It had been a number of years since I last visited the cemetery, so I wanted to stop by. As this is on federal property, visitors still needed to wear masks, but the weather was nice and it was comfortable being outside where everyone could socially distance relatively easily.

Using the tram, we made the usual stops. First up was the JFK eternal flame.

The Amphitheatre was undergoing a renovation, but the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was available to view next door, so witnessing the changing of the guard was a must.

With the cemetery being so large, and the weather being so hot, not many people were just walking around to the countless smaller memorials. I would have liked to see more of the “off the beaten path” markers, but it would have been too much walking in extreme heat, so sticking to the tram was best. Nearby the Tomb is a nice selection of notable items, so it was good to see a few items without walking too far. One of those was the mast from the USS Maine.

The last stop brings you to Arlington House. This area is nice because it sits upon a hill, there are restrooms and a gift shop, the garden area is beautiful, trees provide some shade, and there is a great view of the eternal flame and Washington, DC beyond.

I suggest arriving at the visitor center right as they open, with tickets purchased online ahead of time. They do provide military discounts on tickets and going in the morning beats the summer heat and large crowds. It is easy to spend hours here (or even an entire day), so bring sunscreen or a hat as the tram stops don’t offer much shade. Also, there is no where to grab food nearby, so bring some protein bars!

Maps are available online so you can pinpoint items you may want to walk to on foot, and the tram makes continual pickups on a one-way loop, so you can always wait for 15-20 minutes for the next lift if you want to just take the scenic view.

Although this is a solemn location, especially with funerals occurring every day, it is also full of history, it is meticulously well-kept, and very peaceful. The tram guides also provide you a wealth of knowledge as you travel from stop to stop so visit at least once if you are in the area!