Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Arlington?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Arlington?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the international city of Arlington, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, the nightlife scene, and the shops and boutiques. Many tourists set aside two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Arlington below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Arlington?

Many travelers spend two to four days in Arlington during their visit. After all, the international city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene.

Arlington is a county in Northern Virginia that is closely connected to Washington D.C. It is a city that is filled with memorials and national landmarks. It also has a thriving young adult population that move to the area for the professional and educational opportunities.

Do you have one or two days to visit Arlington? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Arlington?

The city of Arlington boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions around the city. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the international city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to fully enjoy the city even though it's not huge. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Arlington

When visiting Arlington, you can't miss Arlington National Cemetery as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Arlington is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Arlington?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the international city of Arlington, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, the nightlife scene, and the shops and boutiques. Many tourists set aside two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Arlington below.

Arlington, Virginia

How to spend 2 days in Arlington

With a weekend (two to three days) in Arlington, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Arlington a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Public transit in Arlington is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Arlington, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.