A History of Arlington, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia is the smallest self-governing county in the United States. Yet it's still hard for anyone to find the time to get outside and discover the many hidden delights within the city.
You've seen one of the world's longest continuous escalators inside the Rosslyn metro on your way to work. But you've had no free afternoons to visit Arlington National Cemetery, the 639-acre resting place for more than 14,000 veterans. Arlington National Cemetery holds between 27 and 30 funerals each weekday. The estate belonged to Mary Anna Custis Lee, wife of General Robert E. Lee until the U.S. government purchased the land during the Civil War.
A short walk away from the cemetery is the Netherlands Carillon, a gift from the Netherlands to say thank you for the aid the U.S. gave during and after WWII. Arlington also features the United States Marine Corps War Memorial. The memorial commemorates Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775.
Take a tour through the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. It's the world's largest office building, hosting 23,000 military and civilian employees and 3,000 support personnel. The snack bar is known as the Ground Zero Cafe, a nickname created during the Cold War when nuclear missiles were targeting the Pentagon.
There's plenty more to see and do in the city. You can visit the large concrete spheres designed to appear as fallen stars in Dark Star Park, hike or bike 17 miles on the Mount Vernon Trail, see a show at The Signature Theatre, or even have brunch at The Liberty Tavern. So, what's stopping you from ordering ice cream at the Nicecream Factory? If it's a lack of time, LawnStarter can help. We'll give you back your weekends by handling your biggest and most time-consuming investment: your lawn. Download the free LawnStarter app onto your iPhone or Android device. Once you enter your ZIP code, you'll receive a full list of landscaping and lawn care services available in your area. Enter your schedule and place your order, and LawnStarter will do all the heavy lifting. We'll match you with the pros that can install your garden and turn your yard into an outdoor living space. Now, go get that ice cream and grab your tour tickets.