Constitution Gardens

Constitution Gardens is a 50-acre park on the National Mall, between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Paths circle a pond and cross to Signers Island, where a memorial honors the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence with their names and signatures carved in stone. Ducks, geese and herons share the water, and the trees provide shade between visits to nearby monuments. Come for a quiet walk, a picnic by the pond or a different view of the Washington Monument.

The pond and its island memorial

The gardens occupy green space on the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. A small lake is the focus of the park, with paths following its edge and a pedestrian island reached by a bridge.

The memorial on Signers Island honors the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Their names and signatures are carved into stone, including those of John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The island makes a short detour from the pond path into a site dedicated to the people who signed the document.

A pause between monuments

Constitution Gardens gives you a quieter stretch of greenery amid the National Mall’s memorials. Trees shade parts of the paths, while open views across the water frame nearby landmarks, including the Washington Monument. The pond is also a habitat for local wildlife; ducks, geese and herons have been seen around the water.

The garden was designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill with landscape architect Dan Kiley. Its paths and flowering areas make it possible to slow down between visits to the larger memorials nearby. From here, you can continue toward the Lincoln Memorial, the Reflecting Pool or the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.