Washington DC Photo Guide HomepageWashington DC Photo Guide

Have Camera Will Travel

  • Cherry Blossoms
  • Photos
  • Monuments & Landmarks
  • Museums & Galleries
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Map

Arlington Memorial Bridge

Arlington, Virginia - Washington, DC

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler Washington DC with Lincoln Memorial

Runners in the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler running in both directions across Arlington Memorial Bridge, with the Lincoln Memorial in the background. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Monuments & Landmarks
Arlington VA, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Potomac River, Washington DC

Arlington Memorial Bridge runs across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery, one of six bridges connecting Virginia with the District of Columbia.1 It was opened in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover.

Memorial Bridge connects in a direct line the Lincoln Memorial and the Civil War General Robert E. Lee’s home, Arlington House, on the hill overlooking Arlington National Cemetery, a deliberate connection designed to symbolize the re-joining of the north and the south after the Civil War. Just down the hill from Arlington House, and lying on that direct line, is JFK’s gravesite.

On the northeastern end of the Bridge, closest to Lincoln Memorial, are two large gilded bronze statues by Leo Friedlander named The Arts of War; the individual statues are Sacrifice and Valor and match two other statues at the entrance of Rock Creek Parkway known as the Arts of Peace. The statues were donated by the Government of Italy and dedicated on 26 September 1951, but the story of how they got there is interesting.

The original plans for these statues date back to 1928. They were originally designed to be carved from granite, but that became too expensive, so in 1931 plan was changed to a cheaper alternative: bronze. The plaster models were completed by 1938, but with war breaking out in Europe bronze became one of the many things rationed for the war effort. By the time the plaster models were brought out of storage at the end of the war, escalating prices had outpaced the project budget. So the Italians came to the rescue, proposing that the casting be done in Florence and Milan. The government of Italy would then donate the statues to the United States in appreciation for U.S. aid provided through the Marshall Plan. And having the Italians construct them solved another problem. The guilding process, dating back to Roman times, used a mix of gold and mercury; the mercury evaporates and leaves a fine layer of gold. But in the United States, working with mercury in that way was illegal due to health regulations. In Italy, however, it was still legal.2

The bridge is actually a drawbridge, designed to be raised to allow ships to pass through. But the drawbridge hasn’t been opened since 1961.3

In the waters to the south of Memorial Bridge towards the 14th Street Bridge is where, in January 1982, an Air Florida flight crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac after taking off from nearby Reagan National Airport in bad, wintry weather, killing 78 people (74 on board and 4 motorists crossing the 14th Street Bridge).

At the moment, Memorial Bridge is badly in need of repairs. There are structural issues that have already resulted in limits on bus and truck traffic, and if repairs costing hundreds of millions of dollars aren’t implemented soon it might have to stop carrying road traffic completely and be relegated to foot traffic only.

Photos of Arlington Memorial Bridge

Sacrifice Italian statue on Memorial Bridge, Washington DC

The statue titled Sacrifice. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Memorial Bridge and Lincoln Memorial in the Early Morning Light

From the Arlington side, with the early morning light, and the Lincoln Memorial in the background. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Commuter traffic on Memorial Bridge with Lincoln Memorial

[alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Arlington Memorial Bridge

[alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Memorial Bridge Rush Hour Traffic Washington DC

A long exposure during rush hour. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Valor Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC

The Valor statue of the Arts of War and Peace series. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Valor Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC

Valor. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Arlington Memorial Bridge, Washington DC

[alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Sacrifice Italian statue on Memorial Bridge, Washington DC

Sacrifice. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Valor Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC

Valor. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Sacrifice Italian statue on Memorial Bridge, Washington DC

Sacrifice. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Valor Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC

Valor. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Rosslyn Skyline

The Rosslyn skyline with the bridge in front. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Valor Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC

Valor. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Frozen Potomac Covered in Snow with Arlington Memorial Bridge

The Potomac doesn’t freeze over every winter, but it can. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Valor Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC

Valor. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Music and Literature Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Lincoln Memorial Circle in Washington DC

Music and Literature. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Arlington Memorial Bridge, Washington DC

Looking across towards Arlington Cemetery. The large house on the hill is Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial, which is in the grounds of the cemetery. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Eagle Statue at Arlington Cemetery

[alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler Washington DC

During the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Valor Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC

Valor. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Arlington Memorial Bridge

[alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Aerial View of the Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, and Arlington Memorial Bridge

From the top of the Washington Monument, with Arlington Memorial Bridge in the top left corner. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Arts of War and Peace on Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington DC

[alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Music and Literature Statue in Arts of War and Peace on Lincoln Memorial Circle in Washington DC

Music and Literature. [alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Memorial Bridge and Lincoln Memorial traffic

[alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Snowman next to the Potomac with the Arlington Memorial Bridge in the Background - Potomac River Frozen Over - January 26, 2016

[alamy link=”https://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/5D04E37D-669E-4C14-ACB1-E3015B097064/arlington%20memorial%20bridge/3/0/0/1/David%20Coleman.html”]

Getting Here

The closest metro stop is Arlington National Cemetery on the Blue Line (0.2 miles). The Washington Metro Trip Planner is very handy for working out how to get from A to B on Washington’s public transport.

There’s plenty of parking (except for major events like Memorial Day or Independence Day, where the lot is likely to fill up early) at Arlington National Cemetery for an hourly rate of $1.75 to $2.50. It’s also a pleasant walk across Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial.

Official Website

http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/memorialave.htm

For Photographers

Memorial Bridge is accessible day and night. From the foot of the bridge on the Virginia side you can get shots of the bridge with the Lincoln Memorial in the frame. At night, the bridge is not brightly lit, but it is lit with lamp posts along both sides.

Please note that there are very few places for pedestrians to cross the road on Memorial Bridge, and there’s quite a lot of traffic in two lanes each way. Trying to cross the road on the bridge itself can be very dangerous; much safer is to walk to one of the ends of the bridge and use the clearly marked pedestrian crossings there.

Commercial photo shoots and film may require a permit.


  1. Cartographers will tell you that Memorial Bridge actually connects to Columbia Island, which is still in the District of Columbia. They’d be right: the actual border between the District of Columbia and Virginia runs in the waterway only a few feet wide between Columbia Island and the mainland. But that’s a technicality since driving from one end of the bridge to the other will take you from the District to Arlington, Virginia, and vice versa. ↩
  2. James M. Goode, Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation’s Capital (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 514. ↩
  3. Michael Laris, “Memorial Bridge, Symbol of U.S. Strength, Is Corroded, Partly Shut Down,” Washington Post, 28 May 2015. ↩

Nearby & Related:

  • Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of the Unknowns Guard
    Arlington National Cemetery
  • Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Winter Mists Reflection
    Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
  • Sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial During the Equinox
    Lincoln Memorial
  • 184-133428159 John Ericsson National Memorial with Vision Inscription.
    John Ericsson National Memorial
  • Pentagon Memorial with flowers
    Pentagon Memorial
  • Washington Monument Reflected on the Tidal Basin Predawn
    Washington Monument

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
  • Fodor’s Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
  • Pratt, Meredith (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.


Location: Potomac River
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.887548
      Longitude: -77.055027

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # Arlington VA
      # George Washington Memorial Parkway
      # Potomac River
      # Washington DC



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing Images

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

Connect

© 2009–2021 David Coleman · Have Camera Will Travel LLC · all rights reserved


Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


Privacy & Disclosure · Cookie Declaration · Disclaimer · Terms of Service · Copyright · Contact