Arlington National Cemetery
Monument United States military cemetery honoring fallen service members
Arlington National Cemetery overlooks Washington, D.C., and contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, presidential gravesites and rows of headstones. Visitors attend the Changing of the Guard, visit memorials and reflect on U.S. military history.
Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., established during the Civil War on the grounds of the former Arlington estate. It serves as a national military burial ground and memorial setting for American servicemembers and notable national figures.
Key sites include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its constant guard, the historic Arlington House (the Lee family mansion), and the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy marked by an eternal flame. The cemetery contains thousands of military graves and numerous memorials honoring service across American conflicts.
Created in the 1860s on land seized during the Civil War, the cemetery expanded over time and became the principal national military burial ground for the Washington area. It continues to operate as an active cemetery and ceremonial site for military funerals and national commemorations.
Arlington National Cemetery is immediately adjacent to the District of Columbia, a short drive from the National Mall, and is accessible to visitors via the cemetery’s visitor center and dedicated parking and shuttle services.
- Establishment and size: Established during the American Civil War on land that had been part of the Arlington estate and now covers over 600 acres of landscaped cemetery grounds.
- Functions: Contains military graves, memorials and sections for all branches of the U.S. armed forces, with public visitation and a visitor center offering orientation and maps.
What to See #
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: A marble monument guarded 24/7 where a changing of the guard ceremony is conducted and where an unknown servicemember is interred.
- Arlington House: A historic mansion on the grounds that served as the home of Robert E. Lee before the Civil War and now contains exhibits about the site's history.
- Kennedy gravesite: The gravesite of President John F. Kennedy, marked by an eternal flame and visited by many visitors each year.
How to Get to Arlington National Cemetery #
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By public transit: Take the Washington Metro Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery station - the station exits adjacent to the cemetery and the main visitor routes (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier/Visitor Center) are a short walk (typically 5-15 minutes) from the station.
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By car: From downtown Washington, D.C. cross the Potomac via Memorial Bridge or take I‑395 into Arlington; follow signs for Arlington National Cemetery/ Arlington Memorial Bridge. The cemetery has a visitor center with parking; expect a short drive from central D.C. depending on traffic.
Tips for Visiting Arlington National Cemetery #
- Start your visit at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitor Center to collect a map, check ranger program times and posted schedules for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ceremony-arriving 30-45 minutes before the guard change secures a good viewing spot.
- Plan to see highlights by tram or on a guided tour if you have limited mobility or time; otherwise build in blocks of walking time-points of interest (Tomb of the Unknown, Kennedy graves, Arlington House) are spread out and require a deliberate route.
- Visit on a weekday morning to avoid weekend tour-bus crowds and special-event traffic; check the cemetery's official site in advance for closures or ceremony schedules that can affect access.
Best Time to Visit Arlington National Cemetery #
For a quieter, more reflective visit, go outside peak summer and major U.S. holiday weekends-spring and autumn balance weather and crowds well.
Weather & Climate near Arlington National Cemetery #
Arlington National Cemetery's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1043 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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