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Arlington National Cemetery: Private Walking Tour & Changing of Guards

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (13 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/13

Duration2h–2h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

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.

2h–2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

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.

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.