This full-day itinerary covers four prominent historical and scenic sites in Arlington, Virginia—all clustered near the Potomac River and Washington, D.C.
Morning: Arlington National Cemetery
- 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Start your day at the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center. The cemetery opens at 8:00 AM.
- Key Stops: See the John F. Kennedy Grave Site, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Changing of the Guard happens every hour), and Arlington House.
- Transit Tip: Walking the hallowed grounds is moving but extensive; you can purchase tickets for the Arlington National Cemetery Tours tram if you need to hop-on and hop-off.
Lunch & Mid-Day: The Pentagon & Memorial
- 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Make your way to the Pentagon. You can take the Metro (Blue Line) one stop from Arlington Cemetery to the Pentagon station.
- The Pentagon Tour: Guided tours of the Pentagon require pre-registration through a sponsor at least 24 hours in advance. You must check in at the Pentagon Force Protection Agency 60 minutes prior to your tour.
- Pentagon Memorial: Even without a guided tour, you can visit the outdoor 9/11 Pentagon Memorial anytime.
Afternoon: Columbia Island & Navy-Marine Memorial
- 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Head to the Columbia Island Marina, located just behind the Pentagon lagoon.
- Activities: Stroll Lady Bird Johnson Park, view the Navy-Marine Memorial, and grab a late afternoon snack or drink by the water at the Island Time Yacht Bar & Grill. Hoping to grab a take away meal and head to Gravelly point to watch our National Airport plane landings.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Gravelly Point
- 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Take the Mount Vernon Trail a short walk south directly to Gravelly Point.
- Activities: This waterfront park is situated right next to the Reagan National Airport (DCA) runway, offering close-up plane spotting and scenic views of the D.C. monuments across the river.