alexandria national cemetery

This ancient cemetery is super interesting, and a very peaceful place to stroll and glimpse American history.

Not too far from Arlington National Cemetery. A short walk from Whole Foods in Alexandria. It is a small site where mostly Civil War and Spanish American War veterans are laid to rest.

Worth a short stop to see all civil war graves. Check it near Christmas when the wreaths are on the graves. Also check some of the other near by church cemeteries with memorials remembering Revolutionary War up to WW II veterans.

The visitor center offers a gift shop and small museum about the cemetery. Changing of the guard is every half hour, can be reached by a walk past the Kennedy brother's graves and eternal flame.Visit section 60 for a reminder of the losses we are still experiencing in the middle East. Very heart breaking and sad to think of all the lost potential in the name of our freedoms.Can be reached by riding the blue line of the metro.

We live in the area and have visited here many times over the years. It is v. crowded in the summer and during those weeks when tour groups from across the country descend on D.C. However, you should plan to come to observe the noon changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is a very solemn event, but it well worth watching if only to give you the opportunity to reflect on what is really important in life. The cemetery has its own Metro stop, and all of the tour busses in Dc come here. Parking is plentiful.

We arrived early to see the changing of the guards. My son is in the military so this is such a touching emotional experience for my family. Don't miss this !!!

This is something that everyone should experience once. I always stop when I am in town. You must attend the changing of the Guard. I can't even put this experience into words, it will send chills down your spine.

The morning of the day we visited my father's headstone Christmas wreaths had been placed on each headstone. It was beautiful and a touching tribute.

There aren't words...just experience it yourself. If you ever see a military funeral here and are not moved to your core and give thanks to these men and woman buried here, then you have not experienced the feeling of patriotism. God Bless America!

Was able to attend the National Tribute to veterans Amazed to see so many able to attend. VP spoke beautifully. Marine corps band very inspiring.

This moving experience is easy to get to with the metro. The blue line has a stop right at the front gate. Once inside you can pay to ride a shuttle bus. We elected to walk. It really was not that far. We went to the tomb of the unknown soldier then took a paved short cut to the Lee home. The JFK tomb is just below the home. It was an easy walk but it was not flat. There were several older people walking and parents with small kids. If you have trouble with walking up and down hills you are going to want to take the shuttle bus otherwise save your money and enjoy the stroll. To walk over to the Marine memorial is a longer walk but it is mostly flat and is moving to walk through the stones on the path. The memorial is not actually in the cemetery. If you can walk from the capital building to the Washington Monument you can walk this.

Expansive and moving. You can spend hours exploring the grounds. See the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknowns. It will move you. the view from the Arlington house is amazing.

American history isn't all glorious and sunshine; it's built on the combat sacrifices of those dozens of thousands who are buried here. They are why we celebrate Memorial Day, Veterans Day, The Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Arlington Cemetery in American history before your eyes...Sgt John Basilone, USMC-Guadalcanal...those brave sailors recovered from the USS Monitor...Gen Jimmy Doolittle who lead the air raid on Tokyo from the USS Hornet...the Challenger astronauts...and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Bring your children; this is the real history of America; not the fluff they teach these days in school.

Saw the changing of the guard at the end of the day ceremony. Touching and the goosebumps will rise.

It is quite large. The changing of the guard is wonderful to see. Take your pictures from the side and not from the top of the stairs.