Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is a working military cemetery and memorial landscape across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Visitors come to pay respects, witness the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and explore the stories recorded across its grounds. The cemetery is open to the public, but its solemn purpose shapes the visit: plan for security screening, long walks and hills, and changing conditions.

Why Arlington matters

The cemetery’s origins date to the Civil War. After the U.S. Army occupied the Arlington estate, the government established a national cemetery there in 1864. The grounds had been a plantation: before the war, enslaved African Americans lived and worked on the estate. That history is part of the story interpreted at nearby Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, managed by the National Park Service.

The cemetery is both a place of remembrance and an active burial ground. Its memorials, gravesites and ceremonies reflect the experiences of service members and their families across generations. Arlington’s layered history makes the visit more meaningful when approached as a place for reflection, not simply a checklist of landmarks.

What to see

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is among the cemetery’s best-known sites. Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” guard the Tomb around the clock; while the cemetery is open, the changing-of-the-guard ceremony takes place every half hour from April 1 through September 30 and hourly from October 1 through March 31. Schedules and ceremonies may change, so check the cemetery’s official information before your visit.

Other frequently visited places include President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite and Arlington House. The Welcome Center has exhibits about the cemetery and its significance, along with maps, visitor information, restrooms and access to ANC Explorer. Use ANC Explorer on your phone or in a browser to search for gravesites and points of interest and get directions around the grounds.

Plan your visit

Arlington National Cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to its visitor information page. Entry includes security screening. Check the official site before traveling for current hours, screening requirements, closures and visitor guidance.

The main entrance and Welcome Center are at 1 Memorial Avenue in Arlington, Virginia. The Arlington Cemetery Metro station is about a five-minute walk from the main entrance. A parking garage is next to the Welcome Center; parking fees and facility details can change, so confirm them on the cemetery’s official parking page before driving.

The grounds cover a large area, and walking routes include hills and substantial distances. Visitors who prefer not to walk the full route can consider the interpretive tram, which stops at major sites; tour availability, stops and ticket details should be checked with the cemetery before setting out. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and allow time for screening and for moving between sites.

Nearby

Arlington House

Visit the National Park Service site for the mansion’s history and interpretation of the Custis and Lee families, enslaved people who lived on the estate, and the transformation of the grounds.

Arlington, Virginia

Use the local guide to explore more of the community surrounding the cemetery.

George Washington Memorial Parkway

Explore the parkway and its connections to historic sites and landscapes in the Washington region.

Related books: Browse related Virginia books on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

References

External links

• Official Arlington National Cemetery website
• Official visitor information
• Official parking information
• Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial — National Park Service