National Mall
National Mall
4.5
00:00 - 23:59
Monday
00:00 - 23:59
Tuesday
00:00 - 23:59
Wednesday
00:00 - 23:59
Thursday
00:00 - 23:59
Friday
00:00 - 23:59
Saturday
00:00 - 23:59
Sunday
00:00 - 23:59
About
Open area of gardens, fountains, trees and monuments stretching nearly two miles between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Top ways to experience National Mall
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Upper Northwest
How to get there
- L'Enfant Plaza • 5 min walk
- Archives • 7 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,288 within 5 kms
Attractions
609 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- mwhamburgerSeattle, Washington803 contributionsyou can do a lot of walking here and see a lotYou can see the Capitol building in the background at one end, the Washington Monument at the other, the African-American Museum, etc. etc. Lots of benches from which to enjoy the scenery. virtually no restaurants close by unless you eat inside a museum cafe.Visited November 2022Written 5 December 2022
- LeonhknyHong Kong, China14,203 contributionsWhy you are in DCThe National Mall is America in miniature, at least in the official version. It contains important memorials, comprehensive museums and of course, key offices of the US government. Whether be newcomers or longtime natives, a visit to the Mall brings new observations.Visited December 2022Written 16 December 2022
- toslJersey City, New Jersey780 contributionsOne of the great urban walksWhenever I visit DC, I always take time to walk the mall for a while. Now my teenage daughters are continuing the tradition. We have visited in different seasons and it is always a joy (though in summer go early to beat the heat and try for a dry day). My personal favorite is the Jefferson and the FDR Memorials but all of them are a pleasure. Parking, surprisingly, has not been an issue but be prepared to walk to enjoy the experience.Visited December 2022Written 1 January 2023
- SDCooksSpearfish, South Dakota827 contributionsA gathering placeSo different when you see it in person. All the pictures and news shots don't prepare for the size and the majesty of the National Mall. From the Capital building to the Lincoln Memorial, it's home to much history of the United States. There memorials and museums. Food trucks and activists. You can walk, bike, run along it. It's huge and now I can imagine hundreds of thousands of people gathering there. It's quite a place!Visited December 2022Travelled with friendsWritten 1 January 2023
- notenuftravel2017Port Huron, Michigan87 contributionsGreat Educational FunSaw many sites from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. Saw many beautiful and historical sites in between. Everyone should visit Washington DC at least once but given all there is to see you will want to return.Visited December 2022Written 15 January 2023
- Jeroen LezerJakarta, Indonesia288 contributionsThe pool of Forrest Gump and the national MallAfter seeing the national Mall I witnessed the pool which appears in the movie Forrest Gump when Forrest returns from Nam he suddenly see his ex girlfriend n step into the pool surrounded by hundreds op people n shout Jenny, Jenny. N finally can look into her eyes again n see the sunshine through her blonde beautiful hair. I have been there it was amazing.Visited January 2023Written 8 February 2023
- 831patriciarMilwaukee, Wisconsin196 contributionsweekend getawaywe came in for the the peak weekend of the cherry blossoms. what a great call. we walked around and seen everything at the mall. seen the monuments, statues, wall. memorials. we had never been there and was awesome. we walked around and see. found free public parking. took our time walking around. after we went to Arlington cemetry. this was also awesome. took the trolley to get the ride thru the cemetery and history of it and who is there. this is a must see trip to do. there are other ways to get around and see the sights as well. you can spent as much time as you want or little. totally go at your own pace.Visited March 2023Written 27 March 2023
- April30 contributionsBeautiful and HistoricWe visited the area to see the monuments and peak season of the Cherry Blossoms. It was beautiful! Parking can be hectic but there is a red shuttle bus that you can take for $1 per ride between monuments and major areas. Area was very safe and clean. This was definitely the highlight of our trip and we also visited NYC and Philadelphia during the same time. I definitely recommend using public transit and staying a little outside the downtown area.Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 March 2023
- Passport53Oxford, Alabama160 contributionsA bit disappointingI had a vision of what I expected the National Mall to be and the reality didn't live up to it. It's a large area, thats mostly fenced off. Also, the fence is terrible shape and just looks bad. The walkway is gravel and is in very bad need of a fresh layer. Grass was also in bad shape given that it's fenced off and no one is walking on it. I just expected it to be in much better shape.Visited March 2023Written 11 April 2023
- Evil_E207412 contributionsPerfectly Laid OutWith the museums lining the National Mall, it makes a very pleasant experience going from one to the other. This was my kids first trip since they were young back in 2011 - the memories it brought back to them made it all worth it. Great area!Visited March 2023Written 13 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
8,404 reviews
Excellent
6,114
Very good
1,719
Average
431
Poor
105
Terrible
36
Melly
Jakarta, Indonesia177 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Must visit attraction when you in Washington DC. You can walk from the National Monument, WW II Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Take your time enjoying the Garden especially on Fall session.
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ted Onig
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Went there for a rally- was very nice to walk around, and was very pleasant-Right by the wahington Monument
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Conny Wylie
Ottawa, Canada740 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Like a human magnet, the National Mall, which is bookended at one extremity by the US Capital Building and at the other end by the Lincoln Memorial, attracts people in volumes, yearly. It's an awe inspiring atmosphere of Monuments and Memorials. I was quite humbled by the solemnity of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and inspired by the kinetics of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Many Memorials and Monuments dot the grassy expanse of the National Mall.........each one I visited evoked a unique emotion in me..............a place of solemnity and feelings.
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LisaMNUSA
Saint Paul, MN941 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
I think this area is a must see if you are in D.C. We walked from Washington monument to Lincoln Memorial along the reflection pool in the late afternoon. We then visited Vietnam war memorial and Korean War memorial. We wanted to stay there until the light is on, but we were too tired after all the walking, and it was cold, so we didn't get to see it in the dark.
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paweł Bor
New York City, NY1,610 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Exceptional place. It's clean, well-kept, and very monumental. It's a must-see when you're voting in Washington, DC. I strongly recommend this place.
Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffanyjim
Marion, IA1,122 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Wall and Washington Monument all in this area. When we visited last week it was busier than our previous visit. A lot of people peddling souvenirs etc. no issue parking and area is walkable. We came so our nieces could see these iconic sites in DC.
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dianehG5851AG
Clay, NY1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
We did a self-guided walking tour of the monuments and a view of the Whi te House. Saved money by not taking a paid tour and were able to fit the experience into our own time frame. We learned a lot from these impressive monuments and the history behind them.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christophe B
Quebec City, Canada551 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
For the sheer significance of this place, you should take a min or two to come see it. You get a beautiful view on the obelisk as well.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina M
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
The National Mall is so powerful. To stand in the center of such amazing symbols of democracy is powerful to say the least and definitely something you should do at least once in your life. Eat an ice cream from a food truck while you are there!
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrMrsHappyR
Liverpool, UK1,158 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Truly spectacular and iconic area spanning a couple of miles of amazing memorials and museums and structures. If you've got the time split the walking into a few days and do various chunks on each day. Lots and lots of walking involved so bring good shoes
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike R
13 contributions
Hello!
My children and I will be spending time walking around the National Mall in August. Are there any locker rentals, particularly around the US Capitol Building? I will be carrying a backpack-cooler with bottled waters for my kids, but no liquids - not even sealed water bottles - are allowed inside the US Capitol Building nor it's coat check areas. Thank you!
RVSVD
Spring Branch, TX301 contributions
I did not see any locker rentals. We did take empty water bottles, but you might not be able to take in a cooler. You can call their visitor center office or check on line for more info.
LighteOfLove
Stony Brook, NY1 contribution
How much is the rental of a scooter?
SnowQueen59
Adelaide, Australia11 contributions
They work out at about $1 for 5 minutes but you'll need to buy a minimum of $10 worth of rides. Check the charge before you buy (the app will show this). Also, make sure you have access to internet to unlock the scooters. You'll also need to upload your Driver's licence for identification when you first download the app. We used 'Spin' and they were great but there are plenty of others.
How far from Union Station to National Mall?
ljkochanowski
Bostic, NC25 contributions
I recommend catching the red circulator bus $1 across the street from union station. It circles the entire mall making a loop from Union Station to the Lincoln Memorial and back with stops near all the museums. Nice clean buses. $.50 for seniors kids ride free
Where can i rent bicycles at national mall?
ellenfam
Boston, MA56 contributions
I did not see any vendors at the National Mall. Everything is within walking distance so I am sure there is some place nearby.
pf7
Stafford, VA19 contributions
Where’s a good place to park?
heikkih722
Helsinki, Finland1,564 contributions
Ronald Reagan Bldg has parking garage that is near White House, Washington Monument and nearby museums.
Alclarke96
Los Angeles, CA20 contributions
How many days should I plan my vacation if I only want to explore national mall?
Is 2-3 museums per day to much?
Are the museums walking distance from each other?
Carey J
Baldwin, NY689 contributions
All museums are next and across from each other. You could do 2-3 in day but you might miss some stuff!! They are big and you can do lot of different things in each.
I think the air and space is a must and American history is a must!!
If this is all you are going to do than you can do it all in two days
Daniel O
Massachusetts390 contributions
Is it true that there are a lot of bugs of the mall? Some reports say to bring lots of bug spray. I am highly allergic to a lot of things so I just want to be prepared. Thanks!
Andy C
222 contributions
I run on the Mall 2-3 times a week, from the Capitol to the Lincoln (essentially the entire length) at all different times from morning to late night. Like most places, dawn and dusk are worse than others since that's just naturally when bugs are biting. There are more bugs near the Capitol reflecting pool and the Lincoln reflecting pool but not to the point where you can't be near them (I think they treat the water to limit mosquito breeding but not positive about that). There are some ponds between Constitution Ave and the WWII Memorial, which stretch parallel to the Lincoln reflecting pool (it's technically named Constitution Gardens). I find that area and the paths around the pond to be slightly more buggy, but no more than any other place where you have standing water. I never run with bug spray and rarely get bitten along the mall. When walking in the same area, I've gotten bites occasionally but wouldn't consider it any better/worse than any other part of DC. Remember, DC was built on a swamp so....
Mark G
Cumming, IA16 contributions
Best place to stay and view fireworks in DC Washington
Sightsee_Eat
Worthington, OH759 contributions
1) from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the plaza in front of the Jefferson Memorial – is the best (but busiest)
2) U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial
3) JW Marriott faces the Mall, and the Mandarin Oriental Washington, D.C. on the Southwest Waterfront.
Are there any stroller rental facilities near the Mall?
Pangaea7
Charlotte, NC83 contributions
I am not sure, but by the number of strollers I would bet so. Google national mall stroller rentals
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Claim your listingNATIONAL MALL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about National Mall
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience National Mall:
- DC Monuments and Capitol Hill Tour by Electric Cart (From €51.06)
- Day or Night Grand Tour of Washington DC (From €53.79)
- Washington DC Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Tour with 15 Stops (From €45.54)
- Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (From €49.24)
- Washington DC Moonlit Tour of the National Mall & Stops at 10 Sites (From €62.00)
- Hotels near National Mall:
- (0.68 km) Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
- (0.69 km) Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf
- (0.48 km) Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall, an IHG Hotel
- (0.85 km) Riggs Washington DC
- (0.91 km) Salamander Washington DC
- Restaurants near National Mall:
- (0.20 km) Pavilion Cafe
- (0.16 km) Dolcezza Gelato
- (0.45 km) The Capital Grille
- (0.51 km) Fiola
- (0.32 km) Garden Cafe
- Attractions near National Mall:
- (0.12 km) Washington DC Tour Hub
- (0.16 km) Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- (0.19 km) National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden
- (0.16 km) Hirshorn Museum of Art
- (0.28 km) Trip Hacks DC