Top Landmarks in Arlington
Arlington, Virginia is a compact urban county of roughly 235,000 residents, but it carries a weight in American national memory that far exceeds its size. Positioned directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington holds some of the country's most recognized memorials, monuments, and historic sites — many of them administered by the National Park Service or the U.S. Army, and many drawing visitors throughout the year regardless of season.
What makes Arlington's landmarks particularly appealing for travelers is how geographically concentrated many of them are. Several cluster near the northern end of the county, close enough to connect on foot without needing a car. Others sit a short transit ride away. The result is a city where a thoughtful itinerary can take in multiple significant sites in a single day.
For a framework that ties these landmarks together with other activities, the Arlington 1-Day Itinerary is a practical starting point. If you have more time, the Arlington 3-Day Itinerary allows a slower pace with room to linger.
Arlington National Cemetery
Few places in the United States carry as much deliberate, solemn weight as Arlington National Cemetery. Spread across more than 600 acres of rolling hills overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., the cemetery serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans, and eligible family members. It is one of the most visited sites in the entire Washington metropolitan area, and for good reason.
The grounds are large and the terrain involves real elevation changes, so visitors benefit from planning before arriving. Maps and orientation information are available at the Welcome Center near the main entrance. Most people spend at least two to three hours here; those who want to visit Arlington House or attend multiple ceremonies often allow considerably more.
Tomb of the Unknowns
Among the most recognized features of Arlington National Cemetery is the Tomb of the Unknowns, which honors American service members who died in combat but were never identified. A sentinel from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment — known informally as the Old Guard — maintains a continuous watch at the tomb every hour of every day. The changing of the guard ceremony draws consistent crowds; the precision and formality of the ritual are something most first-time visitors find genuinely striking. Check the official Arlington National Cemetery website for current ceremony schedules before you go, as timing details can vary.
The Kennedy Gravesites
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are both interred at Arlington, alongside other Kennedy family members. An eternal flame has burned at the grave since Kennedy's burial in 1963. The site sits on a hillside and offers one of the cleaner sightlines across the Potomac toward the Washington, D.C. skyline — the Capitol dome and Washington Monument are both visible on clear days.
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
Perched at the highest point of the cemetery grounds, Arlington House was the antebellum home of Robert E. Lee and his wife, Mary Anna Custis Lee. The National Park Service administers the house and has worked to interpret the full scope of the site's history, including the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked there. Visiting Arlington House adds meaningful historical context to the broader story of how this land became a national cemetery. Confirm current access and any timed entry requirements on the NPS website before making it a centerpiece of your plans.
Women in Military Service for America Memorial
Located at the ceremonial main entrance to the cemetery, this memorial honors women who have served in the U.S. armed forces throughout American history. Built into the hillside at the Memorial Gate, it includes a gallery, a theater, and an inscription wall. It is worth allowing extra time here — both because the memorial itself merits attention and because it marks the natural starting and ending point of a cemetery visit.
Marine Corps War Memorial
Just north of Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial — commonly called the Iwo Jima Memorial — is one of the most recognizable bronze sculptures in the country. The work depicts six figures raising the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II, based on the 1945 photograph by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. The sculpture is considerably larger than photographs suggest: the figures stand more than 30 feet tall, and the flagpole rises well above that.
The memorial sits in a small park with a clear sightline toward Washington, D.C., including views of the Capitol dome and Washington Monument. The grounds are open around the clock, which makes this a popular stop at dusk as well as during daylight hours. The short walk from the cemetery's northern edge to the memorial takes under 15 minutes and connects naturally into a single outing.
Netherlands Carillon
A short walk from the Marine Corps War Memorial stands the Netherlands Carillon, a steel tower housing a set of bells given to the United States by the people of the Netherlands as a gesture of gratitude following World War II. Carillon concerts are performed periodically during the warmer months — the NPS website carries the current schedule. Outside of concert times, the tower and its surrounding grounds, which offer views across the Potomac toward the D.C. skyline, make the brief detour worth taking.
Air Force Memorial
Located on a ridge near the Pentagon in southern Arlington, the Air Force Memorial consists of three curving stainless steel spires that rise to different heights, evoking the contrails of a precision flying formation. The design is immediately distinctive and visible from multiple points around the area, including portions of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
The grounds include a granite honor wall and an indoor contemplative space. The site overlooks the Pentagon and portions of the D.C. skyline. Most visitors spend 20 to 45 minutes at the Air Force Memorial — it is a shorter stop than the cemetery but leaves a strong visual impression.
The Pentagon and Pentagon Memorial
The Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, is one of the largest office buildings in the world by total floor area. General public tours of the interior are not available on a walk-in basis — scheduled visits require advance arrangement through official channels — but the exterior and the adjacent Pentagon Memorial are both accessible.
The Pentagon Memorial, located on the northwest side of the building, was dedicated in 2008 to honor the 184 people killed in the September 11, 2001 attack. The memorial consists of 184 illuminated benches arranged in a carefully considered geometric pattern, each representing one victim. The orientation of each bench — relative to the Pentagon and to the sky above — reflects whether the person was inside the building or aboard the plane. Walking through slowly and reading the inscriptions takes around 30 minutes. The site is open at all hours and free to enter.
The Pentagon Metro station provides direct access to both the Air Force Memorial (a short walk away) and the Pentagon Memorial. Contactless tap-to-pay works on the Metro system; check the WMATA website for current fare and service information.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island is a National Park Service site in the Potomac River, with pedestrian access available only from the Virginia side via a footbridge — making it, in practical terms, an Arlington landmark. The island is primarily a forested natural area crisscrossed with trails, anchored at its center by a large bronze statue of Roosevelt and stone tablets bearing excerpts from his speeches.
The island offers a different character from Arlington's more formal memorial spaces. The paths move through woodland and wetland, and wildlife sightings are common. The contrast with the polished granite and manicured grounds of the other landmarks can make a visit here feel like a genuine reset. The footbridge entrance is accessible from the George Washington Memorial Parkway near the Rosslyn neighborhood, and the Mount Vernon Trail bicycle path passes nearby. Confirm current access conditions on the NPS website before visiting, as the footbridge has been subject to periodic closures for maintenance.
How the Landmarks Cluster Geographically
Understanding the layout helps you move between sites without backtracking.
The Cemetery Cluster: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington House, and the Women in Military Service for America Memorial all sit within or at the entrance to the cemetery. Plan at least two to three hours here; more if you intend to visit Arlington House or attend multiple ceremonies.
The Northern Cluster: The Marine Corps War Memorial and the Netherlands Carillon are within easy walking distance of each other, just north of the cemetery. Both are reachable on foot from the cemetery's Memorial Gate in under 15 minutes. Together, these two stops add about an hour to a cemetery visit.
The Pentagon Cluster: The Air Force Memorial and the Pentagon Memorial sit near each other in Arlington's southern section. Both are accessible from the Pentagon Metro station. Count on 45 minutes to an hour to take in both sites comfortably.
Theodore Roosevelt Island: This one sits apart from the clusters above and is most easily reached by bicycle along the Mount Vernon Trail, by car to the parking area off the George Washington Memorial Parkway, or on foot from the Rosslyn Metro station. Budget around 90 minutes for a relaxed loop of the trails.
Getting Around
Several of Arlington's landmark sites are well served by the Washington metropolitan area's rail transit network. The Rosslyn and Pentagon Metro stations provide access to different parts of the landmark corridor. Contactless tap-to-pay works on the system — check the WMATA website for current fare and service information before your trip.
The George Washington Memorial Parkway trail connects several sites along the Potomac waterfront, making cycling a practical option for visitors who are comfortable on a bike and traveling on a favorable weather day.
Parking is available near several of the memorials but fills quickly on weekends and federal holidays. Arriving by rail eliminates that particular uncertainty for most visitors.
Before You Visit
Hours, access conditions, and entry requirements at NPS sites and Arlington National Cemetery can change without much notice. Always verify details on the official NPS website (nps.gov) and the Arlington National Cemetery site before your visit, particularly if you're planning around a specific ceremony, timed entry, or a site that has recently undergone renovation.
For broader trip planning, the Arlington Travel Guide covers the full range of what the city offers across neighborhoods and interests. After landmarks, the Best Things To Do in Arlington covers activities beyond memorials and monuments. When you're ready for a meal, Where to Eat in Arlington surveys the local dining options. For help timing your trip around crowds and weather, Best Time to Visit Arlington lays out the trade-offs by season. Frequently asked questions about visiting are addressed in the Arlington FAQ.