10 Best Things to Do in Arlington, Virginia

The Pentagon is a symbol of the U.S. military, serving as the United States Department of Defense’s headquarters. The pentagonal-shaped structure is also one of the world’s largest low-rise office buildings, spanning around 6.5 million sq ft. There are many military displays within the Pentagon – a must-see is the Hall of Heroes, which commemorates 3,400 recipients of the Medal of Honor (Army, Sea Service, and Air Force).

You can enter the Pentagon by reserving a free guided tour with the Pentagon Tours, which was established in 1976. The hour-long tours are available from Mondays to Thursdays, and you can expect to walk about 1.5 miles within the building.

The Arlington National Cemetery is the largest military graveyard in the USA. More than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate family are buried in this 624-acre site, along with President John F. Kennedy, President William Howard Taft, and world-renowned boxer Joe Louis.

There are several historic monuments within the cemetery – The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a large white sarcophagus commemorating unidentified fallen soldiers who fought in WW1 and WWII as well as the Korea and Vietnam Wars. The Arlington National Cemetery is less than 2 miles north of the Air Force Memorial.

The Mount Vernon Trail stretches 18 miles along the Potomac River’s western bank, between George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Theodore Roosevelt Island. The mostly paved path is excellent for both cycling and walking, though some parts are relatively narrow.

The Mount Vernon Trail gets very crowded on weekends, and cyclists must dismount at bridge crossings. If you want to explore further, it’s also connected to several regional trails, such as Rock Creek, Four Mile Run, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.

The United States Marine Corps War Memorial is dedicated to members of Marines who have perished serving the country since 1775. The military monument was established in 1954, depicting Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photograph that was taken during the Battle of Iwo Jima in WWII.

Designed by Horace W. Peaslee and completed by Felix de Weldon, the sculpture shows 6 Marines raising a USA flag atop Mount Suribachi. The United States Marine Corps War Memorial occupies a 100-ft-high hill, overlooking the Potomac River.

The Arlington Art Center has been one of the city’s most popular venues for contemporary artworks since 1974. The 17,000-sq-ft venue is divided into 9 exhibition galleries, as well as subsidised working studios and classrooms.

Around 12 exhibitions take place every year, introducing works of art by emerging and popular artists from around the Mid-Atlantic region. The Arlington Art Center also organizes panel discussions and art workshops year-round. Drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media classes are available for all ages.

The Air Force Memorial lies between the Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. Dedicated to the members of the U.S. Air Force, the structure comprises 3 steel spires ranging between 201 ft and 270 ft in height.

The design was inspired by the “bomb burst” maneuver of the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration squadron. The Air Force Memorial is at a high elevation, giving you a nice view of the Arlington National Cemetery and Potomac River. You can explore the memorial and its surroundings for free.

Fashion Center at Pentagon City is one of the largest shopping malls in Arlington. Nordstrom and Macy's are its main anchors, along with over 100 local and international outlets. High-end names include Spade New York, Michael Kors and BOSS, while Pandora, Forever 21, and Pandora are just some of the mall’s more affordable options.

Fashion Center at Pentagon City also has plenty of dining options, including Shake Shack, Auntie Anne’s, Taco Bell and Panda Express. You can also opt to walk to the Metropolitan Park or Virginia Highlands Park for a mid-shopping break.

Arlington House is a Greek Revival-style mansion at Arlington National Cemetery. The historic home serves as a memorial to Confederate General Robert E. Lee, displaying 18^th- and 19^th-century furniture and decorative arts, as well as Civil War memorabilia and manuscripts.

You can explore the well-preserved house, slave quarters, and potting shed, which were built between 1803 and 1818. Arlington House offers a panoramic view of the Potomac River and Washington DC. Look out for historical sites such as the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, and Capitol Dome.  

The Signature Theater is a Tony Award-winning performance venue on Arlington’s Campbell Avenue. The non-profit theater hosts contemporary and classical performances year-round – past productions that have taken place here include Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Freaky Friday, and Titanic.

The Signature Theatre’s Specialty Nights series include Pride Night on Fridays and Discussion Night on selected Tuesday and Wednesday performances. Inside Signature takes place in the Mead Lobby on the first Thursday of the month, offering a free look into the lives of the theatre's artists and staff.

Pedal Sedan Arlington offers a unique way of bar-hopping around Arlington. This pedal-powered trolley has a contracted driver to take you to the city’s best bars, which are mostly located around Clarendon. It's a great way to make new friends while enjoying an evening out, as moving the vehicle requires a group effort.

Pedal Sedan Arlington’s bar tours take around 2 hours and are available every day. You can choose to depart from Wilson Boulevard at 10 am, noon, 2.30 pm, 5 pm, 7.30 pm or 10 pm. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes to fully enjoy this pedal bar crawl.