Thursday, 15 December, 2022
Arlington is a richly historic destination with more than 70 sites, neighborhoods, and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Are you interested in expanding your horizons and learning more about history, art, and culture? If so, you’ll find plenty of opportunities here. With so many fascinating choices, it’s not easy to decide on an agenda for a free afternoon. Here are our top picks of Arlington museums to visit:
DEA Museum
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Museum began as a collection of narcotics law enforcement badges. Dating back to 1914, these badges helped illuminate the long and laborious history of the DEA. The museum has since grown significantly. While it once focused on commemorating the efforts of hardworking agents, it has expanded to provide an interactive, hands-on experience to help visitors of all ages understand the perils of drugs. Visitors can learn about the science behind drug addiction, explore DEA career paths, and more.
The museum’s first exhibit, “Illegal Drugs in America: A Modern History,” was so popular that it quickly grew to fill an expanded gallery space where visitors can explore the DEA’s 150-year history. The DEA Museum also features an ever-evolving gallery that’s housed exhibits such as “Target America: Traffickers, Terrorists, and You,” “DEA: Air, Land, and Sea,” “Good Medicine,” “Bad Behavior: Drug Diversion in America,” and more.
The DEA Museum has a collection of more than 5,000 objects, including a tablet press that compresses powder into pills, a pair of emerald-green platform shoes worn by an undercover agent in a 1970s cocaine ring, and a statue of La Santa Muerte that was found amid members of a drug cartel. Admission to the museum is free.
Location: 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday
Arlington Historical Museum
The Arlington Historical Museum illuminates the history of the Arlington area, from when it was inhabited by Native Americans all the way up to the events of 9/11. Exhibits explore antebellum Arlington, the Civil War, World War II, the Pentagon, and more. The museum itself resides in a historic 1891 schoolhouse. It even retains its school bell, so you can give it a ring during your tour. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Arlington Historical Museum also hosts various temporary exhibits that provide a new and fascinating experience for repeat visitors. Admission to the Arlington Historical Museum is free.
If you’ve missed an intriguing exhibit, check the virtual exhibit archives. Many previous features are available online, so you can still see displays that have ended. If you can’t make it to Arlington in person, these virtual exhibits can provide a fascinating peek into everything available in the Arlington Historical Museum from the comfort of your home. Some of these online exhibits explore the history of voting in Arlington, epidemics in Arlington County, and winter pastimes in the Arlington area.
Location: 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington
Hours: 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
The Ball-Sellers House
Constructed in the 1750s, the Ball-Sellers House is the oldest structure in all of Arlington County. Farmer John Ball constructed the home, which went on to house three generations of the Carlin family. One of these relatives includes William Carlin, who served as a tailor for George and Martha Washington. Marian Sellers, the home’s last private owner, donated the property to the Arlington Historical Society in 1975. It has since been restored to its colonial-era condition. Free tours of the home and grounds are available during its limited operating season.
Location: 5620 Third St., South, Arlington
Hours: 1-4 p.m. Saturdays from April through October
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington highlights modern artists from both the Mid-Atlantic region and the global community with the goal of enriching the public’s life. The museum is housed in a 1910 building that originally served as the Clarendon Elementary School. The structure, designed by architect Charles M. Robinson, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it a worthwhile visit for the structure alone.
Inside the museum, you’ll find nine galleries with rotating exhibitions that help emerging artists find their audience while allowing more established artists to experiment with new approaches to their craft. Admission is free.
Location: 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum presents a somber history of the horrific events of the Holocaust. The museum’s primary exhibition spans three floors and includes photos, film footage, and artifacts from the Holocaust. The first floor covers the Nazi assault from 1933 to 1939, detailing how Adolph Hitler systematically changed the treatment of Jews. The second floor focuses on the “Final Solution” from 1940 to 1945 and explores life and death in the concentration camps. The third floor highlights the liberation of the Nazi camps, the Allied victory, and the enduring effects of the Holocaust.
Other exhibits in the museum take a deeper look into America’s response to the Holocaust and the experience of Americans who witnessed the concentration camps. The primary exhibit alone can take up to three hours to fully explore, while the other displays may take around two additional hours. So be sure to allow plenty of time to fully immerse yourself in the experience of this museum. Admission is free.
Location: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Visit Koons Woodbridge Hyundai
Perhaps you need a reliable vehicle to help you navigate the highlights of the Arlington area. In that case, our team at Koons Woodbridge Hyundai can help. Bring in your current vehicle to get an outstanding trade-in value that you can put toward your next vehicle purchase. We’ll help you explore all your options for a new or used vehicle so you can find the perfect fit for your family, needs, and budget.
These are our top picks for Arlington area museums. Do you know of other must-see destinations in the area? Contact our team at Koons Woodbridge Hyundai and let us know so we can pass along your recommendations.
Image by joelogon is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
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