Visiting Arlington National Cemetery
It was the desire to admire the Indian summer at its best that brought me visiting the Arlington National Cemetery. A few days before leaving for the U.S from Europe, I had a chat with a friend about the best things to do in Washington DC, and her dreamy way to disclose her memories of an old stroll around this peaceful place conquered my fantasy. Influenced by her story, labeled as one of the best things to do in D.C. with kids, I went there. Along with me were my two daughters that took an enchanting day trip from Washington DC to Arlington, Virginia.
The history of Arlington Memorial Cemetery
Home of the gravesites of President John F. Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and world champion boxer Joe Louis, the grounds have more than 400.000 remains of people who served America. However, before being a cemetery, this was a privately owned land. In detail, the area once belonged to George Washington’s step-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis. Later, in 1857, the property passed to his daughter Mary Anna Randolph Custis. And from that time, it became home to her and her husband, Robert E. Lee. Still, under renovation at the time of my visit, the original American-Greek style home was vacated by the Lee family during the Civil War. The grounds were later used as a camp for the Federal Troops, and as a shelter for former slaves. The first burial of Arlington Memorial Cemetery dates back to May 13th, 1864.
What to see when visiting Arlington National Cemetery
Today, on the Arlington National Cemetery are the graves of more than 400.000 soldiers and families. Among them are the burials of some American heroes. For instance, Arlington hosts the Kennedy Family Gravesite with the grave of former president John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Moreover, before him, another president, William Howard Taft, was buried there with his wife, Helen Herron “Nellie” Taft.
Among the notable sites to visit at the Arlington National Cemetery, there is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Under this name is a funeral monument to celebrate all the people who died during WW I, WW II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Inscribed on it are the words, “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”
Furthermore, by visiting the Arlington House, you can enjoy breathtaking views over the cemetery, the Potomac River, and the District of Columbia.
Interesting things to discover visiting Arlington National Cemetery
While at the time of my visit, the Arlington House was still under renovation, the National Park Service underlines that once completed the project will allow visitors to “see Arlington House as it was in 1860, with rooms restored to their historical appearance. Additionally, the quarters for the enslaved people of Arlington House will be restored to better represent and tell their stories.”
Another interesting thing to do while visiting Arlington National Cemetery is assisting at the Changing of the Guard. This takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, once every hour on the hour starting October 1st. Also, in the summer, they conduct the ceremony every half hour.
Among the hidden gem of the cemetery, there are the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Located at the Ceremonial Entrance to the Cemetery, it honors all women who have defended America throughout history.
The eternal flame at the Arlington National Cemetery
On the hilltop of the Arlington National Cemetery, there is a perennial source of light. Known as the eternal flame, it was lit during the funeral of President John F. Kennedy on November 25th, 1963. The assassination of KFK shocked the nation that since then pay homage to his memory with this source of light. Thanks to a nozzle and electric ignition system, there is a constant flashing electric spark that relights the natural gas if the flame in case of rain, wind, or accidents.
The JFK gravesite includes engraved words from some of his speeches. Moreover, the site host the burial of two of his four children and his widow. Nearby is a memorial to his brother Joseph, killed during WWII, and the graves of his brothers, Robert F. Kennedy (assassinated in 1968) and Edward M. Kennedy, who met eligibility requirements because of their military and political service to the nation.
Arlington National Cemetery tours
Before visiting Arlington National Cemetery, I decided to explore this vast burial ground on a tour. The open train-like bus was an easy option to explore the over 600 acres of land with my young daughters still under jet lag. An official company provides tours with its ticket office located inside the main hall of the cemetery. With two different itineraries offered during weekdays and weekend, Arlington National Cemetery Tours last 45–60 minutes. Running in a loop, you can get off at any sight of your interest, explore, and take the next train.
Good to know Tours routes and stops can change or have delays during funerals and special ceremonies.
How to locate graves at the Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington Cemetery hosts the remains of more than 400.000 soldiers, veterans, and their families. Whenever you decide to go for a self-guided walking tour or to take a tour, I suggest you download the official app of the cemetery. In detail, the ANC Explorer is a great tool to facilitate your visit. Downloading the latest version of the app allows you to locate gravesites, and discover a point of interest as well as events. The app is also the most practical gadget to have for self-guided tours. Additionally, from the app, you can save searched burial records on your mobile phone or tablet. The app is a fundamental instrument to help navigate the cemetery, especially if you decide to take a self-guided walking tour.
Visiting Arlington National Cemetery is easy as it is open all year-round. The timing slightly differs between the colder and warmer seasons. In detail, the cemetery is open from 8 am to 7 pm from April to September and from 8 am to 5 pm from October to March.
To access the site, you can either arrive by car or taxi or using the metro getting off at the Arlington Cemetery Metro station. The cemetery is located across the Potomac River. From Washington, D.C. is it at the end of Memorial Avenue, the parkway, which extends from Memorial Bridge, near the Lincoln Memorial.
Visiting Arlington on Memorial Day
With more than 3,000 ceremonies and memorial services taking place at the cemetery each year, visiting Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day or Remembrance Day is the best way to pay homage to soldiers. In detail, Arlington honor all-year-round women and men who gave their lives in service to the U.S. On that occasion, you can participate in the annual Memorial Observance ceremony. Visiting Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day can be touching as before the weekend, soldiers from the Old Guard honor America’s fallen heroes by placing more than 235,000 flags at gravesites. Known as “ Flags In,” this tradition dates back to 1948. Moreover, at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial takes place another tribute ceremony, including the scattering of rose petals.
Other Things to do in Arlington, VA
- Visit the Air Force Memorial that honors the service and heritage of the men and women of the United States Air Force and its heritage organizations. Located on a beautiful hillside vista in Arlington, the monument is made of three stainless steel spires projected into the sky. Cost Free
- Under renovation until May 2020, The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is the place to go to pay homage to the 184 victims who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon.
- Take a photo of the Marine Corps War Memorial based on an iconic, Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of the second flag-raising on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. The memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775. From there, take photos of Washington, D.C. with the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building.
