Tag Archives: national mall

Riding Down Memory Lane at the National Mall

Carousel rides have always been a fond childhood memory for many. Who can say no to those colorful, bright horses and fancy round cups?

Just like the good old days, the Smithsonian Castle offers a charming carousel on the national mall for both children and kids-at-heart. The Smithsonian Carousel was built by Allan Herschell in 1947, with brilliantly 60 hand-carved and painted animals.

If touring the National Mall with kids, taking a spin is a refreshing break for the restless kids tired of site-seeing and touring museums. At times, the line may be a bit long, but you can still enjoy the spectacular views of the monuments.

Bike Towards The Sunset with Bike and Roll

With a wide array of sights and attractions to explore in the nation’s capital, there is no better way to travel and sightsee by cycling. With Bike and Roll, a bike rental provider with a wide array of bike models to choose from, you can check in and out of the three kiosks by the National Mall, the Union Station, and at Old Town Alexandria.

Each rental comes prepared with a helmet, lock, flat kit, and a city map to better help you whizz past this lovely city safe and prepared. Trust me, stopping to smell the roses is easier on a bicycle.

Insider Tip: Renting bikes from Old Town Alexandria not only gives you a chance to stroll King Street, but cyclists can easily take the scenic Mount Vernon Trail to the famous George Washington’s Estate!

WWII Memorial is DC’s Newest for the World’s Greatest War

When you think of the word “memorial” in Washington D.C., the first thing that comes to mind is probably the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorial. Well, it’s time to add the brand new World War II Memorial to the must-see list. With 56 granite columns split between two half-circles framing the Rainbow Pool and its fountains, this beautiful memorial honors the service of 16 million members of the Armed Forces and the 405,399 American casualties during WWII.

Picture 12As the only 20th century war honored on the National Mall, it has plenty of interesting things to see, many of which are full of symbolism and beauty. The granite columns symbolize the unity of the 48 states (at the time of the war), seven federal territories and Washington D.C. during WWII. Two 43-foot tall pavilions honor American victory on the Atlantic and Pacific fronts.

Away from the bright and bustling area and around the Rainbow Pool is a solemn wall of 4,048 Gold Stars, where each star pays tribute to 100 soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. There are also areas where dozens of battle names and military campaign designations are carved into stone. The memorial also offers several hidden treasures, such as the famous “Kilroy was here” graffiti.

Visitors can search the WWII Registry, a computerized database that honors Americans from the war. There are also daily tours, as well as more in-depth walking and bicycle tours that visit other areas as well.

3. Earth Day Events in DC April 22-25

Screen shot 2010-03-24 at 3.26.20 PMWashington, DC will hold one of the largest Earth Day gatherings in America on the National Mall to rally support for national action on global warming. The Earth Day Network, which hosts the events, is organizing this massive rally to demand Congress pass a comprehensive climate bill in 2010. Earth Day, which is in its 40th year, emphasizes environmental service, advocacy and education.

The Climate Rally on April 25th will act as the flagship for the mission of Earth Day. The event will include a free festival with music, entertainment, speakers and environmental activities. Last year, 100,000 people came and participated, and rockers The Flaming Lips headlined the event.

Who’s Who of Aircraft at the Smithsonian Nat’l Air & Space Museum

As with anything beginning in Smithsonian, The National Air & Space Museum has an impressive showing of all things airborne.  Beginning with the Wright Brothers and constantly updating with new space artifacts and Hubble telescope pictures, this museum boasts a who’s who of aircrafts. The Spirit of St. Louis, 1903 Wright Flyer, and Apollo 11 Columbia are just a few of the big names on display.

More than simply displaying aircraft, the museum also houses the aptly named Lockheed Martin IMAX theater, Albert Einstein Planetarium, and flight simulators if you want to get involved in the action. This is the mother of air and space collections and it’s located in the heart of the nation’s capital.