Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE MALL AND FEDERAL TRIANGLE
Even Washingtonians whose daily pursuits rarely take them to the Mall re-
gard this magnificent open expanse as the heart of the city. A grassy park
with carefully preserved trees, the Mall stretches 2.5 miles (4 km) from the
Capitol to the east to the Potomac River, just beyond the Lincoln Memorial,
to the west. Alongside and nearby are the core symbols of the city and the
nation: memorials to past suffering and triumphs, the workplaces of the fed-
eral government, and the Smithsonian Institution museums, entrusted with
“the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The Mall also serves as a national
public square - it fills to capacity for the dazzling Fourth of July celebration
and fireworks display, while the
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
brings food,
dance, storytelling, and crafts from all over the world. And the space is en-
livened daily with ordinary people jogging, strolling, or just enjoying the ex-
traordinary views.
1. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
This fascinating museum enshrines 10,000 years of Native American life and culture,
and acknowledges the contributions native peoples have made to the history of the
Americas. The collection includes over 800,000 items, 7,000 of which are on dis-
play. Exhibits include pre-Columbian gold figurines, beadwork, textiles, and pottery
from the Arctic to Patagonia. The building itself has been designed in harmony with
Native American cultural beliefs. The entrance faces east to meet the morning sun,
and light spills in reflecting the importance of the sun within Amerindian culture (for
further details see
National Museum of the American Indian
)
.
Google Map
2. NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Stroll through this building surrounded by illustrious artworks dating from before
the Renaissance to the current day. The sculpture garden is a hit for its outdoor set-
ting, summer jazz concerts, a winter ice-skating rink, and café (for further details see
Google Map
