Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour & Changing of the Guards

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns is the heart of this tour. It is quiet, exact, and deeply moving, with the US Army 3rd Infantry carrying out a ceremony shaped by ritual and respect. I like that you are positioned to see it clearly, then spend the rest of the walk learning how the cemetery’s famous and lesser-known graves connect to American history.

I also like the small group limit of 15. Guides such as Meg, Derrick, Christina, Skye, and Dash can answer questions and adjust the pace more easily than a large bus tour. The tradeoff is physical: you will walk about two miles over inclines and stairs, often in open weather, so this is not the right pick if you need a slow, seated visit.

Key points at a glance

• The Changing of the Guard is the centerpiece: You’ll have time set aside to watch the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
• You see more than the famous graves: The route can include Civil War sections, the USS Maine Mast Memorial, Audie Murphy, Supreme Court justices, astronauts, and other notable figures.
• The Kennedy family graves are the final major stop: You visit John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Edward Kennedy.
• Small groups make the history personal: A maximum of 15 people gives you room to ask questions and hear stories.
• The walk covers about two miles: Expect inclines, stairs, and a rain-or-shine schedule.
• The price is $55.20 per person: That is a fair fee if you want context and direction in a very large cemetery, but less appealing if you prefer exploring alone.

Why the Changing of the Guard matters

Arlington National Cemetery can feel overwhelming on a first visit. More than half a million people are buried here, and the grounds contain broad avenues, sloping sections, formal memorials, and rows of headstones that can be difficult to understand without a plan.

This tour gives your visit a clear center. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns is not a quick photo stop. It is a highly formal ceremony performed by the US Army 3rd Infantry, with measured movements and a serious sense of duty. Your guide gets you there in time and helps explain what you are watching.

I value that preparation. Without context, the ceremony can seem short and mysterious. With a guide, you can pay attention to the precision, the silence, and the meaning behind a memorial for unidentified service members.

The ceremony is also a good reason to book a scheduled tour instead of simply arriving at the cemetery and wandering. The timing matters, and the cemetery is large enough that a wrong turn can cost you the main event.

Meeting your guide and getting inside

The tour meets at the Welcome Center at 1 Memorial Ave, Fort Myer, Virginia, on the Arlington Cemetery side. You first pass through security, then meet your guide outside near the benches on the west side.

Arrive 20 minutes early. The departure time on your booking is the actual start time, and the group leaves promptly. The tour cannot wait for late arrivals, so allow extra time if you are coming during Washington’s morning rush period. Traffic is especially heavy from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Guides wear blue name badges marked Unscripted and display their names. The company often texts guests the night before with a contact number, though phone service around Arlington can be uneven.

The Blue Line’s Arlington Cemetery Metro stop is a short walk from the Welcome Center. Paid parking is available in an onsite garage. There is no hotel pickup, so you are responsible for reaching the meeting point.

The opening walk through Arlington’s history

Once the group is together, the guide introduces the cemetery and starts walking through its Civil War sections and notable burial areas. This opening portion is where a good guide earns the fee.

The point is not simply to identify names on headstones. You begin to see how Arlington reflects the country’s military, political, and social history. Guides explain the people behind the names and connect graves, memorials, and sections that you could easily pass without noticing.

The supplied route includes graves of Civil War soldiers and important memorials such as the USS Maine Mast Memorial. Other stops can vary by guide and group interests. Meg, for example, has taken groups past the Space Shuttle Columbia and Challenger memorials, the Civil War Unknowns, the Battle of the Bulge Memorial, the War Correspondents Memorial, and the USS Thresher Memorial.

That flexibility is useful. If you have a particular interest in military history, presidents, astronauts, or American public life, tell your guide early. One guest with an interest in the Marine Corps Memorial was able to shape the route toward that side of the grounds.

You should also expect stories about people whose names may not be familiar. Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated American soldiers of the Second World War, is among the notable graves associated with the tour. Guides may also point out figures such as Glenn Miller, Joe Louis, Jimmy Doolittle, Lee Marvin, Pierre L’Enfant, Claire Chennault, and Montgomery Meigs.

The result is a more human visit. You are not only looking at presidential graves. You are hearing about soldiers, artists, engineers, public servants, athletes, and people whose lives took very different paths before ending in the same cemetery.

Seeing the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns

The tour sets aside about 20 minutes for the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Changing of the Guard. This is the most structured part of the outing, and the tone naturally becomes quieter.

Your guide helps you get a good viewing position, but you should still expect other people to be present. Follow the cemetery’s instructions and treat the site with care. This is an active place of remembrance, not simply a sightseeing stop.

The ceremony is particularly powerful because of its restraint. There is no need for a long explanation while it is happening. The slow pace and exact movements carry much of the meaning.

A guide adds value before and after the ceremony by explaining the site and answering questions. That makes the stop more than a few minutes of standing near a famous memorial. It gives you a better sense of why the ceremony has become one of Arlington’s defining experiences.

Cold weather can make this portion feel longer, especially in winter. One group visited in December with children and found the walking near the limit for a six-year-old and a ten-year-old. Dress for the forecast, and remember that the tour operates in rain or shine unless poor weather forces cancellation.

The Kennedy family graves and the end of the route

The final major stop is the Kennedy family gravesite. You visit John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Edward Kennedy.

For many people, John F. Kennedy’s grave is the reason to come to Arlington. The site has national importance, but the visit is also personal and quiet. Your guide gives context about Kennedy’s life and presidency, then places the grave within the wider story of the cemetery.

I like that the Kennedy stop comes after the larger walk. You have already seen Civil War graves, military memorials, and the Tomb of the Unknowns. By the time you reach the Kennedy family graves, you have a fuller sense of Arlington as a place where presidents and ordinary service members share the same ground.

The tour returns to the original meeting point. The full experience lasts about two to two and a half hours, though the pace and exact route can shift slightly according to the group and cemetery conditions.

What the guides add to the visit

The strongest feature of this tour is its guides. The guide names most often associated with the experience include Meg, Derrick, Christina, Skye, Dash, and Liam.

Meg is especially good for visitors who enjoy questions and side trips. She has been praised for adjusting the pace, telling stories about astronauts and military figures, and making the visit work for families with children. She has also helped shape routes around a guest’s interests.

Derrick is a strong choice for history-minded visitors. His tours focus on the cemetery’s background and the people buried there, with plenty of room for questions. Christina is noted for a calm, respectful approach, which matters when the group encounters a funeral or a particularly solemn site.

Skye is described as friendly and thorough, with a talent for bringing history to life through individual stories. Dash has been praised for keeping the tour moving efficiently in very cold weather while still giving the group useful background. Liam has led the tour thousands of times and brings long experience with the grounds.

You may not receive a particular guide by name, so book this tour for the format and subject rather than a promised individual. The good news is that the guide team appears to share the same basic strengths: clear explanations, personal attention, and respect for the cemetery.

Is $55.20 a fair price?

At $55.20 per person, this tour costs more than entering Arlington and walking around on your own. The cemetery itself does not charge an admission fee, and you can visit many sites independently.

The fee pays for direction, timing, interpretation, and a small group. Arlington is large, and the most meaningful stops are spread across its grounds. A guide can show you much more in two hours than you might find by wandering, particularly if this is your first visit.

The value is strongest if you want stories. You may see the Kennedy graves without help, but you could easily miss the grave of Audie Murphy, a memorial to war correspondents, the Civil War Unknowns, or the story behind the USS Maine Mast Memorial.

The value is weaker if you have already visited several times and prefer to spend a long time at one or two sites. In that case, independent entry may give you more freedom. For a first visit, though, $55.20 is reasonable, particularly with a group capped at 15.

Walking, weather, and family fit

The tour covers about two miles and includes inclines and stairs. Wear comfortable shoes, not new shoes you hope will break in during the walk.

You need a moderate level of fitness. The guide can adjust the pace to some degree, but this remains an active walking tour. A guest with a knee replacement less than a year earlier completed the experience with support from the guide, but you should assess your own mobility before booking.

Families can enjoy the tour, especially if children like stories about soldiers, presidents, space exploration, or famous Americans. Young children may find the distance and seriousness demanding. A six-year-old and a ten-year-old were considered close to their limit during one December visit.

The tour runs in ordinary weather and may be canceled in poor weather. Bring water, dress in layers, and check the forecast. Arlington offers little shelter once you are moving through the grounds, and the ceremony may require standing outside.

Service animals are allowed. The experience is offered in English, and mobile tickets are accepted.

Who should book this Arlington tour?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Arlington for the first time, want to see the Changing of the Guard, and prefer a guide who can explain the people behind the names.

It also suits history fans who enjoy details beyond the headline sites. The route may include presidential graves, Civil War soldiers, military memorials, Supreme Court justices, athletes, entertainers, and astronauts. That variety gives the visit more depth than a quick stop at the Kennedy graves.

Families with older children can do well here if they prepare for the walking. Couples and solo visitors benefit from the small group, especially if they want to ask questions without holding up a large crowd.

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility, dislike fixed departure times, or want a relaxed visit with lots of sitting. You must arrive early, pass through security, walk about two miles, and keep to the group’s schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Arlington National Cemetery to make sense, not just look impressive. The Changing of the Guard is the main draw, but the Civil War sections, USS Maine Mast Memorial, lesser-known graves, and Kennedy family site give the experience its range.

The main caution is simple: this is a serious walking tour. Wear good shoes, arrive early, and allow for weather. If you can manage the distance, the $55.20 fee buys useful context and a carefully timed visit to one of Washington’s most important places.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide outside the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center at 1 Memorial Ave, Fort Myer, Virginia. After passing through security, wait near the benches on the west side of the building.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled start time. You need time to pass through security and check in. During busy morning traffic, allow at least 30 minutes.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two to two and a half hours.

How much walking is involved?

The tour covers approximately two miles and includes inclines and stairs. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Does the tour include the Changing of the Guard?

Yes. The tour includes viewing the ceremonial Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Which graves and memorials are included?

The route includes the Kennedy family graves, Civil War sections, the USS Maine Mast Memorial, and other notable graves and memorials. Stops can vary according to the guide and group interests.

Does the tour include Arlington House?

No. Entry to Arlington House is not included.

Is transportation or hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the Welcome Center. The Arlington Cemetery Metro stop on the Blue Line is a short walk away, and paid parking is available onsite.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.