National Mall

The basics

With at least a dozen museums spread along 11 blocks (plus all the other monuments and memorials), there's a lot to see and do at the National Mall. As a hub of so many attractions, it's featured on just about every guided tour of the city.

National Mall tours hone in on the history of America's "front yard," while evening tours on foot, by coach, or Segway allow visitors to see the monuments and museums illuminated after dark. Some tours combine the National Mall with a trip to Arlington National Cemetery.

Things to know before you go

• The National Mall is a must-visit for all first-time visitors to DC.

• Bring comfortable walking shoes; it's a 1.9-mile (3-kilometer) walk from one side to the other.

• The National Mall and many of its major monuments and memorials are wheelchair accessible.

• Don't forget to bring sun protection and plenty of water.

How to get there

The National Mall is well-connected via public transportation. Ride the Orange, Blue, or Silver Metro lines to the Smithsonian stop, or hop from one attraction to the next aboard the DC Circulator route.

When to get there

The National Mall itself is open 24 hours a day, though some of the attractions in the area have their own hours. Fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) bring the best weather for enjoying the National Mall’s outdoor spaces.

Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool

One of the most prominent features of the National Mall is the 2,028-foot (618-meter) glass reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The pool was built in the 1920s, and today, it uses water from the Tidal Basin that's treated and filtered to up its reflection factor.

What is the best way to tour the National Mall?

There are many ways to explore the National Mall, including walking around it. To save your feet, there are hop-on hop-off bus tours, bike tours, Segway tours, and driving tours. Washington DC's low-cost Circulator shuttle bus is another useful transportation option, and it stops at major sites around the Mall.

How long does it take to walk through the National Mall?

A loop of the National Mall and its major attractions typically takes several hours; set aside half a day (or more) if you want to linger at its monuments and museums. The Mall is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) long, and it covers more than 300 acres (125 hectares).

How long should I spend at the National Mall?

Numerous major DC monuments—including the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument—plus more than a dozen museums are located in and around the National Mall; tickets aren't needed to enter most of them. You could spend an entire vacation seeing it all, but at a minimum, set aside at least half a day for basic sightseeing and more for museum-going.

What is the best month to visit the National Mall?

One of the best times to visit is in late March or early April, when its famous cherry trees are in bloom. Alternatively, to enjoy comfortable walking temperatures without massive crowds, skip spring and summer and aim for autumn (weekdays are typically calmer, too).

What do you see on a tour of the National Mall?

That depends on your itinerary, as the National Mall is home to dozens of major monuments, memorials, and museums. At the very least, you are likely to see top-tier highlights like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, US Capitol, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the National World War II Memorial, and pass by a number of Smithsonian museums including the National Air and Space Museum.

Are there restrooms at the National Mall?

Yes, there are numerous restrooms on or near the National Mall. There are 10 public bathrooms located on the Mall, while most of the area's dozen-plus museums also offer public restrooms. Smithsonian museums are free for the public to visit, and so are their bathrooms.

Ways to explore

With more than a dozen museums, monuments, and memorials spread along 2 miles (3 kilometers), the National Mall is featured on just about every guided tour of the city. Daytime walking, biking, bus, and golf cart tours of the site focus on the history of this storied park and its top attractions, while evening tours allow visitors to see the monuments and museums lit up after dark. Some experiences combine the National Mall with a tour of the US Capitol or other DC sights, or with a trip to Arlington National Cemetery.

Accessibility

The National Mall and many of its top sights are wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

This massive park and its monuments are impressive to visitors of all ages.

What to pack

Camera, battery pack, water bottle, hat, sunscreen

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, layers if you’re visiting indoor sights

Not allowed

Smoking, cycling, food and drinks, and pets are banned inside most of the memorials and monuments along the Mall.

Amenities

National Park Rangers offer information and interpretive programs at the landmarks lining the Mall daily.

Address 

Parking is limited around the National Mall, so the best ways to reach this large public park are by walking or using public transportation. Local buses and metro lines both stop near the Mall.

Driving

Approach the National Mall via Constitution Avenue on the north side and Independence Avenue on the south side. Free parking is available along Ohio Drive SW, south of the Lincoln Memorial, and in Lots A, B, and C south of the Jefferson Memorial.

Public transportation

A number of local WMATA bus lines stop in or near the National Mall. The nearest metro stop is Smithsonian, along the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.

Best times to visit

Visit during the day to go inside the museums and memorials, or after dark to snap photos of the illuminated sights.

Best days to visit

The National Mall and most of the outdoor landmarks are accessible all week long, though the weekends are the busiest times to visit.

Best months to visit

This park and its attractions are most pleasant to visit in the spring and fall, when the temperatures are milder and there are plenty of daylight hours.

Special events

This landmark outdoor space is a popular venue for annual and special events, including the spring National Cherry Blossom Festival and the fireworks on July 4.