Arlington National Cemetery: Private Walking Tour & Changing of Guards

Walk Through Arlington's Most Sacred Moments Without the Tour Bus Crowds

You walk the cemetery with a dedicated historical guide who shapes the route around what matters to you, spending as long as you need at Kennedy's gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Changing of the Guard ceremony. No crowds, no fixed schedule, no rushing between stops. The guide handles the storytelling while you absorb the weight of the place. Bring your ID and plan for 2.5 hours on foot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private walking tour of Arlington Cemetery

• Meet guide at welcome center
• Explore cemetery and learn history
• Visit USS Maine Memorial and graves
• See John F Kennedy's gravesite
• Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony

The experience

The welcome center comes into view first, and then your guide appears. Someone who knows the weight of every stone on these 624 acres. You're not joining a group of forty people shuffling behind a raised flag. It's just your group, moving at whatever pace lets you actually absorb what you're standing in front of. The 2.5-hour private walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery unfolds on your terms, which means you can spend ten minutes at Kennedy's gravesite if that's what matters, or linger at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier without feeling the pressure of a schedule behind you.

The route itself is tailored: your guide reads what draws you and steers toward it. You'll see the USS Maine Memorial and learn how that ship's sinking sparked the Spanish American War, then move through sections where Supreme Court Justices, Presidents, Generals and Admirals are buried. The stories aren't rushed. When you reach the Tomb of the Unknowns, you're there to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, that flawless precision ritual that happens every hour on the hour. It's the kind of moment that lands differently when you're not craning your neck around a crowd of strangers.

Kennedy's Eternal Flame burns exactly as it has since 1963, and standing there with someone who can explain the history (not just point and move on) changes how you hold the moment. You'll also hear about veterans like Audie Murphy and the Space Shuttle Columbia crew, the kind of specific stories that make Arlington feel less like a monument and more like a place where real people are remembered. The whole experience is wheelchair accessible, and service animals are welcome, so accessibility isn't an afterthought here.

One practical note: bring your passport or US Government ID if you're over 16. It's required for entry. The guide meets you at the welcome center, and from there you're walking the grounds at a moderate pace. It's not a sprint, but it's not a slow stroll either. If you're coming from elsewhere in Washington DC, public transportation gets you close, and you can plan the rest of your day around the 2.5-hour window without scrambling to catch a bus back.

What’s included

• Professional historical guide for 2.5 hours.
• entry to Arlington National Cemetery.
• visits to Kennedy's gravesite with the Eternal Flame, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Changing of the Guard ceremony, USS Maine Memorial, and graves of servicemen from the Spanish American War.
• flexible walking route tailored to your group's interests and pace.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meet your guide just outside the visitor’s center on the cemetery side after you pass through security.”

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 levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Unscripted Tours

Is this one for you?This tour is right for anyone who wants to experience Arlington's most significant sites without the crowds of a bus tour: the private format and flexible pace mean you spend time where it matters instead of keeping up with a schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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 time does the tour start?

The tour meets at the Arlington National Cemetery welcome center. Specific start times depend on your booking. Confirm your departure time when you reserve.

Is the Changing of the Guard ceremony guaranteed?

The Changing of the Guard happens every hour on the hour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tour is timed to include it, but the exact timing depends on your group's pace through the grounds.

Can I visit Arlington House?

Arlington House is currently closed for renovations. During the tour, you'll explore the cemetery grounds and monuments, but entry to the house is not available.

Do I need an ID to enter?

Yes. All travelers over 16 must bring a valid passport or US Government ID for entry to Arlington National Cemetery.

How much walking is involved?

The tour covers the cemetery grounds over 2.5 hours at a moderate pace. The cemetery is 624 acres, but your guide tailors the route to your group's fitness level and interests. All areas are wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Yes. Strollers are fine for infants and small children, and all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Service animals are also allowed.

Is this tour private to my group?

Yes. This is a private tour with a dedicated guide for your group only, not a shared bus tour.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes a professional historical guide for 2.5 hours. Entry to Arlington National Cemetery is included. Transportation to the cemetery is not included, but public transportation options are available nearby.