Arlington Cemetery Walking Tour & Changing of the Guard Ceremony

The most moving moment here is the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This two-hour walk puts that ceremony in the context of a cemetery where national history and individual lives meet, from the Kennedy family graves to the memorials for the Columbia and Challenger disasters.

I like the mix of well-known memorials and less familiar stories, including the grave of WWII veteran and movie star Audie Murphy. I also like that a guide can help you make sense of the route and leave time for questions. The main drawback is practical: the walk is entirely outdoors, and Arlington’s steep paths can be hard to manage in the time available.

• The Changing of the Guard is the central stop, with a guided visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• The Kennedy family graves include John F. Kennedy, Edward Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy.
• Audie Murphy’s grave adds a lesser-known name to a tour that also covers major national memorials.
• The Columbia and Challenger memorials bring the history of the cemetery into more recent times.
• The walk takes about two hours and can include Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, depending on the day.
• Plan for hills and walking. The group can have up to 40 people, and the tour does not include transport to the cemetery.

The Changing of the Guard sets the tone

Meet your guide inside the Arlington National Cemetery Visitor Center, then head into the cemetery for an overview of its history and a guided walk. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the tour’s emotional center, and the Changing of the Guard gives you a chance to watch a formal act of remembrance rather than simply pass another monument.

The ceremony is a powerful reason to choose a guided visit. Your guide can provide context around the tomb and the cemetery, helping you understand what you are seeing and why it matters. The precise pacing and route may vary, but the tour includes a visit to the tomb and a view of the guard ceremony.

This is a solemn place, so expect a quieter, more respectful atmosphere than on a typical city tour. You’ll need to give the ceremony your attention, and it is not a stop to rush through while checking your phone. A guide also gives you a point of reference as you move between sites in a large cemetery.

The Kennedy graves and Arlington’s public memory

The Kennedy family grave site is another key stop. You’ll see the graves of John F. Kennedy, Edward Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy, placing a prominent American family within the wider story of the cemetery.

John F. Kennedy’s gravesite is the most familiar name for many people. Seeing it as part of a walk that also includes military memorials and individual graves helps broaden the visit beyond a single president’s legacy. Your guide can connect the sites to the history of Arlington, though the amount of detail will depend on the guide and the pace of the group.

You’ll also see Custis Lee Manor, known in the tour details as Arlington House, from a distance. This is a view rather than a full visit, so keep your expectations clear: the tour does not promise time inside the house.

Audie Murphy and stories beyond the famous names

One of the tour’s more unusual stops is the grave of Audie Murphy, a WWII veteran who also became a movie star. His story adds a personal note to a route that could otherwise focus mainly on presidents, ceremonies, and major public events.

I like this kind of stop because it gives you a different way into the cemetery’s history. Murphy’s military service and later fame make him a memorable figure, and his grave offers a chance to consider how individual lives can carry several chapters of public meaning.

Guides named for this tour include Dwayne, Rochelle, and Tyrone. Dwayne has been singled out for clear public speaking, patience, and a thoughtful pace that left room for questions. One useful detail he has shared is that the Vietnam Unknown’s crypt is empty, a point that can lead to a deeper conversation about how remembrance changes over time. Your guide assignment is not specified, so treat these names as examples rather than a promise.

Columbia and Challenger memorials bring history closer

The memorials for the Columbia and Challenger disasters give the tour a more recent frame of reference. These stops honor the crews lost in two space shuttle tragedies, extending the cemetery’s story beyond the wars and political figures many people expect to encounter.

They also offer a shift in tone from the Kennedy graves and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At the disaster memorials, the focus turns to lives lost in service and exploration, and to the lasting public meaning of those losses. The tour includes views of both memorials, though the exact time spent at each is not specified.

Because the tour covers several different sites in roughly two hours, it is best approached as an introduction rather than an exhaustive visit. You’ll get a guided route through important locations, but you may want to return on your own if one memorial deserves more time than the group schedule allows.

Arlington Memorial Amphitheater is a possible extra

Depending on the day of the week, the tour may include a visit to Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. It is a possible part of the experience, not a guaranteed stop, so don’t build your plans around seeing it.

That uncertainty is worth keeping in mind when comparing tours. The core sites are clear: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Changing of the Guard, the Kennedy family graves, Custis Lee Manor from a distance, Audie Murphy’s grave, and the Columbia and Challenger memorials. The amphitheater is an added possibility.

Your guide can explain what is available on the day, but the tour description does not give a specific weekday schedule for the amphitheater. If that stop is especially important to you, check with the operator before booking.

What two hours can cover, and what it cannot

The advertised walk lasts about two hours, with an approximate range of two hours to two hours and ten minutes. That is enough time for a guided overview and several major sites, but it is a brisk format for a cemetery visit with so much ground to cover.

A well-planned route matters here. One guide, Dwayne, has been praised for a considered route and time for questions, while another account points to a tour that felt quick and was harder to hear when the guide walked ahead. This makes group position important: stay close enough to hear, and speak up early if you are losing the guide’s commentary.

The group can have up to 40 people. At that size, the experience may feel less personal than a small-group walk, and hearing every word can be a challenge if you fall behind. On the other hand, the guide-led format gives you a shared structure and a chance to ask questions at stops.

Is $52 a fair price?

At $52 per person, the price includes cemetery admission and a two-hour guided walking tour. You are paying for more than access to the grounds: the guide brings context to the ceremony, the graves, and memorials that can otherwise be difficult to connect on a short visit.

The value is strongest if you want a clear route and interpretation rather than a self-directed walk. The cemetery admission is included, and the tour brings together several sites, including the Kennedy graves, Audie Murphy’s grave, and the disaster memorials. If you prefer to spend a long time at one location or explore at your own pace, a scheduled group walk may feel restrictive.

The tour is usually booked about 21 days in advance. That is a useful planning guide, not a guarantee that every date will sell out, but booking ahead is sensible if you have a fixed day in Washington.

Getting there and preparing for the walk

Transportation to and from Arlington National Cemetery is not included. The meeting point is at the cemetery, the tour ends back there, and the location is near public transportation. You’ll need to arrange your own way to the Visitor Center.

Bring a valid photo ID on the day of the tour. The experience is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is available. Wear comfortable shoes and be ready for a walk over steep, challenging ground.

The operator advises that the walking conditions may be difficult for people with mobility issues and for young children in strollers, especially given the limited tour time. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and the whole experience is on foot. Service animals are allowed.

Weather can affect comfort, even if it does not stop the tour. One guide, Tyrone, kept up an enthusiastic presentation through a day of rain, but that is no reason to leave your rain gear at home. The practical advice from people who have taken the tour is simple: wear comfortable shoes and dress for the forecast.

Who will get the most from this tour

This tour is a good fit if you want an organized introduction to Arlington and value a guide’s explanation of what you are seeing. It suits people interested in American history, military remembrance, presidential sites, or the human stories behind the names on memorials.

Families can also find a clear structure helpful, especially when a guide makes room for questions. But the steep walking and fixed pace matter. If you are bringing a young child in a stroller, or someone who finds hills difficult, consider whether the route is manageable before you book.

The tour is less suited to anyone who wants a slow, independent visit or needs frequent breaks. With a maximum group size of 40 and a two-hour schedule, you should expect to keep moving. If you want a focused overview and can handle the walk, it offers a useful way to approach a solemn and complex site.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the tour requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you’ll be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Changing of the Guard is a priority and you want a guide to connect it with the Kennedy family graves, the Columbia and Challenger memorials, and lesser-known figures such as Audie Murphy. The $52 price is most worthwhile when you want that context and a ready-made route, not just entry to the cemetery.

Think twice if steep paths, a brisk pace, or a group of up to 40 would make the visit difficult. For a two-hour introduction, though, this tour covers a thoughtful range of Arlington’s most meaningful sites and leaves room for questions when the guide and group pace allow.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The guided walk lasts about two hours, with an approximate duration of two hours to two hours and ten minutes.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide inside the Arlington National Cemetery Visitor Center in Arlington, Virginia.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is admission to Arlington National Cemetery included?

Yes. Admission to Arlington National Cemetery is included in the $52 per-person price.

Does the tour include the Changing of the Guard?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a view of the Changing of the Guard.

Which graves and memorials are included?

The tour includes the Kennedy family graves, including John, Edward, and Robert Kennedy, Audie Murphy’s grave, and views of the Columbia and Challenger memorials.

Is Arlington Memorial Amphitheater included?

A visit may be possible depending on the day of the week, but it is not guaranteed.

Is transportation to the cemetery included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to and from Arlington National Cemetery.

Is the walk suitable for people with mobility issues or strollers?

The walking conditions are steep and challenging to manage in the limited tour time. The tour is entirely on foot and is recommended for people with a moderate level of physical fitness.