National Mall

There’s nothing like arriving on the National Mall for the very first time.

Seeing the Washington Monument rise majestically to the sky, surrounded by the stately U.S. Capitol Building at one end and the dignified Lincoln Memorial at the other, it’s hard not to think of America’s history. Explore the swath of land nicknamed “America’s front yard” and you’ll find inspiring monuments and memorials, museums and family fun.

The National Mall is America’s most visited national park, where the past, present and future come together. The monuments and memorials in this park honor American forefathers and heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country. From the “I Have a Dream” speech to the AIDS Quilt, the Mall is the national stage where movements and celebrations take place, where people gather to have their voices heard.

But the National Mall is much more than a lesson in history through memorials made of stone. East of the Washington Monument lies world-class museums with something for everyone, including the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, the newest addition the Mall’s impressive lineup of museums, set to open Sept. 24, 2016. Pause for remembrance and learn about the fragility of freedom at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, interpret the meaning of original Da Vinci and Van Gogh works at the National Gallery of Art, soar into the stratosphere at the National Air and Space Museum or pick your own adventure from the many other Smithsonian Institution Museums.

Wander along the wide, pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined boulevards and take in the history and scenery of America’s front yard, or admire the scenery during the comfort of a Big Bus Tour. There’s always something to see and do, as the Mall plays host to events of all sizes almost every week.