History Day Trip to Virginia from Washington, DC

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep this blog running – thank you!

A popular side quest for many Washington, DC vacations is seeing the sights in Northern Virginia. The big ones include the Udvar-Hazy Center, Arlington Cemetery, and Mount Vernon. The Udvar-Hazy Center and Mount Vernon can easily be day trips on their own, and Arlington National Cemetery can be a solid half-day.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning this day trip:

If this is your first trip, you are staying in the city, and you are only staying the weekend, a Virginia day trip might not be worth it. Consider the length of your trip and the importance of seeing these landmarks.
The easiest way to get to the Udvar-Hazy Center and Mount Vernon is by car. Consider renting a car for the day for maximum flexibility.
Arlington Cemetery is accessible on the Blue line, so it is much easier to access from the city.
If your trip is 5+ days, setting aside a day for the Virginia sights is easier to add in. Consider staying the night in Old Town Alexandria to cut down on drive time in the city.
If you are within a 2 to 3-hour drive of the city, this could easily be a day trip or 1-night weekend trip.

The Highlights

I’d recommend picking your two favorites for a day trip and making sure you leave time to drive and eat lunch. However, if you get up early for Arlington Cemetery and plan for a long day, you can squeeze all three into one day. If your trip is flexible, consider choosing a day when Mount Vernon is hosting an evening event to maximize your day.

Arlington Cemetery

8 am to 5 pm
Recommended time: 2 to 3 hours
Free to visit. Parking is $3 per hour with a $12 max for the day.

Arlington National Cemetery was established in 1864 during the Civil War as a burial ground for Union soldiers. At the time, being buried there was not considered a prestigious honor. It wasn’t until May 30, 1868, that the first Memorial Day (then Decoration Day) was held. The tradition continued and its popularity is credited to why Arlington National Cemetery grew to its hallowed burial ground today. Now, it serves as the final resting place for military heroes, presidents, and other notable figures.

Tram Tour: Tram tours are an additional cost, but allow you to see many of the popular sights without as much walking. Tours depart every 20 minutes from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Tours are hop on hop off and include stops at the John F. Kennedy gravesite, John J. Pershing gravesite, the Memorial Amphitheater (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), and the Coast Guard Memorial. Weekend routes also include stops at Sections 55 and 59, the Columbarium and Niche Wall, and the Pentagon Group Burial Marker. Tickets are $19.50 with discounts for active military and veterans.

Changing on the Guard at the Tomb of the Unkown Solider: The Tomb of the Unkown Solider is guarded 24 hours a day, rain or shine. The guard marches 21 steps down a black mat, faces each for 21 seconds, then north for 21 seconds, and then marches back 21 steps. The number 21 symbolizes the 21-gun salute – the highest military honor. You

Arrive prepared! Everyone over 18 may be required to present ID – either a driver’s license or a passport – to enter. Teens aged 16 and 17 may also be asked for a driver’s license or school ID if visiting without an adult. Bags are allowed but will be subject to a security check. Try to bring as few items as possible. Food is not allowed but bring a water bottle, especially in the summer. There are water fountains on-site to fill up.

Arlington Cemetery is Metro accessible, so if you would like to add more time at Udvar Hazy and Mount Vernon, this is the easiest option to add to a DC day.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Open daily (except December 25) from 10 am to 5:30 pm
Recommend time: 2 to 4 hours
Free to visit. Parking is $15 per car

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is part of the Smithsonian. It is a very large warehouse to fit all of the larger air and space artifacts that don’t fit in the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall. You’ll find highlights like the Space Shuttle Discovery, the Air France Concorde, World War II plans, and so much more. This museum is open and airy. While the artifacts are organized by categories, it is not divided cleanly into elaborate exhibits like some of the other museums. Just know that this museum is best for visitors who want to see the plans and space artifacts up close. In my opinion, the Air and Space Museum in the city is more focused on the storytelling of air and space travel.

Plus, don’t miss the chance to see a film in the IMAX theater. This is an additional cost, but I always think these shows offer great additional information in an engaging way. This theater also plays current Hollywood films after hours. Shows length and ticket prices vary, so check the schedule before you go.

To read more about the Udvar-Hazy Center and see how it is different from the Air and Space Museum in DC, check out this blog.

Lunch is a little difficult in this area, so plan ahead. There is a Shake Shake inside the museum plus a few breweries and chain restaurants nearby.

Drive time from Arlington Cemetery: approximately 35 minutes
Drive time from downtown DC: approximately 40 minutes

Mount Vernon

Open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, plus evening events on select nights
Recommended time to 3 to 5 hours
General admission is $28 for adults and $15 for children ages 6 to 11

Mount Vernon is beautiful year-round and often has seasonal events. This is a great place to spend some time outdoors and learn about the history of George Washington and the time period.

The Mansion at Mount Vernon is currently under renovation, but there is still a lot to see. The grounds are beautiful, and many tours are offered throughout the day. If you are only doing a half day at Mount Vernon, check out the tours on the website to see what fits your schedule. Tours include Hamilton The Musical Tour, The Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour, Gardens and Landscape Tour, and more. Most tours are an additional cost, but the Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour is included with admission (timed tickets are still required).

Mount Vernon also has a full-service restaurant and food court on site, so you can grab a bite while you are there.

General admission tickets are $28 for adults and $15 for children ages 6 to 11. If you buy a full-price ticket in 2025, you can visit Mount Vernon for free for the rest of the year. General admission includes access to the gardens, outbuildings, museums, and an audio tour device.

Drive time from Udvar-Hazy: approximately 45 minutes

Where to Stay

While you can easily plan this day trip from Washington, DC, staying in Virginia will help cut down on the city driving. Consider a night in Old Town Alexandria, a cute neighborhood on the Blue line with easy access to Arlington National Cemetery. This area offers great shopping, cute restaurants, and waterfront views. Make a dinner reservation because this area is very popular on weekends and when the weather is nice. Also, be aware that the King Street Metro stop is about a 30-minute walk from the waterfront. Make sure you know exactly where your hotel is when choosing a location.