Airforce Memorial
Built in 2006, the Air Force Memorial is the first monument built to honor those men and women who have served in the Air Force. The memorial sits on top of Fort Myer overlooking the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. and the Potomac River. The three spires range in height from 201 to 270 feet high into the blue sky representing the Air Force’s three core values, integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all that is done.
It has been said that the Air Force Memorial is a great spot to watch the 4th of July fireworks that take place in Washington, D.C..
Arlington Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 8 A.M. to Noon, the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia hosts their weekly Farmers Market. This market is a source of organic produce from local farms and orchards as well as local businesses who are new to the area. You can never go wrong at Arlington Farmers Market! It is located next to the Arlington County Courthouse Parking Lot, at the intersection of N. Courthouse Rd. and N. 14th Street. Click here for more info.
Arlington National Cemetery
If you are to visit one place in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery would be our recommendation. Once the estate of Robert E. Lee during the Civil War, it is now a remarkable cemetery that will make you proud to be an American. It is the only United States cemetery to hold the remains of servicemen from every U.S. war. When visiting, make sure to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard (will give you chills), President John F. Kennedy's gravesite, and the Arlington House which has one of the best views of Washington, D.C..
Every year, thousands of volunteers gather to lay wreaths on each of the tombs in the Arlington National Cemetery, a tradition that has been carried on for over 20 years. To learn more or book a tour, click here.
Ballston Quarter
Replacing the Ballston Common Mall, the new Ballston Quarter is now the epicenter of Ballston in years to come. The Ballston Quarter is your one stop destination for food and entertainment in Arlington. If you're looking to move to the Ballston area of Arlington, Virginia, it is important to know that this renovation project has definitely increased the value of the homes in the walkable proximity.
Barcroft Park
Take a few hours and visit the 65-acre Barcroft Park located adjacent to the Four Mile Park Run Trail. Inside the park, visitors can find playgrounds, sports fields and courts, batting cages, volleyball courts, lighted drop-in rectangular and diamond synthetic fields, and lighted basketball courts. Barcroft Park also appeals to those interested in hosting a family picnic with charcoal grills and sheltered picnic areas.
Bluemont Park
This 70-acre park offers numerous outdoor activities for its visitors. Bluemont Park includes tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, baseball/softball fields, the only disc golf course in Arlington, grass fields for football and soccer, picnic spots, and paths for walking, jogging, and biking. The W&OD Trail also runs through the park so it is a great place to start a bike ride or jog. Thus, if you are looking for a fun time in the sun, head to Bluemont Park!
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is Arlington’s largest enclosed shopping center with over 170 stores to choose from. It is adjacent to the Ritz- Carlton Hotel along with the Pentagon City Metro stop servicing the Blue and Yellow lines.
If you are looking for something to do in Arlington, Virginia on a rainy day, the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is your place to go. You can spend hours walking and shopping around its numerous high-end stores. To view the store directory, click here.
Gravelly Point
Want to get some pretty awesome pictures with airplanes in the background?? Well Gravelly Point is your place! It is a small park on the Potomac River that neighbors Ronald Reagan National Airport. Planes that are arriving fly extremely low to the ground making it a truly unique experience. Besides the low flying planes, Gravelly Point offers great views of the Arlington skyline and Washington, D.C.. In addition, the Mount Vernon Trail runs through the park so if you are on a bike ride it is a great place to stop and take in the sights.
Gulf Branch Nature Center and Park
Discover a truly unique experience nestled into one of Arlington’s nature spots! The Gulf Branch Nature Center is a family-friendly attraction not known by many. Visitors can experience several fun exhibits including the Discovery Room, pollinator garden, animal exhibit room, dugout canoe, Mr. Owl, and the viewing pond.
The Gulf Branch Park is roughly 40 acres and has lots of trails to explore. Visiting it and the Nature Center is a great Saturday afternoon adventure for the family.
Kettler Capitals Iceplex
Located on top of the Ballston Common Mall parking garage, Kettler Capitals Iceplex is a top notch facility that serves many purposes. Not only does the facility offer public ice skating, figure skating, and hockey programs all year round, it is the practice facility of the NHL Washington Capitals! So if you are looking for a cool experience, go watch one of the Capitals' practices that are open to the public and free of charge.
Metropolitan Park
Metropolitan Park is home to Amazon's HQ2 in National Landing. The development consists of two 22-story towers offering over 2.1 million square feet of office space for Amazon employees. Featuring a public park and garden, art installations, rooftop dog terraces and 14 new restaurants, services and shops, Met Park is quite the development.
The 14 retailers on the ground floor will include Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe, Conte’s Bike Shop, District Dogs, HUSTLE Fitness, Social Burger, South Block, Celebree School, Glo30, Peruvian Brothers, Taqueria Xochi, Toby’s Ice Cream, Mae’s Market, Museum of Contemporary Art in Arlington, and Makers Union.
Netherlands Carillon
The Netherlands Carillon was a gift to the United States from the Netherlands to thank them for protection during World War II. The memorial is comprised of 50 bells, the last bell being added in 1995 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.
An observation deck is available to visitors 25 meters from the ground which offers great views of Washington, D.C.. The melody Westminster Chimes is played every hour on the hour. The bell tower also plays patriotic music twice a day. The Netherlands Carillon is located next to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.
Ocean Dunes Waterpark
Located within Upton Hill Regional Park, Ocean Dunes is loaded with fun features for both adults and kids. Featuring a 500-gallon dumping bucket, water slides, waterfalls and squirters make any day a beach day at Ocean Dunes!
Experience the riveting water slides and rides, including a 230 foot open slide, or a thrilling 170 foot ride in complete darkness on the closed slide! A large main pool offers splashing and swimming space for everyone. Click here to for hours and more information!
Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the Department of Defense and is the largest office building in the world. An impressive building to say the least, the Pentagon spans 5,100,000 square feet and has twice the office space of the Empire State Building. The Pentagon is also home to the Pentagon Memorial which serves as a sacred placement of those 184 men and women who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The memorial was not only created for the victims’ families, but also for the nation as a whole.
To go on a tour of the Pentagon, you must make a reservation at least 14 days in advance of your planned visit through their website.
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
Potomac Overlook Regional Park is a 67 acre park located along the Potomac River. The park features 2 miles of wooded hiking trails that connect with the Potomac River. The park also contains a Nature Center that your kids will love. The Nature Center is home to Energerium which is a collection of interactive exhibits for kids to learn about how energy impacts the world that we live in. The Nature Center also is home to a collection of live animals like the owls pictured to the right. Finally, the park hosts a summer concert series that occur every other Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Signature Theatre
Formed in 1990, the Signature Theatre is located in the heart of Shirlington, one of Arlington’s up and coming neighborhoods. A Tony Award-Winning, nonprofit professional theatre company, the Signature Theatre is famous for taking classical musicals and reinventing them with a new twist. Past productions have included West Side Story, Cabaret, Miss Saigon, Dreamgirls and more. If interested in attending a show at the Signature Theatre, click here to see the upcoming events.
The Crossing Clarendon
The Crossing Clarendon is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Arlington, voted Best of Arlington multiple years runnin.g. Located in a vibrant walking disctrict, the center features national & local retailers, fabulous food, local shops, and pet-friendly services. Whether you're looking for a great happy hour spot, a night on the town, or a day of family fun, The Crossing Clarendon is the place to go. Click here to explore the area!
U.S. Marine Corps Memorial
The U.S. Marine Corps Memorial is known to many locals and tourists as the Iwo Jima Memorial. The memorial is based off the famous photo taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal during World War II which illustrated six soldiers holding the American Flag at Iwo Jima in the Japanese Volcano Islands on February 23, 1945. To commemorate this historical event and the honorable service of the U.S. Marine Corps, the memorial was built in 1954 under the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1961, John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation that the American Flag should be flown at full mast from the memorial 24/7 and has for the last 55 years.
Virginia Highlands Park
Highland Park is a great spot for those who love outdoor activities. Located within walking distance to the Pentagon City Metro stop, Highland Park offers two adult lighted baseball fields, six lighted tennis courts, two lighted basketball courts, a volleyball court, a natural grass rectangular community field, a lighted rectangular synthetic field, a sprayground, three petanque courts, and ample parking.
If you are looking to meet new people in Arlington, Virginia, join a co-ed sports league through companies like United Social Sports or ZogSports. During the nights, sports like softball and kickball take place at Highland Park.
