The Mall Beyond the Museums Tour

The National Mall is known for museums, monuments, and memory on a national scale. However, the “People’s Park,” as it is sometimes known, contains a history that goes well beyond these massive edifices. Explore a different side of the National Mall while still seeing the major sites, such as Capitol Hill, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian Castle, and more. 

This tour visits the exterior of several well-known landmarks on the Mall and enters a couple of lesser-known sites. Perfect as a complementary activity to a visit to the Capitol Building, or any of the Smithsonian Museums, this tour is ideal for guests who enjoy off-the-beaten-path and unique historical information.

This tour is approximately two hours, and circles around the primary part of the National Mall, with a halfway stop in front of the Washington Memorial for a bathroom break and an opportunity to purchase souvenirs, water, or snacks.

Tour begins in front of the Capitol Hill building, at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.

At this stop, guests will learn about the local American Indian tribes that lived in the DC area, and the history of the brothel that used to exist on the land where the museum now stands.

This was the former location of the largest Civil War hospital in DC, where poet Walt Whitman used to visit with and help nurse injured soldiers.

The Arts and Industries Museum was designed by Adolph Cluss, a former Communist and German engineer who built cannons for the Union Army and later constructed buildings all over Washington.

This is the half-way point in the tour, where guests will be able to visit the visitors center, use a bathroom, and purchase souvenirs.

This building stands at the epicenter of DC’s largest 19th center red-light district, Murder Bay. Guest will hear about the brothels and Madams that used to rule this rough and tough neighborhood.

This tower of the Old Postal Museum is run by US Park Service and provides views of the city rivaling those of the Washington Memorial, without the wait! Guests will enter to take in the views and surely some stunning pictures.

This was location of the first municipal market in Washington, DC, where over 600 stalls provided products to Washingtonian citizens for over 100 years before it was torn down to make way for the National Archives.

This building held the 2nd headquarter of the National Council of Negro Women, founded by activist and suffragist Mary McLeod Bethune. The building is the first black owned building on Pennsylvania Avenue.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

• The Mall Beyond the Museums Tour
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• An experienced tour guide who will share the lesser-known history of the National Mall.

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Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Off the Mall Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at America/New_York.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 2 valid reviews on TRIPADVISOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.