Sight guide · Washington, D.C. · United States
Visiting National Mall
The Mall runs about 3 km from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, lined by the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery, with the Washington Monument at its centre.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
National Mall is a park in National Mall, Washington, D.C.. Allow half a day; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- National Mall
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, outdoors, history and kids
- Best months
- May and September–October
About National Mall
The Mall runs about 3 km from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, lined by the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery, with the Washington Monument at its centre. Walking its length past the World War II Memorial and the Reflecting Pool is the best introduction to the city, and the lawns are where Washington gathers for concerts, festivals and the Fourth of July.
Tip: Walking the full length takes longer than it looks; plan one half per day and use the free museums as breaks from the summer heat.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: National Mall, museums, theatres and the Capital One Arena between the Mall and Chinatown.
Best time to visit National Mall
National Mall is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- October: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, busy crowds.
- September: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Washington, D.C. has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Washington, D.C. itinerary visits National Mall on day 1, together with Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.
- No. 1 of the 20 sights in our Washington, D.C. things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 7-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Washington, D.C..
- One of the picks in historic sites in Washington, D.C..
- A family favourite in Washington, D.C. with kids.
Near National Mall
Also in National Mall, so you can walk between them:
- Lincoln Memorial — 45 minutes, free
- Washington Monument — 1 hour, free
- National Air and Space Museum — 2–3 hours, free
If you like National Mall
- United States Capitol — Capitol Hill, 1.5–2 hours
- Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial — West Potomac Park, 1.5–2 hours
- Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) — Capitol Hill, 1–1.5 hours
- Arlington National Cemetery — Arlington, Virginia, 2–3 hours
Staying near National Mall
Stay in National Mall and Penn Quarter ($$$) to walk here: museums, theatres and the Capital One Arena between the Mall and Chinatown. All areas to stay in Washington, D.C..
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at National Mall?
Plan half a day. With Lincoln Memorial nearby, it fits a half-day in National Mall.
+Is National Mall free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit National Mall?
May and September–October for the most comfortable weather. Walking the full length takes longer than it looks; plan one half per day and use the free museums as breaks from the summer heat.
+Do I need to book National Mall in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is National Mall good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Washington, D.C.. Washington is one of the best US cities for families on a budget: dinosaurs, the Hope Diamond, space capsules and pandas are all free.