Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery, at 1 Memorial Ave in Arlington, Virginia, lies about 4 miles (6 km) west of downtown Washington, DC, directly across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial. The simplest route is the Metro Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery station, a 15 to 25 minute ride costing about $2.25-$3.00 USD from downtown; the Welcome Center stands across the plaza from the station. Walkers can also cross Arlington Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial for free, and a rideshare to the Welcome Center costs about $12-$25 USD. Admission is free. The cemetery is the national military burial ground, and its best-known sites include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the Changing of the Guard takes place every half hour in summer and hourly in winter, and the grave of President John F. Kennedy with its eternal flame. Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial, sits on the hill above and gives a panoramic view of Washington. Section 60, the Women in Military Service Memorial and other memorials fill out the grounds, which are hilly and spread across more than 600 acres. Visitors can walk or pay about $20 USD for the Old Town Trolley tour that circulates inside, a useful option for those with limited mobility. A good arc is to arrive at the 8 AM opening, visit the Kennedy gravesite and Arlington House while it is cool and quiet, then attend the Changing of the Guard and finish at the Women in Military Service Memorial. Lunch options are limited inside, so visitors often eat in Rosslyn or back in Washington. The grounds open daily at 8 AM and close at 7 PM from April to September and 5 PM from October to March. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, and summer afternoons are hot with little shade on the main routes. Dress respectfully, keep voices low and follow the staff's directions; the cemetery is an active burial site with funerals held on weekdays. Allow three to four hours.