Arlington County, Virginia
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Region
Northern Virginia
Type
Urban county
Setting
Across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
Known for
Memorials, history, trails and Metro-connected neighborhoods
Arlington County pairs nationally recognized landmarks with the rhythms of a lived-in urban community. Visitors come for places such as Arlington National Cemetery and Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, but the county also offers leafy trails, neighborhood parks, museums, public art and restaurant districts. Its position directly across the Potomac makes Arlington a convenient base for exploring the wider Washington area, while giving it a character and set of attractions of its own.[1]
The experience ranges from solemn historic sites to waterfront paths and lively commercial corridors. County and National Park Service facilities are spread across the area, so it helps to plan around a particular neighborhood or attraction—and to check official visitor information before setting out. Arlington County’s visitor resources bring together information on parks, arts and culture, farmers markets and nature centers; its trail network connects many outdoor destinations.[2][3]
Plan a trip to Arlington County
Why visit Arlington County?
Arlington is a place of striking contrasts: formal memorial landscapes and busy urban centers, historic houses and modern towers, quiet wooded paths and well-used commuter routes. A visit can focus on national history, but it need not stop there. Parks, trail corridors, neighborhood shops and local cultural venues offer a different view of the county beyond its best-known landmarks.
Its location also makes Arlington useful for a broader Northern Virginia trip. Several Metro-centered neighborhoods provide places to eat, stay and explore, while the Potomac shoreline and regional trails offer ways to travel on foot or by bicycle. Check transit, site entry conditions and current schedules before visiting, especially when combining multiple destinations.
What to see and do
Visit a landmark cemetery whose grounds reflect the nation’s military history and remembrance. Review the cemetery’s official visitor guidance before going; access rules and services may affect how you plan your visit.
Explore the historic house, museum and grounds within Arlington National Cemetery. The National Park Service interprets the lives of the Custis and Lee families alongside the histories of the enslaved people who lived and labored on the estate.[4]
Take a break from the city on this National Park Service island park, with trails and a memorial to Theodore Roosevelt. Check current park conditions and directions before your visit.[5]
Follow a scenic route along the Potomac and connect with parkland, trails and historic sites in the Washington region. Consult National Park Service information for current conditions and access details.
County parks and trails
Arlington’s parks and trail routes provide room to walk, cycle, picnic and explore green spaces between neighborhoods. County trails are complemented by routes managed by other agencies, including the Mount Vernon Trail and Washington & Old Dominion Trail. Use the county’s trail information and maps to choose a route suited to your plans.[6]
Neighborhoods, arts and local discovery
Explore Arlington’s neighborhood centers for dining, shopping, arts and cultural activities. The county and its visitors service publish guides to local things to do; listings, events and opening details change, so confirm directly before making a special trip.[7]
History and character
The county’s history is closely tied to the formation and changing boundaries of the nation’s capital. The area was originally part of the ten-mile-square district surveyed for the capital. Known as Alexandria County, it was returned to Virginia in 1847; the county was renamed Arlington County in 1920. Arlington County notes that the new name helped distinguish the county from the adjacent City of Alexandria.[8]
Arlington House is one of the county’s most important historic sites and a place to consider the complicated legacies of slavery, the Civil War and national commemoration. Built between 1802 and 1818, the house was associated with George Washington Parke Custis and later Robert E. Lee. The National Park Service documents the enslaved people who lived and worked on the estate as part of its interpretation of the site’s history.[9]
Today, the county’s identity is both civic and metropolitan: a Virginia jurisdiction with its own neighborhoods, parks and cultural life, closely connected to Washington across the river. Its memorials and historic places draw visitors, while its trails and local centers invite a slower, more everyday kind of exploration.
Planning a visit
Choose destinations by location and allow time for travel between them. Arlington is served by Metrorail, buses, roads and regional walking and cycling routes, but schedules, service and access conditions can change. Arlington’s visitor service provides trip-planning information, while the county site offers park and trail resources.[10]
For Arlington House, remember that the site is inside Arlington National Cemetery. The National Park Service advises visitors to consult cemetery information for current entry conditions; walking to the house from the entrance involves a steep uphill route. Confirm current access, transportation options and operating details with the official sources before departure.[11]
For outdoor plans, check trail maps and conditions, and remember that some routes are maintained by agencies other than Arlington County. For memorials and historic sites, be mindful of their commemorative purpose and any restrictions on access, photography or organized activities.
Nearby places and attractions
Alexandria, Virginia
A neighboring historic city south of Arlington, with its own waterfront, museums and Old Town district.
Falls Church, Virginia
An independent Northern Virginia city near Arlington, with local history and neighborhood destinations.
Fairfax County, Virginia
A large neighboring county with historic sites, parks and communities across Northern Virginia.
Great Falls Park
A National Park Service destination on the Potomac known for dramatic river scenery and overlooks.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
A much larger public-land destination for visitors extending a Virginia trip beyond the Washington region.
Northern Virginia Travel Guide
Explore more destinations, parks and historic places across the region.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Things To Do, Stay Arlington, Arlington Convention & Visitors Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Things to Do, Arlington County, Arlington County Government. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Trails, Arlington County, Arlington County Government. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ History & Culture, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Plan Your Visit, Theodore Roosevelt Island, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Trails, Arlington County, Arlington County Government. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Things To Do, Stay Arlington, Arlington Convention & Visitors Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ History of Arlington, Arlington County, Arlington County Government. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ History & Culture, Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Visitor Services, Stay Arlington, Arlington Convention & Visitors Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Plan Your Visit, Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.