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Things To Do

From shopping and dining to arts and culture to history and the great outdoors, Arlington boasts a bonanza for every member of the family.

Memorials and museums. History and heritage. Arts and culture. Shopping and outdoors. Health and fitness. And loads of family fun. Arlington has it all. Plus, it’s the perfect jumping-off point for your Washington, DC-area explorations.

We’re proud to have some of our nation's most impressive memorials . Here, you can discover American treasures including the Air Force Memorial , Arlington National Cemetery , the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) , the Military Women’s Memorial and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial .

Uncover the county’s fascinating past — including its African American and Civil War history — in eclectic museums, landmarks, historic houses and heritage sites.

In addition to our many historical attractions, Arlington offers visitors first-class shopping and diverse dining.

Pick up a cherished item at a funky boutique or high-end store. Stop for something to eat at one of Arlington’s charming restaurants, lively cafes and neighborhood gastropubs.

When the sun goes down, Arlington springs to life with an eclectic local arts and entertainment scene.

Experience nationally renowned theater and intimate live music venues. Tap your toes to jazz, laugh out loud at a comedy act, sing along to karaoke and try your hand at trivia. Why, there’s even a mahjong parlor and a hookah bar.

Packed with parks , trails, nature centers and more, outdoor experiences abound. Whether it’s adrenaline-pumping mountain biking or a leisurely walk in the woods, you can find the type of adventure you’re looking for here.

Explore Arlington's 10 walkable, Metro-centered neighborhoods , each with its own energy, local hangouts and unique personality. Brush shoulders with locals at countless lively street parties, festivals, farmers’ markets and neighborhood events.

Families love Arlington’s innovative kid-friendly play areas, educational experiences and welcoming green spaces. Will the kiddos be bored? Never. They can go plane spotting , watch real raptors being fed and loll in a lazy river pool . Play mind games in several escape rooms or scale indoor climbing walls . They can even become DEA junior special agents at the DEA Museum . It’s all waiting for you just minutes by Metro, car or bike to the National Mall and other attractions in the nation’s capital across the Potomac River.

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14 Top-Rated Things to Do in Arlington, VA

Written by Meagan Drillinger Updated Mar 23, 2023

Just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington, Virginia is just as patriotic of a destination as the nation's capital, brimming with history, culture, and things to do outdoors.

With easy access to the entire region via the convenient Metro, Arlington is a perfect home base from which to explore the city itself and the surrounding historic landmarks.

Arlington, Virginia is a very walkable city, with a variety of places to visit, including charming neighborhoods, beautiful parks, waterfront views, and historic monuments. It has a strong public arts program, and many important national monuments and historic structures.

From the cosmopolitan downtown Rosslyn , with its restaurants and hotels, to the expansive green spaces of Theodore Roosevelt Island, the Mount Vernon Trail, and Arlington National Cemetery, visitors will have the best of all worlds with a stay in Arlington.

Of course, Washington, D.C., and all its tourist attractions , is just a few Metro stops away, so you can easily turn Arlington into a multi-destination trip and cross all the important places to visit off your travel bucket list.

Plan your sightseeing adventures with our list of the top things to do in Arlington, Virginia.

1. Pay Your Respects at Arlington National Cemetery

2. visit the many memorials, 3. tour the pentagon, 4. explore the dea museum, 5. take a public art tour, 6. see the planes at gravelly point park, 7. ride the mount vernon trail, 8. theodore roosevelt island, 9. see a signature theatre performance, 10. explore dark star park, 11. view the netherlands carillon, 12. visit fort myer, 13. gaze out from ceb tower, 14. stroll long bridge park, arlington, va - climate chart.

Perhaps the most famous burial ground in the nation, Arlington National Cemetery is a U.S. military cemetery that sits just off the banks of the Potomac River.

This 639-acre cemetery, one of the top tourist attractions in Virginia , is the final resting place of thousands who have served the United States, beginning with the Civil War, though many headstones are from those who were reinterred from earlier wars.

The cemetery was built during the Civil War on what was previously the estate of Mary Anna Custis Lee, the wife of Confederate general Robert E. Lee and great-granddaughter of Martha Washington.

Two of the most famous sites within the cemetery include the tomb of John F. Kennedy Junior and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier . The latter is the cemetery's most iconic memorial and consists of a white marble sarcophagus that is the final resting place for an unidentified World War I soldier. Unknowns were also added in 1958 and 1984.

Washington, D.C. has a high concentration of memorials and monuments, so it's no surprise that directly over the river, Arlington would have many, as well.

Visiting Arlington is the perfect opportunity to explore the many memorials and monuments that have been constructed over the decades to pay homage to those who have served the United States.

The U.S. Marine Corps Memorial , for example, stands in memory of the members of the U.S. Marine Corps who lost their lives since November 10, 1975. The statue depicts one of the most famous incidents from World War II—the raising of the American Flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, Japan.

Other standout memorials in Arlington include the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and the Women in Military Service Memorial.

The 9/11 Pentagon Memorial honors the 184 lives that were lost in the building during the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.

The U.S. Air Force Memorial soars into the air with three stainless steel spires that reach more than 400 feet to honor those who have served in the Air Force. The Military Women's Memorial has indoor exhibits that tell the story of women's roles in military history.

The Pentagon is the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense and has come to be a symbol of the United States military. It is the world's largest office building and spans more than 6.5 million square feet of space, 3.7 million of which is used as office space.

The building was constructed in 16 months and is twice the size of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago and has more than double the floor space of the Empire State Building. Believe it or not, the U.S. Capitol could fit into any one of the five wedge-shaped sections.

Today visitors can tour the building. In fact, the Pentagon welcomes more than 106,000 visitors each year. Tours of the Pentagon highlight the missions of the five Armed Services, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint Staff. Tours are about an hour long and include a mile-and-a-half walk through the building.

Address: 1400 Defense Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

If television shows like Narcos and Breaking Bad speak to you, you will certainly enjoy a visit to the DEA Museum (The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum). The museum was designed to educate visitors on the history of drugs, drug addiction, and drug law enforcement.

The museum consists of a series of exhibits , displays, educational outreach programs, and interactive stations that demonstrate the role of drug law enforcement and the history of drug use in America.

The museum opened in 1999, and since then it has accumulated more than 2,000 objects that include everything from patent medicine bottles to modern concealment containers. More than 5,000 photos from the late 1800s to present day are also on display. The museum puts on a lecture series, as well.

Address: 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia

Arlington, Virginia is home to more than 60 public art projects across the city, as well as periodic temporary projects. You can explore many of these works of art on foot through free, self-guided walking tours.

The Rosslyn neighborhood, for example, has a high concentration of many of these works of art, all within a small area. Arlington Arts provides a self-guided walking tour map for visitors.

Some of the public works that you will be able to see include Liquid Pixels , a collection of 42-by-25-foot panels that are covered with 630,000 one-inch diameter disks. Sunlight on the disks creates the illusion of water cascading down the face of the building.

You can explore the Scenes of Rosslyn panoramic mural at the Rosslyn Metro Station.

Pop by the Bennett Park Apartments to see the Art Atrium , as well, where you will discover three unique structures.

Located within the George Washington Memorial Parkway , part of the National Park Service, Gravelly Point sits on the West Bank of the Potomac River. This expansive park is not far from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, making it a prime location for plane spotters to come watch landings and takeoffs from the airport.

Every few minutes, just look up. Airplanes pass between 100 and 200 feet overhead when they are headed for Runway 19 or leaving from Runway 1. But even if you aren't interested in plane spotting, the park provides a great spot for boaters and cyclists.

The Gravelly Point area was originally where Captain John Alexander built his home, Abingdon, in 1746. It was purchased by President George Washington's adopted stepson and later became the birthplace of his granddaughter, Eleanor Park Custis.

Address: George Washington Memorial Pkwy, Arlington, Virginia

One of the best things to do in Arlington is see it from the vantage point of the Mount Vernon Trail . This 18-mile multi-use trail stretches from George Washington's historic Mount Vernon Estate all the way to Theodore Roosevelt Island.

Brace yourself for spectacular, sweeping views of the Washington, D.C. skyline and many of the historic monuments and buildings. From your perch on the other side of the river, you'll be able to soak in the historic significance of D.C., without having to battle the crowds.

Along the way, the trail connects up with other popular regional trails, including the Potomac Heritage, Custis, Rock Creek, Four Mile Run, and Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trails.

Located in the Potomac River between Arlington and D.C., Theodore Roosevelt Island sits as a memorial to the 26th president. The 88-acre island is webbed with miles of trails and features a memorial statue of Roosevelt.

This car-free island is reached via a footbridge from Arlington. Once on the island, you will find nature trails that extend all over, including a boardwalk that runs through swamp and marsh land. You can even take part in an Island Safari tour , a fun and free thing to do, which is held on Saturdays at 10:30am.

Theodore Roosevelt Island is a teeming habitat for birds , raptors, and warblers. The wildflowers that bloom in the spring and summer are also spectacular.

If you'd rather explore from the water, canoeing and kayaking is also popular in the Potomac around the island.

This Tony Award-winning regional theater is based in Arlington. Signature was founded in 1989 and has developed a reputation for its world-class musicals and plays.

The company has staged 59 world premiere productions, including 19 new musical commissions, and is home to the single largest musical theater commissioning project in the United States .

The theater was established as a response to the larger venues that eclipsed the theater scene in D.C. Signature Theatre first started in a middle school auditorium with the first production, Sweeney Todd .

Today the theater company lives in a new two-theater facility and is a focal point of Arlington's Village at Shirlington. The theater has one more than 100 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence and has been nominated 431 times.

Address: 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington, Virginia

Speaking of Arlington public art, a must-see is the Dark Star sculpture set, which was the city's first commissioned art piece. Designed by artist Nancy Holt, the installation was put in place in 1984 as the focal point of Dark Star Park .

Dark Star consists of five spheres, two pools, four steel poles, a stairway, a large tunnel, and a small tunnel. The spheres were designed to emulate fallen, extinguished stars. Once a year, on August 1, the shadows from the spheres and poles align with tracks that have been laid on the ground.

Address: 1655 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, Virginia

Take the quickest trip to the Netherlands via Arlington with a visit to the Netherlands Carillon . This historic monument is owned and operated by the National Park Service and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places .

But, what exactly is it? It's a 127-foot-tall, 53-bell carillon that was given to the U.S. from the people of the Netherlands in the 1950s. It was a thank you for the U.S. contribution to liberating the Netherlands from Nazi Germany.

The carillon sits with a lofty perch over the Potomac River, with views across to the National Mall and Arlington National Cemetery. Daily it plays the Westminster Quarters, but on days that are significant in Dutch and American culture, it performs mini concerts.

A gorgeous tulip garden was planted near the Carillon, as well, which is the most important flower in Dutch culture.

Located next to Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer is the former name used for the U.S. Army post at this location. The fort was founded during the Civil War and merged with the Marine Corps installation nearby. Today the site is named the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall .

The area is the first Joint Base for the Department of Defense and includes military installations at Fort Myer, Henderson Hall, The Pentagon, and Fort Lesley J. McNair. The fort was named a National Historic Landmark in 1972.

For the best view in the house, take a trip up to the top of Arlington's CEB Tower, where a 360-degree panoramic view awaits. Called The View of DC , this is the best spot in the area for a bird's-eye view over Washington, D.C.

From the 31st and 32nd floors of the tower, the 12,000-square-foot space has mesmerizing views across the Potomac River through floor-to-ceiling windows. You'll be able to see Georgetown, the Washington Monument, the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and the many bridges that cross over the river.

Address: 1201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia

Just north of Crystal City, Long Bridge Park is a 36-acre park known for its sprawling green spaces and recreation areas.

It's a common-ground meeting place for residents and visitors, whether they're looking to sprawl out with a blanket or pick up a basketball for a friendly game. The park is adjacent to the I-395 and has views over the Potomac River.

The amenities of the park are top-notch, from the full-size, multi-sport rectangular fields to the webs of walkways, many of which overlook the iconic national monuments of Arlington and Washington, D.C. It also offers landscaped gardens and a three-quarter-mile-long promenade that overlooks the playing fields.

The park is also a prime spot to view public art crafted by Doug Hollis. The two sculptures include Sky Column and Wave Arbor. Sky Column consists of stainless steel masts that soar 50 feet from the ground. At night, it is lit at its base. Wave Arbor features two structures of aluminum, stainless steel, and solar-powered LED lights.

The park is perfect for people of all ages, even children, with playgrounds for kids ages two to five and one for kids ages five to 12.

Address: 475 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington, Virginia

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Things to Do in Arlington, VA - Arlington Attractions

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• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Boulevard Manor
• Crystal City
• Virginia Square
• Arlington Heights
• Long Branch Creek
• Hall's Hill
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• Good for a Rainy Day
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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Arlington National Cemetery

2. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

3. U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

4. Pentagon Memorial

5. John F. Kennedy Grave Site

6. Arlington House - The Robert E. Lee Memorial

7. Signature Theatre

8. Gravelly Point Park

9. Air Force Memorial

10. Military Women's Memorial

11. The View of DC

12. Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

13. Synetic Theater

14. Mount Vernon Trail

15. Fort Myer

16. Village at Shirlington

17. Long Bridge Park

18. DEA Museum & Visitors Center

19. Bon Air Park

20. 5 Wits Arlington

21. Potomac Overlook Regional Park

22. Rosslyn Metro Station

23. Pentagon Row

24. bluemont park.

25. Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse

26. Seabee Memorial

27. Netherlands Carillon

28. MedStar Capitals Iceplex

29. Custis Trail

30. Upton Hill Regional Park

What travelers are saying.

15 top experiences in Arlington, Virginia

May 18, 2022 • 10 min read

There's more to Arlington than its famous cemetery © Jason Edwards / Getty Images

Just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC , Arlington is famous for being the home of Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. But this densely populated county – oddly, it’s not officially considered a city – has many more sights to see.

Come here to dine, admire art, play ice hockey, explore the drug realm (legally), see a play in an award-winning venue and even walk in nature with some of the most iconic views around. Arlington is much more than you think. Here are 15 amazing ways to experience it.

Be awed by the Iwo Jima Memorial

Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the moment six Marines installed the US flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during one of the most hard-fought battles in World War II. His soul-stirring photo became the inspiration for the Iwo Jima Memorial  – the nickname for the US Marine Corps Memorial – rising atop a knoll overlooking the National Mall.

It’s powerful and poignant, its flag proudly flying 24/7 by executive decree. On summer evenings, the Marine Corps sunset parade , a musical extravaganza of marching and drums and bugles, takes place. Nearby, the Netherlands Carillon, a gift of the Dutch, offers live summer concerts, and automated concerts at other times. The grassy grounds offer an awe-inspiring perspective over the National Mall, a popular fireworks-watching spot on the Fourth of July.

Spot planes at Gravelly Point Park

At Gravelly Point Park, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, airplanes come in for a landing just over your head, so close you can feel the roar of the engines reverberate throughout your body as you study their underbellies. You’re right on the flight path of landing and departing planes.

Locals swarm to this small, wide-open park for the informal aviation show, bringing picnics, kids and dogs. It’s a circus of activity, with runners and bikers zipping past on the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail, while the sweeping views to the east take in DC’s monuments rising across the Potomac River. You can only reach the park from the northbound side of George Washington Memorial Parkway.

See a play and have dinner in Shirlington 

You don’t have to go to the Kennedy Center to see star-filled shows in the DC area. The Tony Award–winning Signature Theatre in Arlington is an under-the-radar regional theater seating only 300 people tops. But it's a theatrical powerhouse that not only produces Broadway-caliber shows, it's hosted 59 world-premiere works since its founding in 1989.

You’ll find classics and new productions, established stars and emerging talents. It’s the cultural anchor of the urban village of Shirlington, a lively neighborhood of mostly restaurants, a handful of shops and a movie theater.

Visit hallowed ground at Arlington National Cemetery

Nearly 400,000 stark-white tombstones undulate along the rolling green hills of 639-acre Arlington National Cemetery . Only the most esteemed soldiers, representing every conflict since the Revolutionary War, are buried in this most somber of destinations – the qualifications are stringent.

The welcome center has exhibits, and this is where you can pick up the shuttle that accesses specific sites, or you can walk. (Warning: it’s hilly!) Don’t miss the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and John F Kennedy’s gravesite, marked by an eternal flame.

The land, originally belonging to Robert E Lee, was confiscated by the Union after he fled to join the Confederacy. Sitting atop a knoll, his plantation home, Arlington House , has been reinterpreted to tell the fuller story of all who lived here before the cemetery was established during the Civil War, the Lee family and enslaved workers alike.

Go on a hike at Potomac Overlook Regional Park

The namesake view of the Potomac River at this urban, tree-shaded oasis in the heart of Arlington is seasonal – and not much to write home about, honestly. The reason to visit the rollicking, 67-acre park is to hike on easy trails, taking in a typical Virginia woodland of oaks, maples, cedars and magnolias. You can hear birds flitting about, squirrels rustling in the brush and the quietude of nature.

The nature center has interactive exhibits on local flora and fauna. An outdoor concert series takes place in summer.

Celebrate women’s achievements at the Military Women’s Memorial

Just outside the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, you’ll spy what looks like a giant neoclassical wall. It’s not just a wall, but a memorial honoring servicewomen from all wars and occupations. Step inside and you’ll discover a modern education center, theater and computerized registry of military women. Plus, there are exhibits with all kinds of interesting facts; for example, you’ll learn there were women spies during the Revolutionary War, while others fought dressed as men.

Another highlight is the 360-degree rooftop view. Behind you, rows of Arlington’s bright-white tombstones march over the hillside, while in front, the star-studded panorama of the Memorial Bridge and Lincoln Monument unfurls before your eyes. Inspiring quotes are etched into glass panels.

Remember 9/11 at the Pentagon and 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

A sprawling complex rising in the heart of Arlington, the Pentagon is home to the US Department of Defense, and one of the world’s largest office buildings, with 6,500,000 sq ft of working space for more than 23,000 military and civilian employees.

Five sides comprise this massive structure, with five above-ground floors and two basement levels, its corridors measuring a total of 17.5 miles. Yet thanks to the spoke-and-ring design, it takes only seven minutes to walk between the two farthest points. The building cannot be toured at this time; check here for updates.

On September 11, 2001, a hijacked jet struck the Pentagon’s west side, killing 184 people. The outdoor 9/11 Pentagon Memorial honors those killed, with 184 illuminated benches inscribed with each victim’s name, age and location at the time of attack. The memorial is open 24/7, and a 24-minute audio tour is available by calling 202-741-1004.

Frolic in springtime beauty at Lady Bird Johnson Park

Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson was always known for her love of flowers, and while her husband, 36th president Lyndon Johnson, was in office, she strove to make Washington, DC – as well as the nation’s interstate highways – as beautiful as possible.

Renamed in her honor in 1968, Lady Bird Johnson Park  – an island in the Potomac linked to the mainland by bridges – puts on an extraordinary floral show throughout the seasons. A million blooming daffodils followed by 11,000 red tulips announce spring, while prim hardwoods turn into fiery reds and oranges in fall. There are weeping willows, dogwoods, crab apples and more. Completing the picturesque scene, the views across the Potomac take in Washington’s marble monuments.

You’ll find two monuments within the park: the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac, and the 1922 Navy and Merchant Marine Memorial. The 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail meanders through, ideal for bikers, runners and walkers. Drivers can only access the park from the southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Hang out at Ballston Quarter

Arlington’s once-fading Ballston Mall has been resuscitated. Ballston Quarter, as it’s now called, has undergone a facelift to create a sparkling indoor-outdoor space with entertainment venues, activities and, of course, shopping. There are sit-down restaurants featuring some of the area’s favorite chefs, as well as a buzzy food hall offering everything from street tacos to gourmet doughnuts to local craft brews. You can come here for a cooking class, a trivia game, a Caps or Nats watch party on two giant screens and even take part in a live-action adventure at 5 Wits Arlington.

And here’s something else. On the top floor, you’ll find the MedStar Capitals Iceplex , which not only offers a public ice-skating rink, it’s where Alex Ovechkin and other Stanley Cup–winning Washington Capitals practice. Check their schedule here . 

Bike the gorgeous Mount Vernon Trail

Edging the Potomac River for 18 miles from Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon, the floral-bedecked Mount Vernon Trail is a primo escape for bikers, walkers, runners and rollerbladers. Only about 4.5 miles are in Arlington, but what a 4.5 miles they are. For much of that length, you have iconic views across the river, taking in the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, US Capitol, Memorial Bridge and more.

Springtime flowers bloom gloriously, while autumn ignites in blazing maples, dogwoods and redbuds. Highlights include Theodore Roosevelt Island, Gravelly Point Park (the popular plane-spotting perch) and Lady Bird Johnson Park. It runs parallel to the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which offers the same views by car.

Stretch your legs on Theodore Roosevelt Island

A pedestrian bridge sweeps you across a placid channel to this 88-acre island in the middle of the Potomac River, where 2.5 miles of hiking trails wander through swampland, marsh and upland forest. Once an overgrown farm that was transformed into a natural oasis in the 1930s, it’s now the domain of squirrels, raccoons, deer and the occasional red fox. The focal point is the 17ft bronze of the 26th US president rising in the center, honoring the man who adored the wilderness.

The island is accessible by car only from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, or on foot or by bike along the Mount Vernon Trail.

Make dinner reservations in trendy Clarendon

Vietnamese refugees flocked to the Clarendon neighborhood in the 1960s and ‘70s, and while few of Little Saigon’s restaurants remain, a couple do, including Nam Viet , with a photo wall full of famous diners. Today though, the neighborhood vibe has transitioned to hip and trendy, with a bevy of terrace restaurants and bars catering to the going-out crowd. You’ll find everything from Italian to Japanese to Irish to Baltic. Ambar , Green Pig Bistro and Circa are perennial favorites.

There’s shopping too, including the outdoor Crossing Clarendon shopping center, with big-name stores like Pottery Barn and Barnes & Noble. Among several annual events that take place here, Clarendon Day is a fun street festival with bar crawls, an arts festival and the thrilling Clarendon Cup, a professional bike race.

Look to the skies at the US Air Force Memorial

Ascending high into the blue sky above Arlington, three curved, shimmering, stainless steel spires honor the men and women of the US Air Force. More specifically, the spires represent the contrails of Air Force Thunderbirds as they disperse in a “bomb burst” maneuver.

Dedicated in 2006, the US Air Force Memorial is the last military service monument to be installed in the DC area. It's surrounded by granite walls with inscriptions celebrating the valor and heritage of aviation pioneers and includes an 8ft-tall bronze Honor Guard statue and a glass contemplation wall paying tribute to fallen airmen and women. You’ll find it near Arlington National Cemetery, overlooking the Pentagon.

Delve into the world of drugs at the DEA Museum

Tucked away in an office building in a nondescript part of Arlington, the last thing you’d expect to find is a thrilling museum dedicated to drugs. But there it is on Army Navy Drive, a whole museum spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) that explores the nefarious world of drug activity and enforcement over the past 150 years.

Exhibits delve into the science and history of opium, marijuana and cocaine, while a rotating display highlights such noteworthy moments as “taking down El Chapo.” But it’s the artifacts that are most riveting. Among the DEA’s collection of more than 5000 objects and 40,000 photographs are green platform shoes worn by a DEA special agent while investigating a 1970s cocaine ring; a spiritual icon found among members of the Gulf, Sinaloa and Juarez drug cartels; and a spiked bamboo booby trap that protected drug traffickers’ crops in Thailand.

Admire public art in Rosslyn

Arlington may not seem like an artistic destination, but more than 70 permanent public-art installations sprinkle the county – and counting.

You’ll find many of them in the neighborhood of Rosslyn, including one of the earliest: completed in 1984, Dark Star Park  features spherical concrete sculptures resembling, according to artist Nancy Holt, “extinguished stars.” Anna and David,  by Miriam Schapiro, is a colorful, three-story sculpture of a dancing couple, and Luminous Bodies , marking four corners of the bridge over I-66, is a collection of 26-foot-high illuminated sculptures that change colors at night. Take a self-guided walking or driving tour to spot them all.

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14 Best Things to Do in Arlington, VA

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on October 2, 2023

Boasting loads of beautiful parks and memorials, Arlington is located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. in Northern Virginia. Despite being densely populated, the county is a lovely place to explore that is mostly known for being home to the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery.

Although it is no longer part of the District of Columbia, Arlington contains several important national monuments and federal installations. Like the rest of the Washington metropolitan area, its history and development have long been tied to that of the capital with both cities being seamlessly linked together by the Metro system.

While picturesque parks and trails wind their way all along the river, most of the things to do in Arlington can be found in Arlington National Cemetery. With interesting tours to take around the Pentagon and Washington D.C.’s attractions lying so close by, Arlington makes a great base for exploring the region.

14. Arlington Memorial Bridge

Connecting the county to the nation’s capital is the attractive Arlington Memorial Bridge. Spanning the Potomac River, it transports you from the Arlington National Cemetery to the National Mall and its many monuments and museums in no time at all.

Finally built in 1932 after decades of debate over whether it should be a memorial or not, the bridge exhibits some fine Neoclassical architecture and sturdy stone arches. Stretching 2,163 feet in length, the scenic causeway makes for some great photos with its views of the river being just as stunning.

At its northeastern end, it is flanked by The Arts of War sculptures that depict Valor and Sacrifice in honor of the nation’s military personnel. The bridge also symbolizes the reunification of the North and South following the Civil War with countless thousands passing over it each day.

13. Dark Star Park

Despite its small size, Dark Star Park is well worth stopping by for its unique and interesting public art pieces. Set just a stone’s throw from the famous U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, the little patch of grass is dotted with several large spheres that represent fallen stars.

Unveiled in 1984, the intriguing installation was designed by American sculptor Nancy Holt as part of an urban-renewal project. Its rather unusual mix of landscape architecture and astronomy sees the lunar-like spheres loom above small pools that are themselves designed to look-like craters.

Once a year on August 1st, the shadows cast by its spheres and poles align with tracks on the ground while the movement of the sun overhead also constantly alters the sculpture’s appearance. Through its clever use of shapes and spaces, the pretty park explores the concept of time and our relationship to the universe.

12. Air Force Memorial

Located just to the south of the Arlington National Cemetery, not far from the Pentagon, is the eye-catching Air Force Memorial. Visible from almost everywhere in D.C., the soaring sculpture makes for some fantastic photos and viewing as it stands out delightfully against the bright blue sky.

Towering between 201 and 270 feet in height, the monument’s three stainless steel spires gracefully arch their way towards the heavens. Completed in 2006, its distinctive shape replicates the contrails produced by the Air Force Thunderbirds when they perform their famous ‘bomb burst’ maneuver.

At the foot of the massive memorial are two well-polished inscription walls that list the core values of the Air Force and its Medal of Honor recipients. Four fine bronze statues representing its Honor Guard complete the moving tribute to the memory and service of members of the United States Air Force.

11. Netherlands Carillon

Right at the other end of the Arlington National Cemetery to the memorial is another lofty landmark for you to visit. Known as the Netherlands Carillon , the tall tower rises dramatically above the lush green grounds and gardens all around it with daily concerts featuring its bells also taking place.

Part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the 127-foot campanile and its 53-bell carillon were gifted to the United States by the Dutch in the fifties. This was to thank them for American aid in liberating the Netherlands from the Nazis and helping rebuild the country after the end of the war.

Perched atop a ridge overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., the monument features a very sleek, modern design with each bell symbolizing a group within Dutch society. After hearing one of its automated concerts of armed forces anthems or the Star-Spangled Banner, you can amble about its colourful tulip library.

10. John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame

Just one of the many moving memorials in the Arlington National Cemetery is the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame. Lying alongside the assassinated president’s gravesite, the fire has burned bright ever since the site was consecrated and opened to the public on March 15, 1967.

Designed by Kennedy’s long-time friend John Carl Warnecke, the small flame and simple graves of JFK and Jackie lie just down the hill from Arlington House. Over the years, millions of people have visited the memorial which also contains an elliptical plaza inscribed with key quotes from some of Kennedy’s most famous speeches.

As well as paying your respects to the revered figure, you can also enjoy marvelous views over the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument from its prominent hillside setting.

9. Military Women’s Memorial

Another striking site to stop by is the Military Women’s Memorial which honors the brave women who have served in the nation’s Armed Forces. The first major monument of its kind in all the US, it lies at the western end of Memorial Avenue, right at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.

While the Hemicycle was initially built in 1932 as a ceremonial gate to the cemetery, it was only in 1997 that it was turned into a memorial. Notable for its successful mix of modern and Neoclassical architecture, the two-story structure is made out of sparkling white marble with its outdoor terrace overlooking a fountain, pool and the avenue before it.

Inside the memorial, you can peruse informative displays on the history of female service members in America and see amazing old artifacts, uniforms and weapons.

8. Gravelly Point Park

Also part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway is the picturesque Gravelly Point Park. Set along the west bank of the Potomac River, it is a very popular place to picnic and walk about while watching the planes land and take off from the nearby airport.

In 1746, Gravelly Point was home to Gerrard Alexander and his family with the property later being purchased by John Parke Custis, the stepson of George Washington. Although Abingdon eventually burned down in the early twentieth century, visitors can still the see site of the former plantation in front of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Most people, however, come to the park to see the planes pass between 100 and 200 feet above their heads. Asides from experiencing the rush of adrenaline as they shoot by so close overhead, you can stroll and cycle about the park or launch boats and explore the river.

7. DEA Museum

Home to loads of interesting artifacts and exhibits, the DEA Museum chronicles the history of drug enforcement in the USA. A must for fans of shows like Breaking Bad, The Wire and Narcos, it lies just to the south of the Pentagon, along Army Navy Drive.

Founded in 1999, the fascinating museum covers everything from addiction and law enforcement to the cannabis, coca and poppy trades. Alongside thousands of historic photos, you can see old patent medicine bottles, paraphernalia and cunning modern containers for concealing illegal narcotics.

Besides learning about the creative ways people have gone about smuggling, going back centuries, its exhibits also list the dangers of drugs and the evolution of the Drug Enforcement Administration over the years.

6. The Pentagon & Pentagon Memorial

One of the most famous and important buildings in the country, The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. On tours of its colossal complex, visitors learn about the various branches of the military and their inner workings before stopping by the memorial outside.

The largest office building in the world, the immense, five-sided edifice was built in 1943 with each section representing one of the branches of the US Armed Forces. On hour-long tours, you’ll hear all about their history and purpose while walking roughly a mile and a half through the strictly guarded governmental facility.

After having seen its Hall of Heroes and 9/11 Memorial Chapel, guests can also pay their respects at the Pentagon Memorial outside. The thought-provoking site honors the 184 victims in the building and on American Airlines Flight 77 who lost their lives during the September 11 attacks.

5. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Along with JFK’s grave, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of Arlington National Cemetery’s standout sights. Set in a very prominent spot on a hill overlooking the capital, the marble monument is very humbling to visit with Changing of the Guard ceremonies also regularly taking place.

Dedicated to deceased US service members whose remains have sadly not been identified, the tomb was first unveiled in 1921 at almost the geographic center of the cemetery. Engraved on the side of its sarcophagus are figures representing Peace, Valor and Victory and six sculpted wreaths for major WWI campaigns.

Aside from honoring the unfortunate unknowns who fought and died in WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War and Korea, you can also watch the symbolic changing of the guard. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, sentinels guard the tomb with the soldiers being relieved of their prestigious post every hour or so depending on the time of year.

4. Theodore Roosevelt Island Park

Boasting lots of lovely wooded trails and scenic views of the river is the Theodore Roosevelt Island Park. As well as offering up all kinds of fun outdoor activities, it acts as a memorial to the great man himself and is a teeming habitat for local wildlife.

Surrounded by the rushing waters of the Potomac River, the idyllic island lies in between Arlington and Washington, D.C.. Once a training camp for the United States Colored Troops, it is now instead preserved as a park with verdant woodlands lying next to rocky parts and murky marshes.

Other than hiking along its shady paths, you can kayak and canoe along its shoreline or keep an eye out for warblers and raptors in the undergrowth. The highlight though is visiting the large memorial plaza and statue dedicated to the United States’ 26th president Teddy Roosevelt; a keen outdoors-man and conservationist.

3. Mount Vernon Trail

A wonderful way to see more of the county and its surroundings is to hike or bike along the Mount Vernon Trail. Winding its way parallel to the western bank of the Potomac River, it whisks you from Arlington to Alexandria and passes loads of stunning scenery, nature and views along the way.

Stretching seventeen miles in length, the multipurpose path connects Rosslyn in Northern Virginia to George Washington’s historic home at Mount Vernon. Set up in 1972, it meanders its way through woods, over creeks and along by the river with epic views of D.C.’s sparkling skyline emerging here and there.

Along the way, you can stop off to watch planes soar above Gravelly Point or stroll about Old Town Alexandria and its many historic sites. It also connects up with countless other regional trails should you want to explore further afield before reaching Washington’s former estate and its fine Palladian-style mansion.

2. U.S. Marine Corps Memorial

Arguably the most famed and photographed monument in all of Arlington County is that of the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial . An absolute must-see, the superb statue represents one of the most iconic images of the Second World War – the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima.

Dedicated in 1954, the memorial commemorates all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the US since 1775. Inspired by a photo taken in 1945, the colossal sculpture depicts six Marines struggling to raise the Stars and Stripes atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Besides snapping some photos of the massive memorial and paying your respects to the fallen, you can inspect the golden inscriptions of every Marine Corps major action engraved about its base. The Honor Guard of the Marines also put on regular military parades, marches and music performances at the memorial.

1. Arlington National Cemetery

The main reason people visit the county though is, of course, the Arlington National Cemetery which is full of impressive monuments and moving memorials. Lying just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., adjacent to the Pentagon, its pretty green spaces contain some of the State’s most renowned landmarks.

Since being established in 1864 during the American Civil War, it has grown and grown and is now the final resting place of many of the nation’s most famous figures. In total, the cemetery is thought to house the graves of over 400,000 veterans and their dependents with countless millions visiting it each year.

Among its standout sights are the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and JFK’s grave with the attractive Arlington House and Memorial Amphitheater also attracting lots of attention. Its many monuments and immaculate outdoor spaces make it a very peaceful and picturesque place to spend some time.

Map of Things to Do in Arlington, VA

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