Arlington National Cemetery & Changing of the Guard Tour
Walk Arlington’s memorial grounds with an expert guide
Duration
2.5 hours
Ideal For
Up to 12 people
Includes
Guided tour, professional guide
Highlights
Explore Arlington National Cemetery through stories of service, leadership, and remembrance. Follow an expert guide through significant gravesites and memorials on these hallowed grounds.
- Visit the gravesites of President John F. Kennedy, Audie Murphy, William Sheridan, and Joe Louis
- Pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where a Changing of the Guard ceremony may take place
- Reflect at the Columbia and Challenger Space Shuttle Memorials
- Discover the history of the former estate of General Robert E. Lee
- Learn about notable and lesser-known figures buried at the cemetery
What's Included
- Professional tour guide
- Guided walking tour
Important details
- Arrive 10 minutes before your tour start time
- Bring a valid photo ID if you are age 16 or older; entry is not permitted without it
- Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Wheelchair access is not available, and the route is not suitable for walking disabilities
- Moderate physical fitness is required for outdoor stairs and steep, uneven pathways
- Bring no bags larger than a small backpack
- Dress for the weather; tours run rain or shine
- Maintain appropriate behavior and decorum throughout the cemetery
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts. No refund within 24 hours. No-shows and late arrivals are charged the full price.
Product ID: PMKR6X
FAQs
Bring an ID if you are over 16. Arlington prohibits entry without ID.
No. This guided walking tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not available for guests with walking disabilities.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. Do not bring oversized bags or personal items larger than a small backpack.
Meeting details
Arlington Cemetery Welcome Center, after security
More about The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands as the solemn heart of Arlington National Cemetery, a white marble monument that has been guarded continuously, every minute of every day, since 1937. On this walking tour, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier becomes more than a photograph in a history book. It becomes a place where silence carries weight, where the precise click of heels on the marble plaza echoes across the rolling Virginia hills, and where the story of America's unidentified fallen takes on a deeply personal resonance. Set on a quiet rise overlooking Washington, D.C., the monument anchors a tour that brings the cemetery's most meaningful traditions into clear focus.
Your guided walk leads you through Arlington's sweeping landscape of white headstones toward the Memorial Amphitheater, where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier waits at its eastern plaza. There, you will witness the Changing of the Guard, a ritual performed by the elite soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard. Every movement is measured and exact: the twenty-one steps, the twenty-one second pauses, the crisp inspection of the rifle. Your guide will share the history behind the unknown servicemen interred here from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, along with the stories of the sentinels who consider this duty the highest honor of their careers. The hush of the crowd, the salute of the relief commander, and the sweep of the cemetery beyond create a moment that lingers long after you leave.
This experience is ideal for history lovers, families with curious children, veterans, and first-time visitors to Washington who want context rather than a quick glance. Walking with a knowledgeable guide transforms the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from a famous landmark into a living tribute, and it gives travelers the background needed to truly understand what they are seeing. If you want to connect with one of the most powerful sites in the country, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier offers a memory that stays with you.
Related locations
Arlington National Cemetery
Admission includedWalking into Arlington National Cemetery, you enter a landscape where history is measured in white marble headstones stretching across more than 600 acres of Virginia hillside. The quiet here is particular, broken only by the rustle of oak leaves or the distant cadence of a military honors ceremony. Arlington National Cemetery asks for patience and attention, rewarding both with an experience that few places in the country can match.
