Dog Friendly Washington – Home to iconic monuments like the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, few places in America are as inspiring as the National Mall and Memorial Park in Washington, DC. It’s also a great place to travel with your pet!
America’s history and future are nowhere as tangible as Washington DC. Monuments commemorate outstanding philosophers. Monuments silently remember the many who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom. A little further on, the President, Congress and the Supreme Court are plotting our way forward.
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How deeply this place affects you is your choice. Being grounded will be easy and Washington will feel like many other cities. People are swimming, cars are honking, everyday life is a blur.
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But when you stop and look back at everything that has happened and is happening along the National Mall, you will feel its significance. The words of hope spoken by our nation’s founders are written everywhere. At a memorial service, feelings of sadness, pride, and gratitude will surround you. Ghosts of bygone days seem to glide through the shadows, curiously watching where we go.
Located in the heart of Washington, DC, the National Mall stretches two miles from the Lincoln Memorial on the west end to the United States Capitol on the east end, with the Washington Monument in the middle. The country’s best museums and iconic monuments and memorials are located along the National Mall.
Pets are welcome to explore the National Mall and Memorial Gardens. Since this national park is located in the middle of a city, the rules are less strict than other national parks.
National Mall and Memorial Park Pet Policy Pet waste must be picked up and disposed of properly. Read more ⇒ America’s Best Dog-Friendly National Parks
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When planning your trip, it’s best to prioritize the sights you want to see. Then grab a map and start laying out a route to reach those stops.
Be generous in estimating the time it takes to get from place to place. There is so much to smell. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to experience the site you choose. Rather than exaggerating tourist attractions, it is better to reduce the number of places you visit and check them off your list.
You can easily spend several days enjoying the National Mall with your pet. If you want to take a human companion to visit a museum or visit a few buildings, that time can easily be doubled.
The best way to experience the National Mall with your pet is on foot (and feet). Parking is plentiful, so finding a place to park nearby is top of your list.
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For us it was the FDR Memorial. Getting a photo of Tie A Buster with President Roosevelt’s dog, Fala, has been a longtime goal. So we found a parking spot on Southwest Ohio Drive near the Potomac River and headed out.
The FDR Monument, located on the west side of the Tidal Basin, records his four terms in office. But, as you can imagine, we were more attracted to Farrah.
A cousin of the Roosevelt family, Fala was famous and was everywhere with the president. As early ambassadors of pet travel, we thought it only fitting to pay our respects.
Falla outlived President Roosevelt by seven years and was buried at Springwood Estates in Hyde Park, New York, a few meters from the graves of her master and mistress.
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After the shores of the Tidal Basin, our next stop was the circular colonnade honoring one of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson.
Dogs can visit all the monuments on the National Mall from the grounds, but are not allowed inside the buildings. Ty and Buster didn’t mind. Because the memorial hall is always full. About 24 million people visit the National Mall every year, but our dogs prefer to rest on the benches in the shade rather than fight the crowds. Rod and I took turns sitting with the dog while the other looked inside.
Driving along the edge of the tide, our next stop was the Washington Monument. A 555-foot-tall marble obelisk erected to honor the first president of the United States towers over the city.
The distance between destinations in the mall can be quite deceiving. It was 2.4 miles from the Washington Monument to the US Capitol and Buster enjoyed the exercise. Ty, on the other hand, was happy we brought the stroller.
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Tours of the U.S. Capitol can be booked through the Capitol Visitor Center website or through your senator’s or representative’s office. The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors with scheduled tours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Inauguration Day.
From the Capitol, we left the National Mall and walked along Pennsylvania Avenue. It was a beautiful walk. I have seen several restaurants with pet friendly patios where you can enjoy lunch with your dog. But we decided to hop on some food trucks and enjoy a picnic at one of the many parks and green spaces that line the streets of Washington.
A look at the White House was unexpected. The sidewalk is full and you can’t see much at this distance. Of course, tours of the White House are available, but pets are not allowed.
Returning to the National Mall, our next stop is the World War 11 Memorial. One of America’s most visited sites, it recognizes how Americans have served, honors our fallen soldiers, and celebrates their achievements to restore freedom around the world.
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Walking past the reflecting pool and through Constitution Park, we made our way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The area along the reflecting pool was more peaceful than Pennsylvania Avenue and a more pleasant place for dogs. So we slowly walked past the row of trees on both sides of the pool.
Honoring the men and women who served during the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial chronologically lists the names of more than 58,000 Americans who gave their lives for our country.
It’s a walk from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial. Here America honors a martyred president who led the nation through a civil war and freed four million slaves.
The view of the National Mall from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is breathtaking. Once you pass the Washington Monument, you can see the US Capitol in the distance. As the sun began to set, the day presented a beautiful sight.
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We ended our day at the Lincoln Memorial, flanked by two cafes. We grabbed snacks and drinks while we waited out the rush hour traffic.
We headed back towards the Potomac River and stopped at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Its memorial wall and 19 stainless steel statues are a lasting reminder of the sacrifices of the millions of Americans and allies who fought in the Korean War.
Our last stop was the life-size statue of Dr. Martin Luther King. Excerpts from his writings and speeches recall his achievements in America’s struggle for freedom, equality, and justice.
From there it was a nice walk back to the car through West Potomac Park. It was a long and wonderful day and we walked about 7 miles.
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Washington, DC is unlike any other place in the country. And you can spend a week exploring every nook and cranny.
You can find many pet friendly hotels and restaurants in Washington DC on our website. Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes and enjoy your visit to this wonderful city.
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