While many associate a trip to Washington, D.C. with seeing the National Mall and monuments, just outside the city and across the Potomac River, is Arlington, Virginia. Packed with history, local bites, and outdoor adventures, there is truly something for everyone in the family in this historic city, which is divided into more than 60 neighborhoods.
From Arlington National Cemetery and the city’s iconic trail system to bespoke coffee experiences and craft cocktails, Arlington is a city worth exploring. Be sure to carve out some time for Northern Virginia. Here are the top 20 things to do, see, eat, and drink in Arlington.
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What To See & Do In Arlington, Virginia
Arlington National Cemetery
No trip to Arlington is complete without stepping foot inside the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, the resting place for more than 400,000 veterans and eligible dependents, as well as the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier – a memorial for unidentified service members who died in combat that is guarded 24/7. According to the website, ANC conducts up to 30 funeral services each weekday and six to eight every Saturday. Prominent government leaders like John F. Kennedy and Thurgood Marshall, as well as famous women including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Grace Hopper, are buried here, too.
Military Memorials
Located at the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery is the Military Women’s Memorial, which recognizes the contributions of the more than three million women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since the American Revolution.
Just outside Arlington National Cemetery along Arlington Ridge Park, sits the Marine Corps War Memorial, in honor of all Marines who have given their lives to defend the United States since 1775. Commonly referred to as the Iwo Jima Memorial, this statue is inspired by the iconic 1945 photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, capturing six Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima. The image symbolizes the end of the American campaign in the Pacific during World War II.
The Air Force Memorial honors the service of all men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force with three curving stainless steel spires that soar into the sky above Arlington. According to the architectural firm behind the project, “inspiration was drawn from the contrails of the Air Force Thunderbirds as they peel back in a precision bomb burst maneuver.”
Presidential Parks
Located along the Potomac River is Theodore Roosevelt Island, an 88-acre national memorial dedicated to the United States’ 26th president. Accessible via a footbridge from a parking lot off the northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway, visitors can enjoy miles of hiking trails and wildlife viewing.
Also positioned on an island along the Potomac is the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove, a memorial established in honor of President Johnson, the 36th U.S. President, who frequently visited the area during his time in Washington, D.C. Located inside Lady Bird Johnson Park, the memorial location was chosen by his wife, according to Arlington’s visitor website, and features a granite monolith, as well as paths, white pines, and an open meadow.
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National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
Dedicated to the 184 victims who died at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the somber National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial features 184 illuminated benches situated among 84 Crepe Myrtle trees. The memorial park is organized by age lines that follow the youngest victim (age 3) to the oldest (age 71) at a 45-degree angle to the Pentagon – flight 77’s path as it flew into the building.
Bon Air Park Rose Garden
More than 120 different types of roses bloom between May and October at Bon Air Park Rose Garden, situated inside a 24-acre park located adjacent to the Dominion Hills neighborhood of Arlington at 850 N. Lexington Street. Originally created as a World War II living memorial, the park also features playgrounds and picnic areas and is a popular location for weddings.
Black Heritage Museum of Arlington
The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington (BHMA) was established to “celebrate the African American journey to freedom in Arlington County.” In August 2024, the museum announced a new project in collaboration with the Arlington Historical Society that would memorialize the enslaved of Arlington (MEA) and celebrate their lives. The BHMA is located at 2611 Columbia Pike and is open Thursday from 3 PM to 6 PM and Saturday 2 PM to 5 PM.
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Explore Outdoor Trails
There is no shortage of trails to explore in Arlington– the county boasts 17 trails that include nearly 50 miles of paved multi-use trails for biking, running, hiking, and walking. From the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail that runs from Rosslyn to George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon to the hilly (but manageable) Custis Trail that runs just over five miles between Rosslyn and the W&OD Trail near Falls Church.
Where To Eat
Arlington offers a wide variety of tasty spots to eat and drink, no matter what you’re craving.
Breakfast: Start the day with a Sour Cream Doughnut from Good Company followed by a bespoke 90-minute coffee Omakase at Gute Leute or if you’d rather enjoy a full breakfast spread, grab a booth at Ruthie’s All Day.
Lunch and Dinner: Arlington favorites for lunch and dinner include French bistro Cafe Colline, seafood lover’s Quarterdeck, or Balkan-inspired AMBAR. Looking for the best sips? Don’t miss a glass of wine at Screwtop Wine Bar, pint of beer at The Board Room, or craft cocktail at SALT.
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