s official memorial to the Holocaust. The center is dedicated to helping the leaders and citizens of the world fight hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity, peace, and kindness.
The USHMM contains more than 12,750 artifacts, 93,000 library items, and a list of over 200,000 registered survivors and their families. It is truly remarkable and an absolute must-see.
Despite its proximity to the Smithsonian museums, the USHMM is not part of the group. Instead, it operates as an independent entity. A timed entry ticket is required to enter.
Ready to Start Planning?
Honestly, there’s nothing like a trip to Washington, DC. It is the perfect destination for families. If a museum or monument isn’t holding your kids attention, there’s always another one you can check out- and it’ll most likely be free!
If you’d like a little guidance for your itinerary, see our 4 Day Itinerary. It was designed with young kids in mind and hits a lot of the most popular sights in Washington, DC such as:
The White House
National Museum of American History
National Air & Space Museum
Ford’s Theater
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument
National Children’s Museum
and so much more!
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If you’re planning a trip to Washington, DC, be sure to check out our 4 day itinerary and our list of 15 Must See Places in Washington, DC. You can also learn how to visit the White House.