Arlington National Cemetery lies in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, and it's where the United States has buried its service members since the Civil War. It covers 639 acres of green hills lined with perfect rows of white headstones, and among them rest presidents, astronauts and justices too. For visitors, the experience revolves around three moments: John F. Kennedy's grave with its eternal flame, Arlington House at the top of the hill and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Here are the hours, how to get there, how to get around inside and the rules of conduct, from the official website as of November 11, 2026.
The basics
- Hours. Daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Admission. Free.
- Changing of the guard. October to March, every hour on the hour; April to September, every half hour.
- Metro. Arlington Cemetery station, Blue Line.
- Parking. $3 an hour, up to $12 a day.
- Size. 639 acres, about 260 hectares; expect a lot of walking, or use the tour tram.
A little history
The land belonged to the family of Robert E. Lee's wife, and at the top of the hill stands the house where they lived, Arlington House. When Lee joined the Confederate army, the Union government seized the estate, and in 1864 began burying fallen soldiers there. It was partly a symbolic decision: to fill the enemy general's grounds with graves.
Today some 400,000 people are buried here and funerals continue every weekday, so it's an active cemetery, not just a historic site. That explains many of the visitor rules.
What to see at Arlington
John F. Kennedy's grave. On a slope facing Washington, with the eternal flame that Jacqueline Kennedy lit in 1963. Jacqueline and two of their children are buried beside him. A few steps away are the simple graves of his brothers Robert and Edward Kennedy. The terrace offers one of the best views of the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A white marble sarcophagus in front of the Memorial Amphitheater that holds the remains of an unidentified World War I soldier and honors the nameless dead of all wars. It's guarded 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by soldiers of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," who march 21 steps, pause 21 seconds and turn, in reference to the 21-gun salute.
Arlington House. The columned mansion at the top of the hill, now a memorial to Robert E. Lee run by the National Park Service. Its portico looks out over all of Washington.
Other memorials. Those for the Challenger and Columbia space shuttles, the USS Maine, Pan Am Flight 103, and Section 27, where thousands of freed African Americans and soldiers of the US Colored Troops from the Civil War are buried.
The changing of the guard: times and etiquette
This is what nobody wants to miss. The ceremony, in which one sentinel relieves another with a meticulous rifle inspection, lasts a few minutes and takes place:
- October 1 to March 31. Every hour on the hour.
- April 1 to September 30. Every half hour.
Arrive 15 or 20 minutes early to find a spot in the stands. During the ceremony the cemetery asks spectators to stand and remain silent. No applause, laughter or phone calls. Photos are allowed, as long as they're silent.
From the main entrance to the Tomb is a 20- to 25-minute uphill walk. If you're short on time, the tram drops you there.
How to get to Arlington National Cemetery
By Metro is easiest: the Blue Line has a station called Arlington Cemetery, a few minutes' walk from the Welcome Center. From downtown Washington it's about 15 minutes. Pay with a SmarTrip card or the app.
On foot from the Lincoln Memorial, you cross Memorial Bridge over the Potomac and reach the entrance in about 25 minutes. It's a lovely walk that links the symbolism of one bank with the other; our Lincoln Memorial guide explains how to combine them.
By car, the cemetery has a garage next to the Welcome Center, at $3 an hour up to $12 a day.
Getting around inside
The cemetery is huge and hilly. There are two ways to explore it:
- On foot, with the Welcome Center map or the official ANC Explorer app, which also lets you search for a specific grave.
- On the narrated tour tram, which leaves every 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and stops at the main sites, including the Kennedy graves and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visitors with disabilities ride free with one companion.
Since early November 2026, the Air Force Memorial and its surroundings have been temporarily closed for work on the cemetery's Southern Expansion, according to the official notice.
A two-hour walking route
If you'd rather walk, this order makes the most of the ups and downs:
- Welcome Center. Restrooms, map and an introductory exhibit.
- Kennedy graves. About 10 minutes up a gentle slope.
- Arlington House. A bit higher, with the best view of Washington.
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 15 minutes south; time your arrival before the changing of the guard.
- Back via Section 27 or on the tram, if you're tired.
Special dates: on Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) and Veterans Day (November 11) there are official ceremonies at the Memorial Amphitheater, with a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They're moving days, but also days of crowds, partial closures and longer security lines.
Rules of conduct
Arlington asks for respect, and staff enforce it. Speak quietly, don't run or play, don't sit or lean on headstones, don't eat in the grave areas and keep clear of funerals in progress, at a distance and without photographing them. Children are welcome, and it's a good opportunity to explain the history, but make those rules clear beforehand.
There's security screening at the entrance. Bring only what you need.
Finding a specific grave
Many visitors come for a relative or a well-known person. The ANC Explorer tool, on the website and the official app, lets you search by name and gives you the section and grave number, with a walking route to get there. Staff at the Welcome Center also help. If you plan to leave flowers, fresh cut flowers are permitted by the headstones, and staff remove them once they wilt.
How it fits into your trip
Allow two to three hours. A good combined day: Arlington in the morning, when the air is cooler and the light good for photos, walk across to the Lincoln Memorial at midday and continue along the National Mall in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What are Arlington National Cemetery's hours?
It's open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the official website. Admission is free.
How often is the changing of the guard at Arlington?
From October to March, every hour on the hour. From April to September, every half hour.
Who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery?
About 400,000 people, mostly service members and their families, plus figures such as John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and astronauts from Challenger and Columbia.
How do I get to Arlington National Cemetery?
By Metro, Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery station, or on foot from the Lincoln Memorial across Memorial Bridge.
What is the story of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
It holds the remains of an unidentified World War I soldier, interred in 1921, and honors all the nameless dead. It's guarded around the clock by The Old Guard.