Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Museums and Gardens
Walking around the east side of the mall, pass by several Smithsonian museums and through sculpture
and botanic gardens on this short, easy tour.
Distance: 2.4-mile loop
Approximate hiking time: 3 hours, including stops at the sculpture gardens and the US
Botanic Garden; more if you spend time in any of the museums
Difficulty: Easy
Trail surface: Smooth clay path; some sidewalks
Best seasons: Year-round
Other trail users: Runners, sightseers
Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted. Dogs not allowed inside museums or
gardens.
Fees and permits: None
Schedule: The National Mall is always open. Museums and gardens are open at varying
times; check specific websites for hours.
Maps: National Park Service maps at www.nps.gov/nama
Trail contact: National Mall and Memorial Parks, 900 Ohio Dr. SW, Washington, D.C.
20024; (202) 426-6841; www.nps.gov/nama
Finding the trailhead:
By car: Take I-66 east or US 50 east and cross the Roosevelt
Bridge. Stay straight and continue on Constitution Avenue. Follow this to 15th Street
and turn right. Get in the left lane and turn left at Jefferson Drive SW. Park anywhere
along the street. (Note: There are parking meters and a time limit is enforced. Parking is
not allowed during rush hours—between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and between 4 p.m.
and 6:30 p.m.) Start the hike near the Metro stop indicated by a brown pole. Via Metro:
Take the Blue or the Orange line to the Smithsonian stop. Exit toward the National Mall
