George Washington

George Washington Memorial Parkway National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior George Washington Memorial Parkway Mount Vernon Trail Anthony J. and Meaghan D. Peritore A Trail with Character The Mount Vernon Trail sweeps and curves alongside the Potomac River, flowing past places that mark important events in American history and places that preserve significant natural resources. It connects the region’s urban jungles with the wilder Potomac River. It also connects Washington, D.C. with the rural home of its namesake, Mount Vernon Estate and Garden. A trip down the trail offers a rare chance to stretch your legs, heart, and mind as you move from one destination to the next. Places You Can Go U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial Learn more about the U.S. Marine Corps’ long history of service. Sculpted from a famous photograph of the second flag-raising during the World War II battle for Iwo Jima, the monument honors all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States of America Netherlands Carillon Enjoy a concert played on the tower’s 50 bronze bells. The carillon is a gift from the Dutch people to the American people in thanks for aid received during and after World War II. Women in Military Service for America Memorial Discover the contributions of women who have served in or with the armed forces. Exhibits document their service, sacrifices, and achievements in a setting with panoramic views of Washington, D.C.’s monuments. Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial Tour a 19th Century plantation estate. Arlington House has been home to the Custis and Lee families, 63 slaves, a military headquarters, and a national cemetery. Leave your bicycle at the rack. Lady Bird Johnson Park and Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac Stroll through 15 acres of gardens and ponder quotes from our 36th president. The park overlooks the capital and offers extraordinary views across the Potomac. Anthony J. and Meaghan D. Peritore Trail Safety As a route to such interesting destinations, the Mount Vernon Trail is used by many people, including bicyclists, runners, rollerbladers, walkers, and casual explorers. Please be courteous of those who may be traveling faster or slower than you. For Everyone • Be alert. • Use caution when entering and crossing the trail. • Ride, walk, run, or skate single file. • Keep right and move off the trail when stopped. • Yield to slower users. • Obey the 15 mph speed limit. • Slow down before intersections and in congested areas. Theodore Roosevelt Island Explore 2.5 miles of walking trails and a memorial to our 26th president. Landscaped by Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. to resemble a climax forest, the island is a fitting tribute to one of America’s great conservationists. Leave your bicycle at the rack. Navy and Marine Memorial Reflect on the “strong souls and ready valor” of the United States Navy and Merchant Marine. Modernist Harvey Wiley Corbet designed its Waves and Gulls statue. Jones Point Lighthouse See Virginia’s last remaining river lighthouse. Built over a stone marking the original boundary of the District of Columbia, the Jones Point light guided ships up the Potomac. Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve Watch for wildlife in this 485 acre wetland. The Haul Road Trail passes through a freshwater tidal wetland, a rare habitat in the Washington metropolitan area and home to hundreds of species of birds. Leave your bicycle at the rack. Fort Hunt Park Explore gun batteries and look for traces of a secret P.O.W. interrogation camp. Fort Hunt defended Washington, D.C. from the Spanish navy during the Spanish American War. German prisoners processed there during World War II gave their interrogators information that changed the course of the war. For Parents Be attentive to your child’s activities. For Bicyclists • Wear a helmet. • Scan ahead and behind and signal with a bell or your voice before passing. • Do not pass when visibility ahead is limited. • Allow at least two bike lengths of room before moving back to the right. For Pet Owners Keep pets on a six-foot (or shorter) leash and dispose of their waste in trash cans. Exploring the Mount Vernon Trail Planning Your Visit The Mount Vernon Trail can be reached by car, by public transportation, on foot, or by bicycle. There are parking lots at all of the destinations marked on this map except Lady Bird Johnson Park and the Navy and Marine Memorial. There are several Metro stations near the Mount Vernon Trail. It also connects with regional trails, including the Potomac Heritage Trail and Rock Creek Trail. For More Information George Washington Memorial Parkway c/o Turkey Run Park McLean, VA 22101 703-289-2500 www.nps.gov/gwmp Emergencies call 911 E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A™