Survival List

What to Bring, How to Get There and What to Know About the Fourth of July on the Mall

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By April Umminger

Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 3, 2009

The Mall is the place to watch the fireworks this year. More locals are expected to venture downtown to view the recession-resistant display, and tourists, perhaps driven by Obama enthusiasm or a three-day weekend, are making the District their Independence Day destination. However, the Fourth of July on the Mall is more than a 17-minute celestial show. Bring the family in the morning and enjoy free concerts, parades and exhibitions throughout the day and into the night.

Getting There

See a map of road closures and nearby Metro stations.

By Metro: Metro opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 3 a.m.

In a change from recent years, the Smithsonian station will be open on July 4, and trains will run on their usual routes on all lines. The Smithsonian Metro station, the closest station to the Mall, will be exit-only from 6 p.m. to the start of the fireworks and entry-only from about 9:30 to 11 p.m. From 4 p.m. to midnight, trains will run every four minutes at downtown stations.

Metrorail stations near the Mall include: Federal Triangle, Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Capitol South, L'Enfant Plaza, Union Station, Federal Center SW and Archives.

Be sure to purchase a round-trip ticket to avoid long lines at kiosks after the fireworks.

Bicycles are not allowed on Metrorail but are permitted on Metrobus.

By Bike: There is free bike valet parking from 2 until 10:30 p.m. at:

15th Street between Independence Avenue and Jefferson Drive, just east of the Washington Monument.

On the south side of the Lincoln Memorial on Daniel French Drive.

By Car:

Tourists are strongly encouraged to take public transportation. If you do drive, remember:

Memorial Bridge closes to vehicles at 6 a.m.

Free parking is on a first-come, first-served basis at Theodore Roosevelt Island, Gravelly Point and Daingerfield Island. The North Pentagon lot and sites north and south of Memorial Circle are also available.

What to Know

Will there be food?

Food may be purchased inside some museums, at concession stands on the Mall and at the following locations:

Lincoln Memorial

Constitution Gardens

Jefferson Memorial

Washington Monument

Smithsonian Folklife Festival stands

Where are the bathrooms?

There will be porta-potties around the Mall. Restrooms with running water are at:

Lincoln Memorial

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Constitution Gardens

Souvenir shop near the Washington Monument at 15th Street

West Potomac Park between Independence Avenue and the reflecting pool

Smithsonian museums

What do six of the past 10 July Fourth celebrations have in common?

It has rained. Even if the forecast calls for clear skies, it's best to be prepared for stormy weather on the Mall.

The rain date for the fireworks display is Sunday.

What to Bring

All items and persons are subject to inspection at the Mall security access points, which open at 10 a.m. The checkpoints at the U.S. Capitol grounds open at 3 p.m. The National Park Service will provide bottled water.