courant.com
By Staff report | May. 22nd, 2025
A Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery was named amongst the best in the nation for Memorial Day visits, according to a poll by Choice Mutual.
The poll asked 3,023 Americans which military burial grounds they would most want to visit for Memorial Day, with Middletown’s State Veterans Cemetery making the list at 42nd.
According to Choice Mutual, “Peaceful and understated, this cemetery rests in the center of Connecticut and holds thousands of veterans who served in conflicts across generations. There’s a quiet strength to the grounds – no grand monuments, just simple, dignified tributes that feel incredibly personal. You leave feeling humbled and thankful.”
As for the top burial site respondents want to visit for Memorial Day, Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia took the crown, according to Choice Mutual. The location features the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and graves of presidents and astronauts. The thousands of flags planted amongst the graves makes for a moving site to see.
Here is the complete top 10, courtesy of Choice Mutual:
- Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
Arguably the most iconic military burial ground in the nation, Arlington is powerful beyond words. From the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the graves of presidents and astronauts, every corner holds history. On Memorial Day, the sight of thousands of flags placed by volunteers is unforgettable. - Gettysburg National Cemetery, Pennsylvania
One of the most hallowed grounds in the country, this cemetery is where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. Walking through the headstones – many of them anonymous – you can’t help but feel the gravity of history. It’s not just a place to visit; it’s a place to listen, to reflect, and to feel the cost of freedom. - Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Illinois
Set in the quiet prairie lands south of Chicago, this cemetery is one of the largest in the Midwest. Named after the president who preserved the Union, it honors thousands of service members with a sense of quiet dignity. On Memorial Day, it draws big crowds – and even bigger emotion. - National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Hawaii
Known locally as “Punchbowl,” this cemetery sits in a volcanic crater overlooking Honolulu. It’s one of the most striking military burial grounds in the world. The panoramic views, the long rows of graves, and the courts of the missing make this a deeply emotional place. It’s not just beautiful—it’s sacred. - Yellowstone National Cemetery, Montana
Nestled in Montana’s big sky country, this relatively new cemetery feels vast and peaceful. Surrounded by prairie views and framed by distant mountains, the setting couldn’t be more fitting. It’s a place where the silence stretches far, and every flag placed on Memorial Day seems to echo with meaning. - Long Island National Cemetery, New York
Just an hour outside New York City, this cemetery stretches as far as the eye can see – an ocean of headstones that reminds you how many have served. Despite its size, it feels deeply personal. On Memorial Day, thousands of flags are placed by volunteers, and the sight is nothing short of breathtaking. - Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, New York
In the peaceful countryside near where the Battle of Saratoga was fought, this cemetery connects the nation’s founding to the service of modern veterans. The grounds are beautiful, the setting is tranquil, and the ceremonies held here every Memorial Day are filled with heartfelt patriotism. - San Francisco National Cemetery, California
Set high above the Golden Gate with fog often rolling through, this cemetery is hauntingly beautiful. The older headstones tell stories going back to the 1800s, and walking through the grounds feels like stepping into a living piece of American military history. The view alone is humbling—but it’s the names that truly stay with you. - Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas
One of the largest and most historic military cemeteries in Texas, Fort Sam Houston is the final resting place for over 170,000 service members and their families. The grounds are expansive and impeccably maintained, and Memorial Day ceremonies here are among the most powerful in the state. - Massachusetts National Cemetery, Massachusetts
Set among the beautiful, old trees of Cape Cod, this expansive cemetery is one of the most visited in New England. The tranquillity of the woods, the sea air, and the perfectly aligned markers create a space that’s both serene and sacred. Every Memorial Day, the Avenue of Flags lines the entrance in a breathtaking display of gratitude.