Arlington Travel Guide: Things to Do, Landmarks, Food, and Itineraries

Arlington, Virginia sits just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., making it one of the most strategically located destinations on the East Coast for travelers. With a population of around 235,000 residents and a median age of 35.5 (2024 ACS 5-year estimates), Arlington is a densely urban county that moves at a confident pace — walkable neighborhoods, a strong transit network, and a dining scene with roughly 4,700 mapped restaurants and cafes. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or spending a few days exploring both banks of the Potomac, Arlington gives you a genuinely distinct experience from the capital while keeping everything accessible.

This guide covers what to know before you go: the neighborhoods worth orienting yourself around, the landmarks and attractions commonly visited, where to look for a meal, how to get around, and practical tips for making the most of your time here. For deeper coverage on any single topic, each section links to a dedicated sibling page.

Why Visit Arlington

Arlington is not a suburb in the traditional sense. It functions more like a compact city with its own identity — walkable commercial corridors, historic sites of national significance, parkland along the Potomac, and a dense concentration of both federal and private-sector institutions. Visitors often underestimate how much is here independent of a trip into D.C., and many find that using Arlington as a base actually simplifies logistics while opening up the broader region.

The county has long attracted professionals and young families, as reflected in its median household income of around $140,000 (2024 ACS 5-year estimates) and its relative density of amenities. For travelers, that translates into well-maintained public spaces, a range of hotel options from budget to upscale, and a dining scene that draws on cuisines from across the globe — with Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Korean, Middle Eastern, and many other traditions well represented across the county.

For timing advice — including which months tend to see the most comfortable weather and the heaviest crowds — see our Best Time to Visit Arlington guide.

Neighborhoods and Areas Worth Knowing

Rosslyn anchors the northwestern corner of the county, immediately across Key Bridge from Georgetown. It's dominated by office towers and has a more transactional feel during the week, but it also offers excellent views of the D.C. skyline and access to the Custis and Mount Vernon trails.

Courthouse and Clarendon sit along the Orange and Silver metro lines and form Arlington's most active retail and dining corridor. Wilson Boulevard connects the two, lined with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and small retailers. This stretch draws a mix of locals and visitors throughout the week.

Ballston continues westward along the same metro corridor and has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years. It's home to the Ballston Quarter mall and a growing concentration of dining options.

Pentagon City and Crystal City occupy the southern end of the county, built partly around the Pentagon and a cluster of large hotels. The area is popular with business travelers and is within easy reach of Reagan National Airport. Crystal City has been rebranded in part as "National Landing" following Amazon's decision to locate its HQ2 there, and new development continues to reshape the neighborhood.

Lyon Village and Cherrydale are quieter residential neighborhoods farther from the main transit corridors. They're worth knowing if you're exploring on foot or by bike, but less central to most visitor itineraries.

Things to Do in Arlington

Arlington's draw for visitors centers heavily on its historic sites and outdoor spaces. Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most-visited sites in the National Park System — a working national cemetery of immense scale and significance, where visitors can pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and tour grounds that reflect centuries of American military history. Check the National Park Service website for current visitor guidelines before you go.

The Pentagon Memorial, located just south of the building, honors the 184 people killed there on September 11, 2001. It's sobering and carefully designed — the kind of place that warrants a quiet visit even for travelers without a personal connection to the event.

For outdoor recreation, the Mount Vernon Trail runs along the Virginia bank of the Potomac and connects Arlington to both Old Town Alexandria to the south and to Theodore Roosevelt Island to the north. Cyclists and runners use it regularly. The Custis Trail connects from the waterfront corridor into the heart of the county.

Theodore Roosevelt Island itself is a federally managed natural area in the Potomac — forested and largely undeveloped, with trails and a central memorial plaza. It's accessible from the Virginia side and popular with those looking for a quieter break from city sightseeing.

With roughly 1,350 mapped attractions, museums, and historic sites in and around the area, there's no shortage of options. For a curated breakdown, see Best Things To Do in Arlington.

Top Landmarks in Arlington

Beyond the cemetery and memorial, Arlington holds a number of federally significant landmarks. The Marine Corps War Memorial — commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial — stands near the entrance to the cemetery and depicts the famous flag-raising photograph from 1945. The Netherlands Carillon, a gift from the Dutch government following World War II, stands nearby and has historically hosted carillon concerts — check current NPS programming before visiting.

The Air Force Memorial rises dramatically near the Pentagon, with three stainless steel spires meant to evoke the flight of the Thunderbirds. It's visible from multiple approaches on the Virginia side and worth a brief stop for the architecture alone.

Fort Myer, adjacent to the cemetery, is an active military installation and not generally open to civilian visitors, but it forms part of the historic character of the area.

For a more complete look at what's documented and worth visiting, head to our Top Landmarks in Arlington page.

Where to Eat in Arlington

The dining landscape in Arlington covers a wide range — Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Korean, and Middle Eastern restaurants are well represented across the county, reflecting the diverse population that has moved through the D.C. metro region over decades. Courthouse and Clarendon remain the most restaurant-dense corridors for casual dining.

Ray's Hell Burger, a Courthouse-area burger restaurant, has built a reputation around straightforward, no-frills burgers and draws a consistent crowd. It is one of the more recognizable names in the county's dining scene.

Arlington visitors frequently cross into D.C. for dinner as well, which expands the options considerably. Rasika, a contemporary Indian restaurant with locations in Penn Quarter and the West End, is consistently cited in regional dining coverage and a practical option for an evening in the District. Ben's Chili Bowl has anchored U Street for decades, serving half-smokes and chili in an informal setting that reflects the neighborhood's history. Old Ebbitt Grill, an American restaurant near the White House in downtown D.C., is among the city's most established dining venues and easily accessible from Arlington by metro.

For all of these and any other restaurant you're considering, check current hours and reservation policies directly on the establishment's official site — things can change without notice.

For a fuller breakdown of the Arlington dining scene by neighborhood and cuisine type, see Where to Eat in Arlington.

Getting Around Arlington

Arlington is served by Washington Metro's Orange, Silver, and Blue lines, all of which connect directly to D.C. and run through the county's main commercial corridors. Metro stations are well-spaced along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and through Pentagon City and Crystal City. Contactless tap-to-pay is accepted on Metro — check the WMATA website for current fare information before your trip.

Bus service covers most of the county, including the ART (Arlington Transit) local bus network. For visitors staying along the main metro corridor, walking or transit is often more practical than driving.

Reagan National Airport (DCA) is directly accessible by Blue and Yellow line trains, making it among the most transit-accessible major airports on the East Coast. Rideshare and taxi options are also available.

Bikeshare docks are distributed throughout the county, and the trail network makes cycling a practical choice for those comfortable in an urban environment.

Parking in Arlington

Street parking exists throughout the county but is generally metered in commercial areas. Paid garages are available near major hotel clusters and shopping corridors. Rates and policies vary by location and time of day — confirm current pricing on arrival or through the relevant parking operator's site.

If you're visiting Arlington National Cemetery or the Air Force Memorial, parking is available on-site; check the respective official sites for current access information and any reservation requirements.

Visitor Tips

• Arlington's walkable corridors are most useful if you're staying near a metro station. If your hotel is car-dependent, factor in transit time and parking when planning each day.
• The county sits at elevation, and summer heat and humidity in the D.C. region can be significant. Carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for morning hours in peak summer months.
• Federal sites like Arlington National Cemetery can see high visitor volumes, especially in spring and around major holidays. Arriving early in the day tends to improve the experience.
• Exercise ordinary urban awareness when moving through any neighborhood, particularly at night in areas undergoing transition.

Traveling with Family

Arlington works well for families. The National Park Service sites — including Theodore Roosevelt Island and the grounds around the memorials — offer meaningful outdoor time without admission costs (check current NPS guidance). The Mount Vernon Trail is popular with families on bikes or with strollers on weekends.

Rosslyn's proximity to Georgetown via Key Bridge means a short walk connects you to a range of kid-friendly options across the river. The metro system makes day-trip logistics manageable for families without a car.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you have one day or three, structured itineraries can help you make the most of limited time in Arlington.

• Arlington 1-Day Itinerary — a focused single-day plan covering the county's most commonly visited sites.
• Arlington 3-Day Itinerary — a broader schedule that integrates both Arlington and the wider D.C. metro area.

For specific questions visitors commonly ask before a trip, see the Arlington FAQ.