Our guide, Devlek(?) did a wonderful job! We also witnessed the changing of the guard, and wreath presentation, which was a humbling experience.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Languages offered: English
- Entry to Arlington House
- Expert Tour Guide
- Changing of the Guard Ceremony
- Maximum of 12 guests
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Go through the security check-point at the main entrance, continue through the double doors leading outside to the cemetery. There will be long stone benches, your guide will meet you close to these! Look out for a text from your guide about 1 hour before the tour start time.
Return
- 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.
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Language Offered
Additional Info
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Reviews
Derek took us on a wonderful tour of Arlington National Cemetery. His knowledge of the cemetery was incredible. He was friendly and kind.
Knowledgeable guide - took the time to ensure we understood the history and context of what we were seeing.
What a moving and educational tour! Declan was patient with our questions and shared unexpected tidbits of info to increase our knowledge. This tour was well worth the time and money! Declan was amazing!
Very informative & Declan was an excellent tour guide… he added bits and pieces of info that you would not get elsewhere Lauren October 21 ,2026
Derek did an awesome job of our tour of Arlington! We saw so many important sites and the changing of the guard was the best!
Derek was awesome, very knowledgeable.
Derek was an absolute pleasure to be with. Everyone and anyone will be well served.
My friend and I met Declan and the rest of our small group at 2. Declan was so friendly and so informative. He was so considerate to always find shade for our informative stops/chats. We would definitely book with Declan again.
Great experience with tour guide Derek providing a wealth of information on the history and people associated with the cemetery and memorial. And he pointed out markers of key people in American history I might have otherwise missed.
Be alert that the walk can be a challenge for those with mobility issues, knee replacement or back issues.
Declan did a great job. Very knowledgeable. Worth the time and money. Great at answering any questions you have.
Derek was great! I learned a lot.
Quite a bit of walking both up and downhill. Not a tour to be taken by someone with mobility difficulties. The tour itself is a somber experience but one not to be missed. Jesse, our guide, was full of information which he was able to put across in a sensitive but thorough way. Changing of the guard was more ‘theatre’ than a military exercise - but entertaining nontheless! A ‘must do when in Washington ‘ tour and we would thoroughly recommend Jesse as the guide.
Will was a wonderful guide! Very informative and friendly!
Will was our tour guide, and what a knowledgeable young man. Really enjoyed all the history and the walk. Would definitely do this tour again with Will. The changing of the guards was amazing to see. We also was able to witness two wreath ceremonies. It’s was rainy and chilly and it was still a perfect tour!! Thank you, Will.
Great history of the cemetery that we would not have known on a self guided tour on our own . Changing of the guards was very moving.
It’s a long walk and it was difficult for us to keep up with the guide. We couldn’t hear most of what he said and we ended up taking the long way back because we didn’t know which way to go.
We had a GREAT time. We had a Jesse as our solo tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and not once did we feel rushed. Worth the money
Amazing tour of Arlington cemetery! Will, our tour guide, was very nice and knowledgeable. Learned a lot about the cemetery, the veterans who died and significant monuments. We also got to watch the changing of the guard and wreath-laying ceremony. A very memorable time and a must visit! I'd gladly come back for another tour!
William was an excellent historian and tour guide. Great communication prior to tour. Would highly recommend this tour if you visit Washington DC
Informative and comprehensive in spite of inclement weather. Will was a fabulous tour guide. He was knowledgeable and mindful of our needs in the inclement weather.
Declan was informative and told interesting stories. Exploring Arlington Cemetery without him, we would have missed so much.
Knowledgeable and took time to give great info.
Will was knowledgeable and interesting. He kept our attention and it was a great experience.
William was knowledgeable and personable. It was like doing a tour with a family member who was showing you around where they live. He even got us perfect weather for the tour....lol I would do this again.
My tour guide was Will and he did an excellent job giving us a tour of the Arlington cemetery. I highly recommend this tour.
Will was excellent knowledgable and very professional
Great guide with a lot of knowledge
William was great and super informed
Tour guide was very educated on his history. Really good story telling along with adequate time at each spot . Highly recommend
Great tour, very knowledgeable tour guide, William.
Derek was a wonderful tour guide and was sure I saw changing of the guard which was one of the coolest things I have ever witnessed. He had great knowledge of the cemetery which added to the experience. Definitely recommend this!!
Definitely do a small group tour with Cornerstone. Our guide Jesse was very knowledgeable on the history.
Declan was such a great tour guide. His knowledge of Arlington was amazing, he was engaging and a fabulous tour guide. On top of the general Arlington info, he knew a lot of side stories about people and history that made the tour. It was prob our favourite thing to do in Washington and I can’t recommend it enough.
Jesse was very knowledgeable and entertaining.. I highly recommend this tour.
The afternoon tour of Arlington Cemetery with Declan was awesome. Lots of walking; lots of stories; and fantastic views of the city. Declan was very knowledgeable about the history of the cemetery, had good timing between locations, and it was a very enjoyable experience! Highly recommend.
Will was a wonderful guide! Tour was very informative and enjoyable! Highly recommend!
Our tour guide Trevor was amazing , kind enthusiastic and very knowledgeable if I had to do this again I would request him he’s very easy to interact with my 13 year old daughter had a project that was really important for her aviation program Trevor gave her the opportunity to ask questions about all that was needed it was much appreciated and well worth it he was open to the group no one was left out he’s one of the best hats off to you Trevor
We always wanted to visit Arlington National Cemetery but we wanted to understand the history so we decided to get a guided walking tour. Our tour guide was Trevor and he was a wealth of knowledge. We watched the changing of the guard and he moved us to a better view of it. I don’t think we would have gotten as much history about Arlington National Cemetery by ourselves. Trevor was able to answer all of our questions which made it more special. Thank you.
Our guide William was very nice and knowledgable. Really interesting tour. Lots of walking!
Excellent tour! Will did a phenomenal job!
Really enjoyed our tour with Will! He was very informative. Love tours with guides that are historians!
Wonderful information, well paced
Will was a wonderful wealth of knowledge! Thank you for a wonderful, informative tour of Arlington!
Trevor was awesome! A plethora of knowledge! So informative!! Great time!!
Our guide, Trevor, was very knowledgeable and made our tour very enjoyable. We would definitely recommend his tour to others.
Wonderful tour with Trevor. He is very knowledgeable and makes the tour informative and fun.
We were lucky to be the only ones on this walking tour. Trevor was a fantastic tour guide. He was very attentive to us making time for rest breaks. He really knew the area and history. I cannot praise him enough for the time we spent with him
We enjoyed our experience and our guide Trevor was awesome and knowledgeable! We received a great tour!
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