National Mall

Walk the long green lawn from the U.S. Capitol toward the Lincoln Memorial, past monuments, memorials and Smithsonian museums.

Between Constitution and Independence Aves, from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial · Washington, DC

About National Mall

The National Mall runs from the foot of the U.S. Capitol toward the Potomac River, and it spans about 1.9 miles from the Capitol steps to the Lincoln Memorial. The park protects more than 1,000 acres of greenspace around its monuments and memorials. You can join a nighttime walk with a park ranger, take a bike tour or ride a paddle boat. Riding up the Washington Monument needs a timed-entry ticket.

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What's around here?

The closest stops to National Mall, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Museums
Rainy-Day Pick
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
No admission fee
See modern and contemporary art in a drum-shaped Smithsonian museum on the National Mall, with a sunken sculpture garden beside it.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awaySwitch it up: Museums
Museums
Iconic
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
No admission fee
The Hope Diamond, the Nation's T. rex, and Henry the elephant, the Mall's busiest free museum packs the whole natural world under one green dome.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awaySwitch it up: Museums
Museums
Rainy-Day Pick
National Museum of African Art
No admission fee
Walk down into the Smithsonian's mostly underground galleries of African art, from ancient pieces to contemporary work, for free.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awaySwitch it up: Museums
Sports & Outdoors
Date Night
Enid A. Haupt Garden
No admission fee
Rest on the brick paths of a four-acre Smithsonian garden behind the Castle, with a Victorian-style parterre, a Moongate pool and a Moorish fountain court.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Family Favorite
United States Botanic Garden
No admission fee
Wander a glass conservatory of tropical, desert and orchid rooms beside the U.S. Capitol, then the outdoor gardens.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.6 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Local Gem
Franklin Square
Check prices
Take a break in a five-acre downtown park with a central fountain, a children's play garden, a cafe and a statue of Commodore John Barry.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.9 mi awayMore like this