Reflecting Pool
Before Lincoln.
Roger W from Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A. — CC BY-SA 2.0 · popejon2 from Paddington, Australia — CC BY 2.0 · APK — CC BY 4.0 · Unknown — CC BY-SA 3.0 · UnkieWei — CC BY-SA 4.0 · DavisGL — CC BY-SA 4.0 · mariordo59 from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) — CC BY-SA 4.0
The great national park in the heart of Washington, D.C., running about three kilometres from the Capitol steps in the east to the Lincoln Memorial in the west, lined with Smithsonian museums, memorials and statues, and visited by some 24 million people a year. It was designed by Pierre L'Enfant in the city's first plan as a «Grand Avenue» open to everyone, unlike European palace gardens reserved for a privileged few, and it is run today by the National Park Service. Along its length you walk from the obelisk of the Washington Monument at the centre to the long Reflecting Pool before the Lincoln Memorial, past war memorials and the museums of natural history, air and space, American history and the National Gallery of Art, all of them free. The Mall is open and free at all times. Distances are longer than they look, so wear comfortable shoes or rent a bike, and give the museums and memorials a full day. Spring, with the cherry blossoms, and mild autumn are the best seasons.
Before Lincoln.
At the centre.
On both sides.
Between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, Washington
Washington MonumentA white obelisk 169 metres tall at the centre of the National Mall, built to hon3 minutes walk4.6
Tidal Basin and the Cherry BlossomsA man-made reservoir between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel, south5 minutes walk4.7
National Museum of African American History and CultureA Smithsonian museum on the National Mall beside the Washington Monument, the wo6 minutes walk4.7
Jefferson MemorialA national memorial to Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of 8 minutes walk4.7
National Museum of American HistoryThe Smithsonian museum of the heritage of the United States in social, political9 minutes walk4.8Yes, the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art are free, though some need a free timed-entry pass.