Getting Around

Public Transportation
Metro Rail

National Mall and Memorial Parks contains much of the original parkland created by the 1791-1792 Federal City plan, including the Mall and many of the uptown circles and squares, as well as West and East Potomac parks. The National Mall itself stretches west from the foot of Capitol Hill at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial to encompass the original Mall area to 14th Street; the Washington Monument grounds, the Tidal Basin area, and West Potomac Park before terminating at the Watergate Steps behind the Lincoln Memorial. Since the park covers such an extensive area, several Metro stations provide ready access to National Mall and Memorial Parks.

The Mall area on the east can be reached using the following Metro stations: Smithsonian/National Mall at 12th Street on the Mall; Federal Center SW at 3rd and D Streets, SW; L'Enfant Plaza at Maryland Avenue and 7th Street, SW; Archives-Navy Memorial at Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street, NW; and Federal Triangle along 12th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues, NW.

The west end of the National Mall can be accessed using any of the following stations: Farragut West at 17th and I or 18th and I Streets, NW; Foggy Bottom/George Washington University at 23rd and I Streets, NW; and Arlington Cemetery across Arlington Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River. Note that all of these stations are at least a mile from the Lincoln Memorial.

Convenient Metro access to the uptown memorial parks is through the following stations: Foggy Bottom/George Washington University; Dupont Circle; Farragut West; Farragut North; U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo; Shaw-Howard U; McPherson Square; Metro Center; Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street/Convention Center; Gallery Place/Chinatown; Judiciary Square; Union Station; Federal Center SW; L'Enfant Plaza; and Waterfront.

Consult the interactive Metro map for specific station locations and trip planning assistance.

D.C. Circulator

Developed in partnership with D.C. Department of Transportation, the D.C. Circulator National Mall route has 15 stops at the major destinations throughout the National Mall (including Metro stops). The service is convenient, low cost ($1) and frequent (every 10 minutes), with stops within walking distance of nearly 30 monuments, memorials and museums.

Parking/Public Transportation

Parking throughout the District of Columbia is restricted generally (see individual area signs for site specific closures/restrictions) from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. to facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

Washington, D.C. is a very busy metropolitan area and parking is at a premium throughout the city. Private paid parking garages and lots can be found downtown north of the National Mall. Within the National Mall, metered street parking is generally restricted to three hours and is available along the Mall on Madison and Jefferson drives; on Ohio Drive along the Potomac River between the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memoial; or in Lots A, B & C south of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Free parking is available on Ohio Drive in East Potomac Park.It is highly recommended that you make use of the efficient public transit system (Metro rail and Metro bus). Information and schedules for Metro can be found at www.wmata.com.

Motorcoach Parking

As you plan your visit, be aware that there is limited tour bus parking and loading/unloading in National Mall and Memorial Parks. Motorcoach parking is available at the Hains Point parking lot, on Independence Avenue SW between 15th and 17th streets, and on Ohio Drive SW between the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. Tour bus loading/unloading is located in designated drop-off and pick-up zones that are indicated by appropriate signage throughout the park.

goDCgo, an initiatve of the District Department of Transportation, provides comprehensive resources and consulting services for all of Washington for motorcoach operators. Visit their website and download the Motorcoach Guide to D.C. for maps of parking, loading and unloading; rules and regulations for operating motorcoaches in the city, and seasonal updates to help in trip planning. They also offer a one-stop-shop hotline for all motorcoach and group tour operators visiting the District; contact them at 1-855-672-8737 for information on parking, permitting, routing and more!

 

Bicycling/Scooter Information

Bicycles/Scooters are welcome on the National Mall and bicycle/scooter parking is provided near each of the major memorials as well as along the Mall. Please remember that riding bicycles/scooters are not permitted within the memorials themselves. Please show your fellow visitors and the people honored by the memorials the proper respect and walk your bicycles and scooters through the World War II and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials or lock them up in an appropriate place before entering.Your assistance in preserving a respectful and safe experience for all visitors is appreciated.

Nine Capital Bikeshare stations are located convenient to National Mall destinations and connect with the regional bikeshare system.

Additional bicycle rentals are available from Thompson Boat Center located near the intersection of Virginia Avenue, NW and Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, NW, just a short distance north of the Lincoln Memorial along the Potomac River-Rock Creek Trail.

 

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