Video:Walking Tour of the National Mall

Transcript:Walking Tour of the National Mall

Hi, I'm Heidi Dehncke-Fisher, a video journalist with About.com. Today, I'm going to take you on a walking tour of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Location of National Mall

The National Mall, in Washington, D.C., extends for approximately two miles - from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building. It also runs south, to include the Tidal Basin of the Potomac. The Mall incorporates both monuments and museums, a place of both inner and outer reflection. The most centrally located Metro stop to tour the Mall, museums and monuments, is the Smithsonian stop.

Eastern End of the National Mall

Starting right at the Capitol Building, the eastern part of the Mall is mostly made up of the many branches of the Smithsonian's museums and an open area for fun or relaxation. On the left, as you head up the mall, away from the Capitol Building, up Jefferson Drive, is the National Museum of The American Indian, the Air & Space Museum, the Hirshhorn, then the Arts and Industries Building, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, the Castle or Information Center. And, then, the Smithsonian's Sackler Gallery, Freer Gallery, and Ripley Center.

The Washington Monument

Each museum has its own restrooms and restaurants, or there are convenient snack kiosks and restrooms near the monuments. The center of the Mall is dedicated to open space and to the display of important US monuments, the further you head west. The Washington Monument stands tall and proud, and is centrally located within the context of the main Mall. This large obelisk, dedicated to the memory of George Washington, stands at 555 feet and 5 inches, and is the world's tallest stone structure. Located just west of the Washington Monument is the World War II Memorial, which honors both those who died and fought in the US armed forces during World War II. The Memorial is located at 17th Street between Constitution and Independence Avenues.

The Lincoln Memorial

Westerly, to the north, is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, honoring those who died in the Vietnam War. South of this is the Korean War Memorial, commemorating the US armed forces' efforts in this war. Finally, at the very west of the main Mall stands the Lincoln Memorial, saluting the memory and presence of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. The Tidal Basin is considered a southern extension of the Mall and includes the FDR Memorial, which honors Franklin Delano Roosevelt for his efforts during the Great Depression and World War II.

North Side of the National Mall

And the most southerly landmark on the Mall is the Jefferson Memorial, which honors our third president, Thomas Jefferson. Back on the northern side of the Mall proper, we find the National Gallery of Art, the East Building. The National Gallery of Art, the West Building is next. Housing a mind-boggling collection of natural artifacts is the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. And just further west is the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, detailing both the important and sublime.

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