Our 10 Best Things To Do In Arlington, Virginia takes a look at one of the most important cities in the State of Virginia. This beautiful city was founded in 1801. Arlington is located in the northern part of Virginia, and it covers an estimated area of 67.34 square kilometers. According to the census of 2019, the population of Arlington is estimated to be 236,842 with an unemployment rate of 4.6%. The great county of Arlington is the home to the Pentagon, one of the world’s largest office buildings. Additionally, it is home to the memorial buildings, nature parks and trails. There are vast activities that one can do while visiting this great county found in Virginia.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Arlington Virginia
# 10 – Drug Enforcement Administration Museum
The mission of Drug Enforcement Administration Museum & Visitors Center is to offer education to the public on the history of drugs, drug addiction and drug law enforcement in the United States of America. This museum and visitor center is located along 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington in Virginia. It is situated directly across the street from The Pentagon City Mall. Inside this museum, there are rotating exhibits exploring the history of illegal drugs in American culture and the effects of abusing drugs. Additionally, the exhibits featured in this museum and visitor center include “The DEA History: 1973-2008”, “The DEA Memorial Wall” and “DEA: Air, Land & Sea” among other exhibits. Besides, this museum houses over 2000 artifacts related to drug law enforcement. There are also more than 5000 images from the 1800s to the present day of objects used for research and study of drugs. Finally, various educational programs and a series of extensive lectures are offered in this museum and visitor center on drug-related issues.
# 9 – Arlington Art Center
Since the 1970s Arlington Art Center has been one of the most popular venues for contemporary artwork. Arlington Art Center is a 17000-sq-ft venue, and it features nine exhibition galleries. Additionally, there are working studios and classrooms found in this art center. Over ten exhibitions take place in Arlington Art Center yearly. There are works of art by upcoming and popular artists around the Mid-Atlantic region found in this art center. Classes for all ages are available in Arlington Art Center. Some of the classes in this art gallery include drawing, painting, and printmaking, among other classes. Arlington Art Center is found at 3550 Wilson Blvd in Arlington, Virginia. This art center is open from noon to 5 pm daily except on Mondays and Tuesdays.
# 8 – Fort C. F. Smith Park
Fort C. F. Smith Park covers an area of up to 19 acres. Inside this beautiful 19-acres property, there are nature trails, a lush tree canopy, an open meadow a preserved Civil War earthworks. Additionally, the 20th century restored Hendry House is found with Fort C. F. Smith Park. This park is also home to wildlife animals such as deer, fox and rabbits. Further, Fort C. F. Smith Park features the ornamental Peace Garden and bird Creek, an artificial water feature home to native and migratory birds such as barred and Screech Owls.
# 7 – Arlington House
For those who love American History, especially the history of the Civil War, a trip to the Arlington House is a must visit in the great city of Arlington Virginia. The Arlington House is a fabulous memorial to Robert E. Lee. The memorial pays tribute to the role Robert E Lee played not just in the Civil War but in how he contributed to society in the many years after the War ended.
# 6 – Mount Vernon Trail
This trail is open daily from 6 am till 10 pm. Mount Vernon trail covers a vast area of up to 18 miles. The Mount Vernon Trail features paved hiking and bicycling path hence making it an ideal place for biking and hiking when visiting Arlington in Virginia. Fantastic views of the woodlands, Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C. can be viewed while walking or riding in Mount Vernon Trail. This trail is located at 1198 George Washington Memorial Pkwy.
# 5 – Gulf Branch Nature Center And Park
This nature center and the park are ideal for communing with friends and family. This 38-acre nature center and park feature footpaths, streams and lush greenery. The streams in this nature center and park are formed by the Potomac River nearby. Additionally, there is a children’s discovery room, a pollinator garden alive with colorful flowers, butterflies, hummingbirds, a pond, restored log cabin and observation beehive located inside this vast nature center and park. Furthermore, there is a blacksmith shop with a working forge in this nature center and park. Interpretative Environmental educational programs suitable for individuals of all ages is provided in this park.
# 4 – Arlington Farmers Market
Farm produce from all over Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and even New Jersey is found in Arlington Farmers Market every Saturday. A visit to Arlington farmers market is a great and ideal way to meet the residents and understand Arlington’s culture. Some of the products sold in Arlington Farmers Market Include artisanal cheeses, jams, jellies, baked goods, organic-grass-fed beef and wild-caught salmon from Alaska other foodstuffs.
# 3 – Theodore Roosevelt Island Park
This island park is a 91-acre wilderness preserve. Theodore Roosevelt Island Park is a great place to enjoy nature and cool off mind while getting away from the busy and noisy city environment. Additionally, this island park features a variety of flora and fauna. There is also a two-mile foot trail inside this island park for trekking. The island park is accessible from the Mount Vernon Trail. Bicycle and bicycling are not permitted in Theodore Roosevelt Island Park. There are various hiking trails inside this island park. Last, the island park features a 17-foot tall statue of the 26th president.
# 2 – Arlington National Cemetery
We don’t often list cemetery’s on our best things to do list, but Arlington Cemetery is an exception. It would be incredibly disrespectful to not mention Arlington Cemetery when writing an article on Arlington Virginia. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for those who have served in the United States Military dating back to the Civil War.
# 1 – The Pentagon
The Pentagon is a five-sided office building that serves as the United States Department of Defense headquarters. This building covers an area spanning around 6.5 million square feet, making it the largest office building in the world. Inside the Pentagon features the Hall of Heroes with several military displays. Additionally, visiting the Pentagon will allow you to learn about the various branches of the military, joint staff, and the office of the Secretary of Defense, among other things. Inside this uniquely shaped building, there are military collection documents and achieves. The Pentagon is open from Monday to Friday from 0900HRS to 1600HRS, and it is closed on weekends. Further, there are tours around the facility on Mondays and Thursdays. For you to get a scheduled tour, you must request 14 to 90 days in advance via the Pentagon website or by contacting the congressional or senate Representative.
Feature Photo at top – Photo: Arlington Countyuploaded and derivative work: MrPanyGoff, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
