Top 15 Experiences in Arlington, Virginia

Just a quick trip across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, Arlington is well-known for hosting Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. However, this charming county has a vibrant side with plenty of delightful activities to explore beyond the solemn landmarks.

Here, you can enjoy dining, appreciate art, engage in ice hockey, attend performances at award-winning venues, and even stroll through nature while taking in some of the most iconic views. Arlington offers much more than you might expect – here are 15 fantastic ways to enjoy it.

1. Marvel at the Iwo Jima Memorial

The iconic image captured by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Joe Rosenthal of six Marines raising the US flag on Iwo Jima during one of World War II's fiercest battles inspired the Iwo Jima Memorial, also known as the US Marine Corps Memorial, which majestically stands on a knoll overlooking the National Mall.

It’s both impactful and moving, with the flag proudly waving 24/7 due to an executive order. Every Tuesday evening in summer, the Marine Corps sunset parade showcases a vibrant display of marching, drumming, and bugling. Nearby, the Netherlands Carillon, a gift from the Dutch, hosts live summer concerts and automated performances at other times. The lush grounds provide a stunning view over the National Mall, making it a favored spot for watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Planning tip: Seating at the parade is not guaranteed, so feel free to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets for comfort.

2. Watch planes at Gravelly Point Park

At Gravelly Point Park, located near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, planes land just overhead, allowing you to feel the powerful roar of their engines as you gaze up at their undersides. You’re perfectly positioned on the flight path of both arriving and departing aircraft.

This small, expansive park attracts locals for its informal airshow, where families bring picnics, children, and pets. It’s a bustling hub of activity, with runners and cyclists zooming along the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail, while stunning views of DC's monuments rise across the Potomac River.

Planning tip: The park is accessible only from the northbound side of George Washington Memorial Parkway.

3. Enjoy a play and dinner in Shirlington 

You don’t need to visit the Kennedy Center for top-notch performances in the DC area. The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre in Arlington is a hidden gem with a cozy 300-seat venue. This theater not only showcases Broadway-quality productions but has also premiered 59 original works since its inception in 1989.

You can experience both timeless classics and contemporary performances, featuring well-known actors alongside rising stars. This venue serves as the cultural heart of Shirlington, a vibrant neighborhood filled with restaurants, a few shops, and a cinema.

4. Pay your respects at Arlington National Cemetery

Spanning 639 acres, Arlington National Cemetery is home to nearly 400,000 pristine white headstones that rise and fall across its lush green landscape. This revered site is the final resting place for only the most distinguished soldiers from every conflict dating back to the Revolutionary War, with strict eligibility criteria.

The welcome center features various exhibits, and it's the starting point for the shuttle service that takes you to key sites, or you can opt to walk (just a heads up: it’s quite hilly!). Be sure to catch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visit John F. Kennedy's gravesite, marked by an eternal flame.

Originally owned by Robert E. Lee, this land was seized by the Union when he left to join the Confederacy. His plantation home, Arlington House, sits on a hill and has been updated to share the comprehensive history of all who lived here before the cemetery was founded during the Civil War, including the Lee family and enslaved individuals.

5. Enjoy a hike at Potomac Overlook Regional Park

While the view of the Potomac River from this urban, tree-lined retreat in Arlington is somewhat seasonal and not particularly impressive, the park is a fantastic destination for hiking along easy trails through a quintessential Virginia woodland filled with oaks, maples, cedars, and magnolias. Enjoy the sounds of chirping birds, rustling squirrels, and the peacefulness of nature. The nature center offers interactive displays about local plants and animals.

Planning tip: The park features a covered picnic area with tables, seating, and restrooms nearby. Pack your own food and enjoy an affordable meal in a beautiful setting.

6. Honor women's contributions at the Military Women's Memorial

Just beyond the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery, you'll notice an impressive neoclassical structure that serves as a memorial dedicated to servicewomen across all conflicts and roles. Inside, you'll find a contemporary education center, a theater, and a digital registry of military women. The exhibits reveal fascinating stories, such as women serving as spies during the Revolutionary War and others who fought disguised as men.

A standout feature is the panoramic rooftop view. Behind you, the pristine white tombstones of Arlington stretch across the hillside, while in front lies a breathtaking vista of the Memorial Bridge and Lincoln Monument. Inspiring quotes are engraved on glass panels throughout the space.

7. Pause to reflect on 9/11 at the Pentagon Memorial

Situated in the heart of Arlington, the Pentagon is the headquarters of the US Department of Defense and ranks among the world's largest office buildings, offering 6,500,000 square feet of workspace for over 23,000 military and civilian personnel.

This enormous structure consists of five sides, with five floors above ground and two basement levels, featuring corridors that stretch a total of 17.5 miles. However, due to its spoke-and-ring design, it takes just seven minutes to walk from one end to the other.

On September 11, 2001, a hijacked airplane crashed into the Pentagon's west side, resulting in the deaths of 184 individuals. The outdoor 9/11 Pentagon Memorial pays tribute to the victims, featuring 184 illuminated benches, each inscribed with the name, age, and location of those who perished. The memorial is accessible 24/7, and a 24-minute audio tour can be arranged by calling 202-741-1004.

Planning tip: To explore the Pentagon, you can book a tour by registering and completing necessary security checks. Be sure to schedule well in advance to accommodate the authorization process.

8. Revel in the springtime splendor at Lady Bird Johnson Park

Claudia Alta 'Lady Bird' Johnson was renowned for her passion for flowers. During her husband Lyndon Johnson's presidency, she dedicated herself to enhancing the beauty of Washington, DC, and the nation's highways.

Renamed in her honor in 1968, Lady Bird Johnson Park is an island in the Potomac connected to the mainland by bridges, showcasing a stunning display of blooms year-round. A million daffodils signal the arrival of spring, followed by 11,000 vibrant red tulips, while the hardwoods transform into brilliant reds and oranges in autumn. You'll also find weeping willows, dogwoods, crab apples, and more, all with scenic views of Washington's marble monuments across the river.

The park features two monuments: the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac and the 1922 Navy and Merchant Marine Memorial. The 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail winds through the area, perfect for bikers, runners, and walkers. Access for drivers is limited to the southbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

9. Chill out at Ballston Quarter

Arlington's once-dilapidated Ballston Mall has been revitalized into Ballston Quarter. This transformed venue now boasts a dazzling indoor-outdoor environment filled with entertainment options, activities, and shopping. Enjoy a variety of sit-down restaurants featuring renowned local chefs, along with a vibrant food hall serving everything from street tacos to gourmet doughnuts and craft brews. You can participate in cooking classes, trivia nights, and watch Caps or Nats games on two massive screens, or even embark on a live-action adventure at 5 Wits Arlington.

Planning tip: The top floor houses the MedStar Capitals Iceplex, which features a public ice-skating rink and serves as the practice facility for Alex Ovechkin and other Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals. Check their schedule here.

10. Cycle along the stunning Mount Vernon Trail

Stretching 18 miles along the Potomac River from Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon, the scenic Mount Vernon Trail is a perfect retreat for bikers, walkers, runners, and rollerbladers. While only about 4.5 miles lie in Arlington, those miles are breathtaking. Along the way, enjoy iconic views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, US Capitol, Memorial Bridge, and more.

In spring, vibrant flowers burst into bloom, and autumn transforms the landscape with fiery reds from maples, dogwoods, and redbuds. Notable stops include Theodore Roosevelt Island, Gravelly Point Park (a favorite spot for plane watching), and Lady Bird Johnson Park. The trail runs parallel to the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which offers similar scenic views from the road.

11. Take a stroll on Theodore Roosevelt Island

A pedestrian bridge takes you across a serene channel to this 88-acre island nestled in the Potomac River, featuring 2.5 miles of hiking trails that meander through wetlands, marshes, and upland forests. Once an overgrown farm transformed into a natural sanctuary in the 1930s, it now hosts squirrels, raccoons, deer, and the occasional red fox. The island's centerpiece is a 17-foot bronze statue of the 26th US president, celebrating his love for the great outdoors.

The island can be accessed by car only from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, or on foot or by bike via the Mount Vernon Trail.

12. Book your dinner in Clarendon

In the 1960s and '70s, Vietnamese refugees settled in the Clarendon neighborhood, and while many of the original Little Saigon restaurants have vanished, a few remain, including Nam Viet, famous for its wall of celebrity diners. Following gentrification, the area has transformed into a vibrant hub with a range of terrace restaurants and bars appealing to the nightlife crowd. You'll discover cuisines from Italian and Japanese to Irish and Baltic, with favorites like Ambar, Green Pig Bistro, and Circa being especially popular.

Clarendon also offers shopping options, including the outdoor Crossing Clarendon shopping center, which features well-known retailers such as Pottery Barn and Barnes & Noble. The area hosts several annual events, notably Clarendon Day, a lively street festival complete with bar crawls, an arts showcase, and the exciting Clarendon Cup, a professional bike race.

13. Appreciate public art in Rosslyn

While Arlington may not be known as an artistic hotspot, it boasts over 70 permanent public art installations scattered throughout the county—and that number keeps growing.

Many of these works are located in Rosslyn, including one of the earliest installations: Dark Star Park, completed in 1984, which features spherical concrete sculptures described by artist Nancy Holt as 'extinguished stars.' Another notable piece is Anna and David, a vibrant three-story sculpture of a dancing couple by Miriam Schapiro. The Luminous Bodies installation, which graces the four corners of the bridge over I-66, consists of 26-foot-high illuminated sculptures that shift colors at night. You can embark on a self-guided walking or driving tour to discover them all.

14. Gaze upwards at the US Air Force Memorial

Reaching high into the Arlington sky, three elegant, curved stainless steel spires pay tribute to the men and women of the US Air Force. Specifically, these spires symbolize the contrails of the Air Force Thunderbirds as they perform a 'bomb burst' maneuver.

Unveiled in 2006, the US Air Force Memorial stands as the final military service monument added to the DC area. It is encircled by granite walls inscribed with tributes to the bravery and legacy of aviation pioneers. The memorial features an 8-foot bronze statue of an Honor Guard and a glass wall of contemplation honoring fallen airmen and women. You'll find it situated near Arlington National Cemetery, with a view of the Pentagon.

15. Explore the intriguing realm of drugs at the DEA Museum

Nestled in a typical office building in Arlington, you might be surprised to discover a captivating museum dedicated to drugs. Located on Army Navy Drive, this unique museum, operated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), investigates the shadowy world of drug activity and enforcement spanning the last 150 years.

The exhibits cover the science and history behind opium, marijuana, and cocaine, while a rotating showcase highlights significant events, including the downfall of El Chapo. However, it’s the artifacts that truly captivate visitors. The DEA's collection boasts over 5,000 items and 40,000 photographs, featuring notable pieces like green platform shoes worn by a DEA agent during a 1970s cocaine investigation, a spiritual icon discovered among drug cartel members, and a spiked bamboo trap used to protect drug traffickers' crops in Thailand.

Planning tip: Since the museum is located within a federal building, ensure you bring a government-issued photo ID for entry.