Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Washington DC, USA
- 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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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 including 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.
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 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Arlington National Cemetery
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Audie L. Murphy Gravesite
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
USS Maine Mast Memorial (Pass By)
Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial (Pass By)
Memorial Amphitheater (Pass By)
James Tanner Amphitheater (Pass By)
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial (Pass By)
Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial (Pass By)
4
President John F. Kennedy Gravesite
Admission Ticket Free
5
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
20 minutes • 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
Supplied by
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
Reviews
4.9
based on 2,817 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Reid was very informative and thorough. We appreciated having someone who really knew cemetery walk us through.
Very individual tour
Loved there were only 8 people
Learned so much
The changing of the guards was spectacular
Such a wonderful tour and Jim was absolutely the best guide. He was funny, informative and made it a super enjoyable time.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time at Arlington Cemetery with Jim. A great guide makes all the difference! Thanks for touring with us!
Lots of walking but well worth it. Beautiful place and Arlington makes it a priority so you can see changing of the guards.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
The changing of the guards is always the most powerful experience, and the majesty of Arlington can really be appreciated on foot with a good guide. We're so glad to hear Jim gave you that kind of experience. Thanks for taking a tour with us!
If you’re riding, you miss so many things even they are pointed out as you ride by. Walking with Jim was an exceptional experience and muscly more personal than a large group.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
We are glad you agree, much of Arlington National Cemetery can be missed along the way if you ride the tram to just the main sites instead of taking a walking tour where you can really immerse yourself into the grounds. Thanks for joining!
Meg was excellent! Saw everything we wanted to see! Very knowledgeable. A humbling experience. Views were a surprise.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
A visit to Arlington National Cemetery is definitely humbling, and possesses a calm beauty that surprises many visitors. Thanks for trusting us to guide you through your experience.
Meg was personable, caring, and knowledgeable. My husband and I appreciated how she shared engaging stories and she was perceptive to the group’s needs. Also, we appreciated the communication from the time that we booked the tour until its conclusion, It made the process stress free. This was our 5th booking with Viator.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Our number one goal is to remove the stress from people trips, followed by fun experiences of course. Thanks for joining Unscripted!
Pam was informative and enthusiastic about the tour. She gave background stories and history as well as the chance to visit the gravesite of people we were interested in!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi Carol, thank you for this moving review. Arlington National Cemetery is truly an awe-inspiring and humbling place, and we are honored to help visitors properly experience it. Reid is an incredible guide, and his own military background brings a very special, personal perspective to our Arlington Cemetery tours. We will certainly pass along your gratitude for his service and his excellent guiding. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us.
The cemetery is amazing. To consider that so many have died so we can experience freedom. There are no words. Reid was a great guide and we thank him for his service to our country.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your profoundly moving review. Arlington National Cemetery is indeed an awe-inspiring place that invites deep reflection on the sacrifices made for our freedom. We are so glad that Reid could guide you through this sacred ground. We will be sure to pass along your kind words and gratitude for his service. Thank you for choosing to share this meaningful experience with us.
If you draw Jim as your guide, you are in for a treat. History, especially Arlington cemetery and the great veterans interned there, is his passion. The tour is a long walk with a lot of hills and steps, but you don’t really notice. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for the fantastic recommendation! We couldn't agree more—Jim's passion for the history and the heroes of Arlington truly shines through on his tours. It is wonderful to hear that his engaging storytelling made the long walk and the hills fly by without you even noticing. We look forward to passing your compliments along to Jim!
The instructions on how to find the tour guide and start point were very good. the pace of the tour was good we did not feel rushed. Jim was very knowledgeable about the grounds and some history. we really enjoyed the feel of the small group.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for joining us and for this wonderful feedback! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the intimate feel of the small-group setting and that our meeting instructions made the start of your day stress-free. It is great to know Jim provided a comfortable pace and shared his extensive knowledge with you. We will certainly let him know he is "the Best!"
A tour is the way to view Arlington. Just wandering alone you miss out on so many interesting facts and stories.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your review. We completely agree—having a knowledgeable guide transforms a walk through Arlington from a simple visit into a deeply enriching historical experience. There are so many hidden stories and intricate details that are easily missed when wandering alone. We are so glad our tour helped bring those stories to life for you.
Tour leader Reid is exceptional and full of knowledge and information! There is walking involved up and down.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for the glowing review! We are thrilled to hear that Reid's exceptional knowledge made your tour so memorable. You are definitely right about the walking—Arlington's beautiful rolling hills provide quite the workout, so we are glad you were prepared. We look forward to passing your compliments along to Reid!
Viator is the best. The guides are well informed, always willing to go the extra mile and there for you should you need extra help. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for the wonderful praise! We pride ourselves on partnering with guides who are not only well-informed but also dedicated to going the extra mile to ensure our guests have a supportive and memorable experience. We are thrilled to hear our team delivered on that promise for you. Thank you for highly recommending us!
Meg was the BEST! So knowledgeable, so considerate of the different ages and fitness levels in the walking tour! Arlington has so much to offer about the history of our country and should be on everyone’s to do list!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for another great review! We are so pleased to hear that Meg took such excellent care of your group. Navigating the sprawling hills of Arlington requires a thoughtful pace, and it is wonderful to know Meg was considerate of everyone's fitness levels while sharing the profound history of the grounds. We will make sure she sees your kind words!
The tour was very good! I think the guide could have dressed more appropriate for the tour-we did not think short shorts were appropriate at all!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Glad you enjoyed the tour. We believe our guides dress appropriately, and as Arlington National Cemetery is outdoors and Washington, DC is hot in the summer and shorts are completely acceptable for visitors. What we do find inappropriate and a bit odd however is commenting on a woman's attire.
What an amazing tour we had. Our group was small so we got to hear everything, very flexible schedule, and see a lot of great sites. Meg was super knowledgeable and passionate! Would recommend this tour to everyone. 10 out of 10!
Meg was very nice and informative! She is an experienced and well respected tour guide! You can’t go wrong!
Meg was a fantastic tour guide. Her knowledge of the cemetery was superb and she was engaging. The walk was a little tough with all the hills but if you can physically do it I much recommend it over just driving by things. We were able to go to the headstones and wonder a bit and it was fantastic.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Kathy, thank you for your kind words. We agree, walking is the best way to see Arlington Cemetery and Meg is a passionate guide.
Pam was very knowledgeable and friendly. She had quite a few stories to tell about different graves and was very respectful. We would definitely recommend a private tour with Pam.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
We're so glad you enjoyed your private tour of Arlington National Cemetery with Pam, she's one of our best! Thanks for touring with us!
There was a lot of information! Our tour guide Kevin was fantastic. Would do this tour again. Great for all ages. A lot of walking.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
We're glad Kevin made taking in so much information and doing so much walking enjoyable for you! Thanks for tour with us!
Meg was our guide for the walking tour of 2 hours. She had lots of interesting details and anecdotes that made the tour superb. I was really emotional at the Kennedy's site because all of them had violent deaths. Immaculately maintained and vast expanse. I think the tour in the buggy may be less exhausting
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Meera. walking the cemetery is challenging, especially in the heat, thanks for joining us in spite of that. And thank you for taking the time to leave such kind kinds for you tour guide, Meg.
Kevin was an excellent tour guide, very informative. Tour time was appropriate and it was a nice walk.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We're glad to know you appreciated the length and walk of the tour - Arlington is a lot of walking and a lot of information to include in a short amount of time. We agree that Kevin is excellent, too. Thanks for touring with us!
We didn’t realize how much walking was involved. We are seniors and had to rest which was no problem for Pam.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Arlington is very hilly and requires a lot of walking, but we're glad to hear that Pam took care of you so well and made your experience worthwhile! Thanks for touring with us!
Was very fascinating was looking forward to seeing the tomb of the unknown soldier Dash was a great guide and I found all the history very educational and fascinating
Response from Host, Aug 2026
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is so powerful, so we don't blame you for looking forward to it. We're so glad that you enjoyed your time with Dash. Thanks for touring with us!
Amazing Experience, it is Highly Recommended! Our Guide (Reid) was Outstanding! Be prepared to do some walking, its worth it!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
It's wonderful that you had such a great time with Reid. Arlington can certainly be a lot of walking, but we're so glad to hear you found it worthwhile. Thanks for touring with us!
Wonderful!! Reid our tour guide was very informative. Showed us a lot of things we would have missed out had we not taken the tour. It was the best!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We're so pleased that you enjoyed your time with Reid at Arlington and found the tour worthwhile! Thanks for touring with us!
This was an excellent tour of Arlington Cemetery! Our tour guide Pam was so informative and gave us an in-depth look and background stories of many very important people who are buried here. We thoroughly enjoyed her presentation and her insight on the changing of the guard and the grounds we walked through. Thanks again, Pam! You did a fantastic job!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Pam is one of our best, we're so glad that she made your Arlington experience so memorable. Thanks for touring with us!
Tour guide was excellent. She really knew the history behind Arlington Cemetery and made it even more interesting.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thanks so much for touring with us! We're so glad the tour guide made your tour at Arlington worthwhile!
Reid was very knowledgeable about the history of the cemetery. We thoroughly enjoyed his inside stories and tidbits of information.
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up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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