United States | Washington, D.C.
A United States military cemetery spanning 624 acres just outside of Washington, D.C., Arlington National Cemetery was established in 1864 and is the final resting place for over 400,000 American servicemen and women. The land that is now Arlington Cemetery was purchased by George Washington Parke Custis, Martha Washington’s grandson and George Washington’s adopted son, in 1802. The estate later passed to Mary Anna Custis Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee. The Arlington House, Lee’s former home, overlooks the cemetery from the top of a hill and is open to the public (though it is temporarily closed, through spring 2020, for restoration). If the house is open during your trip to the cemetery, it’s worth a visit (no charge for admission).
The cemetery is a beautiful and moving place. You can visit in any season (if you don’t mind the cold, it’s gorgeous in winter when there’s snow on the ground), but it’s obviously best to go when the weather is good. Highlights include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the USS Maine Mast Memorial, the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial, and President John F. Kennedy’s tomb.
Admission
Free
Hours
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM