Sheraton near Washington, DC, and National Landmarks

Arlington sits across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, on a stretch of land that was once part of the nation’s capital. In fact, you can still see the District of Columbia’s original boundary stones that were set out in the 1790s. Although Arlington is no longer part of the capital, it embodies DC’s patriotic spirit with several iconic national landmarks of its own, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel sits in the midst of these national treasures and less than 15 minutes from the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the White House.

The hotel’s comfy guest rooms are outfitted with cable television and high-speed Internet. You can bring along a dog (up to 70 pounds) for free and the hotel will even provide a pet bed for your furry friend. Before or after a day of sightseeing, you can work out at the hotel’s fitness center or take a swim in the heated rooftop pool.

Warm marigold tones accent the inviting Potomac Restaurant, where you can enjoy cooked-to-order eggs for breakfast and fresh seafood for dinner. You can also grab a quick bite next door at the Potomac Lounge, which features a full bar and two big flat-screen TVs.

Arlington, Virginia: Timeless National Landmarks Along the Potomac River

Arlington is a city located just over the Potomac River from Washington, DC. In fact, the area around Arlington was originally surveyed to be part of the national capital, but the land was eventually given back to Virginia in the 1840s. Still, there are quite a few historic attractions here that are nationally associated with Washington, DC. One of these is the Pentagon, the headquarters of the Department of Defense, which you can tour by appointment. Along the Potomac lies Arlington National Cemetery, which has an eternal flame flickering at John F. Kennedy’s gravesite. You can also watch as soldiers switch shifts during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns, a monument for the unidentified remains of US servicemen and servicewomen.

It’s worth the scenic half-hour drive south to Alexandria to see Mount Vernon, George Washington’s former home. A tour of the sprawling estate captures the feel of colonial life, showcasing a working gristmill and blacksmith shop. The mansion also features many of the original 18th-century objects used by the Washington family. Even the upper gardens at Mount Vernon have been tailored to appear as they would have in 1799.

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