Arlington National Cemetery: Plan Your Visit
Arlington National Cemetery is a reverent place to be. And it’s an opportunity to reflect on the many sacrifices made by members of the military, space explorers and even everyday people taken by tragedy.
A visit to Arlington National Cemetery is a must if you plan to visit Washington, DC. Here’s what you need to know, from how to get there and how to find the graves or memorials you want to see.
Wear Great Walking Shoes and Download the App
Before arriving at Arlington National Cemetery, download the ANC Explorer app. It’s available on Apple and Google stores.
The app allows you to look up specific gravesites, identify memorials, and navigate your way through the cemetery.
TIP: Wear comfortable walking shoes, because the cemetery is about 1 mile in diameter. There’s a lot of significantly historic sites to see, so you’ll definitely get your daily steps in. Comfy shoes will be your best friend.
The best way to get to Arlington National Cemetery is to take the metro Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery Station. The stop is right outside the entrance to the cemetery, but you can follow the signs to the Welcome Center. After a brief security check, you can enter the cemetery grounds.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & the Changing of the Guard
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is likely the most popular spot in Arlington.
In 1921, four unknown soldiers who had been killed during WWI were exhumed from cemeteries in France. One was randomly selected, placed in the sarcophagus, and designated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
One unknown soldier has been selected at random from major U.S. wars and added to the memorial. The bodies represented all those who gave their life for the freedoms Americans enjoy today.
Did you know? The unknown soldier from the Vietnam War was later identified and transferred to a different cemetery at the request of his family. So that tomb is still empty.
The changing of the guard is a very reverent experience. Between April 1 and September 30, it happens every 30 minutes (on the top and bottom of the hour). In the off season, it happens on the top of every hour. The Tomb is guarded 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
During the changing of the guard, audience members stand out of respect for the ceremony. There’s a lot of symbolism associated with the changing of the guard. Read all about it on the Arlington National Cemetery webpage.
President John F. Kennedy Gravesite and the Eternal Flame
President John F. Kennedy played a strong role in launching American astronauts to the moon. Learn more about his life and the space program by visiting the JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Following his assassination in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. So he’s one of only two American presidents laid to rest in Arlington (the other is President Taft in 1930).
At the gravesite, you’ll find the headstone of President Kennedy. His wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, is buried right next to him. A flame, which was lit by Mrs. Kennedy back in the 1960s, burns near both of their headstones.
The gravesite is located down the hill from Arlington House, and there are signs that direct you to the site.
Notable Memorials to Historic Events
Arlington National Cemetery has nearly 30 memorials and monuments. They include tragic events like the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger or Columbia crews, the loss of the USS Maine battleship in the late 1800s and the Battle of the Bulge.
You can find a complete listing of all the memorials and monuments online. So use that list to plan your visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
Official Bus Tour of Arlington National Cemetery
Board the official bus tour if you want to get a taste of everything Arlington National Cemetery has to offer.
Tours depart from the Welcome Center. Cost is $15 for adults, $7.25 for kids (3-11) and $11 for seniors (65+). The bus makes 7 stops on weekdays and 10 stops on weekends:
- Welcome Center
- President John F. Kennedy Gravesite
- US Coast Guard Memorial
- General John J. Pershing Gravesite
- Memorial Amphitheater (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)
- Arlington House
- Ord & Weitzel Gate (Iwo Jima Memorial)
- On weekends, the additional stops are Sections 55 and 59, Columbarium Courts and Niche Wall, and the Pentagon Group Burial Marker
Find more information about the tour online.
The Details
Address: Located in Arlington, Virginia, the cemetery can be accessed via the Blue Line metro. Cars are not allowed on the cemetery grounds, unless you’re part of a funeral procession.
Cost: There is no cost to enter Arlington National Cemetery. But official bus tours are $15 for adults (12+), $7.25 for kids (3-11) and $11 for seniors (65+).
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. April through September. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through March. Plan on three hours or more for your visit.
Website: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/
Phone: (877) 907-8585
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