MONUMENTAL Mall Crawl & Scavenger Hunt

La Forrest Williams - We are celebrating your birthday with a walking MONUMENTAL Mall Crawl and Scavenger Hunt on the National Mall. This 3.2-mile path is designed for a leisurely pace on foot or e-bike, covering some of your favorite sites on the National Mall with scavenger hunt challenges.

The route starts at the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building and ends at the Lincoln Memorial near the Reflecting Pool. We'll travel from the Lincoln Memorial to a fun lunch at Michelin-rated Toki Underground.

Note:
- The nearest Capital Bike share - Smithsonian / Jefferson Dr. & 12th St SW station. Other nearby stations include Jefferson Dr. & 14th St SW, and several others along 10th St, 4th St, and Maryland Ave, depending on the direction you are approaching from.
- Reservations for Toki Underground are 1pm. So we will govern our Mall Crawl accordingly.
- Rain plan - Shelter in nearest museum and enjoy an exhibit. Uber to the car and drive to Toki Underground.

Starting Point:

Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building

Location: 900 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC
Significance: Opened in 1881, this historic building is a gateway to the Smithsonian’s legacy and a central starting point near the Mall’s key sites.
Scavenger Hunt Challenge: Find the exterior plaque noting its 1876 design by Adolf Cluss. Take a photo with the plaque and note one architectural feature (e.g., red brick arches) that stands out.
Time: 10 minutes

Stop 1:

National World War II Memorial

Distance from Start: 0.8 miles (16-minute walk west along Jefferson Dr SW and past the Washington Monument)
Address: 1750 Independence Ave SW
World War II Highlights:
- Opened in 2004, it honors 16 million U.S. service members, including over 400,000 who died.
- Look for the “Rosie the Riveter” relief, celebrating women’s wartime factory contributions.
- Find the “Kilroy was here” graffiti near the Pennsylvania pillar, a WWII soldier’s symbol.
California Significance:
- The California pillar reflects the state’s wartime role, including shipbuilding in San Francisco and aircraft production in Los Angeles.
- Over 1.2 million Californians served, with bases like Camp Pendleton training troops.
Scavenger Hunt Challenge:
- Locate the California pillar and take a photo. Note one fact about California’s WWII role (e.g., Hollywood’s propaganda films).
- Find the “Rosie the Riveter” relief. Describe how it portrays women’s strength.
Time: 20 minutes
Tips: Open 24/7, no entry fee. Restrooms available nearby.

Stop 2:

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Distance from WWII Memorial: 1.0 mile (25-minute walk east along the Mall, past the Washington Monument)
Address: 600 Independence Ave SW
Air Force Highlights:
- Features aircraft like the Wright brothers’ 1903 Flyer and Chuck Yeager’s X-1, which broke the sound barrier.
- Explore the WWII aviation section with the P-51 Mustang, flown by the Tuskegee Airmen, African American pilots who completed over 1,500 missions.
- The Enola Gay (at the Virginia annex) dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
African American History:
- The Tuskegee Airmen exhibit highlights their courage, breaking racial barriers in the Air Force.
California Significance:
- California’s aviation industry, led by Lockheed in Burbank, produced planes like the P-38 Lightning displayed here.
Scavenger Hunt Challenge:
- Find the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit. Note one fact about their achievements.
- Locate an aircraft linked to California (e.g., Lockheed Vega). Write down its role in aviation history.
Time: 30 mins
Tips: Free entry, no reservations needed. The main museum is on the Mall.

Stop 3:

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Distance from Air and Space Museum: 1.1 miles (25-minute walk west, circling the Tidal Basin)
Address: 1964 Independence Ave SW
African American History Highlights:
- Honors MLK’s legacy, including his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech on the Mall, delivered near the Lincoln Memorial.
- Features the “Stone of Hope” with MLK’s likeness and quotes on justice, built by McKissack & McKissack, an African American firm.
Scavenger Hunt Challenge:
- Find the quote on the “Stone of Hope” about justice.
- Take a photo with the memorial and the Tidal Basin.
Time: 30 minutes
Tips: Open 24/7, no entry fee. Benches available for rest.

Endpoint:

Lincoln Memorial (Reflecting Pool)

Distance from MLK Memorial: 0.5 miles (10-minute walk northwest along the Reflecting Pool)
Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW
African American History Highlights:
- Site of MLK’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, attended by 250,000 people.
- The steps symbolize equality, where Marian Anderson sang in 1939 after being denied a venue due to her race.
World War II Significance:
- Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War parallels the unity needed in WWII, reflected in the memorial’s design.
Scavenger Hunt Challenge:
- Find the plaque marking MLK’s speech location. Read it aloud and note one word that resonates.
- Look across the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument. Describe the view and its symbolic meaning (e.g., unity, reflection).
Birthday Celebration:
- Settle near the Reflecting Pool steps with a view of the Lincoln Memorial.
Time: 45 minutes (includes cookie break)
Tips: Open 24/7, no entry fee. Restrooms and water fountains nearby.