A National Jaunt Footster’s Guide to Washington, D.C. From the National Mall to the National Nearby Ken Wilcox Sample Pages Download now at www.anationaljaunt.com © Ken Wilcox 2018 Tired Dogs Press Georgetown, the Potomac and Anacos- Introduction tia Rivers and beyond—areas I like to $ think of as the "National Nearby"—are also rich with sights and surprises that offer easy, fulfilling additions to any his guide is for people who go footster’s itinerary. giddy outside. As someone who Together, the National Mall and Tloves to hike like there’s no National Nearby form the core of tomorrow, whether it’s backpacking in the American capital and a perfect America’s most awesome national parks stomping ground for urban treks. and wilderness areas, or exploring the Over 90 miles’ worth are described civilized streets, greenspace and historic and mapped in this guide, including Introduction core of some far-flung city, I find there’s a 12-mile grand circuit centered on invariably as much to enjoy in the downtown D.C. and the National journey, that is, in the walking, as there Mall that I’ve audaciously dubbed as is in the destination. The nation’s capital a "a national jaunt." Seriously, if we is no exception. In fact, when it comes can have a National Zoo, National to America’s urban outdoors, I can think Cathedral, National Arboretum, National of no better place for itchy feet than Symphony, National Airport, National Washington’s big outside. Christmas Tree and a Nationals baseball It’s no mystery that the nation’s team, why not, in this fantabulous foot- capital is a city of stunning architecture, loose-friendly city, a National Jaunt? expansive parks, outstanding museums, While the Jaunt itself is an ambitious iconic memorials and monuments, and 12-mile loop around the National Mall vignettes of American history seemingly and National Nearby, it’s also organized hidden or commemorated under every around four shorter loops, or seven bite- rock and tree. sized sections, Somewhat less for those less conspicuous are inclined to knock the countless out a half-mara- connections to thon of walking in the people and a day. The point is cultural traditions to keep it fun and from around rewarding, with a the globe that mild to energetic have contributed workout tossed immensely to in for good mea- the American sure. If a one-day story. Thus a half-marathon stroll around the Street vendor at Eastern Market, Capitol Hill. (13.1 miles) National Mall, sounds tanta- from one amazing landmark to the next, lizing, a couple of extra mini-loops are is truly a world-class experience. suggested for those who’d like to give But the good stuff doesn’t stop there. that extra milestone a try. The various Areas that loosely surround the Mall, options are described and mapped like Capitol Hill, Chinatown, Dupont beginning on page 34. Circle, Embassy Row, Rock Creek Park, In addition to the Jaunt, this guide A National Jaunt Constitution Gardens. weaves a web of interconnecting walks Main Street"—offers an optimal starting and hikes from the Mall to the Nearby, point for the grand circuit. including excellent urban treks along the Residents and new arrivals to the banks of the Potomac and Anacostia Riv- Mid-Atlantic region might want to hike ers; historic loops through Georgetown, each route over a season or two, just Capitol Hill and Old Town Alexandria just to become better acquainted with the across the water; scenic saunters around geography of this extraordinary, though Chinatown, Dupont Circle, Embassy in some ways, underappreciated city. Row, Adams Morgan and across Key Washington, D.C., after all, is about much Bridge into Arlington, Virginia; a few more than politics and monuments. treks on some wilder trails in Rock Creek First-time visitors, on the other hand, Park and elsewhere; and several short could spend Day 1 aimlessly running scurries between Metro stations (the around the Mall, arms waving, scream- subway). The Metro system, by the way, ing for joy. Once you catch your breath is almost always the quickest and easiest and ease off on the throttle a little, you way to get around the city (see Getting can begin to get a better sense of it all, Around D.C., p. 24). and maybe, by jaunting theJaunt , see Given so many choices, the hard part some of what you missed the first time. may be deciding where to begin. Well, (See tips for visitors on p. 22-24.) that’s really what this book is about. If you love the outdoors and go giddy Browse the tables on p. 5 and 103 to like I do discovering new places, then narrow the choices, or begin with the I hope this guide helps you engineer a Jaunt on p. 39 and see where it takes footloose frenzy of your own in D.C.’s you. As explained later, the Navy Memo- eminently jauntable outdoors. rial on Pennsylvania Avenue—"America’s —Ken Wilcox The Jaunt passes near ten Metro stations and countless bus stops, including those of the new D.C. Circu- A National Jaunt lator route serving Union Station and Every year, millions of visitors from the National Mall. So it’s easy to begin every state and countless nations across or resume your adventure at almost the globe come to experience America’s any point along the way. national capital. With so much to see As noted, the Jaunt as one big loop in Washington, D.C., the choices can be is a dozen miles long. That’s about five both thrilling and daunting, especially to to six hours of walking at a moderate first-time visitors. pace, stopping only for traffic, or eight Some may be satisfied to catch a to ten-plus hours at a more leisurely Introduction glimpse of the five “majors,” the points pace. The four smaller loops cover of the compass, so to speak, centered essentially the same ground and vary on the Washington Monument: Lincoln in length from about two to four miles Memorial (west), the U.S. Capitol (east), each, or one to three hours of walking the White House (north) and Jefferson to complete each loop. (The extra bit Memorial (south), along with a quick of walking needed to close each loop tour of a few museums. Others might adds 2.7 miles, which bumps the total, if spend weeks (or years) intent on seeing you do them all, to 14.7 miles.) it all, including the parks, trails, plazas, To combine the walking with more waterfront areas and gardens, thereby extended sightseeing and carousing adding some grassy green to all the red, about the museums, monuments white and blue. and the multitude of attractions (and Whatever your intentions, it helps distractions) surrounding the Mall, a to have a game plan. The Jaunt is one good strategy may be to go at it loop-by- such plan. This isn’t to say that aimless loop or section-by-section, stopping to wandering doesn’t have its rewards, Thomas Jefferson Memorial. but so does a little trip planning over a map and a cup of joe. To get you started, overview maps of the Jaunt are provid- ed inside the front cover and p. 36-37. The more detailed maps and directions begin on p. 38 (or p. 94 for the loops). The Jaunt weaves a highly walkable course through the best of D.C. You set the pace. Avid hikers who enjoy a challenge may want to dive in and knock it out as one continuous circuit in a day or two. Or you can tackle the seven bite-sized sections or four smaller loops one at a time to better fit your interests or time available. Shorter and longer alternatives are described, as well as shortcuts back to the Mall or to the nearest Metro Station, in the event you need to bail out midway. A National Jaunt browse, laze or explore when something piques your interest. Again, the options are summarized on p. 34 and 103, and directions are provided for each poten- Walkable D.C. tial starting point. With the population of D.C. now If you’re not the consummate “out- above 650,000 and surrounding parts doorsy” type, not to worry. The terrain of Maryland and Virginia boosting the is gentle around much of D.C., including metro area to more than six million, the Mall, and the walking is always it’s a good thing we all aren’t driving relaxed, as well as kid and adult-friendly. cars everywhere. Especially during the Nearly all of the routes described are commute, when several hundred thou- ADA-accessible, with alternates noted sand Virginians and Marylanders head so that wheelchair hikers and others can into D.C. for work each day. Amazingly, avoid the occasional steps and stairs. another 20 million visitors from afar also Some restrooms and water fountains are find their way into D.C. annually. noted, except for the obvious ones in- Counting visitors and residents, the side museums and the like. Rest benches National Mall sees 25 million visits a and shady spots are widely available for year. And an astounding 28 million pausing to watch the world go by. (including repeat customers), walk As you explore beautiful Washington, through the doors of the Smithsonian D.C., do carry along a pocketful of com- museums—fortunately, not all at the mon sense. Employ due caution around same time. Thanks to the early work and thunderstorms, busy traffic and those big ideas of Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the proverbial dark alleys, of course, and master designer of our spacious U.S.