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Beyond Washington DC

Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards

Recommended by 97% of travelers
Washington DC, USA
Viator Experience Award
High interest
Booked 5+ times today.
  • 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Juli_J ·
Mar 2026
We had a wonderful tour with Meg at Arlington Cemetery. She took us to all the highlights and had a great strategy to make sure we were able to see the Changing of the Guard as well as the Kennedy section and much more. She told us so many interesting facts and stories not only about Arlington but about DC as well. It was great!!
· 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!

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 2,680 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Pam is Amazing!

frank_c, May 2026
Anybody looking to do a great tour of Arlington cemetery would be blessed to have Pam as a tour guide. She was wonderful and very knowledgeable. Just plain amazing. Best tour guide I’ve ever had.

Beautiful walk through Arlington Cemetery

Ann_H, May 2026
We enjoyed a beautiful walk through Arlington Cemetery. Our guide, Dash, was very knowledgeable and showed us all the highlights. My husband and I both learned a lot and put in a lot of steps, too!

Response from Host, May 2026

Thanks for the 5 stars! Getting those steps in while exploring history is the best way to see Washington DC. We're thrilled Dash's knowledge highlighted the beauty and significance of our Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards. We are so glad you both learned a lot on this beautiful walk. Thanks for touring with us!

Guide was essential to...

Allan_T, May 2026
Guide was essential to get the best from this experience. Ours was Jim superb and very knowledgeable

Response from Host, May 2026

Thanks for the wonderful review! We completely agree—having a superb guide like Jim is essential for getting the most out of the Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards. We're thrilled his deep knowledge added so much value to your Washington DC trip. Thank you for exploring this incredibly moving and historic site with us!

Awesome experience

Sandra_M, May 2026
Wonderful tour of Arlington, our guide ‘ Christina’ was very thoughtful & considerate of her guests, due to it being very hot on day of our visit. She told us a lot of informative & edifying stories. Requires a lot of walking , need good shoes. Dress accordingly for weather.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you for the awesome review! We're so glad Christina's thoughtful care in the heat and her edifying stories made your Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards so special. You're spot-on—this Washington DC walking tour definitely requires good shoes to see all the incredible history! Thanks for sharing these great tips and touring with us.

Dash is the man!

Ashley_K, May 2026
Dash was an awesome tour guide. he had so much knowledge to share and showed us everything you need to see. highly recommend this tour.

Tour at Arlington National Cemetery

Brian_B, May 2026
Great tour, Christina provided great information and context about Arlington National Cemetery. Well done!

Arlington Cemetery

Brenda_P, May 2026
Reid was an excellent tour guide!! He had so much knowledge that he shared, it was most enjoyable! I recommend the tour.

Jim was an excellent...

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!

Fancy

Thelma_P, May 2026
IT WAS WONDERFUL!! Reid, our tour guide was excellent!!! I was definitely do more tours with unscripted tours!!!

Loved it!

Jodi_J, May 2026
We had an Excellent tour guide & it was a good, efficient use of time. We got to see & learn so much. The weather was perfect, which helped to make the experience even better.

Jim is a very...

MICHAEL_F, May 2026
Jim is a very knowledgeable tour guide. He actually is a historian and a veteran from a long lineage of veterans. You want him for your guide. He is a fountain of knowledge.

Book this and request Meg!

lisa_h, May 2026
Meg! Meg! Meg! Absolutely the best tour guide ever. Please do yourself a favor and book this tour. We can’t wait to return to DC for more tours with Meg.

It was excellent. My...

Phillip_R, May 2026
It was excellent. My girlfriend and I had a private tour with Christina and enjoyed it immensely. She was wonderful filling us in all the historical details of Arlington. A better tour of Arlington I cannot imagine.

Christina was a wonderful...

dskhz27qrh, May 2026
Christina was a wonderful and very knowledgeable guide. I would highly recommend her! You won’t be disappointed.

Shane is very...

Russell_W, May 2026
Shane is very knowledgeable. Carry a Bottle for water. Wear good walking shoes. Dress for the weather.

Response from Host, May 2026

Yes he is! Please bring water, especially if you are coming in the summer! We hope you choose us again for all your tour guiding needs :)

Excellent Tour

William_M, May 2026
Outstanding tour of Arlington Cemetery. Our guide Shane was fantastic! So knowledgeable. Be prepared to walk a lot! 2-1/2 hours with hills and steps. But so worth it.

Response from Host, May 2026

We're so glad Shane gave you such a good Arlington Cemetery tour and made your time totally worth it.

Wonderful day at Arlington

Lynn_C, May 2026
Kevin was very very knowledgeable about the history of Arlington Cemetery and the tomb of the unknown soldier. I learned so much and he went at our speed to make sure all participants were able to hear the specifics of each area

Don’t miss this as part of your journey!

Christine_A, May 2026
Today was the best day we had. Our guide was very informative and helpful based on an exceptional knowledge of Arlington. Thank you for allowing my husband and I to experience such a moving day. A must for all ages

The walking tour was very...

Helen_B, May 2026
The walking tour was very informative. Meg did a great job explaining the different areas of Arlington Cemetery.

Dash was an Excellent...

Ken_L, May 2026
Dash was an Excellent guide through the history of Arlington Cemetery. He shared many Interesting facts and stories with us. Would Highly recommend!

Meg was a very...

Joseph_M, Apr 2026
Meg was a very knowledgeable guide who answered all of our questions. Watching the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns was the highlight of the tour.

Story telling brought some of the grave stones to life

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.

Very informative. Loved...

Virginia_C, Apr 2026
Very informative. Loved watching the changing of the guard, learning about this history of the cemetery and visiting the grave of JFK.

Meg was a great tour...

Kimberly_M, Apr 2026
Meg was a great tour guide! She was very knowledgeable of the cemetery's history and considerate of the group.

Tour guide Pam was the...

Wanda_C, Apr 2026
Tour guide Pam was the best we have ever had. She was sooo knowledgeable about the entire cemetery and done a lot background work to make the whole tour more interesting!!

Great trip and greater guide!

Clyde_D, Apr 2026
You cannot see Arlington Cemetery correctly without a guide. There is just too much to see in a day without someone pointing things out to you. Our guide, Meg, was so good and knowledgeable, well worth the time and effort!

It was great and our guid...

Jeff_J, Apr 2026
It was great and our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of Arlington Cemetery. I would recommend to anyone interested in visiting.

Tour

patty_c, Apr 2026
Very good tour guide make sure you wear good shoes a lot of walking shoes very beautiful tour guide very knowledgeable

Excellent experience

Traci_B, Apr 2026
Reid was amazing. He was so knowledgeable and made our experience memorable. He was engaging . As retired navy he had very personal experiences to share.

Excellent tour and tour guide Pam was great!!!

Sandy_B, Apr 2026
Pam was an excellent guide!!! She gave us such great information about the cemetery and answered all our questions. Would recommend this tour to friends and family!

From $69.00

per person

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

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 35 days in advance.

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