sandy49

Since driving is not permitted in Arlington National Cemetery, I am looking for suggestion from other visitors of a good way to see it. We want to see the Tomb of the Unknowns, Challenger memorial, and I believe there is a Seabee memorial.

Is this walkable? We are able to walk but this looks very large on a map.

If not walkable, is the Tourmobile the only way to ride?

I am a little confused.... Is there a Tourmobile for just Arlington, or do we have to take a Tourmobile from Washington DC?

Thanks

vjpblovesitaly

Yes, it is walkable in my opinion.

"is the Tourmobile the only way to ride?"

According to the Tourmobile website it is.

"Our live-narrated Washington/Arlington National Cemetery tour operates year-round and includes all major sites on the National Mall and the ONLY riding tour through Arlington National Cemetery."
http://www.tourmobile.com/tours_cemetery.php

"Is there a Tourmobile for just Arlington, or do we have to take a Tourmobile from Washington DC?"

There is one for only $8.50 listed on the website which is called

Arlington National Cemetery Tour

http://www.tourmobile.com/tours_arlington.php

longhorn55

The Tourmobile is indeed the only way to get around the cemetery unless you are walking. The buses, which only tour the cemetery, leave from the Visitor's Center and you purchase your tickets there. This ticket is good only for Tourmobile within the cemetery, not for touring in D.C. If you want to tour D.C. as well on Tourmobile, you can buy a combo ticket.

The Tourmobile in ANC stops at the Kennedy gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Arlington House, the home of Robert E. Lee. You may get off at these places and walk around as long as you like and then re-board a later bus. When you get off at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, you can easily walk over to the Challenger memorial site.

The Seabees Memorial is actually located outside of the cemetery along Memorial Drive. The Tourmobile that goes within the cemetery does not go here, so you would have to walk there anyway. It is near the Arlington Cemetery Metro stop.

Now, having given all that Tourmobile info, I don't think that it's necessary to use Tourmobile unless someone in your group has mobility problems. The cemetery is large and hilly and if you have problems walking,it will be a challenge. You can get a good map of the cemetery from the Visitor's Center and they will be happy to give you directions or answer any questions. I used Tourmobile at ANC on my first visit to D.C. over 30 years ago since it was included in the ticket, but since then I have always walked the cemetery.

Dukey1

The cemetery IS large (I live nearby) but the things you most want to see aren't really all that far apart. There are a lot more monuments, memorial stones, etc., in the place that few people ever talk about such as the original gatewaty with its haunting inscription, etc., and yes it IS quite hilly..as in UP from the visitor center all the wya to the old Memorial Chapel at Fort Myer which sits outside the fort's gate at the top.

I agree it is walkable but I also think if you've never been then either taking the Metro over or driving to and parking at the VC and then using the Tourmobile services may be your best option.

janisj

If the weather is nice it is easily walkable. But the heat/humidity (or the cold) can take a lot out of you so using the tourmobile as a hop-on-hop-off can make a visit a lot easier.

tomfuller

The METRO stop is on the Blue Line between Rosslyn and the Pentagon. You can transfer from the Yellow Line at Pentagon.

sandy49

Thanks to all of you for the quick responses, they were very informative.

We will probably do some walking but will get tickets for the Tourmobile--we can always walk one way and then ride back if we need to.

It is a little overwhelming planning a trip to DC. Thank heavens for Fodors\ites and for the internet!

1JAR

ttt