The Pentagon

Introduction

The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. This massive five-sided building in Arlington, Virginia, is one of the world's largest office buildings — about 610,000 m² of floor space, roughly 28 km of corridors, the nerve center of American military power. Built in 1941-1943 in just 16 months, the five-story building is spread wide but only five stories tall — any point to any other is about a seven-minute walk. About 23,000 military and civilian personnel work inside. Free guided tours are available (book online at least two weeks in advance, with valid ID) — tours visit corridors, exhibit areas and the Pentagon Memorial, a solemn space of 184 illuminated benches (one for each 9/11 victim). No walk-in visits are allowed; advance booking and strict security are required. Visiting the Pentagon for a free guided tour of America's defense nerve center is a unique, meaningful Washington experience.

✨ Highlights

🛈 Practical Info