DK Travel : Washington, D.C. : Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery

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Some of America’s most cherished burial sites are found in the 612 acres of the nation’s best-known military cemetery. The rolling lawns filled with white tombstones, the Tomb of the Unknowns, and the grave of John F Kennedy are conspicuous symbols of sacrifices made for freedom. The flags fly at half-staff from before the first and after the last of about 20 funerals per day, as the graves of veterans continue to multiply. Nearly four million people visit the cemetery every year, some attracted by the historical importance of the site, many wishing to honor those who have died in the nation’s wars, others taking part in the funeral of a friend or family member. The cemetery visitors’ center provides maps, personalized information, and guidance.
For more memorials in Washington, D.C. (see Memorials and Monuments)

Top 10 Features

1. Lawns of Graves

1. Lawns of Graves

Approximately 300,000 people are buried on these grounds, marked by unadorned graves, arranged in regular grids, spread across the lawns. Although only a small percentage of America’s war dead lie here, the expanse gives a tangible picture of the human cost of war.
2. Tomb of the Unknowns

This solemn monument is guarded 24 hours a day by The Old Guard. Unknown soldiers of World Wars I and II and the Korean War are entombed here. A Vietnam soldier was interred here, but he was later identified.
3. Memorial Amphitheater

The setting for the Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies (see Top 10 One-Day Events).
4. Arlington House

This impressive mansion was conceived as a memorial to George Washington, built by his step-grandson.
5. Confederate Memorial

5. Confederate Memorial

Although the cemetery is popularly thought to be only for Union soldiers, 482 Confederate soldiers are buried here as well, in circular rows around a central memorial.
6. Grave of John F. Kennedy

6. Grave of John F. Kennedy

The eternal flame was lit by Jacqueline Kennedy on the day of the assassinated president’s funeral. In 1994 she was buried beside him.
7. Tomb of Pierre L’Enfant

7. Tomb of Pierre L’Enfant

Honoring the designer of the city grid of Washington (see Layout and Design), L’Enfant’s monument shows the plan of the city within a circle.
8. Seabees Memorial

A bronze construction worker pauses to make friends with a young child. The Seabees – so called from the initials of their name, the Construction Battalion (CB) – performed daring feats in building the military bases needed to win World War II.
9. Shuttle Memorials

This memorial honors the astronauts who died in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. A memorial to the 2003 Columbia space shuttle tragedy is nearby.
10. Rough Riders Memorial

This dark granite memorial displays the insignia of the First US Volunteer Cavalry (the “Rough Riders”) and the battles they took part in during the Spanish-American War.

Practical Information

Covering the cemetery on foot requires walking long distances. The most convenient way to get to the cemetery is to take the Tourmobile from any of its 25 stops (see Tour Bus Lines). They offer a cemetery-only tour that provides transportation through the cemetery along with commentary and interpretation. Arlington, VA 703-607-8000 www.arlingtoncemetery.org Open Apr–Sep: 8am–7pm daily; Oct–Mar: 8am–5pm daily Free Dis. access