Arlington Welcome Center is the best place to start your visit to Arlington National Cemetery, offering maps, tickets, and planning help.
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
30-60 Minutes
Spring, Fall
Free
Overview
The Arlington Welcome Center is the first stop for most visitors entering Arlington National Cemetery, one of the most significant national memorial sites in the United States. Located at the end of Memorial Avenue near the Arlington Cemetery Metro Station, this welcome center provides general information, orientation maps, and access to tickets for tram and bus tours.
As a gateway to the cemetery’s rich history, the welcome center helps visitors understand the meaning behind this final resting place for thousands of service members who served in conflicts ranging from the World Wars to modern military service. It also introduces key points of interest, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Memorial Amphitheater, the Arlington House, and the Kennedy gravesites with the Eternal Flame.
Inside, exhibits highlight notable memorials, burial traditions, and the stories of individuals laid to rest here. You’ll also find helpful tools like the ANC Explorer mobile app, which you can use on your mobile device for self-guided tours at your own pace.
Justin looking at one of the displays in the Arlington Welcome Center
One of the many displays in the Welcome Center
Arlington Welcome Center Plan
If you want to experience as much of Arlington National Cemetery as possible, starting at the welcome center is essential. Pick up a map, ask a park ranger for recommendations, and decide between walking routes or tram tours.
You can plan a route that includes:
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Arlington House overlooking the Potomac River
- The Memorial Amphitheater
- The Kennedy gravesites, including the Eternal Flame honoring Robert F. Kennedy and President John F. Kennedy
Planning ahead helps you avoid backtracking and ensures you don’t miss important landmarks across the cemetery’s rolling landscape.
Getting There
Location
Arlington National Cemetery is located just across the Potomac River from the National Mall, near the Lincoln Memorial and accessible via the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Arlington Memorial Bridge.
Easy Access Options
- Metro: Exit at Arlington Cemetery Metro Station for direct entry
- Driving: Use the cemetery parking garage near the entrance
- Tours: Many bus tours include stops here
- Walking: Cross the Potomac River from the National Mall via Memorial Bridge
The Arlington Welcome Center is located right near the main entrance, making it easy to find.
Best Time to Go
The cemetery is open daily, including major observances like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, though these days are especially busy due to ceremonies at the Memorial Amphitheater.
Spring: Mild weather and blooming landscapes
Fall: Cooler temperatures and colorful foliage
Summer: Hot and crowded
Winter: Quiet and reflective
Arriving early or later in the afternoon helps you avoid crowds and heat.
The displays in the Welcome Center depict the history of the cemetery
The displays also talk about some of the well-known soldiers buried in the cemetery
Arlington Welcome Center in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
Who Can Go?
Anyone can visit Arlington National Cemetery. It is open to the public and welcomes visitors of all ages.
Security screening is required, so be prepared to show driver licenses or other identification cards. Accessibility services are available, and tram tours are a helpful option for those who prefer less walking.
What You'll See
From the Arlington Welcome Center, you’ll step into one of the most meaningful tourist attractions in the country. Highlights include:
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- The Memorial Amphitheater
- Arlington House, once home to Robert E. Lee
- Kennedy gravesites and the Eternal Flame
- Rolling hills filled with headstones marking the final resting place of service members
You’ll also notice water fountains, shaded paths, and scenic overlooks toward the Potomac River and Washington, D.C.
This shelf holds samples of gifts left by foreign and domestic dignitaries
Walking out of the welcome center towards the main cemetery pathway
What to Bring & Wear
Wear comfortable shoes, as distances can be longer than expected. Bring:
- Water and sun protection
- Layers depending on the weather
- A fully charged mobile device for using the ANC Explorer mobile app
- A respectful mindset for visiting this national memorial
Downloading the mobile app allows you to search burial records, locate graves, and follow self-guided tours at your own pace.
Where to Go
Begin your visit by heading straight to the Arlington Welcome Center, located just inside the main Memorial Avenue entrance of Arlington National Cemetery. If you’re arriving by Metro, exit at the Arlington Cemetery station on the Blue Line and follow the clearly marked signs toward the cemetery entrance—the welcome center is a short, mostly flat walk from the station. Visitors driving should use the designated Arlington National Cemetery parking garage and walk toward the entrance plaza, where the welcome center is easy to spot. All guided tours and tram tickets are accessed through the Arlington Welcome Center, making it the natural starting point for first-time and repeat visitors alike.
The display about the marble wreath next to it
This wreath is a duplicate of the ones by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, one that visitors can touch
How Long Does it Take?
A quick visit can take one to two hours, but seeing multiple landmarks or following walking routes can easily take three to four hours or more. Many visitors underestimate the size of Arlington National Cemetery, so planning ahead is essential.
Cost
Entry to Arlington National Cemetery and the Arlington Welcome Center is free. Optional tram tours and guided experiences require paid tickets, which can be purchased at the welcome center.
Tips for Arlington Welcome Center
- Arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and heat, especially in spring and summer
- Start at the Arlington Welcome Center to pick up a map and check tram tour availability
- Allow extra time for security screening at the entrance
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for hills and long distances
- Bring water, sun protection, or layers depending on the season
- Use the tram tour if time or mobility is limited
- Plan your route in advance to avoid backtracking
- Move respectfully and observe posted rules throughout the cemetery