Five Historic Places to Visit In Arlington VA

Located just outside of Washington D.C., the city of Arlington VA has a very interesting history that can be traced all the way back to before the Civil War. As a very important area for the Confederate Army, Arlington is home to several historic locations, and remains an important place for the United States government and military. Due to its various memorials, monuments, and museums, Arlington has become a popular location for tourists who are interested in seeing some of the country’s most interesting places. If you ever find yourself in the city and are looking to immerse yourself in American history, you certainly won’t have to look too far. Here are five historic places to visit in Arlington VA.

Arlington National Cemetery

Established in 1864 during the Civil War, Arlington National Cemetery is one of the best-known in the country. For more than a century, some of the country’s biggest war heroes and historical figures have been buried here and year after year, people from all over the country — and even the world — make their way to this historic final resting place. In 2014, the cemetery and some of its surrounding properties were added to the National Register of Historic Places.

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The Pentagon

As one of, if not the, one of the most important government buildings in the country, The Pentagon is a very big attraction to people who are visiting Arlington. As home to the Department of Defense, The Pentagon boasts about 6,500,000 square-feet of which nearly half is used for office space. There are more than 23,000 people who work at The Pentagon, including both civilians and military personal. Although there are many parts of the building that are off-limits to the public, visitors can request tours. However, keep in mind that if you’d like to take a tour of The Pentagon, “you must make a reservation at least 14 days in advance through our website…Reservations will not be accepted for tour dates within [13] days or more than [90] days away.”

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Robert E. Lee Memorial

Also known at the Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial was once home to the legendary Confederate General, Robert E. Lee. The mansion is located on the grounds of the Arlington National Cemetery. Although there was once tension about whether or not Lee should be honored, the tremendous respect he earned from both the North and the South have allowed his one-time home to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can tour the home all year-round, and it has become one of the most popular attractions in the area.

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United States Air Force Memorial 

The United States Air Force Memorial was constructed in order to honor “the service and sacrifices of the men and women of the United States Air Force and its predecessor organizations.” Unveiled in 2006, the memorial was designed to mimic “contrails of the Air Force Thunderbirds as they peel back in a precision ‘bomb burst’ maneuver.” Each year, the United States Airfare Memorial welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors, and the site is also home to nearly 300 events and ceremonies throughout the year.

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Fort Ethan Allen

Once used as a fort for the confederate army, Fort Ethan Allen has a history as long as the country itself. Although the location never saw any actual military action, it did receive a visit from Abraham Lincoln, which was one of the few visits he made to the area. These days; however, Fort Ethan Allen is now part of a larger park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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