Pentagon , ( Just across the Potomac River from downtown DC. Metro: Pentagon ). While lingering is n

Arlington is an urban county in Virginia , located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. . With a population of 210,000, yet a land area of only about 26 square miles, Arlington is one of America's mostly densely populated jurisdictions [1] . Despite its density, Arlington mixes the best of both big city and suburban environments. No incorporated towns or cities lie within Arlington County borders; all local government is at the county level.
Arlington has seen continual growth as the DC area has continued to grow, even during nation-wide economic downturns. This is mostly due to the large number of employees of the federal calgary and airport and hotel government and its contractors.
Arlington is part of the original "ten miles square" which the US Constitution dedicated as Washington DC, the nation's capital. In the 1840's, as a result of issues relating to congressional representation, calgary and airport and hotel slavery, and the economy, the US Congress returned the part of Washington south of the Potomac river to Virginia ; the majority of this land today forms Arlington County. Most travelers to Arlington will visit both Washington DC and Arlington, and the two cities are seamlessly linked together by the Metro system.
Arlington has maintained a healthy balance of urban and suburban life through its self-proclaimed "Arlington Way" [2] of policy making. A large percentage of residents calgary and airport and hotel are involved in grassroots political and urban planning processes. Whatever your purpose in coming to Arlington, you'll find the area a friendly and convenient place to visit and explore.
Most tourists come to the D.C. Area during summer weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider visiting calgary and airport and hotel between November and March. Likewise, summer weekdays, as opposed to weekends, have fewer visitors and thus lower hotel rates. One of the busiest times to visit the Washington area is during calgary and airport and hotel the Cherry Blossom Festival in early April. The springtime blossoms are a must see, but hotel rooms fill up quickly.
Dulles International Airport ( IATA : IAD ), [4] is approximately 15 miles (a 45 minute drive during rush hour) outside of Arlington and accessible via shuttle bus and taxi. Metrobus 5A [5] , operates between the airport and Rosslyn Metro Station (Blue and Orange Metro Lines) in Arlington. It generally departs from the airport every 40 minutes on weekdays and hourly (though not on the hour) on weekends, taking 40-50 minutes to the Rosslyn Metro Station. The fare is $6 one-way (no change given). The bus stops near Curb 2E outside of the terminal.
Greyhound has a station in Washington, D.C. . Several bus companies operate between Chinatown in Washington, D.C. and New York City . First popular amongst the Chinese community, these bus companies have been used by students and others seeking an ultra-cheap ride to New York or elsewhere. Vamoose Bus [6] and Tripper Bus [7] operate direct service between New York City and Arlington. Pickup/drop-off points are located near the Rosslyn Metro Station.
The Washington calgary and airport and hotel Area Metro makes several stops in Arlington. The Orange Line stops are Ballston-MU, Virginia Square-GMU, Clarendon, Court House, and Rosslyn. The Blue and Yellow Line stops are Rosslyn, Arlington Cemetery, Pentagon, Pentagon calgary and airport and hotel City, Crystal City, and Reagan National Airport.
Highways entering Arlington include I-395 from the Southwest, I-66 and US Route 50 from the West, George Washington Parkway from the Northwest, and US Route 1 from the South. All connect calgary and airport and hotel to the Washington beltway (I-495). In addition, there are 3 bridges that cross the Potomac River between Arlington and DC: Key, Lincoln, Memorial, and 14th Street.
If you plan to stick to the urban areas, park your car and only travel by foot and public transport. Arlington has an excellent public calgary and airport and hotel transportation system, which includes three D.C. area Metro lines, as well two bus systems. Driving an automobile can bring more troubles than it is worth, as many of Arlington's attractions suffer from a dearth of parking spaces, and the area is notorious calgary and airport and hotel for expensive parking tickets.
Washington DC Metro [8] . The metro system is considered one of the cleanest and most efficient in the world. calgary and airport and hotel The Orange, Blue, and Yellow lines cover Arlington. The metro uses a farecard system; cards are available for purchase at vending machines in all stations. Handle your farecard gently; it's thin (like a business card) and the magnetic strip can't take a lot of abuse. Fares start at $1.60 and are based on distance and time of day. The county of Arlington has grown around its metro lines so many of the attractions calgary and airport and hotel you can see are located in the Rosslyn-Ballston metro corridor or along the Blue/Yellow Lines. Accessing Washington, D.C. attractions from Arlington hotels along the metro line can be as convenient calgary and airport and hotel as staying in Washington, D.C. itself.
Arlington Transit Buses (ART) [9] . The County of Arlington operates its own independent bus system. Arlington calgary and airport and hotel uses smaller, natural gas powered calgary and airport and hotel buses painted distinctive green. These buses can also carry bicycles at no additional charge. Arlington's bus service is designed to compliment the metro.
Metro Bus [10] . The Metro bus operates throughout the Washington DC area. An easy Metro bus for tourists and locals alike is the 38B aka "Orange Line with a View" begins calgary and airport and hotel at Farragut West and takes you through calgary and airport and hotel Georgetown, Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon, Virginia Square/GMU Law and Ballston areas. You must have exact change and the fare is $1.70 or $1.50 for Smart Trip card holders. calgary and airport and hotel [11]
Arlington taxis are available at taxi stands around the county, by phoning the taxi company directly, or occasionally by street hail. All taxis are metered; fares start at $2 and are based on mileage. A $1 surcharge is charged for each additional adult passenger. Complaints about taxi service can be directed to the Arlington calgary and airport and hotel Police Department.
If you need a car for only a few hours, Zipcar calgary and airport and hotel [13] is your best alternative. calgary and airport and hotel These cars are located in desginated parking spaces near metro stations and can be used by anyone registered with the car share company. Begin your membership a few weeks before you head to Arlington.
For information on parking, see Parking In Arlington County [14] . If you decide to drive your own car in Arlington, first check with your hotel about parking arrangements. Some hotels offer free parking and others charge per day. Most, but not all, parking garages operate 24 hours and offer discounted rates on weekends and evenings. calgary and airport and hotel Arlington County owns a very large pay parking facility attached to the Ballston calgary and airport and hotel Common Mall [15] . On-street metered parking is possible in business districts. Parking in residential districts is restricted to residents during weekday working hours. Arlington's parking regulations are strictly enforced and improperly parked cars will be ticketed. Arlington has been replacing many of the old meters with new ones that accept credit cards. Meter rates vary, expect higher priced meters on Wilson and Clarendon Blvd's.
Arlington's wide sidewalks, well labeled intersections, and modern transportation system make Arlington calgary and airport and hotel an ideal location for walking. Arlington's transportation systems and sidewalks are also fully accessible to the disabled. You can easily walk over the Key Bridge into Georgetown from Rosslyn, just be aware that some cars may not yield to pedestrians, even in marked crosswalks.
For more information, see Bike Arlington [16] . Arlington features a unique network of dedicated bike paths that crisscross the county calgary and airport and hotel as well as dedicated bike lanes on many major roads. The paths are well labeled and patrolled regularly for safety. They also offer beautiful scenery and the chance to ride your bike or walk without interruption form motorized vehicles. You can cross any of the bridges calgary and airport and hotel into Washington using your bike, but be aware that the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge has a very narrow path with barely any protection from the interstate right next to you. Note that children are required to wear helmets, and it's probably a good idea if you wear one too.
Many persons visiting Washington, D.C. choose to stay in Arlington. Arlington hotels located along the metro lines are just as convenient or even more convenient than hotels in Washington calgary and airport and hotel proper, and often more reasonable in price. If you are staying in Arlington primarily to see Washington sights such as the Smithsonian, it would be more convenient to leave your car parked at your hotel and ride the metro to Washington.
Arlington calgary and airport and hotel National Cemetery , Memorial Dr , ☎ +1 703 607-8000 , [17] . 1 Apr–30 Sep 8AM-7PM daily, 1 Oct–30 March 8AM-5PM daily . Just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. , adjacent to the Pentagon, this national military cemetery includes John F. Kennedy's tomb and the house of General Robert E. Lee. Visitors calgary and airport and hotel can watch the changing of the guard ceremony calgary and airport and hotel in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Oct-March every hour, Apr-Sep every half hour. If you want to explore the entire cemetery, which is enormous and hilly, in a short amount of time, take the Tourmobile tour [18] (Adult: $8.50; Children: $4.25). There is also a large parking garage that is a good place to dump your car and then catch the subway or Tourmobile into D.C. Also, download and print the City Walking Guide to Washington DC to help you explore Arlington National Cemetery. Free . edit
Iwo Jima Marine Corps War Memorial , Meade St Arlington Blvd ( on the northern border of Arlington Cemetery; from either the Rosslyn or Arlington Cemetery Metro stations, calgary and airport and hotel it's about a 15 minute walk ), [19] . Compelling memorial that commemorates the amphibious landing and eventually victorious battle for the Pacific island of Iwo Jima during WWII. If you walk around the memorial counter clockwise, you'll notice the optical illusion of the marines planting the flag. On July 4th, this spot also provides an excellent view of the fireworks. edit
Pentagon , ( Just across calgary and airport and hotel the Potomac River from downtown DC. Metro: Pentagon ). While lingering is not recommended