Skip to main content
Beyond Washington DC

Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards

Recommended by 97% of travelers
Washington DC, USA
Viator Experience Award
Very popular!
5+ bookings in the past 6 hours.
  • 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Madeline_R ·
May 2026
Jim was an excellent guide! Super knowledgeable , went at the perfect pace, made sure we saw the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and even helped us locate a family member buried at Arlington to visit. I would highly recommend!
· Shawn_T ·
Apr 2026
Lots of walking. I would say you need to be in average shape. There are places to sit and you do have some breaks. Tour guide was great at telling stories about some of the soldiers. I felt that it made the experience more personal. I would highly recommend the tour.

Overview

See the moving Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns on a guided walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery. Be perfectly placed for good views of the moving ceremony, then continue to some of the cemetery's most important gravesites and memorials, including places dedicated to John F. Kennedy, the USS Maine, Second World War soldier Audie Murphy, and more, learning the fascinating history of the cemetery as you walk.
  • Watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns
  • Visit important grave sites from politicians to war heroes, including John F. Kennedy
  • Group size limited to 15 to ensure personal service
  • Multiple times offered throughout the day

What's Included

  • 2-2.5-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour in Washington DC
  • View the ceremonial Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns
  • Visit some of the cemetery's most important memorials, including the USS Maine Mast Memorial
  • Visit the grave of John F. Kennedy, as well as Jackie Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Edward Kennedy
  • See notable sites such as the graves of Civil War Soldiers
  • Professional Guide
  • Gratuities
  • Transportation
  • Entry to Arlington House

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • 1 Memorial Ave, Fort Myer, VA 22211, USA

    Meet your guide just outside the visitor’s center on the cemetery side after you pass through security. Your guide will be wearing a blue name tag.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Make sure to wear comfy shoes on the day of this Arlington National Cemetery walking tour as you cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.

Your tour begins at the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Spend some time getting acquainted with your guide and fellow tour members once you arrive. From there, head into the cemetery and walk and talk about the notable graves you pass along the way. See the graves of soldiers from the Civil War, plus important monuments, such as the USS Maine Mast Memorial.

Your guide makes sure you don't miss anything, especially not the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—you’ll be just in time for it.

The final gravesite you visit is John F. Kennedy’s, where your guide tells you about JFK's remarkable life before taking you back to the original meeting spot.
1

Arlington National Cemetery

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

2

Arlington National Cemetery

1 hour 30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

3

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

4

John F. Kennedy Grave Site

Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This is a walking tour, there will be approximately 2 miles of walking and inclines and stairs. Please plan accordingly.
  • Tour runs rain or shine.
  • Meeting Address: 1 Memorial Ave, Fort Myer, VA 22211, USA Please meet your guide just outside the Welcome Center on the Arlington Cemetery side after you pass through security, next to the benches on the West side.
  • Your reserved time is the tour start/departure time. All tours depart promptly on time and are unable to wait for late arrivals. Guests should arrive 20 minutes before tour time to pass through security and check in.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q:Where does this tour meet?

A:Address: 1 Memorial Ave, Fort Myer, VA 22211, USA Please meet your guide just outside the Welcome Center on the Arlington Cemetery side after you pass through security, next to the benches on the West side.

Jun 2025

The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9
based on 2,720 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

The right way to show your respect for our heroes

Laura_s, Jul 2026
You could ride the tram and get some guys speaking through a microphone which you can’t understand or you can walk and listen to Jim share his passion for Arlington National Cemetery and some wonderful stories about the history and occupants. You can do this walk, he is walking backwards and talking almost the entire time. Changing of the guard will take your breath away. I’m 70 and my 12 year old grandson loved it as much as I did. Thank you Jim for the wonderful memories

Arlington Cemetery

REBECCA_M, Jul 2026
It was so great. Really hot so be aware of that but our guide was awesome. She knew a lot of things about the soldiers who died in Arlington.

Jim was very...

Tom_L, Jul 2026
Jim was very knowledgeable. You could tell he cares greatly about Arlington and the respect we should all have for those buried there. We enjoyed the tour very much

Jim was knowledgeable and...

Candice_C, Jul 2026
Jim was knowledgeable and a great tor guide. Very helpful after the tour helping us to find the shuttle to area 53 in Arlington to find a grave for a family member. Much appreciated. Highly recomne ded him.

An Unforgettable Tour of Arlington National Cemetery

Tavon_C, Jul 2026
Great overall experience visiting Arlington National Cemetery. Dash, our tour guide, was phenomenal, extremely knowledgeable, professional, and engaging. He provided an outstanding history lesson while sharing the stories behind many of the cemetery’s most significant sites and the graves of American heroes and legends. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Washington, D.C., area.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

It was a blast Tavon! Good luck with the PHD. -Dash

Arlington

Stefanie_M, Jun 2026
Dash was our guide for this tour. Extremely Knowledgeable and friendly. Showed us the Cemetery and explained highlights along the way

Response from Host, Jul 2026

It was a pleasure, thank you for visiting the cemetery! -Dash

We had a wonderful tour...

Katy_O, Jun 2026
We had a wonderful tour with Dash from Unscripted. Even in the rain, our visit was informative and meaningful.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks for trooping through the rain, we made the most of it! -Dash

Excellent tour!

Holly_H, Jun 2026
Dash was our guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and good humored. It rained the whole tour but he had offered us a chance to reschedule beforehand. At the end of the tour he helped me find my grandfather's grave which was greatly appreciated. I would do this tour again in a heartbeat.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Holly! Thank you so much for joining the tour, it was my pleasure. I'm glad you found your grandfather, and thank you for sharing your experience in the service to the group as well. Safe travels back to Alaska, we'll be here when you're back in town! -Dash

Amazing!

Lori_C, Jun 2026
Christina was so sweet and very knowledgeable. There were only 3 of us due to the weather but she still took her time, making stops to point out all the highlights that would otherwise have been missed. I highly recommend this tour. Note: there’s a lot of uphill walking so keep that in mind when booking.

Walking up hill in the...

Dan_C, Jun 2026
Walking up hill in the heat can be strenuous. Bring water to stay hydrated. Bring umbrella to shade from sun.

Somber, Emotional, & Patriotic!

LyeMing_C, Jun 2026
We were in for a real treat with our tour guide, James Garrett, a historian, author, and college lecturer. His knowledge and storytelling brought the lives of these heroic men and women vividly to life, making their sacrifices both memorable and deeply moving. Every American should experience this tour to gain a greater appreciation and respect for the freedoms we enjoy today because of their selfless courage and service. God Bless America!!

Once in a Life Opportunity

JD_S, Jun 2026
Shane was great and even though the weather heated up with the sun beating down, he tried to find us shade as much as he could and take us around the short cut. I would not want to have aimlessly wandered.. He was so knowledgeable about where many people were buried and explained the backstory and even added in some personalized visits for those requesting them on the tour. I would love to have had a little more time built in for Arlington House or the old Robert E Lee home which is a museum in itself. Seeing the eternal flame of JFK and the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were once in a lifetime opportunities that this tour provides you with.

Definitely worth doing!

Jack_F, Jun 2026
Kristina was a great & knowledgeable tour guide. She had a lot of stories that were valuable to the experience. She showed & explained all of the highlights. A great way to see the cemetery & the changing of the guard.

Excellent Tour

Anthony_N, Jun 2026
Outstanding tour with an extremely knowledgeable tour guide! Highly recommend this tour! Lots of walking but plenty to see.

Great walking tour

Darcy_M, Jun 2026
Meg was fantastic! I have taken enough tours to figure out who really has a passion for what they do versus who is just reading a script. Meg has the passion and was full of information.

Absolutely Incredible!

Renay_H, Jun 2026
This experience was incredible! Christina, our guide, was so knowledgeable! She was amazing with our children, ensuring their questions were answered and offering wonderful patience along the way. Her passion for history was apparent, and her respect and dignity for the men and women buried here was admirable. We truly enjoyed our personalized and UNSCRIPTED experience as she tailored the tour to our group. Such a powerful and memorable day!

The best

David_J, Jun 2026
This was the best part of our trip. Christina was amazing. By far the best tour guide i’ve ever had. She was warm, friend, and knew the cemetery inside and out. We really liked the small group and being able to experience every stop without being rushed.

An amazing experience!...

Heidi_S, Jun 2026
An amazing experience! This is one experience everyone should do! Our tour guide Meg was so informative!!!

Walking tour with hills...

James_H, Jun 2026
Walking tour with hills and steps. Approximately 2+ hour tour. Multiple up and down stairs and some ramps. Bring your water and a hat. Come early to visit the indoor displays.

A day I'll never forget!

Carla_C, Jun 2026
Very informative and we enjoyed it so much! Jim was great! It's always been my husbands bucket list to go to Arlington cemetery, he is so happy!

Coloradoans thrilled with experience

Ginette_L, Jun 2026
My husband and I wanted to get historical information on our tours and not just rush through Arlington. It was M's first trip to W DC and I've been several times. Our tour guide James Garrett was exceptional! There were others who had booked, but cancelled so we had James to ourselves. He gave historical info on many of the grave sites, pointing out Medal of Honor recipients and sharing their story. It was truly a highlight of our trip. Thanks Jim!

Christina was a great...

Sean, Jun 2026
Christina was a great guide. The experience was beautifully put together. Thank you for everything. Thoroughly enjoyed

Arlington

Pamela_C, Jun 2026
Very informative and great to have a guide to hear all the stories and see the graves. Dash was very knowledgeable.

Fanfingtastic

Debra_W, Jun 2026
Our guide (Dash) very nice and informative!!!!!!! Well worth bearing the heat, & if it wasn't so hot, would have loved to go to the top to the house & after the tour explore on our own!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for the amazing experience!!!!!!!!

Arlington Tour

Shelley_C, Jun 2026
Very moving and super informative. Dash, our guide was a wealth of information. Would definitely recommend to everyone!

Shane was the best guide....

Wendy_T, Jun 2026
Shane was the best guide. Knowledgeable and funny. One of the best guides we’ve had on this trip. Loved the tour!

Great tour

Barbara_W, Jun 2026
Our tour was wonderful and made so by our tour guide Shane. He is a ten out of ten for both knowledge and enthusiasm. We loved it!!

Great tour

Mark_L, Jun 2026
Excellent tour with very knowledgeable guide would highly recommend. Wonderful experience of a national monument.

Christina did a wonderful...

Todd_G, Jun 2026
Christina did a wonderful job on our walking tour. I highly recommend the walking tour if you are physically able.

Our tour guide Reid was...

Mike_W, Jun 2026
Our tour guide Reid was personable and knowledgeable, we took our time, and were able to soak in the experience.

From $69.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 34 days in advance.

Compare Similar Experiences

1 / 3
Current
Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards


2 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$69.00
Small Group Washington DC Tour with Changing of the Guard


3 to 4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$80.00
2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour


2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$75.00