National Mall and Memorial Parks

The National Mall harbors several memorials to some of America's great leaders. The area is filled with history where you can walk in the footsteps of presidents, heroes, and civil rights icons. More than 150 memorials and monuments dot the landscape.

Start with an elevator ride up to the top of the Washington Monument. The tower is an homage to America's first president, George Washington. Peer out each of the four windows to see everything in the capital area. Landmarks that stand out include the White House, Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Lincoln Memorial.

At the Lincoln Memorial, stand in front of a larger-than-life statue of a great man. A marble statue of the 16th president depicts him in a stately, seated pose. Around him are words taken from the Gettysburg Address. Climb the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the same stone steps where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is perhaps one of the most somber memorials in the National Mall. It shows all 58,320 names of service members killed or missing in action from the Vietnam War. Black stone edifices, some of which are 10 feet tall, serve as a backdrop to the names inscribed in the rock.

The National World War II Memorial combines elements of earth and water. A total of 56 stone pillars surround a large, square water fountain where people can splash on hot summer days. As a beautifully detailed touch, a carving on one wall says "Kilroy was here" alongside a depiction of the long-nosed cartoon character.

Rangers all over the National Mall give tours, and regular special events make this area of the nation's capital come alive.