Arlington, Virginia is one of the places most frequently visited by travelers to the Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC. Whether for business or pleasure, Arlington offers a host of sights and activities for everyone. It is centrally located just across the Potomac River, minutes from all the attractions of Northern Virginia and of the capital of the United States. Easily accessible by air, train, or car, there are a variety of things to see and do in this year-round destination.

Arlington is conveniently located and is within four miles of many of Washington, D.C.’s most visited sites: The Smithsonian Museums, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and most of D.C.'s other attractions. Arlington is home to the popular Fashion Centre Mall at Pentagon City and only a short drive from Mount Vernon, Old Town Arlington, Potomac Mills outlet mall, Manassas battlefield, and many other popular Virginia sites.
 

Many of the nation’s best known and frequently visited attractions, including the Pentagon; the U.S. Marine Memorial “Iwo Jima”, Fort Myer, and the Arlington National Cemetery, home of the landmark Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, are located in Arlington. Arlington has its own Men's Softball team: the U.S. Exporters. Of course, the Washington Capitals, the Washington Redskins, the Washington Mystics, and the Washington Wizards are only a bridge and a short drive away.

Arlington, is home to Reagan National Airport, just minutes away from the District of Columbia. All major roadways and the five major bridges into Washington, D.C. from Virginia come through Arlington. Eleven of the thirty-three stations for Washington’s Metro Subway system are located there. Incidentally, if you happen to be riding the Metro, be sure take a ride on one of the two longest escalators in the world at the Rosslyn Metro Station. It is 194 feet, 8 inches from top to bottom. The other, located at the Metro station in Bethesda, Maryland, is 213 feet, 10 inches in length.
 

Arlington County is an urban county of approximately 26 square miles. A little known fact about Arlington is that it is the smallest county in the United States that is self-governing. Arlington was originally part of the ten-mile square surveyed in 1791 for the District of Columbia. In response to requests from residents, the Congress returned the portion of the District located on the west bank of the Potomac River to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Due to it’s proximity to the nation’s capital, the principal industries in Arlington are government and tourism. Many nationally recognized businesses, from a variety of sectors, call Arlington home. As a result, Arlington continues to be both a center of commerce and a leisure destination.

A notable local attraction is Fort C.F. Smith Park . This beautiful 19 acre site includes a scenic view of Washington, DC, a lush tree canopy, a wildlife preserve with observations points, an ornamental peace garden, the lovely Hendry House, and the preserved earthworks of a Civil War fort built in 1863. Within the park, there is even a specially constructed creek designed to attract and host migrating birds.

Some of the best known celebrities who were raised in Arlington include Sandra Bullock, Katie Couric, Roberta Flack, Shirley MacLaine, Warren Beatty, and 1996 Summer Olympic swimming Gold-Medalist, Tim Dolan. Due to it’s spectacular and varied scenery, Arlington also claims the honor of having numerous motion pictures and television shows filmed in and around the city. The television series, “Scarecrow and Mrs. King” was set largely in Arlington, as was “Unsolved Mysteries.”

Archaeological findings show evidence of Native Americans having lived in the Arlington area for over 9,000 years. The same mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, and woodlands still attract settlers to this area of phenomenal natural beauty.

Whether visiting National sites, taking walking tours, watching the various professional sport teams, enjoying the spring blossom season or seeing the leaves turn in the fall, Arlington has something for everyone in any season of the year.