Arlington cemetery luggage stroage

Question

I’m hoping someone might have an idea I haven’t thought of. We have a wedding in DC this weekend but our flight out isn’t until 5:00 on Sunday. We’d love to go to Arlington cemetery but our hotel is in the navy yard area and it would take a huge chunk of our day to store our bags there then return to get them and then head back to the airport (Reagan). I can find any luggage storage sites convenient to the metro station or the cemetery that won’t require a lot of time to get to either. Anyone have any ideas or do we just need to figure in that extra 2 hrs on the train into our day? We actually have the same amount of time after our flight in before the wedding but we run into the same issue, just the reverse direction. Thanks for any advice.

Answer

Visiting Arlington National Cemetery while managing luggage can be tricky, but there are a few practical options to make it manageable without losing a large portion of your day.

Since your hotel is in the Navy Yard area and your flight is out of Reagan National Airport, you’ll want something convenient to the Metro or along your route. Arlington Cemetery itself doesn’t have public luggage storage, so you’ll need to look for alternatives nearby.

Luggage storage services near Metro stations: Services like LuggageHero, Vertoe, and Bounce allow you to drop bags at local shops, cafes, or kiosks for a few hours. Check for locations near the Pentagon or Rosslyn Metro stations, as both are very close to Arlington Cemetery. This allows you to store your bags without backtracking to Navy Yard.
Airport options: Reagan National Airport has luggage storage lockers in Terminal C. If you arrive early at the airport, you could leave your bags there and take the Metro to Arlington, though this is a bit reverse in timing.
Hotels near Arlington: Some hotels near Arlington Cemetery offer luggage storage for a small fee even if you’re not a guest. Examples include The Westin Arlington Gateway or Residence Inn Arlington Capital View. Calling ahead is recommended to confirm availability.

Practical tips:

Use the Metro for quick access: Take the Navy Yard–Ballpark station to Pentagon or Arlington Cemetery Metro stop; it’s about a 20–25 minute ride.
Pre-book your luggage storage if using services like LuggageHero or Vertoe to save time.
Consider packing lightly or carrying only a small day bag to minimize hassle.

With careful planning, you can minimize the extra travel time and still enjoy Arlington Cemetery before your flight.