Washington DC is in phase 1 of reopening. Who else is ready for phase 2? I am excited to step inside of a museum, eat at a restaurant, and be able to decide if I want to stay home or go out. The lack of tourists at places is something to take advantage of . We spent a part of our weekend exploring the west side of the National Mall and getting some amazing pictures/ video with very few people around.
Off We Go
The Smithsonian Metro Stop is the best metro stop that will get you in the middle of the National Mall. Plan your public transportation here or on the Metro app.
If you walk east from it there are museums galore and the Capitol/ Supreme Court/ Library of Congress on the far end. If you walk the National Mall west side there will be monuments, memorials, museums, the Tidal Basin, the White House, and more. Not thrilled about the idea of walking one end to the other. Start at this stop and focus on one direction for the day.
National Mall West Side Walking Tour
As a super methodical person, planning an organized route was key for me. Feel free to follow your own path as we just like to stop and end our tours at a public transportation stop.
National Mall West Side: Starts & ends at Smithsonian Metro station. Numbers match to attractions listed below.
Washington Monument
Stop 1: Washington Monument. After many years of renovations the monument is back open to visitors. Take the elevator to the top and have the tallest views in DC.
Holocaust Museum Memorial
Stop 2: Holocaust Memorial Museum. This free museum is amazing, but reserve your ticket online especially during the busy season. We visited ourselves a couple times already. (Check out the blog post.)
Tidal Basin
Stop 3: Tidal Basin. The site of many memorials, monuments, and in spring the Cherry Blossom Festival. (Cherry Blossom Blog Post). Rent a paddle boat or walk the perimeter to take in the sights.
Jefferson Memorial
Stop 4: Jefferson Memorial. Under construction it is not much to look at right now, but worth looking inside.
Japanese Pagoda
Stop 5: Japanese Pagoda. Though not a big monument, it is a gift from the Japanese along side the cherry blossom trees. This spot is a great place to capture the Tidal Basin attractions as well.
FDR Memorial
Stop 6: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. If you come from the Jefferson around the Tidal Basin you will reach the backside of this monument, and be walking it backwards. It is still awesome to walk even if backwards.
MLK Memorial
Stop 7: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Walk through and read all the amazing quotes. Side tip: when at the Jefferson Memorial look across the Tidal Basin to this memorial. This memorial is amazing up close or far away.
DC War Memorial
Stop 8: DC War Memorial. This one is not the most highlighted stop on the National Mall West Side. But it is a beautiful stop to add right before you head to the Korean War Memorial.
Korean War Memorial
Stop 9: Korean War Memorial. This memorial is such an amazing experience. Make sure you walk all the way through it (up one side of the sculptures, to the fountain, then down the wall with images of those who fought.
Lincoln Memorial
Stop 10: Lincoln Memorial. No, it is not usually this empty. Normally there are people everywhere this time of year. But seeing this one with few people was amazing. Stop 10.5: Make sure to stop and take in the maker showing where MLK Jr. gave his “I have a dream” speech. To look at the marker and then look up at the view of the National Mall is a really powerful experience.
Reflecting Pool
Stop 11: Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Look down and you will see the WW2 Memorial, and the Washington Memorial. Perfect Instashot.
Vietnam War Memorial
Stop 12: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There are a few different things your should see in this area. The wall itself, theVietnam Women’s Memorial, and the Three Soldiers statue. Stop 12 (Continued): The Vietnam Veterans Memorial. With a list of names in books near the entrance point, you can find the specific name’s location on the wall itself. Stop 12 (Continued): The Three Soldiers. Stop 12 (Continued): The Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
WW2 Memorial
Stop 13: World War 2 Memorial. There are so many nuances to this memorial. From the columns/ wreaths encircling the perimeter to the water features and more, there is much to take in.Stop 14: The Washington Monument again or you could head to the north to check out the White House & Ellipse green space. (You can barely see the White house in between the trees of this photo). It is definitely an additional 30+ minutes round trip add to your walk, but worth it to see all the stop s of the National Mall West Side.
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Stop 15: National Museum of African American History & Culture. This is a must see if you can get tickets inside, but at least walk around this amazing building to take in the architecture. Stop 16: Last Stop before getting back on the metro at the Smithsonian stop. You can picnic in all the green space of the National Mall, but don’t forget to take in the view of the Capitol Building.
Travel Tips:
Tip 1: When walking the memorials and monuments please know/ understand the rules. Then make sure you follow them, including walking scooters/ bikes. Also remember that people are paying respects so try to keep voices low. Tip 2: Before you visit check out the National Parks Service website to explore all the options ahead of time. Then when on the National Mall look for these NPS Stations if you have questions or need help with anything. Tip 3: Keep an eye out for the National Mall signage to help orient yourself. Tip 4: Google Maps is my favorite travel app. It has great information about transit, especially in DC. It can map a public transit route for you, with times of arrivals for trains. It also tends to be pretty accurate about time frames to walk from one place to another on the National Mall.Tip 5: Check out our previous blog posts about the National Mall for more details. (“Planning Your Visit“, “African American History Museum“, “DC Staycation“)
Keep an eye out on our Instastories/IGTV and Youtube channel for video guides and travel tips on this and other DC places. Let us know what you think and if there is anything we missed!
You guys do such an awesome job with your blogs!!! Glad we got to see some of these sites, looking forward to see some more, sometime!!
Thank you!