Washington DC: White House & Arlington Changing of Guard Private Tour

Drive Past the White House, Then Stand Where Presidents Take the Oath

You're picked up from your hotel and driven through DC's main avenues with a licensed guide who customizes the route to your interests. You stop at the Capitol's westside steps, the WWII and Lincoln memorials, and the Vietnam and Korean War memorials along the National Mall. Then you cross into Arlington Cemetery for either the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or the Marine Corps War Memorial, depending on what you choose. The whole day is flexible: your guide adapts the pace and stops to what matters to you, and you're back at your hotel when you're done.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each11 stops

1. The White House20m
2. U.S. Capitol15m
3. The Smithsonianpassing by
4. Washington Monumentpassing by
5. National World War II Memorial15m
6. Lincoln Memorial15m
7. Vietnam Veterans Memorial15m
8. Korean War Veterans Memorial15m
9. Martin Luther King, Jr. MemorialEntry included15m
10. US Marine Corps War MemorialEntry included15m
11. U.S. Air Force Memorial15m

Private Washington DC historic tour

• Meet tour guide at Lafayette Square
• Stroll Lafayette Square near White House
• Learn White House neighborhood history
• Walk along 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
• Drive narrative tour on Pennsylvania Avenue
• Pass City Hall and landmarks
• Walk Westside of U.S. Capitol façade
• View Washington Obelisk and National Mall
• Drive through Smithsonian Museums area
• Stop at National World War II Memorial
• Visit Lincoln Memorial
• Visit Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Visit Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Visit Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• Cross Memorial Bridge to Arlington Cemetery
• Walk Arlington Cemetery grounds
• Experience Changing of the Guard ceremony
• Visit US Marine Corps War Memorial
• Visit U.S. Air Force Memorial and Pentagon view

The experience

Driving through Washington DC on this private tour means moving through the city the way locals do: past the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue, then down toward the Capitol where you'll step out on the westside façade and look back across the National Mall. Your licensed guide picks you up from your hotel in the DC metro area and shapes the route around what matters most to you. The flexibility is real: you choose which memorials to linger at, which to pass through the window, and whether you want the full 90-minute walk through Arlington Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, or the shorter stop at the Marine Corps War Memorial instead.

The drive itself is the narrative. You'll pass the FBI Building, the Archives, Navy Memorial Plaza, and the Smithsonian museums as your guide points out the architecture and the history layered into each block. Then you stop: at the Capitol steps, at the WWII Memorial with its ring of columns and bronze cord, at the Lincoln Memorial where you can see the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument in the distance. The Korean War Veterans Memorial shows 19 stainless-steel soldiers frozen mid-walk. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial each get their own moment. Nothing feels rushed because the schedule is yours to set.

Arlington Cemetery is the anchor. After crossing the Potomac on Memorial Bridge, you walk through the grounds toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the Changing of the Guard ceremony happens with a precision that makes the moment land harder than photographs suggest. If the walk isn't right for you, the Marine Corps War Memorial (the bronze sculpture of six marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi), is a 15-minute alternative that still puts you in front of one of the most recognized images from World War II. Either way, you're standing in front of something that matters, with someone who knows the story.

The vehicle is a panoramic minibus, which means you see out. Bottled water, WiFi, and mobile charging are on board. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't navigate the metro or hunt for parking. The guide is licensed by DC and stays with you at each site unless parking forces a change. Bring nothing to eat or drink inside the vehicle. That's the one hard rule. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller, and the tour works for all fitness levels, though the Arlington walk is the longest single stretch and there's no wheelchair accessibility on the bus itself.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the DC metro area, a licensed tour guide escorting you to all sites, bottled water, WiFi on board, and mobile charging stations. Customization is built in. You tell your guide which memorials and stops matter most, and they shape the route to fit your interests and time. The minibus is panoramic, so you see the city as you drive through Pennsylvania Avenue, past the Capitol, and across the Potomac into Arlington. All memorial sites are free to enter.
• you'll need a valid ID for Arlington Cemetery.

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day, 7 start times, from US$ 500 per group, with a live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: 08:30, 09:30, 10:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to4h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendly

Operated by Journal Tour & Travels, LLC

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want DC's major sites without arranging transport, timing, or entry logistics themselves. The guide handles the route and the guide handles the stops, which is what lets you actually absorb each place instead of managing logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

How long is the tour?

The itinerary is customizable. Most visitors spend 15 to 20 minutes at each memorial stop, and Arlington Cemetery takes 1.5 hours if you do the full Changing of the Guard walk, or 15 minutes for the Marine Corps War Memorial option. Total time depends on your choices and traffic.

Is the White House interior included?

No. The interior is not open to the public. You stop at Lafayette Square across from the building and have time to walk around the exterior and take photos.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed DC tour guide, bottled water, WiFi on the bus, mobile charging, and the flexibility to customize your stops. Entry fees to memorials are free. Arlington Cemetery is free but requires a valid ID.

Can I choose which memorials to visit?

Yes. The itinerary is designed to be flexible. Tell your guide which sites matter most to you, and they'll design the route around your interests and time frame.

Is there wheelchair accessibility?

The minibus is not equipped with hydraulic wheelchair accessibility. A transport chair can be accommodated, but there are limitations. Contact the operator before booking if you have mobility concerns.

What if I don't want to walk the Arlington Cemetery grounds?

You can choose the Marine Corps War Memorial instead, which is a 15-minute stop. You'll still see Arlington's shrines while driving through, and you'll visit the famous Iwo Jima sculpture without the longer walk.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a valid ID for Arlington Cemetery. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Food and drink are not allowed inside the vehicle.

What time does the tour start?

You select your pickup time and location within the DC metro area when you book. The guide works around your schedule.