Honoring Generations of American Service and Sacrifice
Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most historically significant and solemn landmarks in the United States. Located in Arlington, Virginia, overlooking Washington, D.C., the cemetery serves as the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of service members, veterans, and eligible family members.
Visitors come from throughout the world to experience its remarkable landscape, learn about American military history, and pay their respects. Major landmarks within the grounds include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Memorial Amphitheater, President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite and eternal flame, and Arlington House.
The cemetery encompasses hundreds of acres and remains an active military cemetery where funeral services regularly take place. Visitors should therefore remember that Arlington is first and foremost a place of honor, remembrance, and mourning.
Arlington, Virginia & Surrounding Areas
- Air Force Memorial: Rising above Arlington with three dramatic stainless-steel spires, it honors the service and heritage of the United States Air Force. Its elevated location also provides impressive views toward the Pentagon and Washington skyline.
- U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial: Commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, this monumental sculpture depicts the famous flag-raising on Mount Suribachi during World War II. Its location also offers sweeping views toward Washington, D.C.
- Netherlands Carillon: Located near the Marine Corps War Memorial, it symbolizes friendship between the Netherlands and the United States. Its bell tower and surrounding grounds provide a peaceful place to appreciate both music and views of the capital.
- Theodore Roosevelt Island: The wooded island memorial creates a striking contrast to the surrounding urban landscape. Trails pass through natural habitats before reaching the monument dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt and his conservation legacy.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
- Westpost at National Landing
This walkable outdoor plaza pairs local eateries and stylish shops with lively community gathering spaces right next to Pentagon City. Its central courtyard features lively patio dining during warm months and a popular open-air ice rink in the winter. - Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse
Housed in a restored 1930s Art Deco theater, this unique venue pairs live stand-up comedy and film screenings with full table-side food and drink service. It remains a local favorite for casual date nights and laid-back weekend entertainment. - 5 Wits Arlington
Situated inside Ballston Quarter, this attraction offers high-tech, multi-sensory adventure rooms that combine hands-on puzzle solving with theme-park-style effects. Groups step directly into dynamic storylines—from medieval quests to deep-space missions—where the room actively reacts to their choices. - Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
A bustling multi-level retail destination anchored by major department stores, designer boutiques, and an extensive food court. Directly connected to the Metro, it offers convenient indoor shopping right in the heart of urban Arlington.
The Rich History and Legacy of Arlington National Cemetery
The history of Arlington National Cemetery is closely connected to Arlington Estate. George Washington Parke Custis, George Washington’s step-grandson, established the estate as a memorial to the nation’s first president. Custis’s daughter Mary later married U.S. Army officer Robert E. Lee.
After Virginia seceded during the Civil War, the Lee family left the property. Union troops occupied Arlington Estate in May 1861 because its elevated position overlooking Washington made it strategically important to the defense of the capital.
As Civil War casualties increased, existing military cemeteries around Washington and Alexandria began running out of burial space. Private William Christman became the first military burial on the property on May 13, 1864.
On June 15, 1864, Arlington was officially established as a national cemetery by order of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. The original cemetery occupied approximately 200 acres.
The cemetery’s significance continued to grow after the Civil War. The first official Decoration Day ceremony—an important predecessor of modern Memorial Day observances—was held at Arlington on May 30, 1868.
One of Arlington’s most important landmarks, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, was dedicated on November 11, 1921, when an unidentified American service member from World War I was interred there. President William Howard Taft was buried at Arlington in 1930, and President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest there following his assassination in 1963.
From an initial 200 acres, Arlington National Cemetery has expanded to approximately 639 acres. The cemetery’s landscape now reflects generations of American history and military service, making it simultaneously a functioning cemetery, national memorial, historical landscape, and place of personal remembrance.
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