National Mall, National park in Washington D.C., United States.
The National Mall is a long green axis in Washington D.C. extending from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, lined with wide pedestrian paths. Along the grounds stand several memorials and museum buildings that allow open access.
Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed the grounds in 1791 as an open space for citizens, drawing on European models with a democratic focus. Over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, memorials and institutions were gradually added, shaping its current appearance.
The central lawn serves as a gathering place for events and is often used by visitors for picnicking or playing ball games. Surrounding the green space are buildings displaying objects from different areas of American history.
Several Metro stations are within walking distance and provide quick access to different sections of the park. Rangers offer guided tours throughout the year to help orient visitors across the expansive grounds.
The obelisk in the middle of the grounds was built from two different types of marble after construction resumed following a decades-long halt. This interruption left a visible color gradation on the tower that remains noticeable today.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Inception: 1791
Architects: Pierre Charles L’Enfant
Operator: National Park Service
Phone: +12024859880
Website: https://nationalmall.org
GPS coordinates: 38.88944,-77.02306
Latest update: December 4, 2025 14:20
Washington DC, the capital of the United States, houses the three branches of federal government and the nation's most significant political institutions. The White House serves as the presidential residence, while the Capitol building hosts Congress and the Supreme Court represents the judicial...
Washington D.C offers far more than what you see in news coverage of the White House. The city is home to remarkable monuments, world-class museums, and buildings that tell the story of American history and culture. Many visitors come here and follow the same routes, seeing the same well-known...
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Enola Gay
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National Air and Space Museum
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National Gallery of Art
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Jefferson Memorial
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National Museum of American History
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Museum of the Bible
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Newseum
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1.2 km
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
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Old Post Office
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United States Capitol dome
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National Statuary Hall Collection
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National Museum of the American Indian
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L'Enfant Plan
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Smithsonian Institution Building
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International Spy Museum
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