The expansive, oval-shaped park on the White House's south side is known as the Ellipse. It's studded with a random collection of monuments, such as the Zero Milestone (the marker for highway distances all across the country) and the Second Division Memorial. It also hosts parades and public events such as the lighting of the national Christmas tree.
Ellipse
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
13.1 MILES
One of America's most visited historic sites, Mount Vernon was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington.
0.99 MILES
The legendary exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum include the Wright brothers' flyer, Chuck Yeager's Bell X-1, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St…
0.92 MILES
Two buildings. Hundreds of masterpieces. Infinite enjoyment. It's easy to spend a full day at the National Gallery of Art, which showcases a whole range…
0.8 MILES
Anchoring the National Mall's west end is the hallowed shrine to Abraham Lincoln, who gazes across the Reflecting Pool beneath his neoclassical, Doric…
National Museum of African American History & Culture
0.29 MILES
Located in Washington, DC, the sensational National Museum of African American History & Culture is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African…
1.51 MILES
Since 1800, this is where the legislative branch of American government (ie Congress) has met to write the country's laws.
0.25 MILES
Play image association with the words “Washington, DC,” and chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the White House. The president’s pad is…
1.65 MILES
Sprawling across hills above the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for America’s most revered…
Nearby attractions
0.07 MILES
Located in the Ellipse, the Zero Milestone is the marker for highway distances all across the country.
0.15 MILES
This memorial in the Ellipse honors the US Army Second Division's dead from WWI, WWII and the Korean War.
3. Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
0.18 MILES
This neoclassical behemoth is supposedly the largest complex of buildings in the world owned exclusively by women. They own the entire city block! Enter…
0.22 MILES
Getting inside the White House can be difficult, so here is your back-up plan. Housed in the splendiferous 1932 Patent Search Room of the Department of…
5. George Washington University's Corcoran School of the Arts & Design
0.22 MILES
Opened in 1890, the Corcoran was DC's first art museum. It closed in 2014, but the George Washington University has taken it over, and the historic beaux…
6. Organization of American States
0.22 MILES
A forerunner to the UN, the OAS was founded in 1890 to promote cooperation among North and South American nations. Its main building on the corner of…
8. C&O Canal Lockkeeper's House
0.24 MILES
At the northeast corner of Constitution Gardens, this 1835 stone gatehouse is a remnant of the days when the Washington City Canal flowed through this…