National Mall
HISTORY OF THE MALL
The National Mall is the oldest federal parkland and was part of the plan put into place by the United States' first president George Washington. City planner, Peter L'Enfant designed the National Mall and had envisioned it as a "Grand Avenue" but that never came to fruition. The term National Mall commonly includes areas that are officially part of West Potomac Park and Constitution Gardens to the west, and often is taken to refer to the entire area between the Lincoln Memorial and the United States Capitol, with the Washington Monument providing a division slightly west of the center.
EVENTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
The National Mall is an unofficial place to take part in presidential inaugurations for those without tickets. There are also several fantastic annual events including the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Earth Day celebrations, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Independence Day is not to be missed as fireworks light up the sky and all of the National Mall's impressive memorials.