Discover the best top things to do in Northern Virginia, United States including Arlington National Cemetery, Quantico National Cemetery, Presbyterian Cemetery, Alexandria National Cemetery, Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, Ball's Bluff Battlefield and National Cemetery, Union Cemetery, St. Mary's Cemetery, National Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Cementerio Arlington.
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5.0 based on 9,443 reviews
Veterans of every American war from the Revolution to the country's most recent conflicts are buried at Arlington, which was officially declared a military cemetery in 1864. Among the more than 260,000 dead are three unidentified service members, buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and John F. Kennedy, whose gravesite is marked by an eternal flame.
No one can visit Arlington National Cemetery without realizing you are paying respect to many many fallen heroes. Every where you go you are reminded of the events, and the heroes involved, that changed the course of history of the United States. There is the tomb of the unknown soldier that is one of the most reverent sites there. The changing of the guard ceremony is done with a solemn precision that adds dignity and respect to the fallen soldier Don’t visit Arlington without watching the changing of the guard. You will also see memorials to those who perished in our space program. You will see a special section dedicated to those who served on the Supreme Court. You’ll see the grave sites of civil rights leaders who gave their lives for the cause of freedom for the African Americans. You’ll see generals buried next to privates and both will have nothing more than the simple, but elegant, grave marker provided by the government. From President Kennedy’s grave site, and the eternal flame, you will look up and see the home of General Robert E Lee and you will turn around and see the majestic view of Washington DC and the United States Capital building. The tour guides are excellent. You can do self guided but be ready for some serious hill climbing. We chose the tram and are glad we did. The guides point out many of the grave markers that are historical in our lifetime as well as some from fallen times before us. The tour also includes a visit to the Marine memorial which is a bronze statue of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. The memorial is huge and surrounded with pictures and history. One of the most beautiful monuments I have ever seen. When you visit, give yourself plenty of time to just stand at certain sites and reflect on men and events. The changing of the guard ceremony takes at least 30 minutes of your time. The Iwo Jima memorial another 30 minutes, and just walking around all the other sections and reflecting will consume s couple hours. Give a half a day minimum to your visit. With the many funerals they have there every day you will probably see a caisson and horses that are mounted by impeccably dressed soldiers moving thru the cemetery going to or coming from a burial. It’s just a beautiful, perfectly manicured, cemetery.
4.5 based on 107 reviews
I stumbled on this cemetery while wandering the streets of Alexandria on a gorgeous day, simply wanting to be off the "regular" path. This held a surprise as I found the grave of a relative from the Civil War. Beautifully maintained this provides another view of our country as you see the dates and understand how disease and war impact a community.
4.0 based on 92 reviews
A poignant and sobering reminder of a disastrous Union defeat during the Civil War.
Ball’s Bluff is a unique civil war battlefield and national cemetery situated in a residential subdivision about 2 miles northeast of Leesburg, Virginia. It is the scene of an 1861 battle where confederate forces defeated Federal troops attempting to cross the Potomac River. The Union forces lost 900 soldiers in the battle and the confederates captured another 700. The battlefield is a Northern Virginia Regional Park. The national cemetery is on the park grounds. The federal government established the cemetery in 1865. Today, the cemetery is a ringed by a red brick wall with a flag pole. There are 54 Unions soldiers buried tin 25 graves each marked with a marble grave marker. All are unidentified except James Allen, a soldier from Massachusetts. It is interesting to note that Ball’s Bluff is the third smallest national cemetery in the country. There is a kiosk with informational pamphlets at the entrance to the park. There are numerous self-guided marked trails that trace the history of the battle. During our visit there were numerous fallen trees from a recent storm. The park and cemetery were very interesting and informative. It was a fantastic way to see history up close. The battlefield offers some very interesting facts about the civil war. There is a marker honoring Colonel Edward D. the only U.S. senator killed in battle. Lt. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., of the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, survived a nearly fatal wound at Ball's Bluff to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1902. Paul Revere had a large family with a total of 51 grandchildren. Three of his grandchildren, Paul Joseph Revere, Joseph Warren Revere and Edward Hutchinson Revere, served in the Union army. Confederate troops captured both Paul and Edward during the battle of Ball's Bluff. Both were released in a prisoner exchange later but were killed at Gettysburg and the Battle of Antietam respectively. The battlefield and cemetery were designated as a National Historical Landmark in 1984. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit there and encourage anyone in the Leesburg area to stop by.
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