National Medal of Honor Museum to Open, Expanding Arlington’s Entertainment District

Fly your flag and strike up the band. No, it’s not the Fourth of July yet, but a new National Medal of Honor Museum is opening March 25 in Arlington — Texas, not Virginia, that is.

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation will unveil its new 100,000-square-foot museum and monument next week, located at 1717 E. Randol Mill Rd. The Medal of Honor is the Armed Forces’ highest military decoration, awarded for acts of valor in combat.

Arlington was chosen for the museum’s site after a five-year national search that included Denver, New York City, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., the Military Times reported.

The museum benefits from a 99-year lease at the symbolic cost of $1 per year and is strategically positioned north of Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium. With its prime location amidst numerous North Texas attractions, the museum should draw visitors from Arlington’s growing entertainment district.

The museum, designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects with Bassam Komati as the lead partner, is meant to be a monument, just not another building. It’s designed to look as if it’s hovering over a field with a “clear intent,” Komati said in a recent podcast, to represent “the heavy burden” the Medal of Honor recipients carried.

Set into a five-acre tranquil landscape, the museum complex’s primary building seemingly hovers above ground by 40 feet, supported by five concrete mega columns, each representing a branch of the United States Armed Forces.

This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to honoring the 3,519 recipients of the U.S. National Medal of Honor, the highest military award for valor in action, established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The medal is granted to members of the American armed services who exemplify courage, sacrifice, commitment, integrity, citizenship, and patriotism.

Chris Cassidy, the museum’s president and CEO, has his own distinguished career. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he is a retired Navy SEAL and an astronaut with 10 spacewalks to his credit. The museum’s four honorary directors are former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, and the late Jimmy Carter.

Opening Festivities

Before the museum opens to the public March 25, opening festivities will take place at 7 p.m. March 22. The free, family-friendly event will feature live musical performances, military displays, and speeches from Medal of Honor recipients. Also included will be children’s activities and photo opportunities with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and local sports teams.

Then scheduled at 9 p.m. will be “Mission to Inspire Spectacular,” a sky show featuring fireworks and drones. Even though admission is free, event officials request attendees get their free tickets online now on Eventbrite. Attendees can also find an event schedule and parking map on the event page.

Arlington’s Entertainment District

Arlington is already a busy, busy place. Within a five-minute radius of the museum, thousands of visitors come for activities surrounding the city’s three professional sports stadiums, UT-Arlington, and annual events such as the Fourth of July parade. Anyone who says they’re bored in this city just isn’t trying to be entertained. From sports to amusement parks to restaurants, the spot south of I-30 is a popular one.

Globe Life Field, located at 734 Stadium Drive, is home to the Texas Rangers, who will play their spring opener just two days after the museum opens. Since its opening in 2020, Globe Life Field has drawn fans with its retractable roof, allowing people to enjoy America’s pastime, no matter rain or 100-degree days. The stadium boasts a seating capacity of approximately 40,300 and doubles as a venue for concerts and major events. Upcoming entertainment highlights include performances by My Chemical Romance and Shakira.

Then there’s AT&T Stadium, a Texas-sized facility and home to America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys. With seating for 80,000, the building can accommodate up to 100,000 with standing room. In addition to the Cowboys, the stadium attracts crowds for other events such as the annual Cotton Bowl in January and the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in June and July next year.

Also nearby is Choctaw Stadium at 1000 Ballpark Way, which originally opened as The Ballpark in Arlington. It served as the Texas Rangers’ home from 1994 to 2019 before being renamed Globe Life Park and later Choctaw Stadium. Now the venue hosts football and soccer games, serving as the home ground for professional soccer team North Texas SC and the Arlington Renegades, a United Football League pro team. With a seating capacity of 48,114 for baseball and 25,000 for football, the stadium continues to host various events, including sports, concerts, and private functions.

For one weekend in March 2026, Indycars will be weaving in between all three of these stadiums. The brand-new Indycar Grand Prix of Arlington recently announced its first circuit race on March 15, 2026.

Another nearby destination is Six Flags Over Texas, a longtime popular amusement park with more than 45 rides and attractions. Located at 2201 Road To Six Flags St E., Six Flags Over Texas can be seen easily from I-30. Established Aug. 5, 1961, the park includes roller coasters, musical entertainment, and children’s rides. Special events throughout the year include HALLOWFEST in the fall and Holiday in the Park during December.

City and museum officials anticipate Arlington’s newest museum will benefit from these surrounding venues and contribute significantly to the city’s busy landscape of attractions. These iconic venues will not only increase Arlington’s sports and entertainment offerings, but also increase the city’s reputation as a prime destination for fans, families, and, of course, veterans.