Discover the best family adventures in Washington DC with a visit to the National Mall Memorials! The National Mall is home to iconic monuments and memorials. It serves as a symbol of American history and democracy. So no trip to Washington DC is complete without a visit to here! Depending on the season and the time of day, it can be very hot around some of these memorials. So you need to plan accordingly. Follow along as I explain how to plan the perfect walking tour of the National Mall Monuments!
What is the National Mall?
The National Mall is a large, open park area that stretches between the U.S. Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial. This area featured many of the country’s most important monuments, memorials, and museums. It is one of the most iconic and historically significant locations in the United States.
Walking Tour of the National Mall Memorials:
Jefferson Memorial
Start your day early with a visit to the Jefferson Memorial. Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and the first US Secretary of State. He was a complex, 19th-century man with a wide ranging impact on the very makeup of America itself. The memorial was dedicated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on April 13, 1943. Architect John Russell Pope was influenced by Jefferson’s taste in classical architecture when designing the memorial. He echoed the style seen in Jefferson’s two most famous buildings – Monticello and the University of Virginia Rotunda.
The memorial itself features a large dome and a statue of Jefferson inside.
The Jefferson Memorial stands in a straight line with the White House. So it’s not directly on the main stretch of the National Mall between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
This was my favorite memorial! I loved the architecture and watching Spider Monkey stop to read and study each of Jefferson’s famous quotes.
Walking Tour of the National Mall Memorials:
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
From the Jefferson Memorial, ride the DC Circular to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. The Memorial is located in West Potomac Park at 1964 Independence Avenue SW. This references the year the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law. The memorial’s official dedication date is August 28, 2011, the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington.
This area can become so crazy and crowded! So it is best to visit it early before the tour and school buses show up.
Walking Tour of the National Mall Memorials:
Lincoln Memorial
Continue on the DC Circular (or by foot) to the Lincoln Memorial. This is a great place to turn in your Junior Ranger booklets to earn your badges!
Architect Henry Bacon modeled the Lincoln Memorial after the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Bacon felt that a memorial dedicated to a man who defended democracy should echo the birthplace of democracy. The towering memorial is 190 feet long, 120 feet wide, 99 feet tall and constructed with Colorado Yule marble.
The memorial is surrounded by 36 fluted Doric columns. These represent one for each of the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. Lying between the north and south chambers is the central hall containing the solitary statue of Lincoln sitting in contemplation.
Here we paused for a moment while the girls enjoyed watching the baby ducks in the Reflection Pool.
Walking Tour of the National Mall Memorials:
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Walk over to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Viewed from above, the Korean War Veterans Memorial is a circle intersected by a triangle. Visitors approach the memorial come first to the triangular Field of Service.
Here, there is a group of 19 stainless-steel statues, created by World War II veteran Frank Gaylord. They depict a squad on patrol and evokes the experience of American ground troops in Korea.
Walking Tour of the National Mall Memorials:
Roosevelt Memorial
Another one of my favorites was the Rosevelt Memorial. It was shaded and spaced out … best of all it was not crowded at all.
President Bill Clinton dedicated the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial on May 2, 1997. The Memorial uses elements of stone, water, and landscaping to tell the story of Roosevelt’s presidency. There are five outdoor “rooms” that represent a prologue and each of his four terms in office.
Walking Tour of the National Mall Memorials:
DC War Memorial
The DC War memorial is the only District memorial on the National Mall. It symbolizes the unique distinction of Washington DC as a local entity even though it is the federal city. The memorial stands on a four feet high circular marble platform. Around the platform there are the names of 499 Washington residents who died in service during World War I.
Walking Tour of the National Mall Memorials:
World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial was Buttercup’s favorite. The memorial uses stone architecture and bronze sculptures to honor Americans’ service, recognize those who fell, and celebrate their victory.
Twenty-four bronze bas-relief panels flank the ceremonial entrance. These panels tell the story of America’s experience in the war.
Granite columns represent each U.S. state and territory at the time of World War II. Inside the columns is an impressive pool with water shooting high into the air.
Quotes, references to theaters, campaigns, and battles, and two massive victory pavilions chronicle the efforts undertook to win the war. A wall of 4,048 gold stars depicts the sacrifice made by over 400,000 Americans to make that victory possible.
The Family Verdict
The National Mall memorials are incredibly powerful and meaningful. They stand as profound reminders of the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs that have shaped the United States. Each are a must-see when visiting Washington DC!
Make sure to check out our adventures at the White House, Library of Congress, Washington Monument, and Ford’s Theater. Also, follow our complete adventures through Washington DC and at nearby Niagara Falls!
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
Recommended Supplies
Don’t miss out on these recommended supplies for your family adventure!
For Packing:
For the Airport / Airplane:
Basics:
