Three Days in Arlington and the U.S. Capital Region
Just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington is lively, walkable and offers great hotel savings, making it the perfect home base for your trip to the nation’s capital.
Spend one day taking in the historic memorials and hallowed ground in Arlington, wander across the river into Washington, D.C. for the city’s famous museums, monuments, and historic sites, visit one of Arlington’s most charming neighborhoods, and venture to U.S. President George Washington’s historic estate. We’ve put together a fun regional itinerary packed with culture, history, U.S. memorials, and delicious local eats. Put on your walking shoes and charge your phones, because you’re in for an adventure!
Ease into Arlington
Breakfast at Bayou Bakery
Kick your Arlington visit off with a delicious biscuit sandwich or a beignet and coffee at New Orleans-style Bayou Bakery in the Courthouse neighborhood.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/a.dash.of.dc-Instagram-688-ig-2251728540397749671_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=fe58920d733a7a900b5d4241fc1ac470 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/a.dash.of.dc-Instagram-688-ig-2251728540397749671_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d25d4697943ed940d82b6fe033d5b739 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes
CAR | TRAIN | BIKE | FOOT |
5 | 18 | 8 | 30 |
Morning at Arlington National Cemetery
After you fuel up, head to Arlington National Cemetery, the tranquil resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families. Take an interpretive cemetery tour (purchase tickets at the Welcome Center) or explore the beautiful grounds on your own. Make sure to see the Changing the of Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Caisson-horses-in-Arlington-National-CemeteryPhoto-by-Andrea-Izzotti-Shutterstock_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=839de1462371c7e87a1a92586d847176 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Caisson-horses-in-Arlington-National-CemeteryPhoto-by-Andrea-Izzotti-Shutterstock_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ca3f7c5736e7a08454996542e6144770 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes (from the Welcome Center)
CAR | BIKE | FOOT |
6 | 16 | 30 |
Honoring the U.S. Air Force
Walk or ride to the Air Force Memorial, on an Arlington hilltop overlooking the Pentagon and Washington, D.C. The soaring steel spires of the memorial – nearly 100 meters tall – honor the service and heritage of the men and women of the United States Air Force.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Air-Force-Memorial-Entire-Spires-web_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=94c684f8758c71ec8ccdd71204f37298 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Air-Force-Memorial-Entire-Spires-web_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fc50d4eb3d8adb5e85535ca13a0de4a1 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes
CAR | BIKE | FOOT |
8 | 4 | 14 |
Remembering 9/11
Head over to The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, which honors the 184 people whose lives were lost at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 on September 11, 2001. Explore the two-acre memorial while listening to this audio tour.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/things-to-do-pentagon-mem2_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6ba161450856d653fa381f611b3da39e 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/things-to-do-pentagon-mem2_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4f868637e7d08d6b8365419a665c9a9f 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes
CAR | BIKE | FOOT |
7 | 7 | 15 |
Lunch and Shopping at Fashion Centre
Stop for a late lunch at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City’s food court, featuring everything from Chinese and Indian to American and Italian. Or, dine at one of several restaurants, including, Shake Shack, Matchbox, Chipotle or Café Nordstrom. Shop for your favorite brands at the mall’s 170+ stores.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Atrium-Photo-FCPC-Resized_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=88711e1cf74797f54ba1258c710e3838 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Atrium-Photo-FCPC-Resized_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b1b18407fd5dd3d38cfe5c73353c7e1d 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes
CAR | TRAIN | BIKE |
10 | 25 | 28 |
Sunset View of the U.S. Capital Region
Hop on the Metro to Rosslyn to see the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial (often called Iwo Jima) dedicated to all Marines serving the USA. The memorial affords panoramic views of Washington, D.C. and the National Mall, and is adjacent to the Netherlands Carillon.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem4_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=9e9eb8f0cbe11308ec9cfbc8791045d5 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/things-to-do-iwo-jima-mem4_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d4eec0e96301aebc1c48eac32dbd116c 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes
CAR | TRAIN | BIKE | FOOT |
10 | 5 | 10 | 30 |
Night on the Town in Clarendon
Round out your day of Arlington exploration in the Clarendon neighborhood. This hip neighborhood has dozens of restaurants with a variety of global cuisines. Sink your teeth into the culinary specialties of Mexico at Buena Vida Gastrolounge, sample the flavors of the Balkans at Ambar,, or dig into Asian fusion at Bar Bao. Grab a cocktail and a bite at Brass Rabbit Public House or opt for ice cream that’s flash frozen before your eyes at Nicecream.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/neighborhoods-clarendon-night_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b16cb0b6104a37293d166c589a587698 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/neighborhoods-clarendon-night_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4795a0553d619e467cab33b8425aac75 450w)
Day 2: Explore Washington, D.C.
Coffee with the Locals
Grab coffee and breakfast at one of Arlington’s charming neighborhood cafes. Local favorites include Detour Coffee Co. in Virginia Square neighborhood or nearby Northside Socia in Clarendon. At either spot, it’s easy for you to hop on the Metro for the short ride into Washington, D.C.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/restaurants-northside-social_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8f7d02d50d8ab53c74e0072c5b3a1f3b 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/restaurants-northside-social_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5fa3c2ac3b17abf8fe430ef0b8adef9e 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes (from the Clarendon Metro Station to Smithsonian Metro Station)
CAR | TRAIN | BIKE |
15 | 22 | 26 |
Sightseeing in Washington, D.C.
Get off at the Smithsonian Metro Station to explore the National Mall. Explore the more than 300 acres of parkland—packed with stunning monuments, memorials and museums—on foot. Or, see all of the area’s top sights from an open-top coach on a Big Bus Tour. Hop on Big Bus’s Blue Loop in Arlington and travel to such attractions as the National Mall, the White House and D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood. You can hop on, hop off at your top sights and stay as long as you like.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Lincoln-Memorial-kids-courtesy-of-washignton.org_1920x1080_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=87794b22e7d6ebe66d67a9a46b632bc2 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Lincoln-Memorial-kids-courtesy-of-washignton.org_1920x1080_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9f1323b8ec5c270897ce9ccd31aa9cf8 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes
CAR | TRAIN | BIKE |
10 | 20 | 22 |
Dinner and Drinks in Crystal City
After a day packed with D.C. fun, unwind with dinner and drinks in the Crystal City neighborhood. Indulge in innovative casual American fare at Highline RxR or play Mahjong over a round of cocktails at Sparrow Room in Pentagon Row. For more low-key eats head to Good Stuff Eatery for gourmet burgers and milkshakes or its sister restaurant next door We, The Pizza for New York-style pies.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Copy-of-20220106_MM_SparrowRoom-276_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=dd0604a86523a38eab38e073804f5701 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/Copy-of-20220106_MM_SparrowRoom-276_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fd86ab415f2fac79df85a43b0f09691a 450w)
Day 3: Experience the Presidential Past
Breakfast in Shirlington
Start your day in Arlington’s charming Shirlington neighborhood. Wander the tree-lined Village at Shirlington and pick up a fresh-baked breakfast at Best Buns Bread Co. Or take time for a hearty breakfast at the bohemian Busboys & Poets serving eggs benedicts, pancakes, hashes and other breakfast dishes.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/restaurants-guapos-shirlington_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=087ca24c49e15437f8f001b49aa890ab 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/restaurants-guapos-shirlington_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=61cfbb8095658ae8dda2ff60a3a0e978 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes
CAR |
5 |
Relive the Past at Mount Vernon
Take a car over to Mount Vernon, President George Washington’s Estate. Explore the USA’s first president’s sprawling estate on shore of the Potomac River, complete with a mansion, gardens, a pioneer farm, distillery and grist mill. Interact with exhibits, learn from costumed interpreters, and see what life was like in the 18th century. Hungry? Take your taste buds back in time at the onsite Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, featuring iconic dishes from our past like Virginia peanut and chestnut soup.
![](https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/1-Mansion_Exterior_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2f1add1d6d8ce1eb9b67d659fa9deb52 320w, https://arlington.imgix.net/images/blog/1-Mansion_Exterior_4b4079f92aeaaa0ffd4ee406edf9a260.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3e145c901ef1978b1924dc4f316c9532 450w)
Travel Time in Minutes
CAR | TRAIN |
5 | 18 |
Head Home
After an action-packed few days, load up your belongings and get ready to hit the road. Drive or take Metro to Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Dulles International Airport, or jump on the highway to head home.
Need more Arlington advice? Reach out to us on social media with #stayarlington.
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