Why would anyone want to walk seven miles along the Washington mall? There are plenty of logical reasons. There is no parking. You are some kind of walking guru. Or, in my case, you want to see the MLK Jr. 50 year anniversary speech. Maybe you could compare this short walk to the March on Washington. When you think about that, it makes the seven mile walk seem like a leisurely stroll.

There are many ways to tour the city. You can rent a Segway (which I might say is rather funny because they look like a herd of native lions in the wild prowling their territory……maybe it’s just me). You can rent bikes or take bike cab. Lovebirds can even take a horse and carriage. However, walking, in my view, is the best way to take in the city. I can go at my own pace and stop at any time to take a picture.

While I am walking, I see beautiful marble buildings from the most beautiful angles. When I walk, I see things that my eye wouldn’t catch if I were driving. Looking at the sculptures, I can stop and admire them. Instead of catching a flash of silver which then disappears behind a tree, I can admire the outdoor sculpture garden with a metal tree reaching for the baby blue sky. I can hear the banter between construction workers as I walk past. I can hear the city: the sound of the birds, people, vehicles, bikes, shoes. When I walk, I get the essence of the city.

There is no better way to explore a city than to walk it. And at the very end, you can sit down and enjoy a nice cup of coffee from one of the coffee shops. Or stop by any of the diverse food trucks and pick up some grub. My personal favorite after a long walk is ice cream. Feeling the coolness slide down my throat makes the whole thing all the better.

Sicily Kolbeck is a member of the Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program

Photo courtesy and copyright Sicily Kolbeck