Things to See and Do in Arlington, VA

The land known today as Arlington County was originally surveyed to be included as part of the Nation's Capital. Arlington County gets its name from the "Arlington House," the Robert E. Lee house located on the grounds of the Arlington National Cemetery. While there are no cities or towns located in Arlington County, Arlington is comprised of five distinct and active communities. In addition to the national cemetery, Arlington is also home to the United States Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima), The Pentagon, LBJ Memorial Grove, and a host of other attractions. Today, Arlington is sought out for its communities, which offer among the widest varieties of shopping and dining experiences in the metropolitan area.

Spring and Summer Highlights

Washington | Arlington | Alexandria |  Montgomery County

Summer Concerts
‘Tis the season for summer concerts, and Arlington County offers some of the most diverse outdoor options around. For some great patriotic music, the U.S. Army’s free "Twilight Tattoo” performances every Wednesday evening at Ft. Myer can’t be beat; the hour-long military pageant features soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own. At the Iwo Jima Memorial and Netherland Carillon , spring and summer concerts are performed on Saturdays from 2-4pm, and the Marine Silent Drill Team, Color Guard and Drum and Bugle corps hold a Sunset Parade at 7pm from the last Tuesday in May to the third Tuesday in August. At Arlington’s Lubber Run Amphitheater , an al fresco series schedules regular concerts featuring musical styles from classics to African drums to rock and folk and dance from a number of local companies.

National Cemetery and Arlington House
No visit to Arlington County would be complete without touring the County’s namesake—Robert E. Lee’s home of 30 years, the “Arlington House .” The home, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, is open to visitors for self-guided tours every day throughout the spring and summer from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Located on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery , be sure to leave enough time to pay tribute to our nation’s veterans. A great way to see it all is by hopping aboard the Tourmobile Sightseeing bus , the only authorized riding tour through the cemetery. Stops include the eternal flame at John F. Kennedy’s grave, the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Village at Shirlington
If your belly is grumbling, or you’re looking to browse eclectic and one-of-a-kind shops in an outdoor, pedestrian setting, there’s perhaps no better place to check out than Arlington’s Shirlington Village . The multi-block village is charm central, with outdoor dining options at virtually every restaurant and small boutiques that offer treasures not found anywhere else. Anchoring the development is Signature Theater , a Tony-Award winning, non-profit professional theater company that has earned its reputation as one of the nation’s best regional theaters.

Ballston
If you happen to be in town on May 16, don’t miss The Taste of Arlington in Ballston, Va. With crowds regularly numbering around 15,000 and more than 40 restaurants doling out their finest fare, it’s one of the area’s biggest foodie events. But if your visit doesn’t coincide with Taste, there’s still plenty to do in Ballston, with the four-story Ballston Commons Shopping Mall , The Ballston Farmer’s Market every Thursday from 3pm to 7pm, an target="_blank"d an Arts & Crafts Market the second Saturday of every month from 10am to 4pm. If the weather is especially steamy, step in to the Kettler Iceplex atop the Ballston Public Parking Garage, where public ice skating sessions are scheduled every day of the month.

More Highlights: Washington | Alexandria |  Montgomery County

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