National Mall & Memorial Parks Reviews (Washington, D.C., United States)

From the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument

Indianapolis, Indiana

March 29, 2013

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Best of IgoUgo The National Mall in Washington DC has been referred to as America’s front yard. There is no other place in the United States that honors the legacies of our greatest presidents, the veterans of the US’s many different wars, and preserves the ...Read more The National Mall in Washington DC has been referred to as America’s front yard. There is no other place in the United States that honors the legacies of our greatest presidents, the veterans of the US’s many different wars, and preserves the history and heritage of the US on such a large expanse of property. The Mall was the vision of one man, Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who was given the task of designing the layout for the new national capital. He had originally envisioned a "grand avenue" stretching about a mile from the Capitol to an equestrian statue of George Washington. The National Mall now stretches for 1.9 miles from the steps of the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. The planned equestrian statue of George Washington has been replaced with the George Washington Monument, which stands roughly in the center of the Mall. The National Mall sits just south of the White House, truly making this America’s front yard.

The only way to experience the National Mall is by foot. We started at the west end of the Mall at the Lincoln Memorial. It is one of the most famous and recognized landmarks in DC. The Lincoln Memorial stands 99 feet tall and is surrounded by 36 columns, one for each of the states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. The exterior is meant to resemble that of a Greek Temple. The memorial is centered on a circular drive that is flanked on the sides by 23rd St with the backside facing the Arlington Memorial Bridge that crosses the Potomac River into Arlington, Virginia. A long flight of stairs in the front of the memorial leads visitors inside to a massive sculpture of a solitary Abraham Lincoln sitting in contemplation. The 19 foot tall Georgia white marble sculpture of Abraham Lincoln sits in a massive chair that is just as wide as it is tall. The statue then sits on a pedestal that is another 10 feet tall. The statue stands in the center of three chambers separated by two rows of Ionic columns. Engraved on the walls of the two chambers that flank Lincoln is the Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural address. The iconic image of Lincoln sits peacefully as he looks out over the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument.

From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, we walked down the paved path that leads to the Korean War Memorial. It sits just to the southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and south of the Reflecting Pool. The memorial honors those who served in the Korean War from 1950-53. There are nineteen stainless steel statues representing a squad on patrol during the war. The statues are in full combat gear and are drawn from each branch of the Armed Forces. Behind the statues is a triangular wall made of "Academy Black" granite from California that is 164 feet long with over 2500 photographic images sandblasted into the wall. The wall is so highly polished and reflective that when starring at the wall, the 19 statues reflect 38 soldiers, representative of the 38th parallel which separates North and South Korea. There is a small wall to the north of the statues that honors the 22 members of the United Nations that contributed medical relief and supplies to the war effort. The triangle path intersects a small circle containing the Pool of Remembrance. It is a shallow pool with the number of soldiers killed, wounded, or missing in action, and prisoners of war inscribed on granite blocks. Next to the Americans statistics are the United Nations statistics in the same categories. There is a granite wall that bears the simple message and sums up every major war that the US has ever been a part of, "Freedom is not Free."

We then walked back towards the Lincoln Memorial and picked up the trail that does directly next to the Lincoln Reflecting Pool. The pool is the largest in DC and is 2, 029 feet long and 167 feet wide. At the time of this particular visit, the pool was empty because it was undergoing an 18 month construction project that would circulate nearby water from the Tidal Basin to prevent stagnant water from building up.
At the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool is the World War II memorial. The memorial is a semi circular design with a reflecting pool and fountain in the middle. On each end of the memorial are two 43 foot triumphal arches with Pacific and Atlantic carved on them representing the two different campaigns during the war. On both sides of the arches stand 56 granite pillars towering 17 feet, with the name of each of the 48 states at the time of the war engraved on them. The other pillars recognize the District of Columbia, the Alaska Territory, the Territory of Hawaii, Commonwealth of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands, who also took part in the war. While at the memorial, I noticed a particular engraving that was placed inconspicuously. It looked like a cartoon character with a large nose peeking over a ledge with the words "Kilroy was here." There is nothing at the memorial that talks about the image so I had to look it up. What I discovered online was that it was an expression that became popular among serviceman during the war. The origins of the drawing are debated, but what is known is that serviceman would draw the cartoonish figure on walls and buildings where they were stationed. The drawing became so popular that at times the enemy thought it was a code for something, but in actuality it was just something fun for serviceman to do while fighting in the war.

We walked across 17th St, which runs directly beside the WW II memorial, and headed up the hill toward the Washington Monument. It is the most recognized monument in DC and a major fixture of the Capital skyline. The obelisk monument is made out of marble and granite and at 555 feet, it is the tallest stone structure in the world. The Washington Monument is on a direct line with the White House to the north, which was part of the original plans laid out by Pierre Charles L’Enfant. Normally, visitors may take an elevator 500 feet up to the observation deck which offers spectacular views of the Nation’s Capital. However, on August 23, 2011, the Washington Monument suffered damage from an earthquake that occurred in the area. Structural cracks and foundation repairs are needed before it is safe for visitors. The National Park Service says that it will be sometime in 2014 before it will be made safe for the public. As many times as I have been to DC, it seems that the monument is either under renovations or is damaged as it is now. I have yet to travel to the top of the monument and it continues to be one of the monuments that I have yet to experience.

As we headed back toward the Lincoln Memorial we walked along Constitution Ave passing in front of the White House. Located just south of Constitution Ave and north of the World War II memorial and Reflecting Pool lies Constitution Gardens. It is a 50,000 acre park within the National Mall. Originally built in 1976 for the country’s bicentennial, it stands as a living tribute to the American Revolution and the Constitution. Within the gardens is a pond containing a small island accessible by pedestrians via a walkway. On the island is the Declaration of Independence memorial dedicated to the 56 signers of the historical document.

Our walking tour of the National Mall ended at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located just northeast of the Lincoln Memorial. Commonly referred to as the Vietnam Wall, the memorial is a reflective wall stretching 246 feet long. The wall is built into the ground and it rises 8 inches on both ends to its peak of 10 feet. Sandblasted into the wall are the names of 58,195 servicemen who were killed in the Vietnam War. A pathway takes visitors along the Wall where they can read the names of those killed, leave memorial items at the base of the wall, say a prayer, and even make a pencil etching of a name.

Besides the Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial also consists of two other monuments. The Three Soldiers Monument is a bronze statue of three serviceman representing the uniforms and equipment used during the Vietnam War. The memorial was meant to give a traditional component to the Wall. The other memorial is the Vietnam Women’s memorial honoring the women who served in the war, mainly as nurses. The memorial consists of three women surrounding a wounded soldier. One woman is looking up, another is praying, and the other tending to the wounded soldier.

From the Wall, we ended back up at the Lincoln Memorial having walked the entire National Mall.
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From journal National Police Week

The Most Famous Park Strip in Washington DC.

by stvchin

Tustin, California

October 20, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo The National Mall is a large, open park strip that runs from the Lincoln Memorial all the way to the US Capitol Building. Technically, the National Mall is a national park. The most recognizable part of the National Mall is the open park area from ...Read more The National Mall is a large, open park strip that runs from the Lincoln Memorial all the way to the US Capitol Building. Technically, the National Mall is a national park. The most recognizable part of the National Mall is the open park area from the Washington Monument to the US Capitol. It’s quite large, encompassing some 300 acres. There isn’t a Metro station adjacent to the National Mall, but the 3 stations, Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Station, the Federal Triangle, and the Smithsonian Metro stations are just a block or so away from the National Mall.

The National Mall offers great views of the major attractions in Washington DC, from the US Capitol, to the Smithsonian Museums, Washington Monument, and back to the Lincoln Memorial, and all others in between. It’s basically a one-stop-shop for a good portion of the must-see attractions in Washington DC. The US Capitol sits on the eastern end of the National Mall, then proceeds west to the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial and the United States Botanic Garden. West of those is the open park area, which is flanked by the Smithsonian museum, including the National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, East and West Buildings of the National Gallery of Art, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Museum of African Art, Arts and Industries Building, and the Smithsonian Institution itself. Westward, there is the Washington Monument, United States National World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial on the west end of the National Mall. We could have spent days on the National Mall, viewing all the different monuments, memorials, and museums. Other attractions are a block or two away from the Mall, but easily accessible, including the National Archives, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Navy Memorial.

The National Mall is used my millions for recreation, from taking a nice picnic during lunch, to pickup soccer games, leisurely strolls to scenic jogs. During the summertime, there is Screen on the Green, which are movies played on the National Mall on a large projection screen. The National Mall is also used for other group events, such as political protests, such as during the Vietnam War. People also flock here to watch the inauguration of our Presidents.

Our own personal experience at the National Mall was great. We saw wonderful, mostly unobstructed views of the monuments, museums and US Capitol building, making for great photo ops. It’s a great way to mentally connect some of the attractions in Washington DC. We figured we would go to the National Mall and decide what attractions to go to the next day. Although it made for a good place to take a stroll, due to the shade from the trees and lack of vehicular traffic, we went in August, and the heat and humidity were stifling. It’s definitely a good place to start a self-guided tour of Washington DC’s major attractions. The National Mall isn’t just a park strip surrounded by popular Washington DC attractions, it’s become an attraction in it’s own right. Close

From journal Our Nation's Capital

General Mall Area

by HDRyders

In, New York

August 24, 2007

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The Mall area extends from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, including the Tidal Basin. There are so many Museums to see you need more than one day. This area had the Smithsonian Museums, the National Archives, the Native American Museum, the ...Read more

From journal 2007-Washington Experience

The Mall

by ripplefan2

Queens, New York

July 16, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo After coming round the back of the Capitol Building while Congress was supposedly in session (they are only really in session from Tuesday to Thursday in the summer because they take the weekends off), we were looking out over the never-ending green ...Read more

From journal A Day in DC

National Mall

by mh75

Harrisonburg, Virginia

May 29, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The National Mall in Washington D.C. is a wonderful walking tour that you can take without having to pay for a tour service. With nice weather in the spring and fall, it is also a way to get some exercise while on vacation or business. There always ...Read more

From journal Business Trip to Washington D.C.

Fireworks on the National Mall

by erinfshk

Brooklyn, New York

February 26, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo On July 4th, my family and I went to the National Mall, where we sat to watch the fireworks. We got there after most of the crowds had arrived, but we were still able to secure a pretty good seat, with plenty of space to lounge on the grass and ...Read more

From journal The Capital on the Fourth of July

Fireworks.

by Ujjay

oxon hill, Maryland

July 29, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo Well I live in DC so I walked to the Capital. It was July 4th, our nations birthday. Good ole America. It started out with me walking for about an hour because I was too cheap to get a bus. I walked past the white house to the capital, and ...Read more

From journal July the Fourth Baby! And By Baby I Mean America

The Memorials on the National Mall

by kwasiak

Tucson, Arizona

March 4, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo One afternoon we walked along the Mall from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, visiting the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean Memorial along the way. We got to the Lincoln Memorial around sunset and had a ...Read more One afternoon we walked along the Mall from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, visiting the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean Memorial along the way. We got to the Lincoln Memorial around sunset and had a beautiful view of the Washington Monument in the Reflecting Pond.

The World War II Memorial is the newest monument on the Mall, being dedicated on May 29, 2004. As you enter the Memorial from the main entrance, on the sides are reliefs with scenes from the war. The main feature of the memorial are the 56 pillars with the names of the US states and territories, along with District of Columbia, that helped in the war effort as part of the US contribution to the Allied Forces. The Memorial is amazing to see during the winter, though I imagine it is even more amazing during the summer, when the fountain is going.

The Vietnam Memorial is very touching, with its V-shaped black wall containing the names of those who died in what became a long and controversial war. Nearby are the two less-famous parts of the memorial, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the Three Servicemen Statue.

The Korean Memorial is what my dad considers the most haunting memorial. The statues of soldiers are very lifelike, and due to the way they reflect in the wall, it appears that there are many more there.

The Lincoln Memorial is one of the main points of the D.C. compass being the west point of it. At the memorial, we read the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln’s Second Inauguration speech that are on the walls. My brother was most interested in how Lincoln’s hands are in the shape of ‘A’ and ‘L’ in American Sign Language. The sculptor’s son was deaf and made Lincoln’s hands signing Abraham Lincoln’s initials.

Two other memorials along the south side of the Mall are the DC War Memorial and the John Paul Jones Memorial. You can also detour south of the Mall and go to the FDR Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.

The closest Metro, if you start at the Washington Monument, is Smithsonian, served by the Blue and Orange Lines. If you start at the Lincoln Memorial, the closest Metro is Foggy Bottom, also served by the Blue and Orange Lines. I do not recommend Foggy Bottom, as some routes from there are not very handicap accessible and even for walkers there are places where you can barely fit on the sidewalk. I recommend that you start and end at the Smithsonian Metro and walk along the north side of the Mall one way and the south side on your way back. Close

From journal Accessible D.C.

National Mall

by Kiryo

Chicago, Illinois

November 22, 2005

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For people who want to disconnect from the high-stress of Washingtonian life or are traveling to the area, this is a must-see on any itinerary as far as any visit is concerned. One can find peace and quiet on most weekdays in the fall season, as ...Read more

From journal Washington, DC, in the Fall

Washington DC

by Vinay

Kokomo, Indiana

June 10, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo I would like to call the city of Washington DC Memorial City simply due to the fact that there are numerous number of memorials built for the people who have made some difference to America. My long-standing desire to visit all these memorials came ...Read more I would like to call the city of Washington DC Memorial City simply due to the fact that there are numerous number of memorials built for the people who have made some difference to America. My long-standing desire to visit all these memorials came true during this visit and I did not miss this opportunity. We visited Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Washington Monument, JFK Memorial, and the newly built World War II Memorial. In the due course, I learned a lot about American history.

There is a lift ride offered at the Washington Monument, which takes you to 500 ft high in the monument. You get a very good view of the city from up there.

We got tickets to take the Capitol tour and also saw the most famous building in the USA: the White House. The Mall is an important landmark in DC with about 15 national museums. We were able to visit the National Air and Space Museum and Bureau of Engraving and Printing and actually saw dollars being printed.

Regarding tickets for all the above-mentioned places: the entrances for all the memorials, museums, etc. are free. But for some of them, you need to pick up tickets given at the respective places on first-come-first-served basis. These are limited tickets and can disappear quickly as early as before noon.

The tickets for lift ride in Washington Monument are distributed at the ranger station outside the monument. You can pick up the tickets and come back later at the mentioned time to take the tour. For people who have exact plans of their trip, they could purchase the tickets on internet by paying $1.50 per ticket. The free tickets for a trip to see the dollars getting printed at Bureau of Engraving and Printing are distributed at the building. The free tickets for Capitol tour are very limited and are distributed at the kiosk located on the Capitol grounds. Or you could request for a tour through your congressman 2-3 months in advance. The same is the case for the White House tour.

One more important thing is that Washington DC is very beautiful in the night too. All the brightly lit monuments are worth a visit after dark.

One could take any of the several privately operated tours in DC like Tourmobile, Old Town Trolley tour, DC Ducks tour, etc.

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From journal Vacation in Shenandoah Valley

IgoUgo

National Mall & Memorial Parks

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