Arlington Cemetery Tour: Changing of the Guard Viewing

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Kennedy's Eternal Flame, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater built for presidents

A guided walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery limited to 15 guests, with reserved positioning for the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You visit President Kennedy's gravesite and the Eternal Flame, the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, with a professional local guide leading the route through over 400,000 graves. The small-group format means you arrive positioned before the crowds gather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Arlington Cemetery tour and memorials

• Arrive at Arlington National Cemetery
• View Changing of the Guard at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
• Visit President John F. Kennedy's gravesite and Eternal Flame
• See Supreme Court Section and Arlington Memorial Amphitheater
• Explore Arlington House and Confederate Memorial
• Visit Women in Military Service for America Memorial
• Walk to Iwo Jima Memorial nearby

The experience

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier happens every hour on the hour, and this tour places you in a prime viewing spot before the crowds arrive. A professional guide leads a group of no more than 15 people through Arlington National Cemetery, which holds over 400,000 veterans and is the most visited cemetery in the world. You'll stand before the Tomb itself, guarded 24 hours a day in honor of America's unidentified fallen soldiers, then move through the grounds on a walking route covering about 2 miles.

The tour includes President John F. Kennedy's gravesite, where the Eternal Flame burns continuously: a detail Jackie Kennedy requested during his funeral in 1963. You'll also see the graves of Robert Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy nearby. The route takes you to the iconic Iwo Jima Memorial, just steps from the cemetery, which captures the famous flag-raising moment of World War II in one of Washington DC's most recognizable sculptures. The Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, a 5,000-seat neoclassical structure built in 1920, hosts Presidential Memorial Day addresses and military ceremonies. You'll pass through the Supreme Court Section, honoring justices including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thurgood Marshall, and visit the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Arlington House, and the Confederate Memorial.

The tour runs 2 to 2.5 hours and operates in all weather, so dress accordingly. Entry to Arlington National Cemetery is included, along with your guide's expertise. All guests 16 or older need to bring photo ID for the security screening required at the cemetery entrance. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. You can choose between a small-group tour or a private guided tour at checkout. The private option includes interior access to Arlington House, which the small-group tour does not.

What’s included

• Entry to Arlington National Cemetery.
• a 2- to 2.5-hour guided walking tour led by a professional local guide.
• reserved viewing of the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• visits to President Kennedy's gravesite and the Eternal Flame, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, the Supreme Court Section, Arlington House grounds, the Confederate Memorial, and the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English10:00 and 14:00

Guide in English6 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 14:30

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 14:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Go through security at the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center and meet the Attractions4Us guide by the statue of the soldier holding a trumpet in the center of the room.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Attractions4us LLC

Is this one for you?Choose the small-group tour if you want the reserved viewing position and expert guidance at a set price with other visitors. Choose the private tour if you want the interior of Arlington House and a guide dedicated to your group alone. The 2-mile walking route and cemetery security screening mean this tour works best for visitors comfortable with moderate walking and prepared with photo ID.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What exactly is the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

The Changing of the Guard is an hourly ceremony honoring America's unidentified fallen soldiers. Uniformed sentries perform a formal relief in front of the Tomb, which stands as the most sacred site in Arlington National Cemetery and is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Can I visit the inside of Arlington House on this tour?

The private guided tour option includes interior access to Arlington House. The small-group tour does not. You choose which option suits you at checkout.

How far is the walking distance, and what should I know about the terrain?

The walking tour covers about 2 miles through the cemetery grounds. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues, though wheelchair-accessible routes are available with a companion to push the wheelchair, and strollers are permitted.

What do I need to bring to get into Arlington National Cemetery?

Photo ID is required for all guests 16 or older. All visitors go through physical security screening at the entrance. Large bags, alcohol, and pets are not allowed. Service animals are permitted.

Where is Arlington National Cemetery located, and how do I get there?

Arlington National Cemetery is located in Arlington, Virginia, near Arlington Cemetery Station on the Metro's Blue Line. Public transportation options are available nearby, though transportation to the cemetery is not included in the tour price.