Arlington National Cemetery Reviews

Very moving visit to this cemetery where thousands of veterans are buried. We visited the grave of President John F. Kennedy, buried here with his wife and two of his children. If you have time it is worth visiting.

Well worth a visit, a really stunning place with so many wonderful stories associated.The little hop on hop off train is advisable unless you can walk long distance, there is much to see.

This place is very impressive. Leaving a review on a cemetery is somewhat odd but the tomb of the unknown soldier, the changing of the guard and a wreath laying ceremony were fantastic to witness and quite emotional too. The grounds are immaculate too and they offer tours to save walking. How I wish I did this! It’s quite hilly to walk.

Arlington is a sacred place that honors those who gave their lives for the country. Its extensive grounds and iconic tombs are a moving testament to service and sacrifice.

Not a cemetery fan, but we still wanted to see this.
It is definitely worth it.
(As with many visits, also check with metal detection)

My wife and I actually did just a walking tour by ourselves; no tour guide, no bus, just walked it. We visited all of the must-see sites, such as Arlington House, the Kennedy graves, Changing of the Guards, etc., but then we walked well off of the beaten path. This was probably the highlight of our visit, and maybe our whole week in DC. There are areas where you are totally alone, able to ponder the magnitude of the sacrifices so many have made for our freedom. You don't need to be a marathon runner to be able to do this. I would strongly encourage giving it a try.

Paid for the tour and glad we did. So much information and absolutely beautiful way spend the day! So many stories and things to learn and hear. Absolutely captivating.

Wonderful walk through this amazing place of honor to visit a friend. If you are walking from the US Marine Corps Memorial, you can enter/exit through the Ord & Weitzel gate. The security screeners there were very kind & helpful getting me pointed to the section where I’d find my friend.

Most come to see the changing of the guard, Kennedy's site and maybe one or two others. That's a mistake. The visitor center has wonderful exhibits telling the story of the cemetery and giving a good overview. The free brochure points out many notable burial sites - and many others that most will recognize can be found just walking the gently rolling roads and paths. Yes the guard and Kennedy sites are memorable and should be included, but skip the tram tour, which barely scratches the surface as you ride to the three stopping points. You can save your money - and see a great deal more - by walking along any path you choose.

An American can’t visit this cemetery without feeling a deep appreciation for all those who served and so many who died for this country.

The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is a must-see. JFK’s grave is also worth seeing. Then there are rows and rows and rows of gravestones throughout the rolling hills.

This place is just too big and sadly growing on a monthly basis. However, there has been no attempt to hide the enormous loss of life and there is an atmosphere of respect - and tragedy.

We had two days in Washington DC and decided to spend the first day here. We took the Amtrak down from Baltimore and then took an Uber to and from the station. We decided to take the hop on hop off tour of the cemetery and are so glad we did. The cemetery is huge and they give a great history of the cemetery and the people buried here. The changing of the guard at the unknown soldier is quite impressive and very emotional. We spent about two hours or so here. Definitely worth the visit!

Last week we took the Hop on, Hop off bus (Green and Orange) and bought the extra part that took us to Arlington Cemetery. It was very interesting to hear about the cemetery while on the little shuttle bus within Arlington. We got off and saw where JFK was buried. We then went to stop where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was. The guards change on the top of the hour and during the summer months, it is every 30 minutes. I Googled Arlington prior to going so I learned a lot about the men/women who volunteer for this job. Last week they were having 27 funerals that day that we were there. I would defiantly go on a tour if you are in the area.

Three of my closet family members are buried here and I could not possibly think of a more beautiful location. One of the most surreal and sacred places that I've ever visited. Even typing this review I get chills this would rank among the top sites to see worldwide for me and I have been to over 50 countries and live just a few miles from Arlington. If you're in the area stop by you won't regret it.

Arlington National Cemetery marks the history of US military adventure abroad. The vast area across the Potomac River from Washington DC is the burial place of all major US military personnel. Quite inspiring to see so many Americans sacrificing their lives for the national cause. Do devote enough time to explore the place; history fans would like to look for familiar names.

Visiting Arlington National Cemetery was a great experience.Allen, our guide, was exceptional. He made it so interesting and kept everyone engaged with stories behind the headstones, monuments, and memorials, giving us insight into the lives and sacrifices of those laid to rest here.
Totally recommended!!

Located very close to the center of Washington and accessible by subway, the Arlington Cemetery gathers all the soldiers who died on the battlefield (or were buried next to their comrades). There are whole hills....
The JFk Memorial is of course unmissable as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier but there are also other places: a President (william Taft), General MacArthur, the first astronaut to have circled the earth (John Glen), the man who bequeathed the Davis Cup to tennis (Dwight Davis), and for people of my generation, Papy Boyington. There are also the memorials of the shuttle challenger and Columbia as well as that of appolo 1 or the flight that crashed into the Pentagon in 2001.
For convenience, download the Anc Explorer app. You can pre-locate the places that interest you and are geolocated during your visit.

I find walking in cemeteries relaxing, reading epitaphs on gravestones, and imagining the lives of people who are gone. You could spend a whole day in Arlington. Too bad you can't get off the paved avenues, but it's a common sense rule to regulate the huge influx of tourists. The dead have a right to rest in peace.

We were visiting our American cousins from the UK and this was one place I really wanted to visit. Sadly, due to family commitments on the day, we were only able to spend an hour here which really wasn't enough. The 'jump on/jump off) trolleys meant we could go round the Cemetery in 45 minutes with the guide telling us all about the places within we passed but I would really have liked to have had the time to jump and spend some more time at various points. A really worthwhile visit and, if we return to DC, we will certainly go back

I arrived at Arlington Cemetery at 8am before the tourist and school groups descended on the site.
There is security to go through on entry, and then you can explore the cemetery at your own pace free of charge. There are tours around the cemetery but these are chargeable as is the transport around the site.
I was lucky to have visited on the most beautiful spring day, which enhanced the cherry blossom tress and other flowers and trees.
There are approximately 460,000 graves at the cemetery and it is a beautiful and emotional place to visit.
There is also Arlington House to visit on the site which is owned and managed by the National Parks Service and is free to enter.
At the top of the cemetery you get panoramic views of Washington DC. I do recommend arriving early, as I managed to have the site to myself for the best part of an hour.

We went to visit my wife's grandfather's tomb, the staff is wonderful, very helpful and kind. They directed us to the section and assisted us getting set up on the tour. The gravesite is a short walk from the tour center and they told us it would be quicker without the shuttle service. The cemetery is stunning in its beauty and peacefulness. Highly recommend the full tour as well, the information and scenery is well worth it.

Touching and moving. Employees are strict about proper etiquette, ie no sitting on the ground or walls. Respectfully quiet. RGB burial site in section 5, with Thurgood Marshall, right behind JFK in section 45. We saw the changing of the guard at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Such dignity and honor. A must when in DC.

I was looking forward to our visit here as part of my son’s school tour group. My brother was stationed in DC as part of the Old Guard for several years when I was a broke college student and couldn’t visit, so seeing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and picturing him out there was incredibly moving. The $20 tram tour is worth it to save yourself some shoe leather, especially if you’ve already been walking all over the DC area like we had. If you have someone buried there to visit, they also offer free shuttles to gravesites.

Seeing this cemetery in person is the best way to experience the scope and gravity of the sacrifice experienced by so many Americans. Very humbling.

I attended a military funeral in January. The Air Force did an amazing job with my friend. The ceremony was quite impressive and touching. The cemetery is incredibly large and gave you a sense of warmth and caring in its sobering reality.

This is a very large cemetery. I used Metro. It took 5 minutes to get there from the station. The admission was free. I saw a lot of people. It was raining. It seemed that the weather in DC was so unpredictable that you should bring an umbrella.

I visited on April 5th, 2022. Luckily, I saw a lot of cherry flowers although it was raining. You may consider your visit during the cherry flowers season.

I saw the JFK graveyard with cherry flowers. This country had a lot of wars before. Many many many people died. It made me sad. If you live in America, please visit here. You will learn about this country's history and the sacrifices of unknown soldiers. 

Amazing experience.
I was aware if this place but had no idea of the scale and how far back the graves go ( The American civil war) . Seeing JFK grave was a real highlight. Everywhere is so well maintained and respect shown to everyone buried there.
If visiting Washington DC don’t miss this.

Grounds are kept very nice, it was amazing to see flags at ever stone in cemetery. We also saw President Biden helicopters leaving after he gave his speech.

This is as must visit if you are in Washington DC. Allow at least two to three hours. We decided to walk ourselves rather than do a tour and I think it was the right call. A must do is the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Beautiful grounds, perfectly kept. This is a profound experience. The visitor centre is excellent, full of information about the history and lots of pictures.

Of all the times I've been to DC, I haven't gone into Arlington Cemetery. I read in reviews that the tour was really good, so we took it! I don't know that I'd do it again because I'm not really into who is buried where, but it was really neat to see the expanse of the place. I loved going into Arlington House, and my 4 kids were fascinated by the slave quarters out back. If you don't want to take the tour, the house is a walkable distance. We also really enjoyed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier area. The tour got us there right before the changing of the guard, which was quite fascinating for all of us. We probably would have spent more time wandering around, but it was cold and trying to snow on us!

Incredible experience! Very moving. Excellent tour guide. First time our teen boys have visited. We were all moved. Thankful for all who served.

Impressive to see all these graves. It seems at first that the soldiers are separated from the officers that are higher up the hill. So these higher in ranks have bigger graves but also made the decisions that resulted in the dead of all the soldiers on the lower slopes.

Our tour of Arlington National Cemetery was truly unforgettable, thanks to our outstanding guide James. His knowledge of the site's history, respectful tone, and storytelling ability brought every moment to life. He honored the space with dignity while keeping us engaged and informed. A perfect balance of reverence and education—highly recommend!

This was my first time visiting DC. I was visiting my son who was recovering from an injury during deployment. We took advantage of this opportunity and explored Arlington Cemetery to honor those who served. What an incredible opportunity to see and honor all who lost their lives and served. I couldn't wait to see JFK resting place and to experience the changing of the guards.

This is the phrase that veterans who come here to pay homage to the fallen proudly display on the back of their t-shirts. This is sacred ground for Americans, the cemetery is huge beyond measure and the quantity of white headstones as far as the eye can see is impressive. You can breathe calm, peace and tranquility. It is worth taking the trolley tour (I don't see any alternatives) which stops at various significant stages. The stop at JFK's tomb and the Unknown Soldier is obligatory, the changing of the guard is not to be missed. Even without any merit, I wouldn't mind being buried here, in a corner.

The tour was excellent but the tour guide was not. He was too political in his view of history. His thoughts that "the South during the Civil War were really not traders" as they are portrayed by historians, is something he should keep to himself. I paid money for a tour not a civics lesson.

Visiting DC. Arlington was on our must see list. We walked over from the Mall. Then we did a lot of walking around the cemetery. Its quite emotional to walk the grounds. Watching the changing of the guard is very emotional. Standing in the heat gave us a new appreciation for what those guards do. We wanted to tour Arlington House but we got confused on where to go and then found out we would have to backtrack for a 25 min walk to the house, we opted to skip. Sacred place - glad we were able to view it.

Arlington is a national treasure and a very honored, special place. The Visitor's Center and website have an excellent "find a grave" resource which quickly and accurately locates and gives you walking or driving / walking directions to specific graves, which was most helpful so I could find those of my relatives. Meigs (Union quartermaster) really had it in for the Confederacy to commandeer Robert E Lee's house and estate to turn it into the Union cemetery (the house was built by George and Martha Washington's grandson, whose daughter Mary married General Robert E Lee -how is that for a small world?!). The history of Arlington and the presence of so many ordinary people / extraordinary heroes is sobering and inspiring.

Arlington National Cemetery, described as "our country's most hallowed ground," is situated on the Arlington Estate established by George Washington's adopted grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, to be a living memorial to the nation's first president. His daughter married Robert E. Lee in 1831. When Custis died, he left the estate to the Lees, who lived in Arlington House for 30 years. When Lee resigned from the U.S. Army to join the Confederate Army before the Civil War began in 1861, the Lees abandoned the property and it was seized by the U.S. Army. To be certain that the Lees would never return to the house, the property was converted into a military cemetery in 1864. Today, more than 400,000 veterans are buried on Arlington National Cemetery's 639 acres, located across the Arlington Memorial Bridge that spans the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. to Arlington, Virginia. Visit Arlington House, President John F. Kennedy's grave site and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Among the most notable burials are President William Howard Taft, Generals John J. Pershing, Omar Bradley, George C. Marshall and Henry "Hap" Arnold, Admirals William Halsey and William Leahy, Supreme Court Justices Earl Warren, Thurgood Marshall and Oliver Wendell Holmes, World War II heroes Audie Murphy, Joe Foss and Gregory "Pappy" Boyinton, boxer Joe Louis, band leader Glenn Miller, actors Lee Marvin and Maureen O'Hara, astronaut John Glenn and Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's oldest child.

The highlight is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which entombs the unknown soldier of WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. Watching an entire shift of the guards and the changing of the guard is a sacred experience. Nearby is the Eternal Flame of John F. Kennedy.

I knew it was large but much more expansive than I thought. We walked around on our own, but in hindsight we should have taken the tour bus round due to expanse of site.
The cemetery is beautifully kept, and very peaceful even though there were many visitors. Managed to catch changing of the guard before we left.
There is a metro station close to entrance as it is a fair walk from the city.
Would recommend a visit if you have time whilst in DC.

I was able to get there just in time before closing...I have never been to see family location & the nicest man on the shuttle was closing but knew I could not find the location alone before dark even with the great map...he allowed me to find my family & take a minute before he dropped me off at the entrance. I could not thank him enough as it was beginning to snow & I have not live “up North” in over 20 years! Forever Thankful for everyone that makes a BEAUTIFUL HOME for all that have served for our freedoms!

Our 10 and 14 yr old sons got to see the cost of Freedom today. Words can’t describe how much emotion runs through one’s body. Thank You to those that died and their families so we can live in this great country of ours today! All gave some … some gave all! A must see for everyone especially those who take this country for granted.

The cemetery cover 639 acres and hop-on hop-off tour buses with commentary by guides provides a feasible, flexible, and informative way to explore it, it really is a bit too big to walk around. We visited the graves of Robert and Jackie Kennedy and other members of the Kennedy family, watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and explored Arlington House, originally owned by Mary Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee. The visit was informative, moving, thought provoking and is

Friendly staff and well kept as you would expect. This is a very easy and flat walk from a metro station and the station has never been busy on my trips here.
You will pass through airport style security on your way in. It is free admission to walk the cemetary however beware the grounds are HUGH and very hilly. If you tire easily while walking consider paying for the trolley tour.
The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a must do experience. Be advised that everyone is ecpected to stand during the roughly 15 minute ceremony. So if you are short and want to see anything keep that in mind.
Please remember this is an active cemetary and the final resting place of so many veterans and public servants. There will be poeple visiting loved ones and there may even be a burial ceremony during your visit.
I do not believe they print maps anymore but their website allows you to find anyone that is buried on the grounds. For the most well known, feel free to ask a staff member and they will get you walking in the right direction.

It's a bit out of the way, and you have to walk or shuttle through the cemetery. But, it's important for us all to see the dedication and sacrifice made for our country. The changing of the guard and many specific sites are worth stopping for. Even having been there before, I feel a draw to the serenity, the symbolism and sacrifice, and the sheer number of men and women resting here. It certainly puts a sense of perspective to our daily lives.

This is a stop you should plan for. It will take you a few hours to really soak in all it has to offer. They have a tram that takes you throughout the cemetary and stops in various locations you can visit. Gift shop has some items at the main entrance, but there is another gift shop at the Arlington House. Be sure if you see something you like, but it when you can. We also were able to see the changing of the Guard. It was done with such precision. If you like walking, you can just walk the whole area.

We went for my uncle’s burial. Everyone was very professional and informative. It’s hard to think straight during emotional times, but they were very detailed with directions. And all involved were able to keep a straight face, even in the incredible heat. Very professional.

A sobering visit , but worth seeing these beautiful grounds honouring the fallen . Well laid out and sad to see funerals going on every day . The eternal flame on the Kennedy grave was something I had heard of but not seen . So that was a moment.

We returned to Washington DC as tourists after not having been there for many years. It was great to explore the Capitol area again. As part of this trip we decided to visit Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), and we had a fabulous time. We took the Blue Line metro from near our hotel and arrived just outside the gates of ANC.

The cemetery is awe inspiring, beautiful, and very large. We opted to take the on-and-off tram ride. $19.50 for adults and $15.00 for seniors. We highly recommend this as it would have been impossible to see it all, and as it were, we spent the better part of the day at the cemetery. The guides on the tram tours were very knowledgeable and excited to share their insights.

We picked up the tickets for the tram at the visitor center, which has a great deal of fabulous information about the cemetery presented in a very enjoyable and informative way. The history of ANC is fascinating. At the visitor center you can also search for the gravesite of family members or others you wish to find. They will tell you where the grave is located.

As part of the tram tour we saw The John F. Kennedy & Family Gravesite, The Memorial Amphitheater, The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier where we also enjoyed watching the changing of the guards, the historical Arlington House with slave quarters and gardens, the Iowa Jima Memorial, a funeral procession, and much more! In sum, ANC is impressive and inspiring!

We’ve seen pictures. We’ve seen the cemetery on tv. But you really don’t appreciate the beauty and enormity of it all until you experience it in person. There is so much to see and everything is spaced out so a lot of walking and steps is needed. I suggest to take a break from walking, find a bench to sit and take it all in.

The Arlington House is worth a visit. The house and outbuildings help portray the world at the time the Civil War began, and all the people who were part of Arlington House at the time.

I would say visiting Arlington Cemetery was almost life changing. So much history. So many people buried there that made the ultimate sacrifice for America. Truly humbling experience.

This is a rare DC destination that is maintained at a level a national monument should be maintained at. The grounds are immaculate, which are particularly impressive given how expansive they are. What surprised me most was how many famous names are here, some of whom I never knew served.

We were staying in DC and wanted to visit Arlington for the day. A very short and easy ride on the metro got us to Arlington.

We booked a "hop on, hop off" bus tour which was excellent, getting us around and being highly informative.

The cemetery is beautifully maintained and far larger than expected.

A must do in the DC area.

The history of the USA is the history of war, as it is the most bellicose country of the modern era by far. And so many conflicts entail many victims, that she was born to dedicate a cemetery to soldiers of her army, as well as to some personalities, such as presidents. It's an overwhelming place. Strolling along its long avenues with thousands upon thousands of tombstones impresses. I liked the fact that next to a deceased in the recent Gulf War, there could be one from the Korean War and another from the Spanish-American War. A fond memory of the country's long war history. It's worth visiting.

We fulfilled our commitment to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, JFK's grave, Justice Ruth Ginsburg amongst others.

As always this is such a beautiful, serene place that we are honored to visit. Make sure you have your identification in order to enter the Cemetery. You will be expected to have it and to pass through a metal detector.

9
History & Facts
Arlington National Cemetery can be described as a solemn, sacred, and majestic military cemetery in Virginia that serves as the final resting place for over 400,000 U.S. service members, veterans, and their families. It is a place of national honor and remembrance, characterized by rolling green hills, meticulously kept grounds, and countless white headstones, including notable monuments like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Kennedy gravesite. The cemetery holds the remains of individuals from every American conflict and is a significant historical landmark and tourist destination, offering a deep sense of history and patriotism.

We paid for the tram ride which gives a commentary & stops at the JFK eternal flame, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & Arlington House. It's worth waiting to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb.

My first visit was to bury my husband in October 2019. I had seen pictures of Arlington but pictures don't do it justice. The cemetary is moving. It evolves all kinds of emotions and feelings and questions about the men and women who are buried there, each with their own story to tell.

Definitely allow yourself at least three hours. We rode the hop on trolley tours, seemed short tour close to 5 o’clock closing. Big Tour Bus and Metro both stop at Arlington.

Anyone who isn't moved by the sight of over 400,000 headstones and monuments isn't in their right mind. The history that is right in front of you will astound you.

Very peaceful place and extremely humbling.

Only complaint is we purchased the shuttle service tickets, but due to activities going on, the routes were suspended with no notice. They were supposed to be every 20 minutes.

We visited JFKs grave then sat for over an hour with no shuttle. They must have known what was going on, so why weren’t we warned? Poor planning.

Easy and free to get to from the nearby metro station. I went on a weekday so maybe that's why there wasn't that many people there. Easy to get around by foot and there's maps which help you get around.

Arlington Tram tour hits all the highlights, purchased at Arlington $18pp. We would have never seen it all on foot in a 1/2 day that we had. Well worth EVERY PENNY.

Stunning. I've been here 7-8 times and it is always awesome. Aside from the magnitude of the grounds, it is so stunning, sacred, and peaceful. Changing of the guards and the ceremony honoring the 'unknown' tomb, always brings tears to my eyes. This is an incredible site for a history lesson and to honor fallen military. This is a must-do if you are in the area.

Every American should visit here in their lifetime to honor those who were a huge part of our history as a nation and those who have been interred after serving their country. A highlight for us was taking our granddaughter, who sees RBG as her role model to see her grave. Also seeing all of the Kennedys and other important graves. It was our honor to hear the impassioned speech of one of the rangers that really moved us as he told us of the history of Arlington House.

We got to see two of the three sites we wanted to see. We saw the Eternal Flame. We saw the Tomb of the Unknow Soldier. We did not get to see the gravesite of RBG. Next time.

This visit was part of a local 7-mile self-guided walking tour that started and ended near the Courthouse in Arlington. I was able to view and photograph my wife's grandparents burial sites. If you want to find a certain gravesite, they offer an app that will direct you right to it.

This place is an awesome tribute to our troops. Some much history and tradition here that many Americans need to see for themselves. A must see.

Very crowded on a Sunday in early June. Lots of tour groups. Tours are offered for a fee. Walking tours are free. Highlight was the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.

This is a moving place and tribute to the 450,000 past military people who rest here. Each grave is immaculately looked after with references and care. It is fascinating to see the monument to great people, not only JFK and his brother, but Alexander Haig, Colin Powell and many others. Memorable.

This is a must-do whilst in the Washington DC area. There are no excuses as to why you can’t or shouldn’t go here. I am from the UK and one thing I love about the USA is their huge respect for the military personnel (current serving, former and deceased). This place is very sad of course but there is so much history here and so much pride! The white gravestones go on as far as the eye can see in every direction. You can spend all day there and not get around the whole place. One thing you cannot miss whilst there is the Tomb of the Unknown solider and if possible, the changing of the guard. I visited on a very hot late August day and the guard at the tomb was impeccable. I felt very privileged to watch the change of the guard and those soldiers do their country and themselves proud - it is flawless. Whilst I was there I also heard a gun salut and saw a horse drawn carriage passing with a coffin on the rear. A very sad occasion for sure with what I am guessing a recent loss. This place cannot be missed

We come several times a year to Arlington to visit my husband’s Dad’s grave. He served in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. If you have never visited Arlington, you should. This is where our heroes are buried. Arlington National Cemetery contains the remainѕ of more than 400,000 people from the United Stateѕ and 11 other countries, buried there ѕinᴄe the 1860ѕ. The cemetery sits on 639 acres. It is a solemn and peaceful place to visit and reflect on those men and women who served our country. It is especially beautiful at Christmas time when they place wreaths on each grave to honor our veterans. It is a really moving experience to see this.

Very large and beautifully maintained. Well organized. Paid parking, body and bag scan at the entrance. You can take a "tram" around the cemetery, but those with good mobility can simply walk everything. We visited JFK's grave, the Arlington House and its small museum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and saw the changing of the guard there. We spent 2.5 hours at the cemetery.

I was thrilled to be able to return to Arlington National Cemetery. Every American citizen should go at least once, and I'm proud to say I've now been three times. Do NOT attempt to walk the cemetery. It is far too large and you will miss too much. Pay the money and take the hop on /hop off tram. It will let you pass the big spots (like the JFK grave as well as brothers Bobby, Teddy and Joe) and the Tomb of the Unknown. Do not miss a changing of the guard ceremony even if you have to stand. And tour the Custiss-Lee Mansion overlooking Arlington to learn more history (it seems the lesson is, if you wanna drive someone off their property, bury some bodies around their house) and also see some spectacular views of Washington DC. Do not ever miss going to Arlington Cemetery when you visit DC.

Wasn’t quite sure what to expect but was very overwhelmed by the experience.

The whole set up is amazingly well done. It’s such a well thought out place. The place is so big. Went to the JFK memorial and the tomb of the unknown soldier and the house at the top.

Was very hot but they had water stations positioned around the area which was great.

We’ll worth a visit.

This was by far the most powerful experience we've ever had. We witnessed 2 funerals complete with bagpipes. I would recommend this as a stop to anyone in the DC area. The history knowledge we took away is unreal and the burial sites and historic homes were breathtaking.

Obviously an amazing place. Visited today because my friend's grandfather is buried here. Visitor center could not be more helpful in finding the grave location. They even have an app that is reasonably useful. All the staff could not be more friendly and helpful.

As an international tourist I was aware that this is a particularly American site, but nevertheless wished to visit to pay my own respects and to tour the site.
I travelled from downtown on the Metro, and the station is almost outside the entrance. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, so quite busy, but the queue moved very quickly.
I first of all walked up the hill to the JFK memorial - very plain and understated. From there I wound my way up to the top to the Arlington House, and though I did not go in the views over the cemetery, with all the rows of white crosses, was quite spectacular, as was the panorama across the City.
I then made my way across to the huge ampitheatre, which was not at all what I expected, and round to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I waited to see the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Whilst very different from the Changing of the Guard that we see in London, UK, it was nevertheless quite spectacular, and quite moving to see the respect that all visitors paid to the event.
A final walk down the hill through even more fields of graves took me back to the entrance. I probably stayed for a couple of hours, but for those with more of a local history one could easily stay here for half a day.

Took our 20 year old daughter with me on this annual trip. We were both very taken in by the magnitude of this cemetery and the changing of the guard. Plan on about 2 hours if you move quickly.

As foreign visitors, we had no idea how expansive the cemetery is and were very moved by the whole area, its upkeep and the solemnity with which everyone acted

I, and no one in our group, could remain dry eyed as we saw the graves of so many people. We praise God for those who love their country and died for its preservation of freedom.

This was a very moving experience. The staff is very knowledgeable about so many points in the cemetery. Sights that you have seen on television and in books take on new importance and meaning when seen in person. Be sure to experience the changing of the guard. A wreath ceremony also happens several times each day.
The guided tram tour last approximately an hour and a half. This is a quiet, peaceful experience well worth taking.

Such a special place to visit and pay respects. It's very well maintained and everyone we've seen there has been in awe and very respectful. A visit everyone should make.

Must not miss. Very easily accessible by metro, this cemetery offers a magnificent view of Washington. The graves are not those of soldiers killed in war but rather those of veterans. Obviously don't miss those of the Kennedys (the 3 brothers and Jacqueline) and the changing of the guard in front of the tombs of the unknown soldiers. In addition, the beautiful villa which overlooks the cemetery is historic since it belonged to Washington's grandson and General Lee. Offers early 8 a.m. which is rare in Washington. Try to go there in good weather.

Visiting Arlington is an incredibly moving experience. I visited as a teen, and now have come back years later with a new generation to experience. We chose to pay for the hop on/off tram to visit the sites as we arrived later in the day and didn’t think we would have the time to see everything we wanted to see as this place is expansive. Not only that it was nice to hear the history from the tram driver we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. We visited on a Sunday so it appeared quite busy, but we had no problems at all. We hit all the must sees immediately and our last stop was Tomb of the Unknown/Changing of the Guard at the top of each hour. Very emotional experience, but as an American everyone should experience Arlington once to pay respects to the men and women who we have to thank for our freedoms.

This was my first time seeing this place in person and it was truly amazing and breathtaking. To just see all of the people that have given their lives to serve and protect our freedoms, was just incredible. I attended a service for my family as well, and that was just indescribable. Amazing place with amazing staff members!

Arlington is an experience no one with an ounce of patriotism should miss.
It’s free.
It’s visitor friendly.
It’s diverse.
You’ll get a good workout walking.
If you teach your children well here, they’ll never be the same.
I love this place.

Arlington National Cemetery is the nation’s largest military cemetery and serves as a final resting place for more than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate family from the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as World War I and II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, the Cold War and the U.S. Civil War.

Very suggestive and full of quiet, the changing of the guard is very simple but rigorous. I recommend a slow and quiet walk. When we stayed it was wet and warm, bring enough drinks

Absolutely stunning! The grounds are immaculately kept, and the guards are all super nice and helpful. I would recommend going on a nice day and walking around. Seeing the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is an experience! This is a must do if you are in the area. Admissions is free to walk the cemetery.

Unfortunately we walked about a mile to find out a gate was not open for access and had to walk back to the Pentagon metro station. Once we arrived, the grounds were meticulous and the guards at the unknown tomb were definitely worth the uphill walk to view!

We arrived in DC on Christmas day and spent the afternoon on a somber visit to the burial site of many of our national military heroes. Lots of history here and this is a must visit for all those that get the chance. Be sure to visit the eternal flame and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watch the changing of the guard. Before visiting, do a some research on the history of the cemetery and give yourself time to see as much as possible. There is a lot of walking involved up and down some slightly strenuous hills.

Incredible venue honoring our fallen military... Witnessing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sombering

We took the bus/trolley tour. It's very helpful and saves a good amount of time. A person can leave and then hop back on as he/she wishes. The ceremony of the Unknown Soldier happens every 30 minutes and is a sight to see. One can stroll the cemetery if you wish and a person can admire various statues, like the large Sir John Dill statue that is close to the JFK memorial. Also, one can visit the Arlington House, the home that was managed by the Lees.

Our family spent the morning at Arlington. It was so humbling to see all the service men and women who sacrificed their lives. We made stops at the Arlington house, the Kennedy gravesite and the Changing of the Guard. It was definitely worth going to.

Ok, I usually like to visit this kind of places, it is a nice cemetery well kept, with interesting details like the Kennedy's monument and the unknown soldier, there is also a nice spot where there is a plate for the people that died in the challenger, in general it is nice. Reason for giving 3 stars is because it is big and everything is far away, there is a trolley but it is expensive, and getting from the train to the cemetery can easily take up to 15 minutes, something to add up when planning your trip.

Plan to be here for awhile if you want to take in all of its beauty. At the tomb of the unknown soldier, pay your respect and stay long enough to see the guards switch out. Such a beautiful cemetery.

I was there to photograph a funeral service, which was very well organized and executed. They had it off to the side in a field rather than at the actual location he would be buried later. They did the 21 gun salute, taps on the trumpet, and flag folding. Afterwards we stayed to tour the area even though it was a really hot day. We should have paid for the trolley tour, but it would have been almost $70 for the 4 of us. When you consider how much upkeep the beautiful grounds require, and not having to walk, along with the tour guides info, it's definitely worth it. We slogged up to JFK's eternal flame, then over to the Unknown Soldier's tomb, and the grave of Audie Murphy. Those coupled with the Space Shuttle Memorials, are the main highlights imho. Unfortunately they were working on the amphitheater so we had loud heavy equipment noises disturbing the peace. It really is a beautiful place, but you must be silent and respectful. They have water fountains all around and parking is free too!

Visiting Arlington Cemetery is a moving experience. Seeing the acres of headstones, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the gravesite of JFK was particularly poignant. Of course, there is also the history of Arlington House and the great views of DC.

The grounds are quite vast, so it's a good idea to buy a hop-on/hop-off tram ticket, though it's important to remember that the tram doesn't always make all the stops due to daily interment services. Even with the tram, plan on plenty of walking.

Wife and I drove in about 8:45a.m. Parking this day was complimentary and we had no problem finding a spot just inside the parking structure.

After being checked as we entered the visitor center we walked to the Women Serving in the Military memorial, then up the hill to the Kennedy Family grave.

From there we hiked around and up to Arlington House. There is an excellent little museum dedicated to interpreting the role of Robert E Lee in both the establishment of the cemetary (it is built on his confiscated estate) to his role in history.

After obtaining the free pass for the house tour we entered. NOTE- There was confusion on gaining entry. We were told we could get tickets at the little bookstore, gift shop behind the house. The gentleman there was clearly not happy having to enter our information to give me a small slip of paper which the ranger saw and said, go on in.

The house is only open on the first floor, yet the map showed other areas which could have been visited. The ranger in the home was also not able to tell us, or anyone else, how much of the furnishings were original to the period or the house.

DO check out the slave houses in the back of the house, excellent information was in them.

We then went down and up again to the Tomb of the Unknowns where we were able to witness the changing of the guard.

From there, we hiked back down to the car and returned to the hotel.

A couple of things. Do take advantage of the drinking fountains, it was warm when we were there. Do stop to read the stones. Say their names out loud. Remember their sacrifice.

Finally, we took about three and a half hours and we are no spring chickens. Take your time. There are benchs, shade along the way.

Next time though, we are taking the tram...

Parking was easy. Change of the guards was great. It was amazing how everyone got quiet when that started. Saw Kennedy burial site. R.E. Lees home was a statement of political correctness, not historical fact

In 1957 I visited Arlington National Cemetery and the tomb of the unknown soldier. Today I when back with my wife and saw the changing of the guard, Kennedy grave and several burials underway. 400,000+ service people and eligible dependents are buried in Arlington. We were told there are up to 30 burials a day.

There are none walking tours available. Would recommend if going to the tomb of unknown soldier. Especially if hot and humid.

A place that is not only moving but vast. We had no idea that it was this big and walked for 3 hours around the site. The Tomb of unknown soldier was having a flower laying ceremony so fortunately we saw and experienced that.
The Kennedy graves simpler than I’d imagined.
Robert Lees house is large and on a hill with great view to the city.
Plenty of water points and seats. Trees provide shade but it was hot on this October day. There are tours if it’s hard to walk about.
We had good shoes, hats and because of water fountains were were well hydrated.
A wonderful place with quiet atmosphere to visit.
There is a security check on entry.
20 mi walk from Pentagon Metro and Pentagon Memorial.
Some hills but relatively flat.

A must see on your trip to DC. Prepare for a lot of walking (uphill) if you don't do the Hop on Hop off Trolley. The Arlington House was closed the day we went due to air conditioning issues., so hate we missed that.

Always get teary and chills during changing of the guard. Amazing place. A little surprised at the "No Pic-nicing" signs. Although we don't have immediate family there, someone who did may want to...

My wife and daughter first time visiting Arlington National Cemetery. Wonderful experience for my daughter seeing first hand things she is currently learning at school.

Extremely moving place to visit. Be sure to take the time to see the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier. The bus is a hop on-hop off so you have plenty of time to spend at any of the various stops along the way. I was disappointed, however, that it did not stop at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.

My wife and I went here on our honeymoon; close to the train station
Be prepared for some mild uphill walking
Don’t bother going to the nearby pentagon, only get to see the memorial

Walked over to Arlington from downtown DC on an overcast day and made it in less than 1 hour. Not a bad walk. Noticed that security seems to be set up for vehicle entry and wasn't sure why I was walking up (LOL). I didn't want to take the tram tour or any other tour through Arlington and just wanted to walk through on my own and see things of interest to me. I might have missed any information at the visitor center for people that just wanted to walk. Downloaded the app which was helpful as well as the map boards located around the cemetery.

Interesting that security really wanted people to use sidewalks where they exist ( was told several times) yet most of the cemetary has no sidewalks. I was able to go through the back gate to visit the USAF Memorial and return and the security team there were great. Thanks guys!

Walking is easy through the cemetery and peaceful so I highly suggest it if you want to get away from the noise and hustle and bustle of the city. There was enough information plaques located in areas to be helpful plus what you could find on the app or online. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a must see and I'm sorry I ran out of time to stay longer and read more. As a veteran and prior honor guard member, I'm honored to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier continue and to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

I was only able to see 1/4 to 1/3 of the cemetery on my walk and will return to walk in the future. FYI, walking also provided me the opportunity to have several wildlife encounters.

Took the Hop On Hop Off bus to go here. Not enough time to take the one hour plus bus ride plus walk around. Needs several hours to visit here.
We picked a few sites we definitely wanted to see. JFK family, RBG, Warren Burger was nearby. Just walking and seeing the 1,000/ of white markers was emotional. What a great place our country has to honor its military and their family.

I was here in June. I highly recommend taking the guided tram. (Veterans get a discount.) They take you to the JFK grave site, Tomb of the unknown Solder, and Lee's Mansion. The guides were very knowledgeable about the history, and different graves. You can do a walking tour, but make sure you're ready for a long walk and take water. Do not miss the changing of the guard, at the tomb of the unknown solder. Plan to spend most of the day.

we went and found my cousins tomb, my cousin was cremated so he is in court 9 section 80. They have a bus that takes family member near the where you loved ones are buried. WE got off the bus walked about 300 foot and found it. Somebody was being buried near us so we stop and saluted while taps was played. WE got back on the bus and back to where we needed to be to get ono our tour bus.

Visiting Arlington National Cemetery was the top item on my husband's Washington D.C. list. As we prepared for the trip and learned about the magnitude of the property, we decided a tram tour would be our best option for seeing as much as we could. We were very impressed with the Old Town Trolley tour of Arlington National Cemetery. The tour guides are very knowledgable and each one has their own spin on the delivery of the stories that they share. The only hiccup we experienced was the amount of trolleys/trams that were running in relation to how many people were using them. We were told that trams ran every 15-20 minutes. There are hop-off spots throughout the cemetery, and after viewing JFK's gravesite and lining back up for our pick-up, we waited 30 minutes for a tram. Thankfully, it worked out well and we were able to arrive in a timely fashion for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our group was fine, but several other people were complaining.

This is an exceptional place. So respectful and treasured by staff and visitors. Beautiful sunny day added to the pleasure of being amongst all the hero’s who are laid to rest. The changing of the guard was a sight to behold. Just amazing visit in every way.

It was a beautiful October day. Even, a bit warm. We again came to pay our respects. We concentrated our time by the Supreme court area and all the larger headstones of VIP's on top of the hill. A somber must-do for any American. We also watched the changing of the guard and stopped to read many of the small dedication plaques. If you are worried about walking all the hills, you can do a tour.

Both of my parents are interred here. As cemeteries go, this one is beautiful. It is also solemn and makes me sad when I see the many graves of soldiers and other patriots who've died serving our country.

This was one of our favorite stops. We loved seeing the Kennedy section and the Changing of the Guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Free parking, ID required for 16 and older, masks inside and metal detector. You can walk or buy tram transportation. So much history. It's definitely worth a visit.

What can I say it was a bus tour. They drove fast. It's an honor to visit where our service men and women are laid to rest. Thank you.

To walk through these wonderful grounds and see the scale of headstones makes you realise how many men and women gave their lives so we could have freedom. Let's not forget them. The tomb of the unknown soldier is guarded 24/7, 365 days per year with a changing of the guard ceremony every hour on the hour. This was worth watching and was a very interesting, respectful display. We took an Uber to the site, but there is a metro stop very close by. We were also very lucky to see a deer stroll through the grounds.

Never forget those who gave it all for our freedom. Moving and historic. President Kennedy and his two brothers are buried here as well as Jackie. Our tour included information on the various graves and the markers. Lots of walking here and an uphill climb.

This was great. It's priced, right. You do have to pay for parking. The tour is fantastic. The busses are clean and show up on time. The sights are great. They also give free rides to the Lincoln memorial if you have a ticket for the bus tour. Great experience, definitely coming back.

I’m so glad several friends told us that this is a must see! It was absolutely amazing and we learned so much! Dwayne, our tour guide was EXCEPTIONAL! So much knowledge!! The grounds are impressive. The Changing of the Guard is not to be missed!! Do not hesitate to book this tour. You will regret it if you don’t! Does include a lot of walking if you don’t do the tram. If you are able, do the walking tour- you will see so much more!! Being your own water if it’s hot.

Humbling and amazing.

This is a must see/do.

The area is well kept and the hero’s are well cared for. This is a great place to remember those who sacrificed for all of us.

Parking is a disaster! Park off site. All traffic exiting and entering is funneled through the same driveway.people exiting have to pay parking. Something is not working.

I had really wanted to pay a short visit to the Arlington cemetery before leaving the Washington area. We arrived at 16:30 which was cutting it a bit thin, but security still let us park our car in the designated car park area. Having walked through the entrance building we made our way up one of the main paths in between a multitude of small white tomb stones. We followed the sign posts to the large and impressive tomb to the the unknown warriors. I learned later that there are three interred here – one each for World War I, World War II and the Korean war. A lone, armed soldier in full ceremonial uniform was steadily and very precisely marching up and down in front of the tomb while a large, silent crowd of visitors sitting on the steps overlooking the scene and the wonderful landscape below made their respects. They guard the tomb in 30 minute shifts in the summer months. I was fascinated to learn the exact protocol for guarding the tomb. It's worth reading up about separately. The only sounds were his boots as the soldier marched, the planes landing over at the nearby airport and the clock striking 5 o'clock, signaling the closing of the park. Slowly we all made to the exit. On the way we took the risk of heading off towards the tombs of JF Kennedy, his wife Onassis and other family members. Whilst we were one of the few visitors to leave we did this all in less than an hour and paid only $3 in the car park.

What lovely well kept grounds and we're so pleased that we made this short, but significant visit.

Came here last May for my Father In Law's funeral. Very beautiful and nice - the workers were patient and kind.

We drove over from the DC mall area - worth the trip and horrible traffic to stand in awe. The tomb of the unknown soldier is here as well as many notable figures. We did the tram tour as we had walked 10 miles the day before and were weren't certain the small child would be able to handle another 10 miles. It was worth it. We only got off on the 2nd and 3rd stops, the tram was more than 15 minutes late on picking guests up on the 3rd stop so we opted to walk - it was quick and easy. Worth a visit for sure. The Arlington house is by reservation only. You must go through security to go inside the visitor center and to purchase tram tickets. The line mid morning was fine - mid afternoon was very long on a Sunday.

Came down to Arlington to place my mom next to my dad who was in the military. When we got there we were greeted and was explained how the service was going to go. We followed our tour guide who was excellent. We entered the area where my dad was and placed my mom inside. We said a few words and that was that. Will be back to visit soon

Was a humbling experience to have the opportunity to visit this cemetery. Recommend visiting if going to D.C.

Our visit to Arlington National Cemetery was fascinating, amazing, somewhat sad, and almost overwhelming in scope. I am always amazed at the precision of military cemeteries—the markers always line up so perfectly whichever angle you look. Also the markers are all the same, as if to signify that the service and sacrifice of these men and women was equal. The grounds are meticulously cared for and kept neat and very clean. I was surprised at how hilly the cemetery is! We were glad that we were on the hop-on-hop-off Trolley--I doubt we'd have been able, or our tour schedule have allowed for a walking tour. The guides on the trolley pointed out various dignitaries and soldiers that were buried there, and gave detailed history of the land and the cemetery. We made several stops along the way to look and take pictures at various places. I recommend this as a must-see destination.

Extremely moving experience and well worth a visit.

Unless you really like walking I would recommend booking a tour.

Be aware there is no water available outside of the visitors area (they allow you to fill water bottles.

If it’s a warm day there are very few shady areas so apply that sun screen.

Amazing experience glad I made the trip.

Great and moving site in the simplicity of tombs (+300,000!). A tribute to the soldiers who changed the guard in the pouring rain. Unfortunately too much rain on this day to afford a random stroll through the alleys of this cemetery.

This is a must see. It’s a sobering reminder about the true cost of freedom. We rode the tram and learned quite a bit about the cemetery and were fortunate enough to be at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the changing of the guard.

We took the metro that takes you almost to the gates of Arlington. The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier was every 30 mins and frequency was not surprising given the heat. Was well respected by the crowd which was nice to see. We walked around and found the map given at the entrance was all that we needed. Also enjoyed learning the history of the site before it became the national cemetery so don’t miss Arlington house itself, the slave quarters and the museum.

I stop by when I am in DC to visit friends. The staff in the visitor center are always very helpful.

This was not on the agenda, but because it was raining & COVID my husband and I decided to spend a morning here, which turned into an afternoon too. It was moving beyond belief and is now a new favorite for us. The JFK monument, eternal flame, and the changing of the guard were worth the trip. Please go with a reverent respect.

We did the shuttle tour of Arlington. There are several hop on, hop off stops throughout Arlington. Stopping that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a must. I could stand there all day and watch the changing of the guards all day long. Cemetery is amazingly beautiful.

To say a cemetery is beautiful, some would say is odd but you decide. Rich in history, Maybe you have a relative to visit. See the Space shuttle stone, the Kennedys, the list goes. Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Worth the time to wait and see the changing of the guard. To be there at the time of the cherry blossoms is ideal.

An excellent way to spend an afternoon. Take the trolley tour to hear some of the history and information about the grounds. This is a great COVID-safe outdoor activity.

Check the app before you go for funerals on the day, as areas of the cemetery will be closed off during that time, which might affect your visit. This is as it should be, as funeral services deserve privacy but if you’re on a tight schedule, might affect your visit. The trolley tour also diverts or doesn’t run during those times, so you would have to walk and find roads closed with diversions. You can also check for anyone buried there, who might share your name, which will give the position of their grave.

The initial entrance to the amazing grounds of the cemetery after the welcome centre, is uphill. Even if you get the trolley to the top, at Arlington house and work your way down, you will save yourself a lot of walking. The whole place is very peaceful. The trolley tour is informative and you do get lovely views as you are travelling around. You can easily get here on the metro (Blue line) from DC or take a longish walk over the Arlington memorial bridge.

Security to get in is quite tight, which is to be expected. The USMC memorial (about half way between Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery stops on Blue Line Metro) is actually outside the cemetery so you need to get off the trolley, walk out of the gates for about 10-15 minutes and then come back in again through security again but it’s not so busy as the main security. The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is quite moving, but is quite lengthy, with a request that everyone stands (that can) to show respect to the fallen and silence your mobile devices. You need to get a good spot. Visiting was not at the top of my list but I’m glad I went to experience the atmosphere and history. Arlington house is interesting, giving you the history of the ownership of the estate, how and why it was confiscated and came to its current use. It also has great views back over DC.

Whilst out this way you could travel 2 more stops on the blue line metro and visit Pentagon city mall or 7 stops and visit Alexandria both of which are easy to get to and worth a visit.

Arlington is beautiful, overwhelming, breathtaking - many words to describe it. There is so much history here. It's very cool to read the headstones and see where those who are buried here served. The changing of the guards is a must see. It was a very hot day - I would recommend taking the tram as the cemetery is very large and a LOT of walking is required. Ample parking! Glad we visited.

A national landmark that is not to be missed. Obviously a wealth of history, both good and bad, to be seen here. The tour guides were excellent. The grounds were beyond clean. Expect to be there a couple of hours at least.

We attended a funeral service for my Brother In Law, a Colonel in the Air Force. We don’t always spend our governments money very well but this was special for our Servicemen and Women. We owe them everything. From the introduction to the band, the escort, the procession, the honor guard, the bag piper and the salute everyone and everything was done perfectly and solemnly. We all owe it to ourselves to visit Arlington and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is a beautiful and solemn monument to our troops and their families.

We explored some parts of the cemetery. It would be impossible to explore all of it as it is so incredibly vast. It is maintained extremely well and is a lasting way to show respect to those fallen from various conflicts over the centuries as well as key figures from history.

An excellent place to visit, very informative friendly staff, who are happy to answer any questions. There is a,out of walking so worth booking the tram tour.

We took our family of 5 to Washington DC for Memorial Day weekend. The weather was perfect we used the metro to get around and went to the sites with no issues. It was not crowded and kids had fun exploring the sites. Everyone was friendly and we were able to take some great pictures.
Please be respectful as there are family members visiting their loved ones.

I have been to the Arlington National Cemetery a few times. Seeing the perfect rows of tombstones always brings a tear to my eyes. To see the the number of young men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep America safe leaves me aw struck.

An incredible area covered by the bodies of the great and good of American society. The tour guide was a bit obsessed with feminism and diversity which I found totally over the top and boring. The sights you get to see on the guided tour are worth seeing and putting up with the politically correct attempt at brainwashing.

This cemetery is a visual representation of the lives of the brave men and women who served the USA. Over 400000 people buried here, from presidents to common folks. It was a somber but wonderful experience. I wish we had been here in summer when it was warm so we could have walked and explored more.
My one complaint was the security guard at the entrance was quite forceful and rude. We came with our infant in a stroller and I was concerned with watching the other security guard looking into the stroller that I didn’t stand in the exact spot he wanted me so he could wand my back and he yelled at me. It kind of soured my experience at the cemetery. He needs to lighten up and be a bit more friendly, I realize he is just doing his job but being polite goes a long way.

What was I thinking? I went in July and since I knew I was doing the bus tour, I didn't bring water, big mistake. Bring water and sunscreen. Even with the bus, you are outside a lot, and the bus is open, so you might be in the sun. The bus makes several stops and each time you can get out and wander around. The buses run every 30 minutes, so if you get off, you are committed to those 30 minutes. Some stops are worth it, some aren't. Plus due to constant funerals, stops are constantly changing. The cemetery is quite interesting and the guides are knowledgeable. You can also walk this yourself, but I wouldn't.

It is a sobering experience to visit here. It is a must visit when in the D.C. area. It is free. Great experience.

Arlington is the most beautiful cemetery I have ever seen. Both humbling and awesome. The changing of the guards is just emotional. Very much worth seeing

What an awesome and moving experience we had there. I just wish we had been there for a less sad reason.

We had a funeral at Arlington and the grounds were immaculate. The cemetery is beautiful and well kept. It is a place to visit and find some history and famous people buried there.

I was so shocked at the incompetence of the staff at this national cemetery. My wife really wanted to see it. We drove up, and we were told to go to the next person directing visitors. We told this person we wanted to tour the cemetery by car. He told us to make a left turn, and as we entered the parking area to make another left. This only led us back to where had been. A staff person there, told us where we were to make a left, and we did so. We were right back where we started from. We were very disappointed we never got to see the cemetery. If you go, do not trust the staff to make intelligent decisions.

A truly special place to visit. Over 400,000 people are buried here. It was just fabulous to wander around and pay my respects. The Iwo Jima monument was something to behold and seeing the changing of the guard for the tomb of the unknown solider is very moving and everyone was silent and respectful.

Attended a service with family and what an amazing experience. Everyone was professional, attentive, and kind. Property grounds are well taken care of. This is truly a must-see stop to pay respect to the 450,000 men/women who have died making sacrifices.

I visited right after opening on a chilly but sunny morning in December. Crowds were not an issue on this day. Changing of the guard with Christmas wreath placement was a highlight for me. The whole experience brought tears to my eyes. I challenge every American to make it to this site to show respect to those who have served and those who have lost their lives protecting our freedom. The site can be reached by subway transportation from downtown D.C. You can come out at the Rosslyn stop and see the Marine Corps Memorial en route to Arlington's side entrance. There are security stations where your purse will be checked and a metal detector wand is used so plan accordingly. I visited the musts and took multiple photos in under two hours as I was pressed for time. I did not get to see the Robert E Lee Arlington house because I ran out of time. Tickets are required for entrance unless there are open time slots that were not reserved. Recreation.org is where you can reserve tickets. The price is $1 for this timed ticket.

My family and I attended the sunrise Easter service and then walked around the cemetery. The site is serene and we were moved to tears watching the sun rise as a soldier stood watch over the tomb of the unknown soldier. There is also a majestic display of tulips by the Netherlands Carillon during spring time.

We were looking for my husband's uncle and even though we knew the section it was still impossible to find him until I downloaded the app. Moral of the story - download the app.

Great tour to learn about the history of our service mend and women. Friendly staff and the changing of the guard ceremony was amazing!

The vastness of the cemetery shows the amount of sacrifice those in the armed services have given our country. Truly moving.

If you’re in the area, we’d highly recommend going to the cemetery and taking the guided tour instead of just walking around. We took our time at the tomb of the unknown soldier and the museum next to it. Watching the changing of the guard is fascinating as we could see the incredible precision with which the change is executed and the inherent respect that this precision represents

The largest military cemetery is definitely worth a visit. The changing of the guard alone is worth seeing, but so are the many graves.

Great memorial, such a beautiful tribute. Well done and beautifully preserved. The grounds are stunning ! A somber experience. The changing of the guard was amazing to see

We visited to lay a wreath.
The whole memorial is great to experience, I love the school kid visits, the schools really get the kids to experience things.
Well done USA.
I wish schools in the U.K. would do this sort of thing.

This cemetery is so beautiful and worth stopping at. The big spots we stopped at were the Challenger, JFK and Ginsburg. RBG has a marker on her husband's head stone but it is not up yet. We went the week of the inauguration.

A must see in DC honoring service members and public servants. The trolley stops at the Kennedy grave/eternal flame, tomb of the unknown soldier, and Arlington House.
Arlington House is managed by the Park Service and just recently reopened from renovations. The first floor is self-guided with rangers to answer questions. There is a screen offering virtual tours of the basement and second floor.
We had the opportunity to watch a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown. I’m addition to the hot spots, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is laid to rest near the Kennedy site.

This is an amazing experience. I highly recommend getting tram tickets and taking the tram around the cemetery. They take you to the top to the Arlington House as well as John & Jackie Kennedys' grave. They also take you to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I highly recommend watching the changing of the guard. Also go inside of the Arlington House if you have a chance. It has some of the best views! Arlington is an amazing place and is absolutely massive. It's very sad to see all of the gravesites.

Take the narrated tram tour. You get an overview of the entire grounds. Our tour stopped at JFK's flame and at the tomb of the unknown so we could watch the changing of the guard.

I've visited the cemetery 3 times in my lifetime. It is so pretty and very moving, especially if a military funeral is taking place while you are there.

We parked and entered the visitor center where we were scanned through metal detector. Bought tickets outside to the tram tour which was @ $15 per person. It made 3 stops - once at JFK burial site, the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, and the Arlington House.

We visited the Arlington National Cemetery in the early afternoon during the week. There is a convenient Metro stop right outside the welcome center. We opted to do the tram tour and are glad we did. Riding the tram and hopping on and off at the attractions throughout the cemetery is easy. The tour guides on the trams are knowledgeable and point out interesting items throughout the property. We made it to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier right before the top of the hour and watched the Changing of the Guard ceremony without waiting too long. We spent about two hours at the cemetery, and we think it was well spent.

We loved being able to see the changing of the guards for the Unknown Soldiers Grave! It is a lot of walking to get there, but so thankful to finally see this touching ceremony (occurs every hour and every half hour in the summer).

This has gotta be one of the most humbling places to visit (this and Pearl Harbor)! If you love your country and those that gave their lives to obtain and protect our freedom, then you definitely should visit! I’m a grown man brought to tears multiple times visiting this sacred ground! Highly recommend!

We visited on a Saturday in mid August. It was quite a warm day but we opted to walk around the key sites rather than pay 38 dollars for two of us to ride the tram.

We started at the Eternal Flame and JFK’s grave which sits alongside his wife and other members of the Kennedy dynasty.

We then wandered up the hill to Arlington House before heading down to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We stopped at various spots en route.

This tribute to America’s service personnel is certainly a sight to behold and I imagine quite unique. We certainly don’t bury our armed forces together in the UK . Whilst they would receive a military funeral their final resting place could be anywhere at the behest of the family.

It feels a bit weird to rate a cemetery, especially one with so much history. First off this place is beautiful and also massive. Parking was free and plentiful. We opted not to do the tour and just walk the grounds ourselves. Be prepared for a decent 20 minute walk up hill. If its hot out which it almost always is consider the tram.. We started off with the Tomb of the Unknown soldier and all I can say is wow... truly an amazing experience and one you have to take part in. The level of respect and honor to the ones we lost is something to behold. Walking next to the JFK memorial is another must see. the overall beauty is something that is quite striking and also quite humbling to see how many graves are actually in this cemetery. This is a must see when in DC or coming through Virginia, make sure no one forgets the sacrifice these men and women gave.

Arlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery located in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It is the final resting place for over 400,000 military service members, veterans, and their families, including those who served in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The cemetery covers 624 acres and is managed by the United States Army. It is known for its iconic landmarks, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the eternal flame at President John F. Kennedy's grave, and the Arlington House, which was the former home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and is now a museum. Arlington National Cemetery is also the site of numerous military ceremonies and honors, including the laying of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the National Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. I recently visited this site. If you have relatives who are laid to rest there you can get a pass that allows you to drive to their site to honor them. If you do not have a pass or just wish to visit, you can go to the entrance visitors center and walk from there or take one of their trolleys to various parts of the cemetery. There is a parking garage right next to the visitor’s center with information on the site. Either way, I highly recommend this location when visiting our nation’s capital. Please be respectful as it is a place of honor and there are often services being performed to honor the passing of a loved one that is being laid to rest.

It is a beautiful place and solum too. We did the tram and was the best way for us to get around. Hop off at locations. Full of history and the tram speakers all had interesting historical facts. Lots of walking, wear comfortable shoes. We were able to watch the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This was very moving.
Take the time to visit!

My family and I visited Arlington to place my brother's remains per his wishes. Every aspect of the event was meticulously planned and executed by the most caring, professional members of the Arlington team, from the front gate entrance to the minute we left the venue. The only glitch was that we wanted to tour the cemetery after the ceremony and had difficulty navigating to the visitor's area assigned to that purpose. There is a tram that transports visitors to the most sought after areas of the cemetery, and believe me, it is well worth the fee they charge. The cemetery is very hilly, extremely large, and areas of interest are quite far apart. The docents that navigated the tram were very knowledgeable about what we were seeing. A plus was that you can get on and off the tram as many times as you wish, and trams were frequent. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase mementos of your trip. I was truly impressed by the professionalism and austerity displayed by all employees we encountered, and applaud them for their service in this very hallowed place.

I spent half a day walking around Arlington National Cemetery and witnessed the changing of the guard ceremony. The Cemetery is full of history and the map handed out at the visitor center was very helpful. Beautiful maintained grounds and the Arlington House was interesting to visit.

Were there for a family member's burial. Very organized and reverent. Even in the rain they were able to accommodate us.

Had a great visit to Arlington Cemetery yesterday. I caught the Metro (blue line) from DC which stops just outside the Cemetery entrance. The cemetery was very tasteful and interesting. You can visit for free or if you prefer get the trolley bus to take you around (hop of hop off). This costs $19.50 for an adult. The cemetery is very very well kept and the Americans are very respectful of the dead. Highlight for me was the JFK Eternal Flame. All staff very friendly and approachable. You do have to go through security on entrance but that’s not a problem and very quick.

Everyone who visits DC really should visit Arlington National Cemetery and see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The solemnity and ceremony is it an experience you will never forget. Paying to take the on-site trolley/bus to the various sites is a must unless you are really into walking far distances and have a lot of time. We did book our tickets in advance with the Arlington National Cemetery Tour group. They were hop-on-hop-off tickets. When we got to the Cemetary I asked an attendant where to catch the bus and he said that bus only went outside the cemetery and we would need tickets to the bus that ran inside the cemetery. I ended up double-booked on the tickets but I was able to get a refund. Just pay attention to what you’re booking, and the questions you ask for directions! Also, the Arlington Cemetery metro stop isn’t too far from the cemetery entrance so it is convenient to travel to the cemetery.

Not only John F. Kennedy and his former wife "Jackie" are buried here, but also a lot of other personalities - absolutely worth seeing, because even if you as a tourist don't know every "important" person, the cemetery still invites you to take a long walk.

The grounds are pristine and are lined with thousands of white tombstones which are a somber reminder of the lives that have been lost fighting for our country. Also among these fallen heroes are some great influencers in American history, such as JFK, Taft, Ginsberg, Warren & a memorial to the space shuttle challenger victims. This is a place that demands respect.

Arlington National Cemetery is a symbol that freedom is not free. It’s a place that makes you feel proud to be an American and to respect all those who have served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. From Robert E. Lee’s house to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, this ground is full of American history and is to be respected.

If you are a tourist, They dont let you access without physical passport. This is kind of non-sense, tourists dont bring physical passport everywhere, also security guard attitude was bad.
You came all the way here from other country and you receive this treatment. Cemetery need evaluate this.

Very beautiful cemetery, very well maintained, very friendly staff. We visited this cemetery during a trip to the east coast of the United States.

Second visit to Washington DC and we were so happy we made a day to visit. So beautiful, haunting and proud place.

Just wish everyone could understand what all these soldiers, male, female, gay, black, white, Hispanic, Asian and others who are buried on this sacred ground came up!

I will never forget the stories our guide told us…🙏

It's a bit like Père Lachaise in American: superbly maintained and magnificent to walk around!
As said below, these are more the fallen veterans (and their wives!) than the (death in combat)
Impressive the maintenance given to this immense cemetery (1 flag per grave!), you can at reception and according to a "name" find your grave (we see many Americans looking for a grave to decorate it with flowers). )
Some illustrious tombs (like the Kennedys, very sober apart from the eternal flame wanted by Jacky by taking up the idea of that of the triumphal arch), but also numerous monuments in memory of campaigns, regiments, even accidents (space shuttle , ....)
The changing of the guard (every 30 minutes in summer and 1 hour in winter) in front of the monument to the unknown soldier (very interesting small museum) is not to be missed
Metro in front of the entrance

One of my must see on this vacation. I have much respect for our Men and Women in the arm forces. You can use the trolley to get around for $17 or you can walk. We seen the Grave sites of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Thurgood Marshall, J.F.K and more.. This place is Amazing and the sights are breath taking. You will need time to see it all so come prepared.

A thought provoking couple of hours was spent here.
The sight of so many graves, perfectly aligned was quite something else. Although it was a sad place, it was all done with such care and attention and it did look beautiful. Even while we were there the grounds people were hard at work keeping everything in order.
Really easy to get to, just a short walk from the Metro (Arlington Cemetery stop!) We didn't book a tour as we didn't really have the time, which in hindsight was not a good idea. The cemetery is very large, with lots of key things to see, which are quite spread out. We walked to each key point but the tours had a buggy to transport them around.
Reception staff were very helpful as we didn't know where to go. There are no paper maps, you had to download it from a QR code or take a picture of the map on your phone. There were sign posts around the cemetery but the one for the tomb of the unknown soldier was round the wrong way and we got a bit lost looking for it.
Interesting to see where JFK and members of his family are buried, and the eternal flame...this area was eerily silent, while people paid their respects.
When we did find the tomb of the unknown soldier, we were lucky enough to catch the changing of the guard which was quite moving.
We hiked up the hill to look at & around Robert E Lee's house, which was interesting, although we didn't have enough time to stay for a talk. It was heartwarming to see family members looking for the graves of long lost relatives. We also heard a gun salute as we left, so assume a military funeral was taking place.

I know there are lots more things to see so my advice is to allow plenty of time, wear comfortable shoes or take a guided tour!

Fantastic
Buy the tour bus tickets it’s so worth it
Exchanging of the guards at tomb of the unknown soldier was just something you have to see once in your life

There is something surreal but very poignant about visiting this graveyard that contains the place of final rest for so many people. Highly recommended for visiting Washington D.C.

We did a tram tour of the cemetery, a great way to get around since it’s so big. The site is awe inspiring, beautiful in its own right. The views of the National Mall are exceptional, and the Arlington House is full of beauty and history. A must see!

James with DC Tours was amazing! He's a professor, historian, and longtime guide.
2 hr tour was perfect combo of sitting, standing, walking. He personalized it just for our interests.

I cannot say enough about the experience. Parking was at a price and I paid for the "tour" which was really just a trolley-type ride with some information to three different locations. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was by far my favorite aspect, but the whole day was filled with humbleness and gratitude.

This was a highlight of my visit to Washington, the changing of the guard is so professional and carried out in a respectful way. Also the rest of the cemetery is a true honour to those that served. Highly recommend 🙏🏻

We went to Arlington Cemetery on 2nd January.

This is a major tourist attraction, and after visiting we can see why. There is so much to see, and while it is an extraordinary location with a lot of factual information, it is also very moving.

Definitely would recommend the tour bus, as it is very hilly and too far to walk alone. The tour guides are very well-informed and provide a lot of valuable context. Go on the weekends to see the 9/11 memorial on the other alternative tram - not many seem to know about this as we were the only ones on our bus.

It is also easy to get to on the metro, via the Blue line.

Will definitely be coming back if I'm ever in the area.

We purchased the hop on hop off tour tickets which was totally worth it!! You can walk the site as well but you get so much information from riding the tram, and the guides give point you in the right direction for when you do decide to hop off. The lines/wait were fairly short in October and we never felt rushed into anything. Not sure what we were expecting from a gift shop at a cemetery but it was pretty small. Overall whether you pay for the tram or not, you should have a great time if you love to learn and are into history!

Arlington is a vast military cemetery best seen from the regular tour trolleys that visit the more well known or significant burials and memorials. Be warned, it is big and hilly but the views from the hilltop are spectacular. If you are visiting a particular grave, consider downloading the separate grave locator app as some of the numbering is bewildering! Good for several hours depending on your party’s age/interest.

Visiting ANC in the summertime is hard, so here are some tips to maximize your visit if it can’t be delayed to a more pleasant time of year. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk uphill (or budget for the hop on/off tram). Have sunglasses and a hat, and consider an umbrella to create shade for yourself when you’re not in a shady space. Know what you want to see and look over the map before arriving. Make stops in the shady areas, and the trees offer you a lovely breeze. Bring a reusable water bottle: there are fill stations in the welcome center. Purchasing a water in the shop, which I had to do for my unprepared teens, costs nearly $4 each. I’d suggest arriving as early as possible to avoid the afternoon sun/heat. My two trips to Arlington Cemetery have not been terribly enjoyable due to 90+ degree heat, but if I had taken my own advice, I might have gotten to see more of the things I wanted and felt less miserable. Learn from my mistakes and plan ahead!

The beautifully maintained Arlington National Cemetery is a somber and sobering reminder of the sacrifices of America soldiers over the centuries. Every American should pay a respectful visit at sometime in their life.

Arlington National Cemetery: I used to live in the area and grew up at Ft. Myer Army base, so I had been to the cemetery numerous times. Recently I was back for a funeral after not visiting the cemetery for over 10 years. It struck me what an interesting place and how I had taken it for granted my trips to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider and watching the changing of the guard when I was younger.
This cemetery is a tribute to the men and women who served their country and, in my opinion, should be a must-see for all.

Jim Garret was the best tour guide. He gave us all of info on the different places In the Cemetry. He was very happy with my girlfriend's knowledge and mine on the history on the civil war as well as the history in the Cemetry. I would recommend this tour over the tram tour it gave alot on information and more detail on the people that was laid to rest on this ground.

A place of humbling reverence. A true American treasure. Thousands of heroes rest here.

This is a must visit for anyone visiting DC.

It’s free and there is a free parking

There is a lot of walking but it’s worth every step

Try to visit beyond the obvious sites - you will learn a lot about America if you do

If you visit - be responsible and respectful and silence your phones

One of the historical national treasures. Its a BIG place. We walked some of it for the places we wanted to see the most. We went to Robert E Lee's House on the hill. It has a great view of downtown DC. The Lincoln monument is exactly opposite of it. Probably on purpose. We saw the Unknown Soldier Grave and Guard. We saw some names we recognized. This place is HIGHLY secured. They aren't joking either. The BEST way to see this place is via an open tram, hop on hop off. Come as early as they will let you and be prepared to stay all day. The Marine monument is huge and stunning. The only drawback and negative is access from the highway. It was a NIGHTMARE. I wasted one full hour trying to get to memorial bridge that is only accessed by a european traffic circle that is a mad house. Got swept off on to the George Washington Bridge and had to turn around. What a mess. I nearly nixed going to the cemetery.

It's beautiful here. The grounds are really well kept with spectacular views over various parts of the park. I went on a cold & windy day so I didn't get to see as much as I would have wanted. I did see the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, certainly something I recommend watching. Nearby is the amphitheater, & then I walked down to the JFK memorial. The park is spread out so there's a decent amount of walking, I think I covered a little over two miles. I will definitely return to see more.

We attended the interment of my stepfather's ashes on Saturday, March 18th. The staff at the cemetery were kind, professional, and very caring. The grounds are immaculate and it's very fulfilling to see that our soldiers and veterans are honored in such lovely surroundings.

There is a shuttle or you can have someone drop you off here. It is a long walk if you want to go to other attractions, almost an hour out of the way. Respect to those laid in rest.

Lots of historical monuments and history lessons. Another place to realize the sacrifice so many made for us.

This is such a great place that pays respect for so many who have fought for our freedom. It is beautifully kept and great honor is bestowed on this ground. However, if you choose to take the shuttle tour, as most do, I feel more time needs to be given to the tour. Our guide was very rushed. We found ourselves feeling like we were at a tennis match - "On this side is....now over here....look passed this tree..." This was done quite quickly and we found ourselves not being able to see any of what he was talking about. They definitely need to slow down and allow visitors time to find and see what they're talking about.

This is a place every American needs to see at least once. It will humble you, overwhelm you, and if you do not shed at least a tear or two, I have to wonder about your humanity. This was my second time to visit (my family's first) and I am glad I had a second opportunity. The first time I was a foolish college student who didn't realize the enormity of this place and was too cheap to pay for the shuttle and decided to walk it. I missed so much! You just can't walk this place and see everything. Well, you can't see everything no matter what you do. But the shuttle allows you to see major points (JFK gravesite and Tomb of the Unknowns are the big 2, plus Arlington House where you have the best view of DC anywhere). Plus when I went in 1985, Jackie Kennedy and Teddy Kennedy were still alive, and they didn't have the memorial to JFK's older brother Joe Kennedy (who was killed in WW2 and body never recovered). We also got to see a funeral processional (complete with Military Band, horse drawn caisson carrying a flag draped casket followed by a riderless horse with boots turned backwards in stirrups, with some family walking and others in cars riding behind. All of us waiting for the shuttle stood up at once and put our hands over our hearts. At the Tomb of the Unknowns we not only got to see the changing of the guard but also a wreath laying ceremony. I ugly cried during both as well as at JFK's grave with the eternal flame. The view of DC from the Arlington House is just breathtaking and words and pictures cannot do it justice. if you walk to a certain part of the property you can not only see the view of DC but also look down and see the Kennedy gravesite. The number of graves there is just astounding, especially knowing each person served our country and some died for it. I am a proud and thankful American!

We all really enjoyed the visit to this beautiful national cemetery. We all enjoyed being at the Kennedy graves , which was a very thought provoking occasion for me. Watching the changing of the guard was impressive, and Arlington House was fascinating .

We attended Easter Sunrise Mass at Arlington. It was one of the most special events of my life. Such a beautiful sermon and music. Up early and arrival at the welcome center. They will screen you and you will be trollied up to the ampitheatre (depending on the weather, dress warm and bring a blanket to sit on). After the beautiful service, we glimpsed the tomb of the unknown soldier. You can either walk the grounds afterwards or be trollied back down to the welcome center. Such a sacred spot in our country, we are so glad we had this experience.

There is a lot of see here, plan on spending half the day to take it all in. The cemetery is vast and hilly, I would suggest the tram tour.

The Tomb of the Unknowns was powerful. Don’t miss this.

I've been here many times on school trips as a teacher chaperone. Yesterday I went with my wife for her first visit. Amazing and beautiful. Needs to be seen!

We chose to ride the tram to various locations in the cemetery. The guide was very good and helped us find the locations we wanted to see. We did have to walk to several places but it was very worth it. We did witness a funeral, changing of the guard and various ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The history of the Cemetery and persons buried there is so moving. Our five hour trip here was so worth it.

The beautiful landscaping , the history of the cemetery and all the monuments are something everyone should visit. You should plan more than one (1) day as there so much to take in. So much history in one location

The most impressive part of the Arlington National Cemetery was its outstanding maintenance .Nice to be part of history in some way or the other.

A beautiful if not a solemn place , very well maintained and very peaceful to walk around.
The JFK memorial is a must see as is the Arlington house . I never know there was so much history here. Well worth a visit.

My visit to Arlington Cemetery was to bury my husband. I am proud and happy that he was allowed to be buried there. The process to arrange his interment was lengthy but worth the effort. The staff and service people at Arlington who participated were extremely respectful, kind, and efficient. It was a proud occasion for me and my family.

We did not go on a tour, but there was an app to find graves, which was very helpful as my grandparents are buried there. We were able to witness the changing of the guards at The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier as well-so respectful.

Having always heard of this cemetery and not visited in despite numerous trips to DC, we made a point of going and it was so worthwhile. Magnificent landscaping surrounds the enormity of the sacrifice others have made so we live free. How can we thank these service people and their families......we cannot. Sobering, moving, and sad while yet being beautiful.

I lived for 4 years just on the other side of the stone fence that surrounds part of Arlington National Cemetery. I am a 76 yr old retired/disabled veteran. Also, my birthfather has a Memorial Stone in Arlington as he was killed in action in Korea in 1953. I strongly object to the removal of the Confederate Monument! It is part of our American history. All Confederate Monuments or those men who participated in that conflict within Arlington should be protected as they are also part of our American history. If I lived in the area, I would be at your gate in my wheelchair with a placard demonstrating against the removal or modification of any Confederate related monument or memorial.
Dane Hays-Hobday
16237 West Woodlands Ave
Goodyear, Arizona
US Army Retired/Disabled.

How could Arlington National Cemetery be turned into a tourist trap? Who ever is in charge of this place should be fired. Forcing everyone to use the parking garage at $3 per hour is the first ripoff. Then having to go thru airport style security to tour the cemetery is ridiculous. Why do they think they need this extreme security measure? Equally ridiculous is $20 fee to take the tram to the gravesites. I could not help to notice the trams were half empty on my hike up the hill, The Tomb of the Unknown is quite a up hill hike and is not recommended for anyone out of shape. For seniors or handicapped it would be impossible. Another question if why they close at 5pm? And lock everyone in the parking garage at 6pm causing a major inconvience to anyone trapped there. I remember visiting the Grand Canyon and having free parking and free bus service to all of the vista points along the canyon ridge. Arlington Cemetery management should visit the Grand Canyon to see how to properly manage a popular tourist site. Making money off the people who sacrificed their loved ones to defend the country is just wrong.

Never miss this cemetery , there are walking tours as well as bus tours . Walking takes about 4 -6 hrs if you walk leisurely and want to cover the entire cemetery . If you take the hop on hop off bus tour and make stops , takes half of the time . Don’t miss the changing of guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier .

It's one thing to visit Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, changing of the guard, JFK's gravesite, Robert E. Lee's Arlington House, the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, even Audie Murphy's grave. And it's quite another to attend a funeral on this country's most hallowed ground. Any active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces or any retired veteran is eligible for ground burial with full military honors at Arlington. There are over 60 burials per day. So it was that my sister attended the burial of her ex-husband's father during the Labor Day weekend. The solemn ceremony included the casket being carried on a caisson led by four horses and an eight-man honor guard, a bugler blowing Taps, even a flyover by U.S. Air Force jets. My wife and I have visited Arlington National Cemetery on two other occasions but we've never experienced a funeral. The cemetery is divided into 70 sections. Visitors are encouraged to obtain a map at the visitor's center before embarking on a tour of the site. It shows where to find the grave sites of the famous statesmen and military figures, even sports figures and entertainers. Murphy was a World War II hero, the most decorated soldier in the history of the United States, then became a popular motion picture actor. Other noted burials at Arlington include Joe Louis, Lee Marvin, Maureen O'Hara, Thurgood Marshall, George C. Marshall, Robert F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, John Glenn, Jimmy Doolittle, Glenn Miller, William Howard Taft, John Pershing, Medgar Evers, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Foster Dulles.

Hallowed and humble experience. We visited the President Kennedy site, the Arlington House, the Civil War Unknown site, and theTombs of the Unknown site. We viewed a burial procession with a horse drawn casket, a drummer, and military personnel marching. We experienced the daily 21 gun salute.

There is no better way to fully understand why there is a Memorial Day than a visit to Arlington National Cemetery for a reality check. This military cemetery is the final resting place for those who died while serving our country from the Indian Wars to the Afghanistan conflict. In the older section of the cemetery, there are a wide variety of monuments including obelisks, an old cannon, different types of crosses, ship anchor and a huge block of pink marble. These monuments are paid for by the families and are found only in certain sections. However, the standard issue is a white marble headstone. A tour guide speaking about the small headstones found near the Civil War vault where the bones of 2000+ soldiers said the little head stones around the grounds mark the place where only a soldier’s arm or leg were buried. On the cemetery grounds is an amphitheater which was the site of the first Memorial Day Ceremony in 1868. As you walk, take note of the beautiful trees and gardens. If you walk along Farragut and Memorial Drives, you will see thirty-six Medal of Honor historic trees that commemorate the Medal of Honor recipient. Each of these trees originated from a historic tree. A must see is the Tomb of the Unknown and Changing of the Guard and the John F. Kennedy eternal flame memorial. The cemetery has paved walkways and is quite hilly. Tram tours are available if you do not want to walk. The cost is $15.00 for adults, $7.25 children aged 4-12 and $11 for seniors. Military in uniform are free, adults with military ID are $6.75 and $3.25 for children aged 4-12. Highly recommend a visit any day of the year.

You can either walk around yourself or pay for a tram that goes around the complex.
It is a beautiful, well maintained, clean place. It is so respectful to the dead. The graves are really moving to see. The highlights are the JFK burial site and the tomb of the unknown soldier - certainly go for the changing of the guards. The house is also interesting too and there are great views over DC from there.
On the tram/train they will point out various noticeable graves, for example the 6 star general.
We spent nearly all day here. It’s a beautiful place

Amazing experience visiting the cemetery. One of our favorite stops in Washington DC. Would highly recommend visiting Arlington Cemetery and spending some time learning about the people honored there.

This is the second time I have visited since the spring of 2002. It was something I thought about for a while because I don't get to this very very often and since I was visiting a city in the western part of Virginia I decided to put some time aside to do so. It practically looks the same with lots of walking mostly but this time I had the chance to see the eternal flame where Kennedy was buried. It was quite cold that day with gray skies but the place looked well attended. When visiting D.C. it's best to park here at the cemetery because the rates are cheaper and it's much safer.

I have visited on most of my DC trips. My adoptive father was drafted for the planned invasion of Japan, which, fortunately for me, never happened. So I always recall that when I'm there. Life is full of sharp turns.

A starkly beautiful place that is an active cemetery, my tram tour passed several funeral corteges on its journey.

Remember and Respect. Always.

Thank you to those here and everywhere who lost their lives defending this country. One does not understand until you see the rows of white headstones. It takes being there. Another don't miss in Washington moments.

Super large, well maintained, free parking and free entry, bring an ID. Many monuments and points of interest inside.

To be honest, we elected to go the Arlington National Cemetery because we have seen it in movies so often. We did not know a lot of the history of the place. We ubered and arrived early. We bought tour tickets, which was a very wise choice for the price, the site is huge. We then hoped on the first On-and-Off tramway. Our first stop was at Ruth Bader Ginsberg tomb, and John and Robert Kennedy's, which are worth a see. Then we were in time for the change of the guard, which was full of decorum. We then continued hearing about famous residents, the group sights too including the challenger's deceased.

As we were the weekend, we could do the extra loop. Turns out that we were alone in having stayed on. We had the guide and driver to ourselves. We descended to go see the Pentagone's 911 grave marker, which made us reflect on the world we live it.

It was a great visit.

I can not begin to describe what a moving experience this was for me and my wife. As a former military member I appreciate what a great place this is. On a personal level it shows what great sacrifices military members have given in name of our country. The grounds are immaculate and offer sweeping views of Washington DC. The tombs are kept up and the various monuments gives one a reminder of important outfits and events. All the staff were very helpful and offered accurate information. The trolls was nice for those that can't walk far. General Lee's house was definitely worth seeing. I hope that me and my wife can be buried there. If you visit Washington DC this should definitely e included on your itinerary. If your going to visit download their app which has very good info on it

Very solemn and extraordinarily well cared for. Don't miss anything related to John F. Kennedy's family.

The Cemetery is very large and requires a lot of walking. I would recommend the Arlington City Tours tram. They only stop at specific sites but you have the opportunity to walk around each area for as long as you would like and then hop on the next one which is usually arriving 15-20 minutes apart. The JFK gravesite was amazing and the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a must-see.
July is a really hot time to go. The humidity is high. I would recommend going early in the day if Summer time.

Beautiful grounds. Other than the planes flying overhead, very peaceful. Saw changing of the guard. Would have liked to walk in Section 1 but time did not allow us. The only downside was the women’s bathroom could use some upkeep as some waste was in the bowl and TP on the ground. No place to grab anything to eat from what I could see. Parking meters were broken in the main garage and would not take cards. Definitely could spend more time.

Monumental historic tour of our National Cemetery honoring our nations heroes from all wars. God bless their loved ones and our Country.

This was a solemn and powerful experience. We did the on site basic tram tour and highlighted JFK's gravesite with the eternal flame and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier sites due to our time constraints. The guides were fine and tried to give some history as we shuttled on/off and rode between the stations. The changing of the guard is something everyone must see once in their lifetime.

If you have more time and/or historic/personal desire, I'd recommend further exploration of the grounds with a tour guide. There is almost infinite history and meaning at every turn.

Washington MILITARY CEMETERY.

Although it is a cemetery it has its own "charm".

We just went to JFK's grave, but the cemetery is huge

This place is world famous. I arrived on a very hot Friday in August 2023. You go through security and you then have the choice of walking your way round ( too much in that heat ) or getting the tram ($19). I chose the tram. The guide was very informative. First stop is the JFK burial site. Then you get back on the tram and are taken round the whole cemetery with great informative commentary provided with another stop at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, you can get off here too if you wish
The trams run every 15 minutes.
Helpful staff, the whole place is immaculate, not a leaf or a blade of grass out of place anywhere.
A very emotive place and beautiful and quiet.

I struggle to describe how this place makes you feel , humbled is one word that comes to mind

You must book tickets in advance . I would suggest early morning as I would guess the later in the day would mean a crazy load of tourists !!!!

We arrived at 8.20 and went through security and were on the first trolley of the day at 08.30 hours

It is a hop on hop off trolley . Today we visited three sites
- JFK eternal flame
- unknown soldier / changing of the guard
- Arlington house

We probably spent 20 mins at each stop.

Trolleys come approx every 20 mins so it worked well for us

You can download a map to see other sites but otherwise the trolley ride with 3 sites was enough for us

A peaceful, beautiful and very respectful cemetery. Well worth a visit but bear in mind a couple of things. It's huge so make sure you have comfy footwear. Also, if there are any graves in particular you wish to visit, locate them on a map first, maybe have a look before you go.
Depending on how much you want to see, I'd recommend at least 2 hours, if not more. And take a drink with you, it was very hot when we were there!
Everywhere we went had been done with such care and attention, plus watching the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier gave us goosebumps, he was impeccable.
Apart from one family who obviously thought the rules didn't apply to them and clambered up a grassy bank instead of using the steps, everyone was very respectful, it was a privilege to be able to visit

Military cemetery that appears in thousands of movies. It's huge and if you have time it's worth visiting on foot, yes because if you want there is a hop on/hop off tour at a cost of $19.50 that includes five stops. Tickets can be bought at the Visitor Centre. The cemetery opens at 8.00, there is parking at a cost of $3 per hour and even here you have to check before entering. Recommendation to come early, if not at 8.00 at the latest around 9.00 because there are fewer people for parking, for checks and if you want to stop in front of Kennedy's grave or see the changing of the guard (which happens every half hour) in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier, near the amphitheater.

I've been wanting to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for decades, and it was everything I expected and more. It was very touching and moving; as a veteran I was particularly touched. There was also an Honor Flight in attendance which made it a particularly special experience. It had been several years since I saw JFKs grave, I went to see it again and it now has Jacquie's grave marker.

Always a solemn experience to visit my father in law here.
The cemetery has screening in place and your temperature is taken before entering the Info building. My husband has a drive on Visiting Pass to go directly to the gravesite. We visit the cemetery every time we fly east.

Loved this place. Take the bus tour, as this place is huge. It's $19.99. Went in June. Very hot, so take lots of water. Lots to see on the tour. I especially loved the Arlington House. I recommend stopping there on the hop on hop off tour.

Everyone is very friendly and helpful.  You can walk the entire cemetery if you want or do hop on/hop off tram tours for a reasonable fee. The guides on the tram are very informative and there is quite a bit of history.  Inside the park there is handicap accessibility including the tram. However, in the parking garage we didn't find handicap parking or ramps.  Seeing the changing of the guard ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soliders is a must stop.

Was wonderful and very humbling. On the shoulders of giants. The people that dedicated and gave their lives for the betterment of our country was too much to take.

Must see while in the area! I’d highly recommend using the tram ($20) to get around- it’s a very big property and a lot of walking. The tour guides on the tram are very knowledgeable as well. The changing of the guard was very powerful to see in person. Our favorite parts were the changing of the guard, the Arlington House, and seeing the Kennedy gravesite.

A great sprawling dedication to those who have served, it can take a whole afternoon to see all the various monuments and hotspots across the cemetery.

The place closes at 5PM, so make sure not to be there too late! At the front gate, they do require visitors to have some form of US photo identification.

Loaded with a solemn atmosphere, this cemetery is one of the most beautiful American military cemeteries in the world. Immense, there are the tombs of the JFK family, and you can watch every half hour the changing of the guard in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier. In addition, there is a historical side to the creation of the cemetery but also to the Civil War with the Arlington House.

My partner and I had booked this months in advance and was looking forward to going to pay our respects and learn more about Arlington cemetery. When we arrived the queues were very long, mainly with large groups of visiting schools which is great in my opinion as they get to learn about history and the sacrifices that were made by men and women all over the world but unfortunately the lack of respect that they were showing was atrocious, I am not just talking a few students but more like 300 plus. they were with teacher and chaperones but due to them not being proactive enough with them it was basically a free for all. They jumped the queue to board the tram/shuttle first with their teachers allowing it, most of them were on their cell phones or running around chasing one another which we found so disrespectful especially as there were funerals happening at the time. The staff were also oblivious to this and accepted the fact that they were running wild in such a sacred place. We missed a lot of what we wanted to see purely as we missed a few trams due to not being able to board due to the rush of students trying to get on and literally being pushed out the way. My partner has mobility issues so she is unable to walk very far but had to cut our trip short as we couldn’t board a tram. Really disappointing day, shame on the Arlington staff and the schools!!

Wanted to see this place for a few reasons. First, it has been talked about in several movies we have seen. The headstones this time of year were decorated with wreaths. Not many white crosses as sometimes depicted in movies, but there were a few. Second, President
John F. Kennedy and Jackie O are buried here along with their two small children. I wanted to see the eternal flame, as I had never seen anything like that before. Very cool. We also went to the tomb of the unknown soldier and were able to see the changing of the guard. This was a very beautiful demonstration. Definitely worth a visit at least once in your lives.

We go every year and it's every bit a somber experience as always. The only discordant thing was when we took the small, motorized train around Arlington Cemetery, as we usually do, was to have the well known monuments and graves pointed out and explained. Unfortunately, this time the monologue from the presenter was almost completely "woke". Major disappointment for this sacred place.

The site was easily accessible from the Metro line, and getting through security was easy enough. It was interesting to see the people who were buried here as well. Icons such as JFK, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger astronauts, and also Robert Peary with the globe as his headstone.

The highlight was absolutely the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard. The Changing of the Guard was 8 minutes long and during my visit, there were two wreath laying ceremonies. Each of them lasted 5.5 minutes.

Robert Lee's Arlington House is also worth stopping to see his home and his slaves' quarters.

One thing I noticed is that the trolley drivers we had have their own characters, maybe it's the way they speak but that added personal flavour while narrating through the tour! The poppy souvenir at the end was actually touching! Loved it overall!

This cemetery is haunting in its immaculate simplicity. Rows and rows of similar tombstones to mark the people who gave their lives in service. The grass is cut very straight, the tombstones are kept very clean, and there's an aura of sanctity to the whole place. This cemetery is gigantic (639 acres), and there are sections for both nurses and for military chaplains of different faiths. There's a constant guard presence here; we stayed for the changing of the guard, which is a unique experience. This whole cemetery is incredibly humbling.

An awe inspiring moment that must be experienced and revered by everyone!!! What a beautiful tribute of reverence and respect.

Visiting Arlington National Cemetery was one of the most powerful and humbling experiences of our time in Washington, D.C. The sheer scale of the cemetery—row after row of perfectly aligned white headstones stretching across the hills—immediately instills a deep sense of reverence and reflection.

We started at the Visitor Center, which was informative and helpful for understanding the layout and significance of the site. From there, we walked to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where we watched the Changing of the Guard ceremony. It was conducted with such precision and dignity—truly one of the most memorable moments of our visit.

Other highlights included John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, with the eternal flame, and Section 60, where many recent veterans are buried. The grounds are immaculately maintained, and the silence throughout adds to the solemn atmosphere. It’s a place that invites gratitude, reflection, and quiet respect.

Whether you have a personal connection to someone buried there or are visiting as part of learning American history, Arlington is a must-see. It honors the sacrifices of generations of service members in a way that words can’t fully express. Allow at least a couple of hours to explore—it’s not just a landmark, it’s a sacred place.

Also, my father is buried there so it is very special to me.

Great experience for history, for reflection, for military, for views of DC. We planned for 2 hours and barely scratched the surface of all there is to see and learn at Arlington. This is a must do if you are in DC. We will go back. Tram ride is nice and essential given the size of the cemetery, however is over priced.

This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been too.

The level of care and attention that has gone into preserving and honouring the fallen is unbelievable! In the words of JFK, “I could have stayed there forever”.

You never sent the tickets to me . I could not go . I am disputing the charges. No tickets or email were sent to me . I could not contact t you , but tried . Impossible computer run around .

This awesome cemetery leaves you speechless. Everything was so peaceful and beautiful. I was honored to be able to see the Changing of the Guard. The respect that they give to their post and discipline they had to carry out their duty. It is remarkable, I was just in awe watching them.
We rode the trolley

Arlington Cemetary is a well oiled machine. Top Notch Service for burial. Clear expectations and everything is decent and in order.

ANC is a must-do for first time travelers to the DC area. The grounds are beautifully kept. The cemetery is massive and a little overwhelming to think about all of the men and women who gave their lives, especially when you look in any direction and can only see tombstones. It's quite a hike to get to the tomb of the unknown soldier, but it is worth it. I would recommend walking and exploring the grounds yourself instead of taking the tram tour if everyone in your group is able to walk a good distance.

We arrived at 4pm in November so only had an hour to see the cemetery. We hadn’t fully realised how vast it is. So we took the trolley tour, which costs $19.50 each but saved us from lots of walking. We had two guides: one was excellent and engaging, the other sounded rather bored and just going through the motions. Nonetheless it’s a good idea to use the tour, unless you are okay walking quite considerable distances.

The JFK burial site was profoundly moving and has a beautiful outlook. It really emotionally affected me, even though I’m not American. There was a feeling of deep respect and sorrow there. The simplicity of it all only made it more affecting.

The changing of the guard ceremony, and attached Museum and amphitheatre, was also attended with great respect and is certainly worth seeing.

What has stayed with me the most, though, is seeing the endless neat rows of graves, stretching in every direction into the far distance. So, so many dead. It does make you think about the human cost of war. An astonishing four hundred thousand people are buried here.

This is a must to visit if you’re in town. The history of the cemetery is fascinating. The grave of presidents JFK and Taft were a major highlight as was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a very moving monument. If you’re in the DC area, stop in, you won’t be disappointed.

The changing of the guard is a must see if in Washington. The self guided tour with the tram that goes to the Kennedy eternal flame, the Robert E. Lee house and Tomb of the unknown soldier had great views and knowledgeable tour guides. Top of the hill has great views of entire city.

A well-kept cemetery with a lot to see. This place is a must see while in DC. Over 400,000 Graves of military personnel and others.

A lesson in why wars should be avoided. Very interesting place and love general Lee's home. Could have spent days In Arlington.

Do not walk to this place. Either get the shuttle from the hotel or an Uber as it is too far to walk.

Dont bring your tripods or cameras here,also not fair play since some people get passed with cameras with sticks,others like myself get kicked out,i wish i could give 0 stars here.

Anyone who visits the DC area should put this on their list of must-sees. There is something incredibly solemn and peaceful about this final resting place for so many who gave so much. The grounds are beautiful and well-tended, and our heroes and loved ones are cared for and respected, as they should be. Walking around is limited by COVID restrictions, but a narrated tram ride is available, and makes a couple of stops, most notably the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. If you've never seen this, you should. The dedication and professionalism these men and women give to this very special assignment is awesome. If you are fortunate enough to witness a caisson procession, it will be something you'll never forget.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is incredible - we took the hop-on, hop-off tour which provides information about the various areas, and drops you at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Seeing this is amazing, and we witnessed the changing of the guard, conducted in near silence. The guards are so impressive, and they provide their service 24x7x365. We were there on a very hot day, so the guard duty must have been very tough indeed, but they are superb.
Visit, be impressed, moved, and humbled.

This being a Cemetery may not sound like it is a must-see. But the people that are buried here all have a story. Of course there are some big names also buried at this location, as many to name. Just to get started you have some civil war soldiers, the Kennedy's, an unknown soldier, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and so many more. This was once the estate of Robert E. Lee and after the North took the area in battle, they started to bury dead soldiers here to ensure he would not want to return. After that, it became a national cemetery.

Overall, this is such an impressive location, with so many people that helped shape our nation being buried here.

What an honorable service for my honorable uncle. The Army ceremony is very distinguished, from the band, the playing of "Taps" the chaplin and the 21 gun salute. Memorable experience, for sure!

A place to honor those who have fought for our freedom. We should never forget or ignore those who have so valiantly served. We took the trolly tour and also walked. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers brought me to tears. This should not be missed.

I have been several times, but I learned something this time. I was given the task to find a gravesite by a relative. I went to the desk at the visitors Center, we looked him up on their database and found his gravesite. I was given a ticket and given a free shuttle bus ride right to the area and told to call for pickup. WOW! I was able to locate and take plenty of pictures of the headstone.
Remember to watch the changing of the guards at the Tomb of known solider. Read a little about it first so you understand some of the things happening. 21 steps, who is buried and why, the symbolism, how long and hard it is to become a guard, there have only been less than 700 guards, the long hours, etc.

This is such a solemn place to visit. It is overwhelming to think of how many men and women gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is something that everyone should experience.

Went here with the family for the day. We took the Metro from the city centre and it stops right outside the premises, one stop down from The Pentagon, for those who are interested. There are bag searches at the gates, like everywhere else in the city. Mum opted to go on a guided tour which stops at three places; the Kennedy graves, the House on the hill and the tomb of the unknown warrior. This cost her about $18, which she said took her about 2 hours and was very informative.

The little one and me used a do it yourself guide which we found on google and is written by a local historian. This takes in everything on the bus tour but also assists those of us who have an interest in the military and WW2 and Civil War history. We walked out the back of the reception area, through the memorial garden and followed the guide. It took us past a recipient of a Medal of Honor whose headstone has a yellow star on it. as do all other recipients except for one. All the headstones are the same size and shape and everything is properly presented, which makes the visit all the more fitting and memorable.

We followed the guide up to the headstones of the earlier Supreme Court justices, including Renquist, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thurgood Marshall and others. We then found ourselves at the Kennedy memorial, with the eternal flame of JFK and his wife, Jackie and just to the right are the headstones of his brothers Bobby, Edward and Jack. We then followed the road round to the right and up to the house at the top of the hill, which was once owned by Robert E lee. Here are many of the headstones from leading figures of the Revolution and the Civil War. While mum's tour stopped at the house and she gained access to it, we visited the small museum at the back, where is a short history of the earlier owner. It poses a thoughtful question about whether Lee deserves his place in history.

After that we walked through the small amphitheatre (memorial garden) and past the memorial to the unknowns from the Civil war. We then walked down the hill and turned right at the bottom as we headed back towards the larger amphitheatre and the tomb of the unknown warrior. On the way there we passed the memorial stone to the WW2 band leader, Glenn Miller. As we approached the amphitheatre we saw the memorial headstones on the right of those who perished trying to rescue hostages from Tehran on 1980 and the space shuttle disasters of the Challenger and Colombia where both crews were lost.

Just a short walk from there on the right we approached an area dominated by a large single tree with a path surrounding it. Here is the grave of Audie Murphy, who was America's most decorated soldier and who later became an actor. His later depression and battle with addiction did much to highlight the issue of PTSD in those who served with the military. I loved watching westerns as a child and he was one of my favourite actors. His headstone does not contain a yellow star as it was his wish that his grave should not stand out from his comrades.

We then went into the amphitheatre to watch the guard ceremony at the tomb of the unknown warrior. If you watch carefully, the guard walks 21 steps, pauses for 21 seconds then walks another 21 steps, which is like the equivalent of a 21 gun salute. As we were watching this a funeral cortege drove along the road below with a guard of honour, which makes you realise that the place is not just a memorial, funerals are still carried out here every day and will do so until the place becomes full by about 2050.

As we left the ceremony we walked down the hill to the road and turned left. Resting next to a curved arch of memorial benches we saw the headstone of Joe Louis, the former World Champion heavyweight boxer. Although he did not see active service he joined up to encourage his fellow countrymen to fight for freedom and democracy against tyranny. His fights against Max Schmeling were particularly memorable. After the war Schmeling became something of an Industrialist and a very wealthy businessman. Louis fell into debt and had to scrape a living. When Louis died, it was Schmeling who paid for the funeral as they had remained firm friends.

Next to Louis is a small headstone containing the remains of the late Actor, Lee Marvin, who served in the army in WW2. After viewing this area we walked further along the road until we reached the Kennedy graves again, when we turned back down the hill towards the reception area. Our walk took about 3 hours in total and it was worth every second. Thank you to the historian who wrote the self help guide, we are eternally grateful. Again, there were opportunities to take lots of photo's, but I just took one. The grounds are very well maintained and the whole place is entirely fitting as a memorial to those American citizens, and others, who gave their lives in the fight for freedom. My wife said her tour was very informative. Anyone reading this should visit the place, while in the city. It's incredible and so much more than just a cemetery. Take a tour or make your own way round. Staff are very helpful and will guide visitors to any particular area they wish to visit.

Super cool cemetery with very famous graves. It's an amazing place and one of my favorites in DC.
Staft there is a little angry sometimes. Like we went to go to the bathroom and got yelled at because I guess the tomb guard was going to come out of there soon. I don't know how we were supposed to know that. Other people went in right before us and didn't get yelled at. She could've just told us. : (
They also usher you through the little welcome building like cattle. People got yelled at for standing outside the bathrooms waiting for their kids to finish in there. It was nuts. It felt like we weren't actually supposed to be there and they were annoyed by us. The attitude just felt unnecessary.
Overall, amazing place to see though and I'm giving the staff props for being there.

A walk across the Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln memorial over the Potomac brings you to the entrance to the Arlington Cemetery

Passing through security you can either pay $20 dollars for the trolley tour or start to climb the hill in the heat in June this may not have been the smartest move

First come to the memorial to JFK and the eternal flame surrounded by carved quotes

Carry on up the hill through so many graves of many wars it is so sobering until you come to the tomb of the unknown soldier. We arrived at noon and was able to watch the changing of the guard

A huge area that you can hardly walk around in its entirety. There is no cemetery atmosphere at all. The highlights are certainly the grave of JFK, the unknown soldier and Arlington House.

We always said if we will have opportunity to visit this place we will. Entering the cemetery and Visitor centre is with strong security measures like at the airport. Beautiful statue Price of Freedom standing in front of it. The Cemetery is divided into 70 sections; because of my bad knees we didn't walk around but took a live-narrated hop on/hop off trolley tour. The whole loop through the cemetery takes about 45 minutes with six stops. It was interesting to hear the names or occupations of those whose resting place is here but we had difficulty where about we should look except gravestones of the cosmonauts as their headstones were taller than others, also because the shuttle trolley was moving so when the guide said the information and we have been in the third wagon we already passed the spot. At the moment there is construction of United States Air Force Memorial which should be finished next year.
We found that British Field Marshal Sir John Dill is the highest-ranking foreign military officer buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Memorial Amphitheater and the change of guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were the pinnacle of this visit. And from the terrace of the Amphitheater you can see US Capitol.
If you can walk and want to see the cemetery and the gravestones properly you need more than one day.

This is worth a visit for at least a few hours. One can pay homage for those who served our country. Changing of the guards is very solemn and good to see. Pay and take the tram unless you want a long walk. All employees were very nice and knowledgeable. A good 2-3 hour visit.

Profoundly moving place to visit.
Easy to reach via the metro system we decided to visit this national site while staying in Washington.
The trolley rides are organised and informative and definitely the easiest way to see the huge site.
Unlike most of America they treat this place with subtle respect.
The permanent patrol of the guards is fascinating to watch and I was able to pay my respects to Audie Murphy there.
A moving place to visit.

I visited Arlington National Cemetery in July 2021. I bought a ticket for the tram tour on-line in advance. I took the Washington DC Metro from the Foggy Bottom / George Washington University stop to the Arlington stop on the blue line. I walked from the Metro station to the visitors center. I arrived at 8 am which is opening time. Security procedures are strict for entering the visitors center. You can get a free map of the cemetery. I also signed up on-line for a visit to Arlington House for a cost of $1. It was a very hot and humid day so I bought water in the gift shop. I boarded the tram at 8:30 am. Unfortunately it did not stop at the JFK gravesite and took a different route. We passed the McClellan gate and arrived at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider after another 5-10 minutes. The tour guide narration was very helpful about the history of the cemetery. I disembarked and watched the 9 am Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, you can enter a small exhibit on the history of the unknown soldier which was very interesting. At this point I made the decision to not take the tram any more and to continue touring the cemetery on foot. The next monuments I visited were the USS Maine, the Challenger Space Shuttle, the Iran Hostage Rescue Mission and the Columbia Space Shuttle. I walked to the Arlington House which took about 15 minutes up and down steps (the map was very useful). I made a visit to the rest room and the Arlington House gift and book shop. I took the self-guided tour of Arlington House which was very interesting. General Robert E. Lee lived here before the Civil War and resigned from the Union Army here (he wrote his resignation letter in the study). Arlington House is full of history and very interesting. After my visit to Arlington House, I walked another 10 minutes down steps to the JFK gravesite and the eternal flame. The graves of JFK and Jackie Kennedy (Onassis) are located here. On the nearby walls, you can read the words of JFK's inaugural address. From here I walked to the exit and back to the Metro Station. I had a fantastic and interesting visit. Although the tram tour is a bit expensive, I think that it is worth it so you can save some of your energy on a hot day and hear the narration from the tour guide. If you do not want to walk, be prepared to wait for the next tram after you visit a particular area. I think walking back from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a great experience.

This is a lovely place although it is very solemn. Much to learn so plan on spending some time in the visitor center. We took the tram and it worked out perfectly. Get on and get off when you want and spend as much time at each stop as you desire. While the tram is traveling there is a tour guide that delivers very interesting information. I do you should I do suggest you plan a tram stop about 10 minutes before the hour so you can watch the changing of the guard.

Whenever we visit Arlington, we always stroll through the cemetery. We have seen all the tourist sights before but never get tired of seeing them again. If you're fortunate you'll be able to witness a full honors funeral discreetly from afar so as not to invade anyone privacy. That is really impressive.
The cemetery should be a "not-to-be-missed" item on your travel list.

This is a must do experience. The Arlington Cemetery is a humbling place to pay tribute to the thousands of souls honoured here. The layout is excellent and the guide to key parts of interest in the cemetery is also well done. The changing of the guard is an important yet sombre experience that makes you also take time to honour every person laid to rest including the unknown soldiers

As a military family, this is such a Beautifully kept cemetery and grounds. TAKE THE TRAM!! They share a wealth of information!
Welcome To Entrance- Absolutely appalling behavior from one of the security women in front of the gift shop area. While waiting for my husband to finish getting water from the gift shop- i was politely waiting outside the crowded gift shop with my children, we were looking around the building at your numerous displays in the center room. The security lady forcibly yelled at me stating that “it was illegal for me to be looking at the scanning screen” that was within 5 feet of the shop opening and facing the public. I was not looking at the screen- I was looking at the displays while waiting politely as I stared for my husband in the gift shop. I explained this to her and she was continually rude to me with a fellow officer. As a fellow veteran I request that something be placed over that screen or the security staff be spoken to as this was brutal to experience as someone with anxiety.