Things to do nearArlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery occupies land that once belonged to the family of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and the property's transformation into a military burial ground during the Civil War gave it a significance that has only deepened over the generations. The cemetery was formally established in 1864, and today it holds the remains of veterans from every major American conflict, from the Revolutionary War through recent operations overseas.

Among the most visited sites within Arlington National Cemetery is the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy, marked by an eternal flame that burns day and night on a gentle slope with a clear view across the Potomac toward Washington. Nearby, the grave of Senator Robert F. Kennedy offers a quieter moment of reflection. The Memorial Amphitheater, a grand white marble structure completed in 1920, hosts national ceremonies on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Easter Sunday.

Just above the cemetery stands Arlington House, the Greek Revival mansion that served as the Lee family home before the war and is now administered by the National Park Service. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded around the clock by soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, remains the cemetery's most iconic and emotionally resonant site. Visitors who take time to walk the full grounds find themselves moving through layers of American history that no museum exhibition can fully replicate, making Arlington National Cemetery a place that rewards slow, thoughtful exploration.