Arlington National Cemetery

Overview

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active-duty service members, veterans, and their families across 639 acres in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C.

Highlights

• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Guarded 24/7 since 1937 with a Changing of the Guard ceremony every hour (or half-hour in summer).
• President John F. Kennedy's Gravesite: The eternal flame marks the 35th president's burial site overlooking the city.
• Arlington House: The Robert E. Lee Memorial, a Greek Revival mansion atop the cemetery's highest hill.

History

Established during the Civil War in 1864 on the former estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs deliberately chose the site to render Lee's home uninhabitable, ensuring the sacrifices of Union soldiers would never be forgotten.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: The ANC Explorer app provides guided tours and helps locate specific gravesites among the 400,000+ markers.
• Tip 2: Wear comfortable shoes—the cemetery is hilly and covers 639 acres. A narrated bus tour is available for a fee.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.