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Home , George Mason Memorial, John Ericsson Memorial, Peace Monument, The Extra Mile

A National Jaunt Footster’s Guide to Washington, D.C.

From the to the National Nearby

Ken Wilcox

Sample Pages Download now at www.anationaljaunt.com

© Ken Wilcox 2018 Tired Dogs Press T Circle, Embassy Row, , like ,Chinatown, Dupont Areas that looselysurround theMall, is trulyaworld-class experience. from oneamazinglandmark to thenext, National Mall, stroll around the story. Thusa the American immensely to have contributed the globethat from around cultural traditions the peopleand connections to the countless conspicuous are Somewhat less rock andtree. hidden orcommemorated underevery vignettes ofAmerican history seemingly iconic memorials andmonuments, and expansive parks, outstanding museums, capital isacityofstunning architecture, Washington’s bigoutside. of nobetter place for itchy feet than to America’s urbanoutdoors, Ican think is noexception. In fact, whenit comes is inthedestination. The nation’s capital journey, that is,inthewalking, as there invariably asmuchto enjoy inthe core ofsomefar-flung city, Ifindthere’s civilized streets, greenspace andhistoric and wildernessareas, orexploring the America’s most awesome national parks tomorrow, whether it’s backpackingin $ But thegood stuff doesn’t stop there. It’s nomystery that thenation’s loves to hike like there’s no giddy outside.Assomeonewho his guideisfor peoplewhogo Introduction Street vendoratEasternMarket,CapitolHill. footster’s itinerary. offer easy, fulfillingadditions to any also richwithsights andsurprises that think ofasthe"National Nearby"—are tia Rivers andbeyond—areas Ilike to Georgetown, thePotomac andAnacos - beginning onpage 34. options are describedandmapped that extra milestone atry. Thevarious suggested for thosewho’d like to give acouplelizing, ofextra mini-loops are around four shorter loops, orseven bite- and National Nearby, it’s alsoorganized 12-mile looparound theNational Mall loose-friendly city, a team, why not,inthisfantabulous foot Christmas Tree andaNationals baseball Symphony, National Airport,National Cathedral, National Arboretum, National can have aNational Zoo, National a "anational jaunt." Seriously, ifwe Mall that I’ve audaciouslydubbedas downtown D.C. andtheNational a 12-milegrand circuit centered on and mappedinthisguide,including Over 90miles’worth are described stomping ground for urbantreks. the American capital anda perfect National Nearby form thecore of Together, the In addition to theJaunt While the Jaunt National Mall itselfisanambitious National Jaunt? sounds tanta- (13.1 miles) half-marathon sure. Ifaone-day in for good mea- workout tossed mild to energetic rewarding, witha to keep itfunand a day. Thepoint is thon ofwalking in out ahalf-mara- inclined to knock for thoseless sized sections, , thisguide and -  Introduction 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, , 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 —"America’s —Ken Wilcox overview maps ofthe map andacupofjoe.To get you started, but sodoesalittletripplanning over a wandering doesn’thave itsrewards, such plan.Thisisn’tto say that aimless to have agame plan.The white andblue. adding somegrassy green to allthered, waterfront areas andgardens, thereby it all,includingtheparks, trails, plazas, spend weeks (oryears) intent onseeing tour ofafew museums.Others might Memorial (south),alongwithaquick the (north)andJefferson Memorial (west), theU.S. Capitol (east), on theWashington Monument: Lincoln of thecompass, soto speak,centered glimpse ofthefive “majors,” thepoints first-time visitors. both thrillinganddaunting, especially to in Washington, D.C., thechoicescan be national capital. Withsomuch to see the globecome to experience America’s every state andcountless nations across A NationalJaunt need to bailoutmidway. nearest Metro Station, inthe event you as shortcuts backto theMallorto the longer alternatives are described,as well interests ortime available. Shorter and loops oneat atime to better fit your seven bite-sized sections or four smaller in aday ortwo. Oryou can tackle the knock itoutasonecontinuous circuit a challenge may want to dive inand set thepace.Avid hikers whoenjoy course through thebest ofD.C. You begin onp.38(or94for theloops). The more detailed maps anddirections ed insidethefront cover andp.36-37. Whatever your intentions, ithelps Some may besatisfied to catch a Every year, millionsofvisitors from The Jaunt weaves ahighlywalkable Jaunt Jaunt are provid isone - any point alongtheway. or resume your adventure at almost the National Mall.Soit’s easy to begin lator route UnionStation serving and including thoseofthenew D.C. Circu- stations and countless bus stops, loop orsection-by-section, stopping to good strategy may beto go at itloop-by- distractions) surrounding theMall,a and themultitudeof attractions (and about themuseums,monuments extended sightseeing andcarousing you dothemall,to 14.7miles.) adds 2.7miles,whichbumps thetotal, if of walking neededto closeeachloop to complete eachloop.(Theextra bit each, oroneto three hours ofwalking in length from abouttwo to four miles essentially thesameground and vary pace. Thefour smallerloops cover to ten-plus hours at amore leisurely pace, stopping onlyfor traffic, oreight to sixhours ofwalking at amoderate is adozen mileslong.That’s aboutfive Thomas JeffersonMemorial. As noted, the The Jaunt To combine thewalking with more passesnearten Metro Jaunt asonebigloop  Introduction 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. safeguard your valuables, as you would capital, there’s plenty of room to roam, in any city. While there is relatively little both within and around the Mall. to worry about crime-wise in the areas And lucky for us, Washington, D.C., described, it never hurts to keep an eye out for the unexpected. A few basic Pennsylvania Avenue. safety tips are provided on p.29. As noted on the Contents page, use this guide at your own risk! The author accepts no responsibility for wrong turns, stubbed toes, sunburned faces, lost parents, temporary security or construction closures, delayed Metro trains, parking tickets, jaywalkers, goose droppings, ice cream dribbles, acts of Congress or sudden dizziness caused by acute wonderment. As a nifty new guide, it’s possible something important or useful could be missing, so feel free to share any burning thoughts with the author. Corrections and suggestions are always welcome (see p. 2). check outthewilder partsofthecity be easilyavoided inmost areas. Or commonplace andobstructions can throughout. Barrier-free facilities are and stunning architecture scattered urban art(we could usemore ofthat) historical sites, murals, contemporary plazas, sculptures, statues, fountains, with sufficient wadsof greenspace, downtown to uptown to Georgetown, surroundings andacool cityvibefrom comfortably widesidewalks, pleasant and mobile. es where itjust feels good to beupright stroll or gavot, D.C. isone ofthoseplac much whether you amble,ramble, strut, the cityontwo feet. Itdoesn’tmatter easy andenjoyable itisto move around wander abitandyou’ll soonnoticehow Metro stations are nicelyspaced,but setting is rather magnificent andthe don’t even own a car. Ithelps that the More thanathird ofD.C. households pedestrian-friendly citiesinAmerica. consistently rated asoneofthemost is ahighlywalkable city. Infact, it’s Canine palsoutforamorningstroll. In D.C. proper, you’ll generally find - place to beginisontheNational Mall. worth therambling. For most ofus,the there’s alsoabigoutsidehere well the rest—can bedownright humbling, the U.S. Capitol, themonuments and art galleries, Smithsonianmuseums, experts willsortitalloutinduetime. that defy alllogic, butI’m confident the many Walk/Don’t Walk signsontimers trails that needwork, andafew too turned bricks onquaint, oldsidewalks, We still have our fair share ofup- celebrate ourmetropolitan walkability. all retire now, but we can certainly achieved mobilityperfection and can planners andsidewalk engineers have side. Maryland Harbor located downriver onthe across thePotomac River, orNational walkable OldTown Alexandria just taxis, leadingfrom D.C. to abundantly that theseasonalfoot ferries, orwater Anacostia Rivers, andbeyond. Add to Creek Park, alongthePotomac and via theextensive trail systems at Rock Potomac HeritageTrail. In a city where the great indoors—the This isnotto say that thecity  Introduction A National Jaunt a great deal of conflict, not just between natives and settlers, but among the settlers themselves, who also unwitting- ly delivered the misery of alien diseases to the native population. The tribal clans who survived these calamities were largely forced to seek out safer harbors elsewhere. When Americans declared their independence from Britain in 1776, Georgetown and Alexandria were already bustling tobacco ports reliant on slave labor. But there was no Washing- ton, D.C. then. In fact, much of the land that would later become the National Mall was river, marsh and swamp lead- ing eastward to a rise of dry ground that Pond at . one day would be called Capitol Hill. In 1790, Congress granted Presi- dent George Washington the task of locating a capital city within a new The National Mall federal district, up to ten miles square, The National Mall is one of those somewhere on the . He iconic landscapes that helps define naturally chose his familiar stomping America. It’s been called "America’s grounds around Alexandria, a little north front yard,” where we come to honor, of his family estate at Mount Vernon, celebrate or raise hell about the things Virginia. Yet the site had much going for we care about. We listen to music and it. It spanned both sides of the river and fly our kites here, and pay tribute to our included the two port towns and several heroes and others who’ve passed. We other waterways near the Potomac mark time and history with our monu- River’s limit of navigation (and tidal influ- ments, and enrich ourselves and coming ence). It was also located well inland generations with trees, gardens and from Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic world-class galleries and museums. But Ocean, which offered relative protection like the city that surrounds it, it’s been a from sea marauders and British invaders. work in progress for over two hundred The district’s first cornerstone was years, and it remains so today. Once the domain of several Algonqui- an tribes, native villages were known to exist nearby on the and along both shores of the Potomac River, including a place that would later be known as George Town. Colonists from Europe began moving into the region in the mid-1600s, as the first tobacco plan- tations were established in the Maryland and Virginia Colonies. With them came Inscription at . that could host parks, plazas andmonu states, crossing at circles andsquares with diagonal avenues namedfor other standard street gridwould be enhanced broad avenue namedfor Pennsylvania. A to the“President’s House”by way ofa plan, “Congress House”would connect sprawling capital. According to L’Enfant’s L’Enfant’s exuberance for agrand and the work, whilealsoseekingto rein in Thomas Jefferson helpedsupervise L’Enfant to leadthedesignofcity. New York architect Pierre Charles itself after thefirst president. new capital decidedto namethecity The commission assignedto create the an earlycolloquial namefor America. mile. Thedistrict was called Columbia, and marked withaheavy stone at every surveyed intheshapeofadiamond Town Alexandria. was Theboundary Jones Point Lighthouse just southofOld laid in1791at thesite ofthefuture Washington hired theFrench-born, - nearly complete and theAdamsfamily medical care. TheWhite House was 1799 after ashortillnessanddubious then passedaway suddenlyinDecember idential baton to JohnAdamsin1797, tired to Mount Vernon, passed thepres- him outoftheirhair. and gave himameager stipend to get his work. Congress eventually relented struggled for years just to get paidfor Peter, ashemight have called himself) was amessy breakup andPierre (or the commission andthepresident. It stuck, he’d managed to alienate both big ideas,andthoughmany ofthem was fired. He’d been too pushy withhis to that space asthe"Mall." gress House.Someonewould later refer trim gardens extending west from Con wide, mile-longboulevard linedwith ments to remember ourheroes. George Washington, meanwhile, re- Only ayear into hiswork, L’Enfant L’Enfant alsoenvisioned a400-foot Pierre L'Enfant's1791"PlanoftheCity." -  Introduction A National Jaunt moved in the following autumn. The fanfare and in the midst of a Civil War, north wing of the Capitol was finished the 7.5-ton statue of Lady Freedom was the same year. The south wing, joined hoisted by former slaves to the top of to the other by a wood structure, would the dome. Just months earlier, President take another decade to complete. Lincoln had signed the law ending slav- With the White House and Capitol ery in the capital. Thousands of Union now occupied and standing like lonely soldiers camped on the Mall before the outliers on an oil canvas, the British set war ended in 1865. them afire in 1814. They were soon In 1876, an old cobblestone street rebuilt, however, and in the 1820s, a named for Pennsylvania was paved in center section and small dome were asphalt. The Smithsonian’s National added to the Capitol. Museum (now the Arts and Industries In 1835, President Andrew Jackson Building) was completed in 1881. Seven received word that an English fellow years later, the named Smithson, an unmarried scien- was finally finished. tist, had left his fortune—about $12 Also in the 1880s, the Potomac River million in today’s dollars—to the people was dredged for improved navigation of the . According to the and to fill a vast area of mosquito-laden will, the money was to be used for “the wetlands adjacent to the city, creating increase and diffusion of knowledge.” An more than a square mile of dry land be- institution was formed and its members tween Washington Monument and the haggled over how to spend the cash. river bank we see today. The Other than some limited parks and came 20 years later. Up on Capitol Hill, gardens, little more was done to imple- the spectacular Jefferson Building of the ment L’Enfant’s vision for the Mall until opened in 1897. 1848, when the cornerstone was laid By 1900, the U.S. had emerged as a for a ginormous monument to George major world power, with Washington, Washington. Ironically, L’Enfant had suggested only a modest pedestal with Smithsonian's first Secretary, Joseph Henry. a sculpture of George on a horse. The obelisk was barely a third finished when funding ran out in 1854. The Smithson money, however, had found a lasting purpose. By 1855, the Smithsonian Castle was completed, thanks to the magnanimous generosity of the bachelor scientist. The Castle re- kindled some of the L’Enfant enthusiasm for grandeur and set the stage for the veritable parade of palatial buildings lining the Mall today, including 11 of the Smithsonian’s 19 museums and galleries. The Capitol was also expanded north and south, and the original dome, which now looked rather puny on such a big building, was replaced by a much larger dome. In December 1863, with much and relocation ofthetrain station toa that hadcropped upover theyears, lines andtackier commercial structures buildings. Itcalled for theremoval ofrail nent museumsandstylish government monuments, reflecting pools, promi- ing lawns, hundreds oftrees, major with more natural landscaping, sprawl Plan recommended anexpanded Mall coalescing around anew vision. in European cities gathering ideasbefore Commission members spent sixweeks McMillan, was assignedthetask in1901. sponsored by Michigan Senator James possibilities. ASenate Park Commission, warranted afresh assessment ofthe Modern timesandamultitudeofideas and renewal, especiallyaround theMall. were eager to seemore rapid progress residents andmembers ofCongress ramshackled placethat itwas. Many rather thanthepartlyglorious, should alsolooklike one,someinsisted, D.C. at thecenter ofitall.Agreat city Inside theLibraryofCongress. Completed in1902,theMcMillan - and McMillan fires burning. Though we vision ofthosewho kept theL’Enfant we seetoday hasblossomedfrom the that surrounds them. Memorial Bridge andthegreater city the parade, alongwiththeparkways, leries andgovernment buildingsjoined monuments, sculptures, museums,gal Memorial. Insubsequent years, other the groundbreaking for theJefferson opened in1935.In1938,FDRattended Italy, Georgia, Vermont andAlabama, crafteding, withmarblefrom Spain, was finishedin1922. The ,begunin1914, were planted around theTidalBasin. trees,3,000 cherry agiftfrom Japan, of Natural History in1911.In1912, in 1908,thentheSmithsonianMuseum regal buildingonJefferson Dr. followed The U.S. Department ofAgriculture’s authorized. Itwas completed in1907. Station was thefirst major project tobe Millan Plan,theconstruction ofUnion enormous cost to implement theMc Arlington National Cemetery. could bereinterred asanational hero at a grave sohe inChillum,Maryland, L’Enfant’s bodywas exhumed from central concepts remained. In1908, considerably, butthelate architect’s landarounddry theMallhadgrown the scope broadened, now that the would besubstantially modifiedand posthumous respect. Thedetails for thecityhadat last garnered some his grave inawe. Hisgrandiose vision new MemorialBridge across theriver. of thePotomac River, reached by a along Rock Creek andtheVirginia side around thecity, plusmajorparkways also envisioned new parks elsewhere proposed new UnionStation. ThePlan Over thepast century, muchofwhat The new U.S. Supreme Courtbuild Despite deepdisagreements over the Pierre L’Enfant must have sat upin - - -  Introduction A National Jaunt may have differed at times on the finer the needs of all visitors can be met in details and squabbled over what to leave an attractive, high-quality, energy-ef- natural and what to put where—the ficient, and sustainable manner…. statues, fountains, gardens, the newer while respecting the planned historic museums, monuments and memorials— character and visions of the L’Enfant most of the parts do seem to comple- and McMillan plans.” ment the whole quite swimmingly. Improvements will be ongoing for That’s not to say there aren’t chal- many years. Many of the changes will lenges. The landscape and many of the be minor, such as better (and more) monuments and public facilities within restrooms, improved sitting, viewing the National Mall were not designed and exhibit areas, refurbished lawns to handle such heavy use by millions and gardens, better lighting, separated of visitors, including very large (and bike paths and improved surfacing along wonderful) outdoor events that have walkways. But more conspicuous and been occurring regularly now for years. ambitious changes are also envisioned, To consider ways to preserve what we including a much smaller reflecting love about the Mall while accommo- pool below the Capitol Building, with dating such high use, the National Park more hard surfacing and restrooms to Service embarked on a major planning accommodate larger gatherings without effort in 2006. This work resulted in the damaging so much turf. 2010 National Mall Plan (www.nps.gov/ A new indoor/outdoor performance nationalmallplan). The plan’s purpose is venue is planned near the Washington to allow the Mall to: Monument (where the Sylvan Theater is “. . . evolve as the nation’s premier civic, now), along with a major visitor facility symbolic, historic, and commemorative at the east end of Constitution Gardens. space…. respectfully rehabilitated and A new welcome plaza is planned near refurbished, with improvements to the Smithsonian Metro Station, as well the pedestrian environment…. so that as an underground visitor center at the

Potomac River and from Washington Monument. History Museum, openedinthe Culture, adjacent to theAmerican American MuseumofHistory and Mall Plan,astriking, new African for sensitive sites (we hope). very good at innovative solutions side, today's designers are getting the American story. Onthebright little to surrounding architecture or structure would seemto contribute of Washington Monument. Thehefty bience andwhat isnow asublimeview a partofthearea’s unique,natural am crowd theeast endofthepond,altering angular structure that would seemto included anoversized, odd-lookingrect While it’s allwell intended, planshave rehabilitating Constitution Gardens. enamored withaproposed designfor cluding theauthor)are notparticularly although opinionsonthat may vary. reasonable andsensitively designed, controversy. Most oftheprojects seem changes aswell, notallofthemwithout Trust, visitors willsoonnoticeother already by thePark andthe Service the Capitol. acres ofnew andimproved turfwest of Washington Monument andinstalling well asrepairing earthquake damage to the seawall at Jefferson Memorial,as Reflecting Pool atLincoln Memorialand been apivotal force inrestoring the (www.nationalmall.org). TheTrust has million neededto implement theplan established in2007to helpraise $350 for theNational Mall carried outinpartnership withthe Potomac River. Tidal Basinandalongtheshore ofthe upgrades to theseawall around the for thePark Police, andcontinuing Vietnam Memorial,new horse stables Apart from the 2010 National For example, someobservers (in While muchhasbeenaccomplished Some oftheseprojects are being , anonprofit entity Trust - - - In themeantime, theCoalitionseeks to quires anactofCongress to get rolling. idea hasgained sometraction, but re- akin to that ofMcMillanin1902.The Mall, anew independent commission, lish, inthethird century oftheNational the Coalitionbelieves it’s time to estab future. without aholistic visionoftheMall’s by the various agencies andinstitutions, tomac River are beingdonepiecemeal the Mallandnearby areas alongthePo- planning andsite improvements around ies are. They argue that too muchofthe definition ofwhere theMall’s boundar jurisdictions, butalsothelackofaclear vision amongmultipleinterests and not onlytheabsence ofacommon alition.org), whichhaspointed out Mall Coalition lenges facing theMallis oddly enough,doesn’tactuallyexist. overarching visionfor theMall,which, also tend notto bepartofacurrent, entities andnotthe They ParkService. are typically spearheadedby separate also beingcontemplated, butthey Space Museum.Othermemorialsare yet come to bebehindthe Air and has stalled that initiative, butit may new Dwight D. Eisenhower memorial fall of2016.Acontroversial designfor a History andCulture,completedin2016. National MuseumofAfricanAmerican To develop that more unified vision, Taking anotherview onthechal (www.nationalmallco- National - - -  Introduction A National Jaunt Regardless of our own personal sentiments about what the Mall should or shouldn’t be, it’s a good thing that so many are even concerned about it. It’s an awesome place. Now, more than two centuries since Pierre L’Enfant thunk up the original idea, the National Mall has not only become integral to our mind’s image of the nation’s capital, it embod- ies much of the collective spirit of who we are as Americans, and we wouldn’t be the same without it.

The National Nearby —an addition to the Mall? With all the jaw-dropping sights and provide a voice for citizens and advo- picturesque greenspace that define the cates for preserving what we love about National Mall, it might seem a little odd the Mall and adhering to the L’Enfant to ask what else there is to see in D.C. and McMillan visions, while also thinking But zoom out from the Mall and the out of the box a little to address evolving walking spaces expand exponentially— needs and concerns. from bustling Chinatown, Dupont Circle The Coalition strongly supports, for and Georgetown, to the architectural example, putting a substantial share of gems of Embassy Row and Old Down- parking underground and expanding the town, and from the artful quarters of Mall outwardly, particularly to the south, On Embassy Row. to encompass other surrounding green- spaces. A thoughtful expansion of the Mall could, in fact, provide a comparable sense of natural open space, while also including suitable sites for future muse- ums, monuments and public events that don’t overly stress the limited space we currently regard as the Mall. For exam- ple, the broad L'Enfant Promenade, from the Smithsonian Castle to the Benjamin Banneker Overlook, would seem to offer a perfect extension of the Mall to the developing Southwest Waterfront. A new commission could nurture consensus for these and other initia- tives, large and small. It certainly makes sense to this writer that we at least try to understand in a holistic way what we really have here and how we can sustain it through the generations. Although thisguideismostly focused town to Bethesda andChevy Chase. Capital Crescent Trail connects George- waterways around thecity, whilethe utaries oftheAnacostia River andother Pennsylvania. Extensive trails follow trib Georgetown across almost Maryland to (C&O) CanalTowpath leadsfrom easily reached onfoot. from Arlington to Alexandria can alsobe outstanding monuments andmemorials of Theodore Roosevelt Island.Dozens of explore thenative forest and wetlands more good walking (andbiking),orto river to reach theMount Vernon Trail for ger. Oryou can bike orstrut across the 20, orascenicwater-taxi rideabitlon utes and historic OldTown Alexandria in downtown D.C. to Arlington inten min mac River, theMetro willtake you from access. OntheVirginia sideofthePoto - awaits, noneofwhichrequires acar to no bounds,andmuchgood sauntering along thePotomac andAnacostia Rivers. green corridors at Rock Creek Park and and Eastern Market, to thespacious, Adams Morgan, UStreet, Barracks Row Miller Cabin,RockCreekPark. Upriver, theChesapeake andOhio The National Nearby really knows - - - Magnificent Intentions.” greater propriety betermed theCityof Magnificent Distance, butitmight with even have anicetimedoingit. make senseofthe geography, you might through 174.You’ll notonlybeginto additional routes described onp.103 can beginby exploring someofthe18 quainted scary withthisbig, metropolis Recent arrivals wanting to get better ac- genuine senseofwhat thecityisabout. in many ways, leave you withamore other jaunts intheNational Nearby will, this introduction to the capital city, Jaunt buck by hikingallorpartofthe sights willenjoy thebiggest bangfor the others provide thedetails. drive ofD.C. Several great guidebooks by hiking trails withinanhourortwo’s surroundings, there’s awealth ofgood on theurbancore andmore immediate U.S. MarineCorps/IwoJimaMemorial. “It issometimes called theCityof Newcomers to D.C. lookingto seethe . Butonceyou’ve experienced —Charles Dickens, 1842 National  Introduction A National Jaunt President Andrew Jackson Memorial, Sights to See St. John’s Episcopal Church, General Von Steuben statue, Decatur House, In addition to the dozens of monu- General Jean de Rochambeau statue, ments, memorials and museums locat- Blair House, Renwick Gallery, Eisenhow- ed on or near the National Mall, you er Executive Office Building, Corcor- can expect to encounter countless other an School of the Arts, First Division sites of historic or cultural importance Monument, President’s Park, White while you're jaunting the Jaunt. Below House–South Lawn, National Christmas is a summary of sites and sights you'll Tree, , , Ellipse see along the seven sections. (Each of Visitor Pavilion, , the four loops includes a similar list, Enid Haupt Fountains, German-Ameri- beginning on p. 95.) can Friendship Garden, , Lockkeeper’s House, Organi- Section 1: zation of American States, Daughters of U.S. Navy Memorial to the White House the , American Red Points of Cross, Amerigo Vespucci sculpture, Art interest: Museum of the Americas, Simón Bolívar U.S. Navy Monument, José Artigas statue, Consti- Memori- tution Gardens, Memorial to the Signers al, Naval of the Declaration of Independence, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Center, Memorial and Reflecting Pool National Archives, FBI, Old Post Office, Federal Section 3: Lincoln Memorial to Jeffer- Triangle, Environmental Protection son Memorial Agency, Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Free- Points of dom Plaza, General Pulaski Monument, interest: Pershing Park and General Pershing Lincoln statue, Bald Eagle Memorial, White Memo- House Visitor Center, William Tecumseh rial and Sherman Monument, U.S. Treasury, Al- Reflecting exander Hamilton statue, , Pool, Marquis de Lafayette statue, Lafayette Vietnam Square, White House–North Portico and Korean War Veterans Memorials, Memorial, West Potomac Section 2: The White House to Lincoln Park, U.S. Park Police Horse Stables, Ash Memorial Woods, District of Columbia War Me- Points of morial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, interest: Tidal Basin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt White Memorial, Memorial, House– Jefferson Memorial North Portico, Lafayette Square, Capitol–West Lawn/West Steps , Summerhouse, U.S. Memorial, Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, tholdi Park andFountain, JamesGarfield Botanic Garden and Conservatory, Bar Pool, Mid-Atlantic Regional Garden, U.S. the American Indian, Capitol Reflecting Public Observatory, National Museum of Space Museum,PhoebeWaterman Haas Sculpture Garden, National Airand Ripley Garden, Hirshhorn Museumand sonian Carousel, Livingston Mary Voyage ModelSolarSystem, Smith sonian ArtsandIndustries Building, Smith Garden, HauptA. Castle, Enid sonian Smith interest: Points of the U.S. Capitol Section 5:TheSmithsonianCastle to Garden, SmithsonianCastle Arthur M.SacklerGallery, Haupt EnidA. ofArt,S.DillonRipleyGallery Center, U.S. Department ofAgriculture, Freer of African American History and Culture, ater, Washington Monument, Museum Memorial, WWIISylvan The Library, Survey Lodge, JohnPaul Jones Printing, U.S. Holocaust Museum,Floral ing and Engrav Bureau of Tidal Basin, Memorial, Jefferson interest: Points of Smithsonian Castle Section 4:Jefferson Memorial to the ------cock statue Fountain, General Winfield Scott Han- of theRepublic Memorial,Temperance History, National Archives, Grand Army Rink, SmithsonianMuseumofNatural Art, National Sculpture Garden andIce Trade Commission,National of Gallery Mellon MemorialFountain, Federal Canadian Embassy, Newseum, Andrew partment ofLabor, JohnMarshall Park, TaftA. MemorialandCarillon, U.S. De Japanese-American Memorial,Robert Fountain, Senate Park andFountain, Freedom Bell,Christopher Columbus rial Museum,HolodomorMemorial, Memo- Guard National Museum, tion, Postal Union Sta- interest: Points of Navy Memorial Section 7:UnionStation to the U.S. Fountain, UnionStation Judicial Center, Christopher Columbus eral Nathanael Greene statue, Federal Hill Neighborhood,Stanton Park, Gen ty National Monument, VFW, Capitol Library, Belmont-Paul Women's Equali gress, Folger Shakespeare Theatre and of Neptune Fountain, Library ofCon itor Center), U.S. Supreme Court,Court Capitol Vis- Plaza and Steps, East Lawn/West (West U.S. Capitol interest: Points of Station Section 6:TheU.S. Capitol to Union - - - -  A National Jaunt