An American symbol and icon, the National Mall in Washington, D.C., offers visitors a chance to take in the history of our country. Located between Constitution and Pennsylvania avenues, the National Mall includes numerous monuments, several museums, the Capitol Building and the White House. Activities abound at the National Mall for all ages and interests.
Full of history past and present, the National Mall features several national monuments and memorials. According to the National Mall website, visitors can pay their respects and learn about history at the Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam Veterans, World War II, Ulysses S. Grant, Korean War, Franklin Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. memorials, among others. Visitors also can check out the Washington Monument and Constitution Gardens.
National Mall and Memorial Parks
900 Ohio Dr., SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-426-6841
http://www.nps.gov
Every spring, the thousands of cherry blossom trees found on the National Mall bloom, bringing out Washington, D.C., residents and visitors alike to enjoy the beauty. Originally a gift from the city of Tokyo in 1912, the cherry blossom trees are cared for and replaced through private donations, according to the National Parks Service website. Park rangers offer free lectures at the Mall about the cherry blossoms during peak blossom season, which generally runs from late March through early April.
National Mall and Memorial Parks
900 Ohio Dr., SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-426-6841
http://www.nps.gov/cherry
From March to November, National Park Service rangers lead bike tours of the National Mall. The bike tours take place every Saturday and Sunday and take about three hours, according to the National Parks Service website. For families, the rangers offer a shorter, two-hour tour on the third Sunday of each month. Both tours are free, but participants need to bring their own bike and helmet. Several area bike shops offer bike rentals for visitors who did not bring a bike.
To get the most out of your visit to the National Mall, consider using Tourmobile Sightseeing. The Tourmobile buses and trams run continually throughout each day, stopping at each National Mall museum, monument and point of interest, according to the Tourmobile website. Riders pay one price and can use the buses and trams all day to get from place to place on the National Mall. Two- and three-day unlimited ride tickets are also available. While on the buses and trams, a narrator gives historical tidbits and answers questions about the National Mall.
Tourmobile Sightseeing
1000 Ohio Dr., SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-554-5100
http://www.Tourmobile.com
