The National Mall Getting to the National Mall

This map shows the Metro Stops (in blue) and major attractions (in green) on and around the National Mall.

Washington DC is well known for heavy traffic, so the easiest way to get to the National Mall is by taking the city's subway system, the DC Metrorail System. Several Metrorail stops are in the vicinity of the National Mall, with some closer to attractions than others:

• Smithsonian (Orange and Blue lines) brings you directly to the Mall, and, without a doubt, will give you the most breathtaking view of the Nation's most iconic buildings and monuments as soon as you step off the escalator. It is the closest stop to many of the Smithsonian museums, as well as the Washington Monument. Though almost a mile away, this station is also the closest station to the Jefferson Memorial.
• Federal Triangle (Orange and Blue lines) is just north of the National Mall, and is the closest stop to some museums on the mall, being only a block away from the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History.
• L'Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Yellow, and Green lines) is about two blocks south of the Mall. It is close to the Hirshhorn Museum and the National Air & Space Museum.
• Federal Center (Orange and Blue lines) is also about two blocks south of the Mall. It is the closest stop to the National Museum of the American Indian and the United States Botanic Garden.
• Capitol South (Orange and Blue lines) is just south of the Capitol, and the closest stop to the nation's Capitol Building.
• Union Station (Red line) is located north-east of the Capitol, and is within walking distance of the Capitol Building. It is also a transportation hub for rail travel in DC, providing Amtrak service, as well as regional and commuter rail service.
• Archives (Yellow and Green lines) is about two blocks north of the National Mall, and is very close to its namesake, the National Archives. It is also the closest stop to the National Gallery of Art.
• McPherson Square (Orange and Blue lines), Farragut West (Orange and Blue Lines), and Farragut North (Red line) are several blocks north of the National Mall. They are however, the closest stops to the White House.
• Foggy Bottom (Orange and Blue lines) is the closest station to the Lincoln Memorial, though it is over a half mile north of the monument. It is the closest station to the west end of the park, nearest to several memorials and monuments.