Arlington National Cemetery: Private Tour & Changing of the Guard

Walk 630 Acres of Arlington With Someone Who Knows Why It Matters

You get a private guide who contextualizes the cemetery's Civil War origins, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the Changing of the Guard ceremony, President Kennedy's gravesite, and a walk through the Custis Walk to the oldest graves on 630 acres. The pace is tailored to your interests, so you're not rushing between stops; you're absorbing the weight of each one. Bring water, eat beforehand, and wear shoes for hills.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Enter Arlington National Cemetery
• Walk along historic Custis Walk
• View oldest graves and learn history
• See graves of military officials and justices
• Visit Arlington House grounds and view Potomac
• Visit John F. Kennedy gravesite and Eternal Flame
• Observe Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony

The Experience

So you're standing at Arlington House looking across the Potomac, and your guide is explaining how this used to be Robert E. Lee's estate before it became a cemetery—and suddenly the whole landscape shifts. That's the thing about a private tour here: you're not just moving through a list of graves. You're walking through layers of American history, and the guide is there to help you actually see them instead of just pass by. The cemetery holds more than 400,000 service members and their families, and it covers 630 acres, so without someone who knows the connections—the Civil War origins, the divisions, the five-star generals buried here—you'd miss most of what makes it matter.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the centerpiece, and if timing works out, you'll watch the Changing of the Guard—a ceremony so precise and deliberate it stops you cold. There's no rushing it; the guide knows when it happens and builds the day around it. Then you move to the JFK gravesite with the Eternal Flame, and again, context changes everything. Your guide walks you through the Custis Walk to some of the oldest graves in the entire cemetery, talks about the Supreme Court Justices buried there, and explains the history of the Custis and Lee families. It's a lot of ground—literally and historically—but the pace is yours. You're not herded; you're guided.

One thing to know: the cemetery is 630 acres with significant hills, so this isn't a flat stroll. Bring water (you can carry a bottle in), eat before you arrive—there's no café—and plan for a moderate amount of walking. You'll clear security at the entrance, and the whole experience is wheelchair accessible if you need it, though the terrain itself is uneven. The guide does the heavy lifting on the history; you just show up ready to listen and walk.

What’s included

• Guided tour by an expert guide who contextualizes the cemetery's history, Civil War origins, and the Custis and Lee families.
• visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the Changing of the Guard ceremony when timing allows.
• stop at President John F. Kennedy's gravesite marked by the Eternal Flame.
• walk along the historic Custis Walk to view some of the oldest graves in the cemetery.
• access to 630 acres of Arlington National Cemetery with discussion of five-star military officials and Supreme Court Justices buried there.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by DC Baltimore Tours

Is this one for you?Right for visitors who want depth over speed—the private guide and customized pace mean you're not following a group schedule, and you understand why each stop matters before you move to the next one. The significant hills and walking distance mean you should be comfortable on your feet for several hours.

Top questions

Can you see the Changing of the Guard on every tour?

The ceremony happens regularly, and the guide times the tour to view it when possible, but it depends on the day's schedule. The tour is built around this as a priority stop.

How long is the walk?

The cemetery covers 630 acres and includes the Custis Walk through some of the oldest graves. Expect significant walking with hills throughout the grounds. The exact duration depends on your pace and interests, but plan for several hours.

Can I bring food or drinks?

You can bring a water bottle, but no other drinks or food are allowed inside. There's no café on the grounds, so eat before you arrive.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. However, the terrain includes hills and uneven ground.

Do I need to go through security?

Yes, you'll clear security when you enter the cemetery.

Can children or infants come?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram, and infants can sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are allowed.