Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA—sample rating
roger4336, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active-duty service members, veterans, and their families, spread across 639 hillside acres overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, DC. Notable sites include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded around the clock with a solemn changing-of-the-guard ceremony, and the eternal flame at President John F. Kennedy's gravesite. Managed by the U.S. Army, the cemetery welcomes millions of visitors annually who come to pay respects, watch military honors, and learn about American military history at the Welcome Center. Many visitors use the ANC Explorer app or a narrated tram tour to navigate the vast grounds. All visitors 18 and older entering by vehicle must present REAL ID-compliant identification. The cemetery holds roughly 25–30 funerals with military honors each weekday, and visitors are asked to be respectful of ongoing services.
Why visit
A profoundly moving national landmark and one of the most solemn, historically significant sites in the country.
Best time to visit
Arrive early to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and to beat tour-bus crowds.
Recommended duration
Allow about 2.5 hours (150 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 08:00-17:00
Summer hours (April 1-Sept 30) extend to 7pm; winter hours (Oct 1-March 31) close at 5pm. Free admission.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, VA 22211
Load Google Maps content — this may set cookies.
Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Nearby restaurants
Zaytinya
Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Ben's Chili Bowl
American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street
Mi Vida
Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront
Ambar Capitol Hill
Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill
Centrolina
Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Maketto
Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill
Flights to New York
Live round-trip fares from Travelpayouts partners.
Partner links — our site's partners are Expedia, GetYourGuide, Go City, Big Bus Tours, Hotellook, Kiwitaxi and Localrent; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Stay near Arlington, VA
Browse stays in New York by budget and style — prices and availability open on our booking partner's site.
Partner links — we're partnered with Expedia and Hotellook; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.