The National Mall - Washington DC |
There are no shops and boutiques in this mall. The National Mall is actually a national park located in downtown Washington DC right across from the US Capitol. Take your kids to a historical journey through a walk in the Mall. The National Mall and Memorial Parks, as the Mall is officially called by the National Park Service, spans the area from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. The Washington Monument stands slightly off center of the entire Mall. A number of museums and monuments that line the perimeter of the vast grassy open-area make the trip to the Mall a journey to the historic past of the heart of the US capital.
You and your kids can choose to visit one or several of these museums located in the National Mall:
- Smithsonian Institute – This is the oldest building in the Mall dating back to the 1800s. Also known as the Castle Building, the Institute is named after an Englishman, James Smithson, who left his entire fortune to the country to be used as seed money for an establishment that will encourage the proliferation of knowledge and the sharing of information.
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National Museum of Natural History – This building located at the north side of the Mall was designed and built in 1911. It is home to a wide variety of exhibits including the Hope Diamond. It also features an IMAX theatre for historical and educational film showings.
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Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden – This museum features a round building containing a vast collection of sculpture and painting in the contemporary style. There is a sunken garden that gives the perfect vista for appreciation of the art collection.
Among the other historical attractions on the National Mall are the National Gallery of Art (composed of the East Building, the West Building, and the Sculpture Museum), the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Museum of African Art. The National Sylvan Theater as well as the Lincoln Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, and the War Memorial monuments for World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War are also part of the National Mall. American history becomes alive when you point out these historical landmarks to your kids.
It would also be interesting to note that this vast open area has been the site of many historic events. Telling their story as you walk along this grassy expanse is a lot more interesting to kids as it provides a multi-sensoral learning experience. Protests and rallies have been held in the National Mall because of its proximity to and strategic location across the US Capitol. Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his popular “I Have a Dream” speech in one massive rally right at the Mall. The Vietnam War Moratorium Rally is officially recorded as the largest rally held on the Mall. The authorities have since stopped releasing official crowd estimates. The more recent rallies on the Mall include the March for Women’s Lives in 2004 and the protest against the Iraq War in 2007.
There is no need to make a reservation to go to the National Mall. You might have to check the websites or call the museums you wish to visit to see if they have reservation requirements or any restrictions especially if you are bringing kids with you. You can get to the Mall both by private vehicle or by public transportation. The Washington Metro has a stop at the Smithsonian station which gets you off on the Mall’s south side. Other metro stations are also located north of the Mall. You can take whichever is more convenient for you depending on where you are starting your tour of the Mall. There are parking spaces in the vicinity of Lincoln Memorial for those who wish to bring their own cars.
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