Stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall is a wide, tree-lined expanse of open space between the Constitution and Independence avenues. The Mall is the center of D.C. tourist attractions, fringed by the Smithsonian museums and dotted with monuments.
For here is the iconic Lincoln Memorial, fronted by its long Reflecting Pool; nearby is the Washington Monument, the top of which offers some of best panoramic views of the city. Pause to reflect on the fallen soldiers at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, or marvel at the 56 granite pillars at the National WWII Memorial. If you come in late March or early April, the cherry trees at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial will be blazing pink.
You could spend days and days studying the treasures at the Smithsonian museums on the Mall. From the massive collections in the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of Natural History to the space-age interactive exhibits in the National Air & Space Museum and the rare Silk Road artifacts at the National Museum of Asian Art. For a little respite, stroll through the fragrant National Sculpture Garden or wander through the shady surrounds in the Constitution Gardens.
The National Mall fronts the Potomac River in downtown Washington D.C. As a popular tourist attraction, the Mall is easily accessible by public transportation. Most hotels and restaurants are located beyond the Mall to the north, with a few located south of the Mall, across Independence Avenue. However, you’ll find many food vendors along the Mall.
