Arlington is at the heart of the country, since it is only a short hop across the Potomac River from Washington DC. Arlington is actually considered an extension of the capital city, and the museums in the area reflect this connection to the federal government.

If you are visiting the Arlington or DC area, or planning to relocate, and want some ideas for cool museums to check out, you have plenty of options in and around Arlington. If you enjoy learning and history, you will revel in all the museum options around the nation’s capital. Consider the following museums in and around Arlington, VA as you plan your visit: 

DEA Museum

The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum and Visitors Center in Arlington aims to educate visitors about the history of drug use in America, as well as law enforcement’s role in this history. The museum features exhibits on cannabis and poppy, among others.

The museum also boasts many interactive exhibits and over 2000 artifacts related to the role of law enforcement in drug use. To espouse its educational mission, the museum also offers programs for children and lecture series throughout the year.

Arlington Historical Museum

The Arlington Historical Museum is run by the Arlington Historical Society and is located in the former Hume School. The museum owns 350,000 artifacts. The artifacts are on display on a rotating basis and inform visitors about the history of the area, both recent and not so recent.

The Arlington Historical Society also runs the Ball-Sellers House, which is considered the oldest building in Arlington, as a historic house museum. So if you really enjoy the Arlington Historical Museum, you can add onto that with a trip to the Ball-Sellers House.

The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, VA

The Balck Heritage Museum of Arlington aims to educate visitors about the black history of Arlington and Northern Virginia. The museum achieves this goal by providing artifacts related to black history, as well as the African American Journey to Freedom.

The museum also offers lectures and speakers to educate visitors about the historical black experience in Virginia, including slavery, the fight for freedom, and the fight for equal rights. 

Smithsonian Institution Museums

If you want to venture outside of Arlington proper, there are countless museums in the Washington DC area, including the Smithsonian Institution Museums, which are free to visit. 

Some of the Smithsonian Institution museums that you may have heard of and may like to visit on a trip to the Washington DC/Arlington area include the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Zoo.

The Arlington and Washington DC area is truly a hub for museums. If you love the area and the idea of being able to visit these outstanding museums whenever you want, there is plenty of Arlington real estate available in the area. If you love learning about new things and visiting museums to do so, you will absolutely love what Arlington has to offer.