Historic D.C. Mall Hike: West Loop
Washington, DC
- Distance: 4.9 miles (7.8 km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Loop
- Free
- 12 stops
The west half of the Historic D.C. Mall Hike: a loop from the Smithsonian Metro station past the Washington Monument and the war memorials to the Lincoln Memorial, then up to Lafayette Square and around the White House, with challenges at each stop.
Trail start
Smithsonian. Public transit stop.
Stops
Washington Monument
Construction started on the Washington Monument in 1848 and was completed in 1884. It's the world's tallest stone structure at 555 ft. When completed, it was the world's tallest structure until 1889, when a certain famous steel tower in Paris was built. The Washington Monument is open from 9:00am…
National World War II Memorial
The WWII Memorial opened in 2004. It honors the 16 million people that served in the armed forces during World War II and the millions of Americans that supported the effort at home. The memorial was funded with mostly private donations.
District of Columbia War Memorial
This small memorial is dedicated to the 499 residents of the District of Columbia that gave their lives during the conflict. In 2011, it was restored and rededicated to the D.C. residents who served. About 4.7 million Americans served in WWI. The national memorial to all of them is in Pershing…
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
In 2011, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial opened. It was the first memorial on or near The Mall dedicated to an African American. It's also one of only four dedications honoring non-presidents in the National Mall. Take some time here to read the inspiring inscriptions. Look behind the MLK…
Korean War Veterans Memorial
The Korean War Veterans Memorial opened in 1995, the 42nd year anniversary of the armistice. The statues of the squad soldiers are quite moving. The Korean War was fought from 1950-1953 between the Communist North and the Democratic South.
Lincoln Memorial
This stunning building opened in 1922 after eight years of construction. The statue of Lincoln inside is 19 feet tall. The inside is as impressive as the exterior. It was on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous speech. The reflecting pool was built…
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors U.S. service members who fought in the Vietnam War, service members who died in service in Vietnam/South East Asia and those service members who were unaccounted for (Missing In Action) during the war. Its construction and related issues have been the source of…
The Big Red One and the Eisenhower Executive Office Complex
This monument is dedicated to the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, nicknamed the Big Red One. The large column and statue represents the service of the 1st Infantry Division soldiers in World War I. Also surrounding the monument are memorials dedicated to the 1st Infantry Division soldiers who…
Lafayette Square
Lafayette Square preserves many of the original residences of the early Washington elite. Most of these homes are done in the Federal style popular in America in the early 1800's. Once on Pennsylvania Avenue, you will see the Blair House on the left. Built in 1824, it is the official state guest…
The White House - North Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the most famous address in America. Every president except Washington has served the American people from here. Built between 1792 and 1800, it's the oldest public building in the city. To the right of its center (west), you'll see the west wing and the location of the…
The Treasury Building
The Treasury Building was built in three phases, beginning in 1836 with completion in 1869. The statue at the front of the Treasury Building is of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton established the National Bank and the U.S. Mint, designed a system of tariffs and was…
The White House - South Lawn
The South Lawn of the White House is where the President's helicopter, Marine 1, lands and it's also where many traditional White House events take place. Also on the South Lawn is the current kitchen garden, planted by Michelle Obama in 2009 with the help of local school children. Tours of the…
Created by Gregg.