Located along the George Washington Parkway at Lady Byrd Johnson Park, this monument of waves and gulls is one of my favorite and you have an excellent view of Washington, DC from this site along the Potomac River.
#114 – View the Monuments at Night
Revolution Cycles and the Crystal City BID held a “Monuments at Night” HUB Spin Saturday July 31st, 2010 when this was posted on Facebook. You could rent a bike from the Crystal City cycle shop and head across the river as a group to view the monuments at night by bike. Since it started in Arlington, I included it on this site.
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#31 – Visit Theodore Roosevelt Island
While technically a part of Washington, D.C., Theodore Roosevelt Island is only accessible via a Mount Vernon Trail footbridge from the Arlington side of the Potomac. Featuring a memorial to the famed “Rough Rider,” conservationist, trustbuster, and 26th President of the United States, the Island also features a network of trails and ranger-led tours.
#21 – Visit the US Marine Corps War Memorial
The Marine Corps War Memorial, dedicated to all Marines who have lost their lives in defense of the United States, is a statue depicting the Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima in 1945.
#2 – Visit Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington is best known for Arlington National Cemetery which is also the site of Arlington House – the “Custis Lee Mansion”. The mansion has recently been restored and is open to the public. Try to time your visit to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiiers which occurs every half hour from April 1-Sept 30 and every hour the rest of the year. Other highlights include the Eternal Flame at John F. Kennedy’s Grave, the Memorial to Women in Military Service, Memorials to the Space Shuttle Challenger and Space Shuttle Columbia and the Memorial Amphitheatre where special events are held on certain holidays.
Memorial Day weekend is an especially good time to go. More than 250,000 flags placed on the gravesites just prior to Memorial Day by every available soldier in the 3rd infantry in a tradition known as “Flags In”, and a Memorial Day Observance is held at the amphitheatre. In December, volunteers from Wreaths Across America put a wreath at every headstone. Check the website for specific times and details.
