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The Green Adventures

Park Service site · Virginia

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial

Park Service site in Virginia. No entrance fee.

TypePark Service site
StateVirginia
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (73 mi)
Closest airportDCA (3 mi)
Columns of Arlington House
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial Photo: NPS

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial is a park service site run by the National Park Service in Virginia.

In the park service’s words

Arlington House is the nation’s memorial to Robert E. Lee. It honors him for specific reasons, including his role in promoting peace and reunion after the Civil War. In a larger sense it exists as a place of study and contemplation of the meaning of some of the most difficult aspects of American history: military service; sacrifice; citizenship; duty; loyalty; slavery and freedom.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Blue Line - DC Metro (1 to 2 Days): From the National Mall and Memorial Parks to the Mount Vernon Trail, travel the Blue Line to see what the southern portion of Washington, DC has to offer. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
  • Explore Arlington House (30 to 180 Minutes): Take a tour or walk the grounds of Arlington House to learn how it has served as a family home, a military headquarters, a national cemetery, and much more. When visiting Arlington House, you may walk through the mansion at your own pace or you can ask if there is a scheduled tour available. The tours start on the hour

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 9:30AM - 4:30PM. Arlington House and grounds, the museum, and the Enslaved People's Quarters-North and the Enslaved People's Quarters-South are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Last entry into the plantation house is 4:00 p.m. The bookstore is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but closes daily for a half hour lunch. Closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Getting there

Public Transportation: The Memorial is accessible by the Blue Line of the Metro subway system. The Arlington Cemetery subway station is near the Visitor Center for the cemetery. Car: Arlington House is located inside Arlington National Cemetery. If you plan to come in a vehicle, the nearest parking is in the Arlington National Cemetery parking garage. From the entrance and Welcome Center at Arlington National Cemetery, one can walk up the hill to Arlington House (approximately 15 minutes-steep)

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington, DC No road route 3 Large hub
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Dulles, VA No road route 21 Large hub
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Baltimore, MD No road route 30 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Weather

Summers at Arlington House are generally hot and humid, with daytime highs frequently above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Please carry water while participating in physical activity and be prepared to take shelter from lightning. Winters at Arlington are generally cold, with nighttime lows frequently near freezing and occasional snowfall. Please be alert for snowplows and icy spots on roadways. Weather during spring and fall is generally moderate, but can change quickly.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 73 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial?

No entrance fee.

Where is Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial?

In Virginia. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about 3 miles away.

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