About National Mall
Many consider Washington DC to be the heart of America – and the National Mall to be the heart of DC. A French-born American Engineer named Pierre Charles L’Enfant first conceived the National Mall back in 1791. Pierre L’Enfant (referred to as Peter L’Enfant in the U.S.) aspired to build a 1 mile long, 400 foot wide gathering place in between a statue of George Washington and the area where the Capitol Building would be built. Numerous other engineers and architects rallied to L’Enfant’s cause, including Matthew Carey, the first person to use the term “National Mall.”
After centuries of renovations and expansions, the National Mall has finally become everything that L’Enfant hoped it would be, and so much more. It was here, adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial, that Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his legendary “I Have A Dream” speech on August 28th, 1963. Whenever a President is inaugurated, that ceremony is held within the National Mall’s boundaries. The moment you step into the National Mall, you’ll be almost overwhelmed by its history and significance to American culture. The National Mall doesn’t represent America as it is, but what it could be – a place of reverence, understanding, progress, and community.
Things to Do in National Mall
We truly can’t overstate how distinct and important the National Mall is. Most cities have their fair share of historical landmarks and culturally cherished venues. However, that’s what makes the National Mall different. Every building, every statue, every bench, every inch of the National Mall is either a landmark in and of itself, or is a part of a landmark. Visitors from all around the world, and from other parts of the U. S., visit the Mall to see and to feel monuments like the Vietnam Memorials and the Lockkeeper’s House. If you don’t visit any of the other landmarks at the National Mall, Bounce highly encourages you to at least visit these:
- Visit the Washington Monument, an homage to the 1st President of the U.S.
- Stop by the Jefferson Memorial, an ode to America’s 3rd President
- Travel to the Lincoln Memorial, a landmark honoring America’s 16th President
- Admire the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, a tribute to the 18th President of the U.S.
- Make your way to the James A. Garfield Monument, a gift to America’s 20th President
- Seek out the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, built to commemorate America’s 32nd President
- Watch amazing live performances at the Sylvan Theater
- Look out of the Lockkeeper’s House, the oldest monument in the National Mall
- Become one with nature at the United States Botanic Garden
- Start your tour of the Smithsonian Institute at the “Smithsonian Castle”
Transit Options in National Mall
- The Metro Rail Train System
- Capital Bikeshare
- The DC Circulator Bus System
Luggage Storage Near National Mall
Hopefully, we’ve managed to convey how massive the National Mall is. Admittedly, it’s somewhat difficult to fully convey the scope and scale of a place like the Mall with words alone. However, we can appreciate just how large and how busy the Mall is. Moreover, many of the museums and shops located at the Mall prohibit visitors from bringing excessive amounts of luggage with them. It’s far too easy for an overburdened patron to lose their things, especially on particularly crowded days. That’s where Bounce comes in; our luggage storage services can help you lighten your load while you’re in DC.
Luggage Storage Options Near National Mall
- National Museum of African Art: This tribute to African art was built in 1987, and is located on 950 Independence Ave SW. It’s just South of the Smithsonian Castle, and is open to visitors from 10 am to 5:30 pm every day of the week. Space is limited here, so it’s best to store your things with Bounce before you visit.
- National Air and Space Museum: Just as the name implies, NASM aims to educate visitors about space, aviation, and the countless women and men who’ve worked with NASA. NASM is right in the middle of the National Mall, on 600 Independence Ave SW. NASM prohibits excessive amounts of luggage, so it’s best to use Bounce before you visit.
- Andrew Jackson Downing Urn: Store your luggage with Bounce, then visit this amazing outdoor exhibit. You can find this tribute to one of the Mall’s designers on National Mall, 1000 Jefferson Dr SW.
- Mary Livingston Ripley Garden: This beautiful garden commemorates this late photographer and scientist. The garden houses many rare, delicate plants, so it’d be best to use Bounce before you visit.
- Vietnam Memorials: There are about three main Vietnam Memorials – the Three Soldiers statue, Vietnam Women's Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. All of them are located near 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW. In America, It’s considered taboo to bring too much luggage to graveyards and memorials. We highly encourage you to use Bounce before you visit any of these sites.
- Peace Monument: The late Artist Frank Simmons designed this statue way back in 1877. Since then, it’s found a place right in the middle of Washington DC’s peace circle. Use Bounce before you head to Peace Circle because traffic can really pile up on certain days.
- Capitol Reflecting Pool: Even if you’ve never been to Washington DC or America for that matter, you've probably seen the Capitol Reflecting Pool. Naturally, you can find this landmark on Capitol Reflecting Pool 20016 Washington. Leave your luggage, especially your electronics, with Bounce before you visit.
- United States Capitol Building: The seat of the United States Congress lies on First St SE, Washington. Visitors are occasionally allowed to tour this legislative building, but excessive amounts of luggage are absolutely barred. Use Bounce, then sign up for a tour.