The National Mall main landmarks walking tour

Whatever mode of transportation you use to get here, a good starting point is near the Smithsonian Station Metro Stop located just off the intersection of 12th St. & Jefferson Drive. Once you arrive, it’s a short walk to our first point of interest - the National Mall. Here are the instructions: Find the metro entrance and look beyond it - you’ll see a broad gravel path flanked by grass that leads from the roadway toward the center of the National Mall. Take that path, and position yourself in the center of the Mall. It’s a tough spot to miss. You’ll see a large, grassy expanse on either side with the United States Capitol Building to the east and the Washington Monument to the west. I’ll meet you there!

What a view! You are now standing on the Eastern Side of the National Mall - that is, the strip of land between the Washington Monument & the Capitol Building. Let’s give you a 360 degree orientation. Look toward the white dome of the United States Capitol Building. The dome represents the center of Washington, DC and is west of you. To your right front is a medieval looking building made of red sandstone. This is the Smithsonian Castle, the headquarters of the largest collection of museums in the world - the Smithsonian Institute. To your left front, directly opposite the Castle, you’ll see the golden dome of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (that’s where the Hope Diamond & Dinosaur bones are kept). To your immediate left (in the distance), you’ll see the tall, gray clock tower of the Old Post Office, and as you stay in place but continue to rotate toward your left rear, you’ll see the boxy, slightly pinkish exterior of the Smithsonian Museum of American History, partially obscured by trees. Inside you’ll find the Star Spangled Banner, dresses of the First Ladies, and Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers. Keep rotating left and you’ll see a giant marble obelisk - the Washington Monument (more on that later). Turn a bit further and on the opposite side of the mall from the American History Museum, you should see a building fronted with stately columns. That’s the United States Department of Agriculture or USDA for short. Not only do they inspect meat, but they’ve also got a nuclear fallout shelter in their basement, so make sure you’re nice to the doorman. Keep spinning your view ends back at the castle & the Capitol Dome. Ok enough spinning. I’m getting dizzy. Now a bit of history for you. Begun in 1793, the Capitol was first occupied by Congress in 1800, and it was much smaller than what you see today. Weighing in at 9 million pounds, the dome is actually made of cast iron - not stone. A later addition, it wasn’t completed until 1866, immediately after the Civil War. Look closely. On either side of the dome, stand two flagpoles. The left pole tops the Senate chamber, the right marks the House of Representatives. Together, both chambers comprise the legislative branch of the US government - the lawmakers. If a flag flies on either pole, it means that respective chamber is in session. This tradition recalls a time before smartphones when a hoisted flag visually alerted nearby Congressmen that their workday had begun. The statue atop the building is an allegorical female figure grandly entitled, Freedom Triumphant in War & Peace. You can call her Freedom (and just between you & me, she ain’t free and she ain’t easy). By unwritten rule, she’s also the tallest statue in the city at 19 ½ feet. Returning your gaze to the Smithsonian Castle, notice the building’s distinctive red color & romanesque architecture. Completed in 1855, it was designed by James Renwick Jr. - the same architect responsible for St. Patrick’s Cathedral on New York City’s 5th Avenue. Nowadays the castle is primarily an office building, but there is a cafe & some exhibit space on the ground floor. Back when it was the only building in the Smithsonian, it housed the entire museum collection and was nearly gutted by fire in 1865. As you can see, the building survived. But how did it get there in the first place? I’ll tell you the story as we walk Face the Washington Monument. On either side of the grass in front of you are two gravel paths leading toward 14th Street. Take the path on your right and follow it toward the Washington monument until you reach the road. As you walk, the Smithsonian American History Museum should be on your right. Now for the story. James Smithson was a British scientist who died in 1829. In and of itself, that fact is unremarkable. Upon his death, however, James saw fit to leave his personal fortune of $500,000 (roughly $14 million in today’s money) - to the United States Government. In his will, James specified the express purpose of this money was to found, “...in Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men”. Why? Firstly, as a scientist James was an admirer of American founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson & Benjamin Franklin - fellow scientists & intellectuals who also lived a life of the mind. Most importantly, James was born the illegitimate son of an English nobleman who (because of his illegitimacy) never acknowledged James’ as his rightful heir - this left James with a lifelong chip on his shoulder, forever after disgusted by the concept of inherited titles of nobility. Understandably, James would become a great admirer of the American Constitution - a document which expressly forbids the creation of noble titles & privileges throughout the land. And that’s why we got the cash. Thank you James! Continue toward 14th Street, when the path ends, turn right and locate your first crosswalk at the intersection of Madison Drive & 14th Street. Turn left and cross 14th Street. As you do so, you’ll see the distinctive, three tiered bronze exterior of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture to your right front and a small grassy hill to the left. Stay along the side of the street nearer the hill for your next stop.