Arlington, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia is one of the places most frequently visited by travelers to the Nation's Capital, Washington, DC. Whether for business or pleasure, Arlington offers a host of sights and activities for everyone. It is centrally located just across the Potomac River, minutes from all the attractions of Northern Virginia and of the capital of the United States. Easily accessible by air, train, or car, there are a variety of things to see and do in this year-round destination.
Arlington is conveniently located and is within four miles of many of Washington, D.C.'s most visited sites: The Smithsonian Museums, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and most of D.C.'s other attractions. Arlington is home to the popular Fashion Centre Mall at Pentagon City and only a short drive from Mount Vernon, Old Town Alexandria, Potomac Mills outlet mall, Manassas battlefield, and many other popular Virginia sites.
M any of the nation's best known and frequently visited attractions, including the Pentagon; the U.S. Marine Memorial "Iwo Jima", Fort Myer, and the Arlington National Cemetery, home of the landmark Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, are located in Arlington. Arlington has its own Men's Softball team: the U.S. Exporters. Of course, the Washington Capitals, the Washington Redskins, the Washington Mystics, and the Washington Wizards are only a bridge and a short drive away.
Arlington, is home to Reagan National Airport, just minutes away from the District of Columbia. All major roadways and the five major bridges into Washington, D.C. from Virginia come through Arlington. Eleven of the thirty-three stations for Washington's Metro Subway system are located there. Incidentally, if you happen to be riding the Metro, be sure take a ride on one of the two longest escalators in the world at the Rosslyn Metro Station. It is 194 feet, 8 inches from top to bottom. The other, located at the Metro station in Bethesda, Maryland, is 213 feet, 10 inches in length.
Arlington County is an urban county of approximately 26 square miles. A little known fact about Arlington is that it is the smallest county in the United States that is self-governing. Arlington was originally part of the ten-mile square surveyed in 1791 for the District of Columbia. In response to requests from residents, the Congress returned the portion of the District located on the west bank of the Potomac River to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Due to it's proximity to the nation's capital, the principal industries in Arlington are government and tourism. Many nationally recognized businesses, from a variety of sectors, call Arlington home. As a result, Arlington continues to be both a center of commerce and a leisure destination.
A notable local attraction is Fort C.F. Smith Park . This beautiful 19 acre site includes a scenic view of Washington, DC, a lush tree canopy, a wildlife preserve with observations points, an ornamental peace garden, the lovely Hendry House, and the preserved earthworks of a Civil War fort built in 1863. Within the park, there is even a specially constructed creek designed to attract and host migrating birds.
Some of the best known celebrities who were raised in Arlington include Sandra Bullock, Katie Couric, Roberta Flack, Shirley MacLaine, Warren Beatty, and 1996 Summer Olympic swimming Gold-Medalist, Tim Dolan. Due to it's spectacular and varied scenery, Arlington also claims the honor of having numerous motion pictures and television shows filmed in and around the city. The television series, "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" was set largely in Arlington, as was "Unsolved Mysteries."
Archaeological findings show evidence of Native Americans having lived in the Arlington area for over 9,000 years. The same mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, and woodlands still attract settlers to this area of phenomenal natural beauty.
Whether visiting National sites, taking walking tours, watching the various professional sport teams, enjoying the spring blossom season or seeing the leaves turn in the fall, Arlington has something for everyone in any season of the year.
Things To Do
Arlington National Cemetery
703-607-8052
Admission Free
Open daily 8am-7pm, April-September. Open daily 9am-5pm, October-March.
A national shrine to the thousands of men and women who have died defending the United States and freedom around the world. Popular memorials include the Tomb of the Unknowns, the Challenger Space Shuttle Memorial, and the grave sites of John F. and Robert Kennedy.
Arlington House: The Robert E. Lee Memorial
703-557-0613
Admission Free
Open daily 9:30am-6pm, April-September. Open daily 9:30am-4:30 pm, October-March.
Former home of the Confederate General and Civil War hero. Here, in 1861, General Lee wrote the letter resigning his commission from the U.S. Army to fight for his native Virginia.
Fort Myer
703-696-3944
Admission Free
Hours of operation vary, call for details
Home of the oldest military division in the United States, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division. The division is the ceremonial unit for Arlington Cemetery and the U.S. Army. Location of the first commercial air flight. Military band concerts are played regularly at Brucker Hall. The caissons, stables and the Old Guard Museum are open to the public weekdays.
The Netherlands Carillon
Admission Free
703-285-2598
This 49-bell tower is a gift from the Dutch people in gratitude for American aid given during World War II. Concerts throughout the summer. Located on Marshall Drive, next to the Iwo Jima Memorial, between Route 50 and Arlington National Cemetery.
The Newseum and Freedom Park
703-284-3700
Admission Free
Call for hours of operation
The only interactive museum of news. The Newseum takes visitors behind the scenes to see and experience how and why news is made. Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters; relive the great news stories of all time through multimedia exhibits, artifacts and news memorabilia; see today's news as it happens on a block-long video news wall.
The Pentagon
Admission Free
Monday-Friday, 9:30am-3:30pm. Closed federal holidays
ID required for admission
Headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense, this is the world's largest office building with 6.5 million square feet covering 583 acres. Tours every 30 minutes,
United States Marine Memorial ("Iwo Jima Memorial")
Admission Free
Open 24 hours daily
The largest cast bronze statue in the world is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives since 1775.
The Women in Military Service for America Memorial
703-533-1155
Admission Free
Call for hours of operation
Located at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, honors all the women who have served courageously, selflessly and with dedication in times of conflict and in times of peace.
DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) Museum and Visitor Center
202-337-3463
Admission Free
Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm
The Museum highlights how this government agency is fighting the war on drugs in the air, on the land, and on the seas
Fort C.F. Smith Park
2411 24th Street
North Arlington, VA 22207
This beautiful 19-acre site includes a scenic view of Washington, DC, a lush tree canopy, an open meadow and other outstanding features including:
The restored Hendry House mansion, Civil War earthworks ruins, a wildlife preserve with observation areas, nature trails, and an ornamental peace garden. There is also a creek designed to attract and host migrating birds of many species.
Old Town Alexandria
King Street and surrounding streets
Arlington's neighbor, Alexandria, has the good fortune of being the curator of one of the treasures of America, known as Old Town, Alexandria. Old Town consists of the geographic area which was originally all of Alexandria in the colonial days. This downtown area is now known as Old Town and is the most popular tourist destination in this region of Northern Virginia.
Brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets add antique charm to Old Town, which is a thriving district of restored 17th and 18th century residences and businesses. The 300 retail establishments are mostly owner operated specialty shops; many keep extended evening hours. Stores in Old Town intermingle with brew houses and pubs that offer lively music, food, and drink well into the night. Many types of fine dining are also available.
The east boundary of Old Town is the bustling two mile Potomac waterfront highlighted by the Torpedo Factory Art Gallery. Used as a torpedo factory during World War I and World War II, it is now home to five juried galleries featuring the works of almost 200 artists.
Weather permitting, there are several boat rides from the Potomac waterfront area,
Historic sites in Old Town include Gadsby's Tavern, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, The Lyceum, Carlyle House, and Friendship Fire Company.
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary was started in 1792 and operated as a family business until 1933. The original inventory of herbs, potions, and medical glassware has been preserved just as it was when George and Martha Washington patronized the shop.
The Carlyle House, a Georgian manor house which was home of Scottish merchant John Carlyle who founded the town, is open for tours.
The Lyceum, Alexandria's history museum, houses 3 centuries of history, including prints, ceramics, silver and furniture.
The Friendship Fire Company was organized in 1774. The following year it was given its first fire truck by one of its prominent members, George Washington. Today it displays and maintains hand drawn fire engines and other historic fire fighting apparatus from the 18th and 19th centuries.
