Historic D.C. Mall Hike: East Loop
Washington, DC
- Distance: 4.5 miles (7.3 km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Loop
- Free
- 14 stops
The east half of the Historic D.C. Mall Hike: a loop from the Smithsonian Metro station past the Smithsonian museums and the National Archives to the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, then back along The Mall to the Smithsonian Castle, with challenges at each stop.
Trail start
Smithsonian. Public transit stop.
Stops
National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to them personally, and how it helped us shape this nation. This museum transcends the boundaries of race and…
National Museum of American History
Since this is a historic hike, we feel this museum is an especially important place to visit. Opening in 1964, this museum now houses the American History collection. Youth groups may chose to skip this museum because after a day of historic sights it may be a bit too much to take in for one day…
National Museum of Natural History
This is one of the most popular museums in the capital, especially for youth groups. It has dinosaurs, life size whales, huge shark teeth and giant gems. It's amazing!
National Archives
Here you will see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Each person may bring one bag no larger than 17 by 26 inches, and everything goes through security.
National Gallery of Art
Completed in 1941 through an act of Congress, the National Gallery of Art has an amazing collection and is believed to be one of the best in North America. The Gallery's collection traces the development of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the present and includes many major works from artists…
U.S. Grant Memorial
This memorial honoring the General and the President began in 1902 and took 20 years to complete. It's the largest equestrian monument in the United States. Take some time to explore the details of this memorial.
The Capitol - West Side
This building was designed by William Thornton after winning a competition suggested by Thomas Jefferson. The groundbreaking was in 1793 and George Washington himself laid the cornerstone. Congress met for the first time in 1800 with the building incomplete. Along with the White House and other…
The Summerhouse
The Summerhouse is a brick structure set into the sloping hillside of the west Front Lawn among the paths that lead from Pennsylvania Avenue to the Senate side of the Capitol. This structure has offered rest and shelter to travelers for over a century. Constructed to provide comfort for those who…
The Capitol Tour (Capitol Visitor Center)
The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors with tour reservations from 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday through Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Tours run Monday through Saturday, and the last one starts at 3:20pm. It's a very interesting tour.
The Supreme Court
This building was built in 1935 to house the Supreme Court, which was originally housed in the Capitol Building. You can walk through the building (open weekdays 9am - 3pm) and lectures are available, but not necessary.
Library of Congress
Established in 1800 by Congress, the library was once housed in the Capitol Building. The current building was complete in 1897 to accommodate the expansion of the library. It is now the largest library in the world. The main reading room and the great hall are impressive. A free timed-entry pass…
National Museum of the American Indian
This 2004 museum has on display many artifacts from the Heye Collection. George Gustav Heye traveled through North and South America between 1903 and 1957. The National Museum of the American Indian houses one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of its kind. The museum's sweeping…
National Air and Space Museum
This is perhaps the most popular museum with youth groups. In fact, since opening in 1976, it quickly became one of the most visited museums in the world. It has the actual "Spirit of St. Louis", the Apollo 11 Command Module, a touchable lunar rock, an IMAX theater and incredible displays. Free…
Smithsonian Castle and Associated Museums
The Smithsonian Castle was completed in 1855 in the Norman style, a mix of Romanesque and Gothic. It is closed for a major renovation, so you can only see it from outside, but the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind it stays open. There are four museums open in this area. If you still have energy feel free…
Created by Gregg.