Things to Do in Arlington and Alexandria
Arlington National Cemetery, Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon, just across the Potomac.
See top-rated activities »About Arlington and Alexandria
The Virginia side of the Potomac holds some of the most moving places in the Washington area. Arlington National Cemetery covers more than 600 acres of hillside directly across Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial, a line of sight that was planned on purpose to link Lincoln's memorial with Arlington House, the former home of Robert E. Lee, on the ridge above. Hundreds of thousands of service members and their families are buried here, along with President John F. Kennedy, whose grave is marked by an eternal flame.
The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the cemetery's best-known ceremony: soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, keep watch every hour of every day, and the changeover is done with exacting precision. Entry to the cemetery is free, the welcome center is next to the Arlington Cemetery Metro station, and narrated bus tours inside the grounds help visitors who would rather not walk the hills. Nearby, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, the Iwo Jima statue, overlooks the city, and the Pentagon Memorial honors the 184 people killed there on September 11, 2001.
Old Town Alexandria, about eight miles south, was a busy colonial port, and its grid of brick sidewalks, Federal townhouses and church spires is well preserved. King Street runs from the Metro station down to the river, and a free trolley carries visitors along it. The Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former munitions plant on the waterfront, is now full of working artists' studios, and Gadsby's Tavern Museum shows where George Washington once dined and danced.
George Washington's Mount Vernon, his plantation home above the Potomac, is about eight miles beyond Old Town. The estate, run by a private nonprofit, includes the mansion, his tomb, working farm areas and a museum that also covers the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked there. It is reachable by car, by tour or by a long but scenic bike ride on the Mount Vernon Trail.
Don’t Miss
The nation's best-known military cemetery, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy graves and Arlington House. Free entry.
The bronze sculpture of the flag raising on Iwo Jima, with sunset parades on summer evenings.
A quiet outdoor memorial of 184 illuminated benches, one for each person killed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
Artists' studios and galleries in a former torpedo plant on the Alexandria waterfront. Free to wander.
Two 18th-century tavern buildings where George Washington was a regular; the restaurant next door still serves colonial-style meals.
Washington's mansion, gardens, tomb and museum on a bluff above the Potomac, about 15 miles south of downtown DC.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Arlington and Alexandria
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Get free trip quotes »Arlington and Alexandria — FAQ
How do I get to Arlington National Cemetery?
Take the Blue Line to the Arlington Cemetery station, which is next to the welcome center. You can also walk across Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial in about 20 minutes.
How often is the Changing of the Guard?
The guard changes at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on a regular schedule through the day, more often in the warmer months. The cemetery posts the current schedule on its official website.
Is Old Town Alexandria worth a visit?
Yes, especially for an afternoon and dinner. It is about 20 minutes from downtown DC on the Metro or by water taxi from the Wharf, and the free King Street trolley makes it easy to get around.
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