Few places on Earth bring a nation together quite like the National Mall, the great green ribbon stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. This two-mile park in the heart of Washington, D.C. is the stage for the country’s most joyful and hopeful gatherings.
Stroll along its lawns and you pass the greatest hits of American public life: world-class Smithsonian museums on both sides, the towering Washington Monument in the middle, and shady elm trees that have watched over generations of picnics, kite-flying and sunset walks. Everything here is open to everyone, and most of it is completely free.
It is ideal for families, first-time visitors and anyone who loves a good walk with a view. Go at sunrise to watch the monuments glow gold, rent a bike to cover the whole stretch, or join locals on the grass for a simple picnic. Tip: wear comfortable shoes and bring water — the Mall is bigger than it looks, and that is part of the fun.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Nikanavi
