National Mall

 

Washington is best known for its historic monuments and iconic architecture, along with a collection of world-class museums. We have set aside two and a half days to explore the most notable highlights.

Lincoln Memorial

We made the most of the remaining part of this afternoon wandering the National Mall, starting at the Lincoln Memorial.

The sheer scale of the iconic statue of Lincoln only becomes clear when standing beside it.

Reflecting Pool

From within the memorial, Lincoln gazes across the Reflecting Pool toward the towering obelisk of the Washington Monument.

Korean War Memorial

The most striking element of the Korean War Memorial is the group of 19 stainless steel soldiers walkng through a field. Thoughtfully designed and meticulously maintained, the memorial leaves a powerful impression, especially the inscription "Freedom is not free".

John Paul Jones Memorial

This one seemed to be a bit of an outlier. The statue was of the wrong bloke. The plaque said 'John Paul Jones'. This didn't look anything like him. I was a little surprised not to at least see a base guitar in his hands. Seems odd for a Led Zeplin member to have a monument in the Washington National Mall.

Jefferson Memorial

We could see the Jefferson Memorial, which sits slightly apart from the other monuments, positioned across the Tidal Basin.

Miscellaneous

Ooh! Look, squirrel! The National Mall has a sizable population of eastern gray squirrels that take full advantage of the vast green space.

I’m not entirely sure of the significance of this “monument,” but the symmetry is certainly impressive, an understated masterpiece of public convenience tucked neatly into the National Mall.

The National Mall is flanked by a multitude of historic buildings serving a range of purposes. Some house museums, while others are government offices, such as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (above), which provides office space for the Executive Office of the President, including the Office of the Vice President, the National Security Council, and the Office of Management and Budget.

Relection Pool

We found ourselves about 620 metres from the Lincoln Memorial at the far end of the Reflecting Pool.

World War II Memorial

At our back stood the World War II Memorial, with the Washington Monument rising beyond it. It honors the 16 million who served, 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort.

Washington Monument

The 169-metre Washington Monument is visible from almost everywhere across the National Mall. It feels almost out of place, more at home beside the Great Pyramids of Giza than among the grand neoclassical buildings of Washington.

The Capitol Building

We didn’t venture beyond the Washington Monument, but from its hill we could see the United States Capitol about a mile away. The view was almost obstructed by yet another “restroom memorial” (foreground), this time with slightly more fitting architecture.

The White House

We stopped by the White House as our final stop for the day. It was a bit of a disappointment, with two layers of 10-foot-high fencing making photos less than ideal. You can thank Trump for inciting an insurrection for the excessive security measures.

Foggy Bottom

We made our way back to our apartment in Foggy Bottom. It has been a long day, starting before dawn in Chicago, and we still have plenty to see and do tomorrow.