Join us on our Arlington National Cemetery Tour as we walk through American history and honor our nation's military and war heroes.
This walking tour includes stops at President John F. Kennedy's gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where you will witness the time-honored tradition of the Changing of Guard Ceremony, and Robert E. Lee's Arlington House; as well as many more.
It is not just tour guides who think a walking tour is better than a trolly tour!
Reviews on TripAdvisor and members of our 80K+ Facebook Group, DC Travel Tips, agree that you get much more out of the tour on foot.
Reasons why a walking tour of Arlington Cemetery is the best option:
- We can reroute as needed. This ensures that we provide space for any ceremonies that occur. Arlington Cemetery is an active cemetery, and we honor those buried here by respecting their loved ones, too.
- Our guides know how to adjust for crowds at the Tomb of the Unknowns to watch the Changing of the Guards—on a crowded day or a day with a special event, we must arrive earlier.
- In addition, our guides walk you to the best place to stand. The trolly drops you off around the corner and leaves you alone to figure that out.
- Having a tour guide leisurely walking next to you means if you have a question about something you see -- we stop and talk about it!
The trolly is an excellent option for those unable to walk around the cemetery. While we can offer accessible options as a private tour, our public tour cannot accommodate wheelchairs or non-foldable strollers, as there are unavoidable stairs.
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Our guides know the cemetery well enough that we can reroute the tour as needed to ensure you see the historic sights.
We can also respect and provide privacy to families attending services. We don't just show you the sites; we tell you the stories.
Come on this family-friendly tour of one of this nation's most sacred grounds.
Arlington National Cemetery is free to visit, and no tickets are required.
You will have to go through security regardless of which entrance you use, and our tour starts after security.
Our tour helps you navigate the immense cemetery to focus on its history and stories while respecting that this is an active cemetery with funerals held six days a week.
Our tour is 2.5 hours long. We believe 2 hours is the minimum needed to visit Arlington Cemetery.
It allows us to visit the main sites at a leisurely pace, take time to pay respects, take photos, and watch the full Changing of the Guard Ceremony.
We have a cushion of 30 minutes to accommodate longer than expected lines, water stops on hot days, and inquisitive kids with questions! Since this is an active cemetery, we may reroute to give families the privacy they deserve.
Highlights
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & Memorial Amphitheater—This is a major stop on the tour. You will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and learn about its significance, history, and how the 3rd Regiment US Army Old Guard stands watch 24/7.
- Witness the Changing of the Guard - we'll learn what it takes to be a sentinel and witness the time-honored tradition of guarding the tomb.
- Arlington House / Robert E. Lee House - visiting the Slave Quarters and Museum to learn why Robert E. Lee's house became a military cemetery. You will have a chance to go inside Arlington House if open.
- President Kennedy's Grave & President Taft's Gravesite - Pay respects to the only two presidents buried here.
- Grave sites of Senators Robert and Ted Kennedy
- Visit Justice Hill, where many Supreme Court Justices are buried, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Thurgood Marshall.
- Eligibility Rules for Burials - learn about the significance and symbolism of the different types of headstones and sections in the cemetery.
- Military Women's Memorial - learn how women have contributed to the American military.
- Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial - While we end the tour inside Arlington Cemetery, we provide a free self-guided audio tour for anyone who wants to complete the 15-minute walk to the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial just outside the cemetery, with instructions on how to get back.
- and much more
You'll also hear about the actions of Medal of Honor recipients and understand why family members can be buried here, and learn about military funerals and the symbolism on the headstones.
Arlington Cemetery Tour Information
WHERE: Tour departs from outside the Visitor Center AFTER security.
Look for your guide in orange by the benches. We are not affiliated with any desk inside the Welcome Center, so please don't look for us there.
Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours and 1.75 miles. Includes uphill walking and stairs.
Cost: This is a small group (10-12 people) ticketed tour with rates from $39.00. While you may see more spots available, we sometimes run this tour with multiple guides.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Tours are rain or shine. In the event of adverse weather, we will email and text with alternative options or offer a refund.
If you need to cancel, please reply to your confirmation email. We hope you don't have to but if you cannot attend the tour, we can only offer a refund with 24 hours' notice before the start of the tour. After that time frame, we are unable to refund. Guests who booked via a third party ticketing site must cancel via the platform they booked on.
We offer a flexible rescheduling option and are often able to accommodate you on another tour with even short notice if a comparable tour is running during your visit!
SECURITY INFORMATION:
Security at Arlington National Cemetery sometimes depends on the day, but you will need to go through a bag check. You can bring in food and drinks, but you will not be able to eat inside the cemetery.
Prohibited items include weapons, including small knives.
While they officially state that they will check IDs for adults, in 15 years of giving this tour, I have never had them ask to see an ID.