I will never forget the first time Jim and I decided to walk the National Mall in Washington D.C. together at night. It was actually a very cold, January night the first time we went. We bundled up and headed out to bear the bitter cold that literally felt like it was biting any exposed skin; a cold we were not used to in Colorado. Though I am not a fan of the cold and will more often than not do anything I can to avoid being out in it, I knew that seeing our National monuments and memorials at night was an experience I didn’t want to leave D.C. without.
If you are thinking of taking a night tour of the National Mall in Washington D.C., something I would highly recommend, the Capitol building is a great place to start. It is illuminated at night and you can climb the steps of this historical building to find a great view of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, tiny, off in the distance. Before heading down the Mall be sure you stop in front of the small pool of water that sits at the foot of the Capitol, to admire its reflection perfectly cast in front of you.
Feeling the need to move in order to stay warm, Jim and I speedily walked the pebble pathway that runs along the Smithsonian museums between the Capitol building and the Washington Monument. A circle of floodlights and American flags surrounds the Washington Monument, the flags blowing ominously in the wind. I remember being amazed at the stillness and quiet. Having spent the entire afternoon there surrounded by crowds of people and endless tour groups it was almost surreal walking in complete peace, looking up at a monument that was towering in front of us lit against the night sky.
From the Washington Monument, you should definitely head to the World War II Memorial. This is one of Washington D.C’s newer memorials, having been built after the millennium. The fountains are still going at night and are even more fun to see as they are lit up. This memorial is pretty crowded in the daytime with people running around trying to find the name of their home state and taking endless pictures in front of it. It is nice to enjoy it at night. Jim and I made our way to the “Colorado” pillar and, like most annoying tourists, made sure we captured our photo in front of it a few times.
The Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial are in the middle of the National Mall and mark about the halfway point between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. It is here that the well lit pathway becomes much more dim as you head toward the National symbol that is so proudly engraved on our penny.
To be continued…
Travel Tips and Info:
- If you are riding the Metro, the Capitol South Station is a great place to get off if you are wanting to start your walk at the Capitol Building. Click here for information and a map of the Metro stops in D.C.
- Be sure not to take a night tour alone, as there are dark places along the pathway. Definitely go with someone else, or a group.
- It is difficult to get good photos of the monuments at night without them being blurry unless you have some sort of tripod or way of keeping your camera perfectly still.
