DC Monument Walk for Families

October 5, 2020

updated, April 2026 -With America’s 250th birthday celebrations this summer, the National Mall monuments are worth visiting more than ever. Here’s our family-friendly 2-mile walking tour of Washington DC’s outdoor memorials; perfect for families with babies, toddlers and kids of all ages. This walk takes about 2 hours and is 2 miles long, but your mileage may vary (literally!), depending on the time you take at each location or if you spend extra time in any of the wide open fields! 

Here’s a family friendly route with free parking:

For your GPS, the easiest public parking is at: 455 Rock Creek Trail. There’s lots of spaces and you’ll be right next to the Potomac River, which is a fun start for the kids after being in the car.

Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial – Most people naturally think of the Stone of Hope statue when they think of this Memorial, but the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial actually encompasses another 4 acres.

Korean War Veterans Memorial – The 19 stainless steel statues representing the service members who fought in the Korean War are a memorable part of this memorial.

Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool – No tour of the monuments is complete without an up close view of the iconic tribute to President Lincoln and the Reflecting Pool.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Three Soldiers are right before The Wall, as is the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. Both are smaller but worth seeing for sure.  If you’d like a little side trip, visit the Albert Einstein Memorial at 2101 Constitution Ave. It’s in the opposite direction, but only a 2 minute walk from The Wall. It’s very easy to get back to the original route.

Constitution Gardens – This is one of the lesser known park areas but is scenic 4 acre landscaped area on the Mall. It’s also known for its benches and shaded paths and little island on the park area, making it an ideal resting spot during the walk. The island is a Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

World War II Memorial – Gentle reminder to little ones that this is an actual Memorial because it might be tempting to splash in the pools or run around.

Ash Woods, also known as the District of Columbia War Memorial to honor DC residents who served in World War I.

There are plenty of vendors and stores along your route, but you can also head back to the car for a picnic on the Potomac! Bonus that you’re bound to see lots of low flying helicopters and planes taking off and landing from National Airport.

What about the Washington Monument…shouldn’t that be in the DC Monument Walk for Families?

You may notice we haven’t included the Washington Monument. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to run to it from the WWII Memorial and you’ll see it very easily for most of the walk. As for restrooms, don’t worry there are plenty of public restrooms along the route and this is a 100% stroller friendly activity.

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