Every year, millions of travelers walk the parkway known as The National Mall, visiting the many beautiful monuments and memorials that fill its spaces. Some memorials are dedicated to presidents and founding fathers. Others pay tribute to heroes of war. And this is just the beginning of all the Mall has to offer.
Capitol Hill is of course the anchor for the National Mall on the east. The Mall was, in fact, intended as a grand lawn for the magnificent building that would hold our Congress. Tours inside the Capitol are fairly standard, with knowledgeable guides provided. You can also arrange a meeting with your member of congress, if you plan ahead. The rest of the Mall is best experienced with an expert guide.
You should recognize the Washington Monument the moment you arrive in DC. The tall, obelisk structure was designed to honor the prominence George Washington holds in American history. You can go up in the monument for a miles-wide view and enjoy exhibits in the lower level.
The World War II Memorial is a spacious, refreshing portion of the Mall. Its details are as fascinating as the entire ensemble is beautiful. Like the other memorials, there are several different parts to the WWII Memorial – one reason a guide can enhance the experience.
The other war memorials are some of the most hauntingly beautiful sights on the Mall. You’ll recognize the black, reflective wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, but the wall at the Korean War Memorial may be new to you. It’s filled with images from many military positions. Both memorials depict in nearby statues the soldiers they honor. The Vietnam Memorial has a dedicated statue for women in the Vietnam War that’s a beautiful part of the mall as well.
The other presidential memorial on the National Mall anchors the parkway on the west. The Lincoln Memorial is actually one of the most familiar of the Washington DC sites. It provokes quiet and reflection from its visitors and is a favorite DC spot for everyone. Lincoln himself sits in a thoughtful pose inside, and his famous words are inscribed.
Your guide’s experience will be invaluable for this portion of the tour, which is self-guided for the majority of DC’s visitors. A guide can help with time management and directions from one attraction to the next. Besides this, they hold a wealth of information about each attraction that you won’t find on the inscriptions nearby. The Mall is definitely recommended by day, but for an even more moving experience, consider the Illuminations Tour and visit these breathtaking memorials after dark. The Jefferson Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon both participate in this experience as well.
Along the National Mall, you’ll find many museums that are part of The Smithsonian Institution. We’ve detailed the highlights of this institution elsewhere. Certainly, there is something in the Smithsonian for every visitor, no matter the varied interests of each.