Tour Arlington National Cemetery & Changing of the Guard
Explore Arlington National Cemetery in a semi-private group of 12 or fewer
Duration
2.5 hours
Ideal For
Up to 12 people
Includes
Guide, Walking tour, Tickets
Highlights
Walk Arlington National Cemetery with a professional guide and a small group, and learn the stories behind well-known and lesser-known memorial sites. Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, if scheduled, see the Changing of the Guard.
- Walk the cemetery grounds on a guided tour limited to 12 guests
- Pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Watch the Changing of the Guard when the ceremony is taking place
- Visit gravesites including President John F. Kennedy and Audie Murphy
- See the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle memorials
What's Included
- Semi-private guided walking tour (max 12 guests)
- Professional tour guide
Things to know
Bring ID if you are over 16; entry is prohibited without it. Not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for guests with walking disabilities; the route includes stairs and uneven pathways. No oversized bags or items larger than a small backpack.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour start time. No refund within 24 hours of the start time. No-shows and latecomers are charged the full price.
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
Meet by the entry gates of the Arlington Cemetery Welcome Center - https://maps.app.goo.gl/spMnzVQpooKDJuAU9
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.
