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Small-Group Arlington Cemetery & Changing of the Guard Tour

37 Reviews 4.97 out of 5 stars Based on 37 reviews collected by Cool Washington DC and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Washington DC, USA

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On average, this is booked 15 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English

Overview

Explore the solemn beauty of Arlington National Cemetery on a 2-hour walking tour that showcases its most significant sites. From the iconic JFK gravesite to the revered Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, immerse yourself in the rich history and honor the sacrifices made by those interred here. Visit the Arlington House for an insightful perspective on the grounds and their historical significance. This tour offers a unique opportunity to connect with American history in a profound setting.

This tour includes:
- Two-hour guided walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery
- Small Group (maximum of 10 guests)
- The Changing of the Guard Ceremony
- The Arlington House
- John F. Kennedy and his family's Grave's
- The Eternal Flame
- Joe Lewis Gravesite
- Sir John Dill Memorial
- Ruth Bader Ginsberg memorial
- Tomb of Robert Todd Lincoln
- William Howard Taft Gravesite
- Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial
- Colombia Space Shuttle Memorial
- Iran Hostage Crisis Memorial
- Memorial Amphitheater

What's Included

  • Languages offered: English
  • Entry to Arlington House
  • Changing of the Guard Ceremony

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    1 Memorial Avenue
    Fort Myer, VA 22211, USA

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    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    321 Sherman Drive
    Fort Myer, VA 22211, USA

    The tour will end within the cemetery at the Arlington House. From here, you can either continue exploring the cemetery on your own, or walk back with your tour guide to the main entrance of the cemetery.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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    Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

    Arlington National Cemetery (pass by)

    More than 400,000 veterans rest across 639 acres of hallowed Virginia ground — and every one of them has a story worth knowing. On this intimate guided walking tour, you'll witness the legendary Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, stand at JFK's Eternal Flame, and uncover the remarkable Civil War origins of the estate that became America's most sacred cemetery. Small groups, expert guides, and stories you won't find on a bus tour.
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    John F. Kennedy Grave Site

    On a quiet hillside below Arlington House, a small flame has burned every single day since November 25, 1963 — lit by Jacqueline Kennedy at the end of her husband's funeral, hours after she had watched him buried. The JFK gravesite is one of the most visited and most quietly powerful places in Washington. Surrounded by Cape Cod granite and engraved with words from his inaugural address, it holds not just the 35th President, but Jackie, and two of their infant children who never lived to see their father's presidency. A few steps away lie Robert and Ted Kennedy. Standing here, with the Lincoln Memorial directly across the Potomac and the Washington Monument on the horizon, you understand why Kennedy himself once looked out at this hillside and said it was "so magnificent I could stay here forever." He does.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

    The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

    The cemetery's most iconic site, and arguably the most powerful spot in all of Washington. Since 1921, an unidentified soldier from World War I has rested here, later joined by unknowns from WWII and Korea. A sentinel from the Army's elite 3rd Infantry Regiment guards the tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — in every weather condition, without exception. The Changing of the Guard ceremony is a precise, solemn ritual that stops every visitor in their tracks.
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    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

    Arlington House - The Robert E. Lee Memorial

    The Greek Revival mansion at the top of the hill tells the story of how Arlington became a cemetery at all. Built by George Washington's step-grandson, it was seized by Union forces at the outbreak of the Civil War — and General Meigs deliberately placed graves as close to the house as possible, including in Mrs. Lee's rose garden, to ensure the Lee family could never return. It is one of the most calculated acts of the entire war.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

    Audie L. Murphy Grave Site

    One of the most visited graves in Arlington, and one of the most understated. Murphy was the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II — earning every valor award the Army offered, plus decorations from France and Belgium — and went on to become a Hollywood actor. He specifically requested that his headstone not be decorated with gold leaf, as is customary for Medal of Honor recipients. He wanted to rest like an ordinary soldier. He does.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

    Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial

    On January 28, 1986, 73 seconds after liftoff, the Challenger disintegrated. All seven crew members were killed — including Christa McAuliffe, a schoolteacher who was to be the first civilian in space. Classrooms across America watched it live. The commingled cremated remains of the crew are interred beneath a single memorial in Section 46, inscribed with the poem "High Flight" — the same poem President Reagan quoted when he addressed the nation that evening.
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    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

    Show 5 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (6)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Small-Group Arlington Cemetery & Changing of the Guard Tour?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-5653665P1

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    4.97
    37 reviews

    Average 4.97 out of 5 stars based on 37 traveler reviews collected by Cool Washington DC and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    36
    4 stars
    1
    3 stars
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    2 stars
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    1 star
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    Loading Options
    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 15 (0) days in advance.

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    What's Included

    Activity name

    • Languages offered: English
    • Entry to Arlington House
    • Changing of the Guard Ceremony
    • Maximum of 12 guests
    • Expert Tour Guide

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

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    Free Cancellation

    100% refund
    No refund

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).

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