Type: Paved, Loop/Out-and-back
Difficulty: 2 / 10
Altitude: 50 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes, with leash
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Yes
Filed Under: Running
The National Mall's origins are as old as the capital city itself. The open space and parklands envisioned by Pierre L'Enfant's plan, which was commissioned by George Washington, created an ideal stage for national expressions of remembrance, observance and protest. The National Mall resources include the 2,000 American elms which line the Mall and the 3,000 internationally renowned Japanese cherry trees which grace the Tidal Basin. Gardens that are botanical showplaces display thousands of tulips, pansies and annuals in over 170 flower beds, and 35 ornamental pools and fountains range from the simple to the sublime. This impressive mingling of natural and cultural resources has made our Nation's Capital one of the most heavily visited and photographed places in the world.
Tour the entire Mall, from historic Union Station (parking or disembarkment from your train or bus) down the Mall to the Lincoln Memorial, back past the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian's many museums, and around the Capitol on this grand tour of the open greenspace in DC. It's convenient to nearly every tourist attraction (and hence you when you're in town) and great for people-watching.
For a shorter run, just do the National Mall loop (from the Washington Monument to the Capitol.
From I-95 in Virginia -
-Take I-395 North
-Exit at Massachusetts Avenue
-Make a right onto Massachusetts Avenue (East)
-Follow Massachusetts Avenue approximately 4 blocks to Columbus Circle
-Union Station will be on your left
-Follow signs to parking garage
From I-95 in Maryland -
-Follow New York Avenue (West)
-Make left onto First Street
-Follow First Street approximately 12 blocks to Massachusetts Avenue
-Union Station is on the left
From West of DC -
Maryland:
-Take Capital Beltway
-Exit New Hampshire Avenue (South)
-New Hampshire Avenue turns into North Capitol Street at the District line
-Follow New Hampshire Avenue until you get to H Street
-Turn left onto H Street
-Follow 1 block and turn right into Union Station Parking Garage
Virginia:
-Take 66 East Towards Washington, DC
-Exit US 50 (East)
-Turn right on Pennsylvania Avenue
-Turn left on Constitution Avenue
-Turn left on Louisiana Avenue
-Turn right on Columbus Cirlce
-Union Station will be on your left
From Inside D.C. -
The Station street address is 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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