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
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
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.
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
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
20 minutes • Admission 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
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 2,742 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Mark, Jul 2026
Christina was very knowledgeable. She was able to answer everyone’s questions. Wear comfortable shoes, it’s a lot of walking.
Ivette_M, Jul 2026
It’s super informative. Dash had so much knowledge of everything we experienced and asked him. It’s an amazing experience a must do in Washington
Lindsay_S, Jul 2026
Pam was an exceptional tour guide. It was near 100 degrees and she made sure everyone stayed cool by bringing each person a fan. She had such useful knowledge and made sure we got the entire tour! She let us stay as long as we wanted in each section and was so kind.
Phillip_L, Jul 2026
It was a fantastic experience.Reid,our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and made our tour memorable.On a hot day,make sure to carry water with you.
Tammy_R, Jul 2026
An absolute MUST DO tour! My husband and I (kids, 15 & 12) did this tour, Jim was our guide and he did the best job. He was so patient with our group and very informative. Again, I'd highly recommend this tour.
Jennifer_F, Jul 2026
Fantastic experience! Very knowledgeable staff member (Meg ; ) We would do this again. Thank you for the great tour!
Paulette_L, Jul 2026
What an amazing, beautiful place and our tour guide Meg was so informative and knowledgeable. Beautiful reverence in that place.
Roe_N, Jul 2026
Our guide Jim was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Arlington Cemetary and the history of a lot of the people buried there. When I first booked the tour I was second guessing my decision, guided versus self guided or just riding the train halfway through I realized that I definitely made the right decision. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend and by all means request Jim Garrett as your guide. Thanks Roe Neames
Michael_O, Jul 2026
It was very informative and would do it again. Changing of the guards was incredible to watch to see how everything was timed out.
Jerry_S, Jul 2026
Dash was great. The weather was so hot we were not able to do the tour. Dash took us to Kennedy's memorial and we concluded at this point. I would definitely recommend this tour to others but do not do the tour under such extreme conditions.
Jennifer_N, Jul 2026
Jim was our guide. It was amazing! He knows his facts and made the experience absolutely wonderful and I would highly recommend!!
Brittany_S, Jul 2026
I do not recommend going in the summer. We did the earliest tour on a very hot day. A water bottle refill station was not accessible until an hour and a half in. The guide had to keep pausing her talk because of the fly-overs that drowned out her voice, which also caused the tour to last longer than expected. My elderly aunt tripped and fell on the last set of stone steps. Everyone in the tour group was very helpful, and firemen were called to check her out. She wasn’t dehydrated or seriously injured, so she was allowed to go with us. However, we waited on a cart that never came, and she ended up having to walk all the way back to the front while bleeding from minor injuries on her knee, hand, and face. The tour guide did reach out to check on her afterward. I suggest, though the lines may be long, you take the trolley instead of doing a walking tour.
EDWARD_M, Jul 2026
Jim was AWESOME. We saw the changing of the guard from a vantage point the average visitor wouldn’t know about. Although it was during a record heatwave he made sure that everyone had a shade spot when he was pointing out points of interest
Jenny_S, Jul 2026
Overkill on information about people buried there. Would rather had just been general info on cemetery, JFK memorial and changing of the guard. I didn’t need to here about anybody else
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Arlington National Cemetery is our most hallowed grounds in the United States, a miliatary cemetery where we honor our fallen heros. We are proud to share their stories on our tours, including the stories of the soldiers that guard teh Tomb of the Unknowns to remind everyone that serves we will never leave your side. If one only wants to see the Changing of the Guard and John F Kennedy's grave this is definately not the tour for them.
Thanks for joining us!
Adolphus_B, Jul 2026
This was an informative and enjoyable tour. Even though this walking tour took place in excessive heat, our guide was understanding and did a good job. I would certainly recommend this tour.
Walter_H, Jul 2026
This is truly the only way to experience Arlington Cemetary. While all the trams are whizzing by, we actually had the opportunity to walk between the gravestones and pick up fascinating details about some of the more notable ones and also many we never even knew about, on our way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our guide Jim was the resident historian for the cemetery for many years and his intricate knowledge of the place was a joy to behold. The overall experience is what a visit to this place truly deserves!
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
Dan_C, Jun 2026
Walking up hill in the heat can be strenuous. Bring water to stay hydrated. Bring umbrella to shade from sun.
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!!
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.
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.
Anthony_N, Jun 2026
Outstanding tour with an extremely knowledgeable tour guide! Highly recommend this tour! Lots of walking but plenty to see.
From
-20%
$55.20
per personWas $69.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards
2,742
2 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$69.00
$55.20
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Washington DC, USA
- Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument Tours & Tickets
- Anderson House (Society of the Cincinnati) Tours & Tickets
- National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Tours & Tickets
- Eisenhower Executive Office Building Tours & Tickets
- Lincoln Memorial Tours & Tickets
- Air Force Memorial Tours & Tickets
- National Museum of Natural History Tours & Tickets
- Ford's Theatre Tours & Tickets
- Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Tours & Tickets
- United States Botanic Garden Tours & Tickets
- Capitol Hill Tours & Tickets
- Freedom Plaza Tours & Tickets
- National Geographic Museum Tours & Tickets
- Octagon House Tours & Tickets