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Netherlands Carillon

Arlington, Virginia

Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia, with Tulips

Gardens & Parks· Monuments & Landmarks
360°, Arlington VA

Standing near both the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, the Netherlands Carillon has one of the best views in the area. It stands on a hill looking over the Potomac past the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and US Capitol Dome, offering views like this.

The 50 bells that make up the Carillon were a gift from the people of the Netherlands to the people of the United States in gratitude for assistance during World War II. After first arriving in 1954, the bells were temporarily hung in West Potomac Park. A new, permanent tower was built for them across the Potomac, and they were installed in their current position in 1960.

The bronze alloy bells are hung in a tower 127 feet high (and no, it’s not open for climbing, unfortunately). And while you can’t see them up close, each of the bells is inscribed with symbols of aspects of Dutch society as well as poetry by Dutch poet Ben van Eysselsteijn.

During the spring, there’s a large flower garden at its base featuring, naturally enough, tulips. And you can hear the bells ringing in automated concerts throughout the day and chiming the hour. During the summer there are free, live concerts every Saturday evening (6 to 8pm) as well as special holiday concerts on Memorial Day and Labor Day (both at 2pm to 4pm). You can find more information here.

Photos of the Netherlands Carillon

Silhouette of one of the sphinxes at the base of Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Silhouette of one of the sphinxes at the base of the Carillon. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA Lion Bronze Statue

A sphinx overlooks the tulip garden in the spring. You can also see the Washington Monument standing in the distance. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tulips at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Bells of the Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA Western Face

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

The Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA Tulips at Base

A colorful range of tulips bloom in the spring. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

The Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon

Photo by David ColemanPhoto by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

The Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tulip Garden at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

The Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

The Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

The Netherlands Carillon in Arlingon, Virginia

The view from the base of the Carillon looking east towards the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and US Capitol Building. With this view and a sloping lawn that can fit a lot of people, it’s a very popular spot for viewing the July 4th fireworks on the National Mall. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA Tower

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA Looking Up

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon near the Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial, Arlington, VA

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA Dedication

It reads: “From the people of the Netherlands to the people of the United States o America.”Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA Silhouette

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Netherlands Carillon Arlington VA with Sun

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

360° Virtual Tours of the Netherlands Carillon

 

 

 

Ultra-High Resolution Panorama of the Netherlands Carillon

Here’s an ultra-high resolution panorama (2.6 gigapixels) that allows you to zoom in considerably to see details, including the etchings on some of the bells.

Map of the Netherlands Carillon

Center map
Traffic
Bicycling
Transit

Official Website for the Netherlands Carillon

NPS

In the spring, there are lots of tulips around the area. Another good option is the tulip garden at the base of the Floral Library.

Questions about the Netherlands Carillon

Where is the best place to park near the Netherlands Carillon?

There’s limited free parking close by, next to the Iwo Jima Memorial. Another option is on-street parking in the neighborhood just up the hill (many spots are metered). A third option is to park at the Arlington National Cemetery parking lot and walk through the northern part of the cemetery when it’s open or along the path running just outside the northeast perimeter–it’s roughly half a mile.

What hours is the Netherlands Carillon open?

The Netherlands Carillon is in an open outdoor park near the Iwo Jima Memorial. The area isn’t fenced and is accessible day and night. The grounds are technically closed from midnight to 6am, but there’s no gate or fence to prevent access, and the reality is that the pathway running in front of it is a popular one for early-morning bike and pedestrian commuters as well as joggers.

Do you need tickets to visit the Netherlands Carillon?

No, it’s in an open public park. You can’t actually climb up into the structure–internal access is gated off at its base–but you can visit the grounds around it.

When are the tulips in bloom in front of the Netherlands Carillon?

As with any flowering plants, the precise schedule depends on local weather conditions in the weeks and months before the bloom, but you can typically expect them to be blooming around the first couple of weeks of April (give or take).

Nearby & Related:

  • Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington VA Silhouette
    Iwo Jima Memorial
  • Tulips at the Floral Library in Washington DC
    NPS Floral Library
  • Robert Taft Memorial and Carillon in Washingotn DC
    Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon
  • Moongate Garden
    Moongate Garden
  • National Arboretum Capitol Columns
    National Arboretum
  • Rose Garden in Arlington Virginia Peach and White
    Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden

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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.

Center map
Traffic
Bicycling
Transit

Location: Netherlands Carillon
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.888216
      Longitude: -77.069478

      # Gardens & Parks
      # Monuments & Landmarks

      # 360°
      # Arlington VA



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.

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