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The American Battle Monuments Commission welcomes millions of guests each year to our sites around the world. Whether you are looking to pay respects at the grave of a fallen service member, explore the history of American military forces abroad, or experience the beauty and solemnity of these pristine architectural landmarks, we encourage visitors of all ages to take part in commemorating those who served and sacrificed so greatly.
Entrance to our sites and access to our services are always free to the public. Our cemeteries, monuments, and memorials are open daily, except for Christmas Day and New Years Day. Last entry at Normandy American Cemetery is 30 minutes prior to closing to allow visitors adequate time for their visit. For all other sites, last entry is 15 minutes prior to closing.
Please check our Operational Status Page for the most up-to-date information before your travel.
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Visitor Tips and Etiquette
- Animals: Our cemeteries are the resting places of thousands of fallen American service members. To ensure our sacred sites are kept at the highest standard possible, the only animals allowed within cemeteries and memorials are specially trained guide dogs or other service animals accompanying individuals with disabilities. Learn more in our FAQs.
- Behavior: Sitting or lying on the grass and in other horticultural areas is not permitted. ABMC sites are generally furnished with benches for sitting. Do not damage or sit on monuments or cemetery features, headstones, or other property; they are historic features of these commemorative sites. Climbing on cemetery or monument features, running, bicycling, shouting, and playing games are not permitted.
- Bicycles: Vehicles are not allowed inside the cemetery grounds, to include bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, etc. Most of our cemeteries have parking areas, which include racks for visitors to secure their bicycles. Learn more in our FAQs.
- Dress Code: ABMC sites are sacred commemorative shrines. We ask visitors to respect the reflective and peaceful intent of our sites in guiding their behavior and dress. Any behavior, or dress, that is considered disrespectful by cemetery staff will be communicated to visitors. Actively serving military personnel or veterans may wear their uniform and/or earned decorations in accordance with current military regulations. Guests are asked to refrain from wearing period reenactment uniforms at our cemeteries. Real and replica weapons of any kind are also prohibited. ABMC visitors who persist in disrespectful behavior will be required to leave the site.
- Flowers and Items at Gravesites: Visitors may bring flowers to place at ABMC cemeteries. Glass containers are not permitted. Individuals may also order flowers from local florists for delivery. Please do not disturb items or personal mementos laid at gravesites. Nothing should be left on or near a headstone or structure that might cause damage: flags, wreaths, ribbons, candles, or coins can stain the stone and cost significant time and energy to repair. Items may not be affixed or attached to monuments or headstones.
- Food and Drink: ABMC cemeteries, monuments, and memorials are pristine national shrines, for the purpose of remembrance and commemoration. With the exception of water, visitors may not consume food or beverages within the cemetery grounds. Please do not leave trash at sites you visit.
- Last Entry: Last entry at Normandy American Cemetery is 30 minutes prior to closing to allow visitors adequate time for their visit. For all other sites, last entry is 15 minutes prior to closing.
- Smoking: No smoking or vaping is allowed within the cemetery or visitor centers.
- Photography and Filming: Personal photos and videos are allowed throughout the cemetery grounds. We remind visitors that our cemeteries are sacred places of remembrance and commemoration, therefore, please make sure that the photos and videos you take are respectful of the site and the men and women buried and commemorated within. Photos or videos of a non-commemorative nature including social media videos, wedding photos, political advocacy, publicity, or for influencer promotion are not acceptable. Any videos or photography for commercial/media purposes must be requested in advance through the ABMC public affairs office through a film permit. A film permit is also required for official film and photography shoots.
- Hosting Events: Outside event requests are considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure approved events uphold ABMC’s mission of honoring those buried and memorialized at its sites. Visit ABMC Event Request Form for examples of events and required request form. Event requests should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the requested event date.
- Plot Access: Please note that access to some plot areas throughout the year may be closed due to maintenance requirements. Individuals wishing to visit a family member’s headstone may contact cemetery staff in advance or on-site for access to plots that may be closed to the general public.
- Unexploded Ordnance and Battlefield Relics: Some memorial sites, like Pointe du Hoc and Belleau Wood, are former battlefields, and the land has been carefully preserved in its original state. As a result, unexploded ordnance may remain buried in undisturbed areas of the site. If you come across an object such as a rusted shell, mortar, or grenade while visiting a battlefield or cemetery, never touch it or interact with it in any way. Contact cemetery staff or security guards immediately. These items are potentially very dangerous and could cause death or serious injury.
Please also note strict laws apply to archeological digs and the collection and export of battlefield relics and soil. Please take only memories and photos with you when you leave.
Visitor Services and Tours
- Visitor Centers: ABMC has several visitor centers, complete with exhibit spaces and displays which interpret the site’s significance and help contextualize the history and individual stories of those honored at each location. Visitor centers can be found at Cambridge American Cemetery, Chateau-Thierry Monument, Flanders Field American Cemetery, Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery, Manila American Cemetery, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Netherlands American Cemetery, Normandy American Cemetery, Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, and the Point du Hoc Ranger Monument.
- Guided Tours: All ABMC cemeteries offer free guided or self-guided tours. Visit our cemetery pages for additional information on site-specific programming and booking procedures and to download brochures and self-guided tour booklets.
- ABMC Virtual 360s: Explore each of ABMC’s 26 overseas cemeteries and the memorials located in the United States through our Virtual 360s.
- Education: Curriculum-based tours are offered to school groups. To view available lesson plans and resources please consult our education page. Visit our cemetery pages for site-specific educational resources.
- Junior Guide Program: The ABMC Junior Guide Program is aimed at families with children ages 7 to 12, but people of all ages can participate. It consists of a free activity booklet children can complete during their cemetery visit. The Junior Guide booklet is available at all ABMC sites except Mexico, Clark (Philippines), Corozal (Panama) and Suresnes (France).
- Free Online Courses: Begin your journey to ABMC sites with two free online courses. “ABMC Commemorative Sites for Commercial Guides”offers an introduction to ABMC, explains the events leading to the creation of America’s overseas cemeteries and monuments, describes how individuals are commemorated, and identifies resources for guides. This training is available on Indiana University’s Expand platform along with a second course titled “The First World War and the United States,” which explores the United States’ involvement in WWI and the creation of ABMC. Both trainings are currently offered in English only.
- Ceremonies and Special Events: Each year at the end of May, Memorial Day is celebrated across ABMC sites. This American public holiday originated after the Civil War and now honors all U.S. service members who died in conflicts. ABMC cemeteries typically commemorate the holiday with official ceremonies that include wreath layings which are open to the public. Both American and host-nation officials and military personnel participate. Every year, ceremonies also mark important anniversaries at ABMC sites. Recurring ceremonies include, but are not limited to, anniversaries of World War II Allied landings (Normandy, Provence, Italy, etc.) and anniversary commemorations of important battles like the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and Luxembourg. Multiple ABMC sites offer special programming for annual events such as European Heritage Days (September) or Le Printemps des Cimetières (May). Please contact the cemetery directly for information a few weeks prior to the event or explore upcoming events on our events page.
- Vintage Posters: ABMC’s vintage poster collection highlights the unique features of 36 individual cemeteries and commemorative sites. Free, high-resolution printing files for each poster are available here for personal use. Please note the posters are copyrighted and may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.
Family Member Information
ABMC staff members are available to escort family to gravesite locations, assist with photographs, and give a guided personal tour of the site. Visit our cemetery pages for additional information or contact us directly.
Visitors with Disabilities
- Access and Parking: ABMC welcomes all guests to visit and explore our sites. Designated accessible parking is available at all ABMC cemeteries. Please be aware the grounds of several locations are expansive but generally wheelchair accessible.
- Accommodation: Guests with questions about accessibility needs at specific sites may contact us directly.
- Service Animals: Specially trained guide dogs or other service animals accompanying individuals with disabilities are welcome within ABMC’s cemeteries and memorials. We ask that owners of these animals maintain proper decorum. Animals needing to relieve themselves must be taken outside of the viewshed of the plot areas and the owner must remove any waste from the site. Ultimately, the cemetery staff will determine whether a service dog may access the cemetery, therefore, visitors wishing to bring service dogs should contact the cemetery prior to visiting.
FAQs
Please see our full list of Frequently Asked Questions for more detailed information on ABMC’s policies and visitation procedures, as well as information about our database and records.
Directions, Operating Hours, Brochures and More
To find information related to specific ABMC sites please use the drop-down menu above or visit our Cemeteries and Memorials page.