The National Mall is a center for tourism in Washington DC. The National Mall is located between the Lincoln Memorial and the US Capitol Building in downtown D.C. The National Mall also includes areas of Potomac Park and Constitution Gardens. Below is a list of attractions in the National Mall.
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument on the East end of Constitution Gardens and the West end of The National Mall was built to recognize the Revolutionary General and first President of the United States George Washington. The Washington Monument is a 500-foot tall Obelisk. This monument is the tallest structure in Washington D.C. and is the centerpiece of the D.C. skyline. The Washington Monument sits across the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Memorial. From the top of this monument, you can get a great view of the city and surrounding area.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden was added to the National Gallery of Art in 1999. This outdoor exhibit contains sculptures from the Gallery’s contemporary collection.
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is comprised of two buildings, the East Building and the West Building. These two buildings are connected by an underground passage. This museum has a huge collection of art by artists such as Filippo Lippi, Rembrandt, and Bellini. The National Gallery of Art is the only museum in North America that you can see a piece by Leonardo da Vinci.
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol Building is one of the most recognizable buildings in the country. This building is the home to the members of the legislative branch of the United States Government. The center of the building contains a huge area that is open to tourists. This area includes a huge rotunda and statues of men and women that represent each state in the United States. On either side of the middle area are the House of Representatives and The Senate. This is the two houses of the legislative branch of the United States.
Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial is located at the base of Capitol Hill in the National Mall. This statue honors one of the great generals of the American Civil War. General Grant fought on the Union Side under Abraham Lincoln and later became the President of the United States.
United States Botanic Garden
The United States Botanic Garden is located on the grounds of the United States Capitol Building. This botanic garden features habitats that simulate several environments from around the world. Some of these habitats include endangered plants, orchid house, Desert, Hawaii, and jungle.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian building contains administrative offices and the Smithsonian Institution information center. The Castle design of this building makes its outside more of an attraction than its inside.
National Museum of American History (Smithsonian Institution)
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History contains a huge number of exhibits that are dedicated to preserving and displaying objects and artifacts that are significant to the history of the United States. Among these exhibits is the Star-Spangled Banner, This flag is the flag flew over Fort McHenry during a battle of the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem. Also contained in this museum is an exhibit that has the Inaugural dresses and jewelry of many first ladies of the United States. The National Museum of American History has an exhibit dedicated to Abraham Lincoln which contains his famous top hat and several other Lincoln artifacts. This museum has exhibits from every era of the history of the United States.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution)
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History contains many interesting and educational exhibits from around the world. This museum has an exhibit dedicated to bones of different species from ancient humans to dinosaurs to sea creatures. The National Museum of Natural History is also home to the world-famous Hope Diamond. Some other Smithsonian Natural History museum exhibits include the Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, the Hall of Human Origins, The Hall of Dinosaurs, and many more.
National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian Institution)
The Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of the American Indian is dedicated to the life, history, and art of the Native American Indians. This museum exhibits hundreds of thousands of Native American objects and photos that paint a picture of Native American culture and history. The Museum of the American Indian also has branches in New York and Maryland.
Freer Gallery of Art (Smithsonian Institution)
The Freer Gallery of Art is one of two of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art. This museum features over 25,000 works that span over 6,000 years of history. This gallery features art from Nepal, India, Egypt, Japan, and several other Asian and Middle Eastern nations.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Smithsonian Institution)
The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art is one of two of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art. This gallery includes over 9,000 works of Asian art.
National Museum of African Art(Smithsonian Institution)
This Smithsonian Institution museum is dedicated to African art. This museum is located mostly underground and is connected to the Freer and Arthur M. Sackler Galleries by an underground passage.
National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian Institution)
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum is one of 19 total Smithsonian Museums. This museum has the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. The Air And Space Museum exhibits are from as early as the original Wright Brother’s Plane to the more modern Hubble Space Telescope. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum also has an educational exhibit that is dedicated to learning about deep space.
Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Smithsonian Institution)
The Smithsonian Institution’s Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden have art collections mostly contemporary. Most works are post-WWII. This museum includes an outdoor sculpture garden.