Arlington, Virginia

1. Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery located in Arlington. Situated across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, it consists of 624 acres of land containing the graves of soldiers who died in the nation’s wars beginning with the American Civil War.

It was established during the American Civil War on the grounds of the former Arlington House which is now the Robert E. Lee Memorial. The cemetery is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bus tours are offered and these stop at important places within the cemetery such as President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, and more.

2. U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

Located at the back entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial is a military monument dedicated to the memory of all the members of the United States Marine Corps who have died defending the country since 1775. It is also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.

The memorial is based on a famous photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal: it depicts the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. The massive sculpture was designed by Horace W. Peaslee and the sculpture was completed by Felix de Weldon.

3. The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is located on North Rotary Road just southwest of the Pentagon in Arlington. It is a permanent outdoor memorial to remember the 184 people who died during the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon: these people include those who were in the building at the time of the attack as well as the passengers on American Airlines Flight 77.

The memorial was designed by Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman and opened on September 11, 2008. Sitting on just under two acres of a landscaped park with approximately 85 paperbark maple trees, the memorial consists of 184 illuminated benches arranged by the ages of the victims.

One North Rotary Road, Arlington, Virginia, Phone: 703-697-7351 or 301-740-3388

4. Air Force Memorial

Located on Air Force Memorial Drive on the grounds of Fort Myer near Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon, the Air Force Memorial is dedicated to the memory and service of the members of the United States Air Force. The memorial opened in 2006 and was designed by James Ingo Freed who also designed the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The Air Force Memorial consists of three stainless steel spires ranging in height from 201 feet (61 meters) to 270 feet (82 meters). The design of the three steel arcs is similar to the pattern that is made by the Air Force Thunderbirds during their famous “bomb burst” maneuver.

One Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington, Virginia, Phone: 703-979-0674

5. Women in Military Service for America Memorial

Located at the western end of Memorial Avenue at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the Women in Military Service for America Memorial is the first major U.S. memorial created to honor the role of women in the United States Armed Forces. Opened in 1997, the memorial is housed in a structure that was originally built in 1932 and known as the “Hemicycle.”

The design is a mixture of modern and neoclassical architecture and largely retains the Hemicycle. A skylight was added to the terrace of the Hemicycle as well as a circular reflecting pool and a paved plaza.

6. Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial is a historic house located on Sherman Drive in Arlington. Formerly known as the Custis-Lee Mansion, it is a Greek revival style mansion that overlooks the National Mall in Washington, DC as well as the Potomac River.

It was the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and, after the American Civil War ended, it was decided that the grounds would be used for the Arlington National Cemetery so that Lee could never return to his home. Later, the United States made the house a national memorial to Lee. Arlington House is located inside Arlington National Cemetery.

321 Sherman Drive, Fort Myer, Phone: 703-235-1530

7. Mount Vernon Trail

The Mount Vernon Trail is a 17 mile (27 km) paved path in Northern Virginia that travels between George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon and Rosslyn.

The trail opened as a gravel path in 1972 and was later paved: it is popular with bicyclists and hikers. The trail runs parallel to the western bank of the Potomac River and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. In the northern part of the trail there are views of the river and of Washington, DC because it is an open area.

The southern part of the trail is more wooded and the river can only sometimes be seen. The trail is part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.

8. DEA Museum and Visitors Center

Located on Army Navy Drive in Arlington, the DEA Museum and Visitors Center teaches visitors the history of drug enforcement in America. The museum features a variety of interactive exhibits such as “The DEA History: 1973-2008,” “The DEA Memorial Wall,” “DEA: Air, Land & Sea,” and many more.

It also features a large collection of more than 2,000 artifacts related to drug law enforcement. The museum offers several educational programs: children can become “DEA Junior Special Agents,” and the museum presents an extensive series of lectures.

700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia, Phone: 202-307-3463

9. The Pentagon Tours

The Pentagon is the large pentagonal-shaped headquarters for the United States Department of Defense. It is the largest low-rise office building in the world. The Pentagon Tours program offers one hour tours that include a one and a half mile walk through the immense building.

Visitors learn about the various branches of the military, the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and much more. There are many displays of military related objects and visitors are able to see these and learn more about the Pentagon and its mission. The Pentagon Tours program began in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial.

703-697-1776

10. Signature Theatre

The Signature Theatre is a regional professional theater located on Campbell Avenue in Arlington. Founded in 1990, it is an award winning theater that presents contemporary and classical plays and musicals as well as new works. It is also known as the home of new as well as established librettists and composers who are creating new musical theater works.

Since 1991, the theater has had an association with Stephen Sondheim, performing 22 of his works. The theater has had to move several times because of outgrowing its facilities: the current home is a theater complex in The Village at Shirlington. The theater conducts tours and offers discounts to large groups of visitors.

4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, Virginia, Phone: 703-820-9771