Arlington Cemetery & Changing of the Guard: Small Group Walking Tour

Walk Arlington Cemetery with a Guide Who Knows the Stories Behind the Stones

You walk Arlington National Cemetery with a professional guide for 2.5 hours in a group capped at 12 people, seeing Kennedy's grave, the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington House, and lesser-known graves like boxer Joe Louis and war hero Audie Murphy. The guide handles the stories. You handle the walking. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and leave large bags at your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Arlington National Cemetery

• Visit Arlington National Cemetery
• Learn about famous graves
• Explore surprising graves
• See memorials for space shuttle disasters
• Visit Arlington House, Robert E. Lee's home
• Witness Changing of the Guard ceremony

The experience

Our guide stopped us at a grave marker that looked like dozens of others, then mentioned the name (Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in World War II), and suddenly the whole cemetery shifted. That's what happens on this Arlington National Cemetery walking tour: you move through 400,000 graves, but you're not walking alone, and you're not just reading plaques. The guide picks the ones that matter, the ones with weight, and tells you why they're there. President Kennedy's grave, the Tomb of the Unknowns with its Changing of the Guard ceremony if the timing works out, Arlington House where Robert E. Lee lived before the cemetery took over the grounds. Even the space shuttle memorials (Columbia and Challenger) get their moment.

The whole thing takes 2.5 hours, which is long enough to actually absorb where you are but short enough that you're not exhausted by the end. Groups stay small, never more than 12 people, so you're not shuffling behind a flag on a crowded tour. The guide can actually hear questions, can pause when someone needs a second to sit with what they're looking at. Rain or shine, the tour runs, so bring an umbrella if the forecast looks uncertain. Comfortable shoes matter more than you'd think. The cemetery is bigger than it looks from the entrance, and the paths are all walking paths.

One thing worth knowing: no large bags or suitcases allowed, which means you're traveling light. That's actually a relief. You're not managing luggage while you're trying to focus on what the guide is saying. And because of security measures at some sites, a few spots can't be visited from the inside, so the route adapts depending on what's accessible that day. If there's a national celebration happening, the guide takes you an alternate path through the same highlights instead. It's not a refund situation. It's just how the cemetery works.

What’s included

Your tour includes a professional guide, a 2.5-hour semi-private walking experience through Arlington National Cemetery, visits to major sites like the Tomb of the Unknowns and Arlington House, and stories about the graves of famous residents including President Kennedy, Audie Murphy, and Joe Louis. The tour runs rain or shine and is limited to a maximum of 12 guests per group.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English09:30 and 14:00

Guide in English09:30

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 dayDepartures at 09:30 and 14:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (under 10)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meeting Point: Inside the Welcome Center, after security, next to the statue of the soldier with the bugler”

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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Babylon Tours DC

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to understand Arlington Cemetery beyond the main monuments (the guide fills in the names and stories that make the graves matter), and prefer a small group where you can actually hear and ask questions without being part of a crowd.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (under 10).

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.

Is the Changing of the Guard ceremony guaranteed?

No. The tour visits the Tomb of the Unknowns, and you may witness the ceremony if timing aligns, but it is not guaranteed.

Can I bring a backpack or small bag?

Large bags and suitcases are not allowed. Small bags may be permitted, but it's best to travel light or leave luggage at your hotel.

What if the tour doesn't reach the minimum of 3 guests?

If fewer than 3 guests book, you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

How many people will be on the tour?

A maximum of 12 guests per tour. The small group size keeps the pace manageable and allows for real conversation with the guide.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour involves 2.5 hours of walking on cemetery paths, so comfortable shoes are essential.