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 branch. The National Mall extends 2 miles (3 kilometers) and connects historic monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Washington Monument, which commemorate the nation's founders. The city holds an exceptional concentration of museums, many belonging to the Smithsonian Institution and offering free admission. The National Air and Space Museum displays the history of aviation and space exploration, while the National Gallery of Art presents an extensive collection of European and American art. The Library of Congress preserves over 170 million items and ranks as the largest library in the world. Memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial honor significant events and figures in American history. Historic districts like Georgetown and Embassy Row, along with green spaces such as the Tidal Basin and Theodore Roosevelt Island Park, complement the capital's cultural and natural offerings.
Washington D.C is more than just the White House and the presidency of the United States. The city contains a collection of iconic monuments, national museums, and government buildings that represent American history and culture. Here, we suggest stepping off the beaten path and discovering the city from another perspective, away from the noise of American politics.
United States Capitol
1.2 km
Enola Gay
36.6 km
Lincoln Memorial
2.3 km
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
2.2 km
National Archives and Records Administration
371 m
National Air and Space Museum
292 m
National Gallery of Art
342 m
Jefferson Memorial
1.5 km
Statue of Freedom
1.2 km
National Museum of African American History and Culture
863 m
National Museum of Natural History
322 m
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
875 m
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
1.9 km
National Museum of American History
630 m
Museum of the Bible
746 m
Newseum
535 m
United States Capitol rotunda
1.2 km
The Apotheosis of Washington
1.2 km
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
1.9 km
Old Post Office
661 m
Korean War Veterans Memorial
2.1 km
United States Capitol dome
1.2 km
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
2 km
National Statuary Hall Collection
1.2 km
National Museum of the American Indian
574 m
L'Enfant Plan
271 m
Smithsonian Institution Building
266 m
International Spy Museum
654 mReviews
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