You won't find The Gap or a Cinnabon on the National Mall. 

We all know the sight of the Washington Monument towering above the National Mall in Washington DC, but sometimes we forget all the other amazing institutions standing in its imposing shadow. This 1000+ acre expanse of green space - affectionately dubbed “America’s Front Yard” - is not only a national park protected by the National Park Service, filled with frisbee players, picnicking families, and photo-snapping tourists, it also contains some of the most recognizable monuments and museums in the United States.  Spread between the United States Capitol, the symbol of democracy, at one end and the massive memorial of a 19-foot Abraham Lincoln seated in his giant chair at the other, these diverse museums include the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of African American History & Culture, the National Air and Space Museum and the Freer Gallery of Art, just to name a few.

In 1791, at the beginning of building the American capitol’s legacy, a French-born American named Pierre Charles L’Enfant was tasked with designing DC by none other than the big man himself, George Washington. L’Enfant planned the entire capitol to allow for open spaces and a grand avenue that would span nearly 1.5 miles. Over time, L’Enfant’s vision was expanded, giving way to the National Mall as we know and love it today.

Over 200 years, the National Mall has come to symbolize the values, sacrifices and desires of the American people. For the last 100 years, it has been the birthplace and premier site for protests, celebrations, rallies and memorials such as Martin Luther King Jr's “I Have A Dream” speech, the AIDS Quilt, Presidential inaugurations and so much more.

This place is the ultimate cultural hub. You can walk through the Korean War Veterans Memorial and its immensely lifelike sculptures, or trace the gigantic winding wall of names that make up the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or stand beneath the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial and think about all that American history. From there, you can go see the gaudy Peacock Room in the Freer Gallery of Art or examine the space shuttle hanging in the lobby of the National Air and Space Museum - all free I might add.

With all these options, you can see why this is the most visited National Park in the country. It brings American history, culture, and leisure onto “America’s Front Yard” for all to see and share. So next time you venture into the nation’s capital, take a gander at the tremendous offerings of the National Mall. Take that stroll from the U.S. Capitol to the Potomac and step into a museum or two, or three, or all fourteen if you have the gumption. It’ll be worth your while and probably a return trip.