The Mall is a wide promenade lined with mature American elm trees leading directly to Bethesda Fountain.
What I wrote thereFold it away
The Mall is a wide promenade lined with mature American elm trees leading directly to Bethesda Fountain. Home to the largest plantation of American elms in the world, the trees create an enchanting canopy and offer a shady retreat in the summer and dazzling display of color come fall.
Thankfully, there’s plenty of seating in the area. I suggest parking yourself on a bench because the people-watching is prime. Once rested, stroll the promenade at a leisurely pace while taking in the sights. Make sure to check out the Literary Walk at the southern end of the mall where you’ll find statues of notable literary figures.
Fun fact. The Mall was originally designed to accommodate wealthy New Yorkers who would come to this portion of park in their carriages (that’s why the promenade is so wide). These posh locals would get dropped off at the start of the Mall so they could mingle with people of “lesser status” while making their way to Bethesda Terrace where their carriages awaited.
