Arlington National Cemetery

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Arlington National Cemetery, often simply called Arlington Cemetery, spreads across 258.6 ha (639 acres) above the Potomac and turns a Washington stop into a quiet walk past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the John F. Kennedy Gravesite, and the rise to Arlington House.

For a first visit, start with a guided Arlington tour that times the key ceremonies for you and adds context quickly without wasting energy on the cemetery's long hills.

Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:

Guided Arlington tours

Best if you want the cemetery explained properly, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the John F. Kennedy Gravesite, and the climb toward Arlington House shaped into one coherent route.

Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour & Changing of the Guards

4.9(2587)

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Arlington Cemetery & Changing of the Guard Semi-private 12pp

5.0(159)

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Arlington Cemetery Walking Tour with Changing of the Guards

4.3(69)

getyourguide.com

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Arlington National Cemetery: Guided Walking Tour

4.2(45)

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Trolley and hop-on hop-off tours

Choose these if your priority is saving steps across the cemetery's long grades while keeping the freedom to stop at headline memorials when you want.

Arlington National Cemetery: Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour

4.1(2580)

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Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

4.4(752)

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Washington combo tours

Pick one of these when Arlington National Cemetery is only part of a bigger Washington day and you want museums or city highlights folded into the same booking.

National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max

4.9(80)

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National Archives + American History Museum Exclusive Guided Tour

5.0(38)

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National Archives + American History Museum Semi-Private 8pp

5.0(4)

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7 tips for visiting the Arlington National Cemetery

Choose guide or tram first

If this is your first time, decide at the gate whether you want stories or step-saving. A guided walk is stronger if the history matters most; the tram is easier if you are short on energy, visiting with family, or managing mobility. That way the cemetery feels purposeful, not overwhelming.

Open ANC Explorer immediately

As soon as you enter, pull up ANC Explorer and mark your must-sees. The grounds are bigger and hillier than they look from the Welcome Center, so a live map saves backtracking once you start moving between the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the John F. Kennedy Gravesite, and Arlington House. So you spend your time on the site, not on course correction.

Time the Tomb ceremony

If the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is non-negotiable, check the ceremony time before you head uphill. From October 1 to March 31 the guard changes every hour; from April 1 to September 30 it shifts to every 30 minutes, and arriving a little early gives you a calmer view. That way you are not sprinting the last stretch.

Wear real walking shoes

This is not the stop for flimsy city shoes. The cemetery covers 258.6 ha (639 acres), the grades are real, and even a focused route can mean far more walking than you expected when you stepped off the Blue Line. Better shoes and water keep the visit reflective instead of tiring.

Let funerals set the pace

Because Arlington National Cemetery is active every day, processions and services can change the rhythm of your route. If a tram stop closes or a path pauses, treat it as part of the place rather than a delay, and keep your schedule loose around the middle of the visit. That makes the day feel respectful, not rushed.

Use Metro or rideshare

For most visitors, the easiest arrival is Arlington Cemetery station on the Blue Line, followed by a short walk to the Welcome Center. Unless someone in your group genuinely needs the garage or accessible parking, this is simpler than guessing traffic around Memorial Avenue. So you start at the entrance, not in a queue.

Climb to Arlington House strategically

If you want the broadest view back to Washington, save Arlington House for after the Tomb and the John F. Kennedy Gravesite. The uphill stretch lands better once the headline stops are done; if your time or energy is limited, skip the climb and focus on the cemetery's ceremonial core. That way you do not spend your best energy too early.

How to plan an Arlington National Cemetery visit

This is one of the most meaningful stops in the Washington area, but it works best when you decide early whether the day is about reflection, historical depth, or simply covering the major sites without exhaustion.

Choose your format before the gate

Best for first-timers who want context fast: a guided Arlington tour. The strongest products line up the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the John F. Kennedy Gravesite, and the cemetery's bigger stories without forcing you to decode the map on the move; if step-saving matters more, the tram-style formats are the easier option. Book now.

Arrive through the Welcome Center

The short walk from Arlington Cemetery station is one of the practical reasons this visit is so easy to fit into a Washington day. Starting at the Welcome Center also gives you the map, screening, restrooms, ticket desk, and route reset you want before the cemetery opens outward.

Build the route around the Tomb and JFK

If you try to improvise here, the hills can scatter your energy fast. Put the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Memorial Amphitheater, and the John F. Kennedy Gravesite at the center of the visit, then decide whether you still want the climb to Arlington House once the ceremonial core is done.

Leave room for the cemetery's own rhythm

Because funerals happen daily, a stop can close or a path can slow with almost no warning. Families, first-timers, and anyone on a tight schedule enjoy the visit more when they leave a little buffer instead of trying to force every memorial into a rigid checklist.

Use water and shoes as part of the plan

The grounds are big enough that comfort changes the whole mood of the visit. Real walking shoes, water, and a lighter bag matter more here than at a typical monument stop, especially in summer or if you are traveling with children or older relatives.

What to see across Arlington National Cemetery

The cemetery is vast, but a few places explain why it stays with people long after the visit. These are the stops that carry the strongest atmosphere, the clearest history, and the biggest emotional weight.

The Tomb and Memorial Amphitheater

This is the ceremonial heart of Arlington National Cemetery. The quiet precision of the Changing of the Guard and the scale of Memorial Amphitheater, dedicated in 1920, give the visit its most formal and unforgettable moment.

The John F. Kennedy Gravesite

The eternal flame above the Potomac is still one of the cemetery's most recognizable stops. It links the state funeral of November 25, 1963, to a broad view over Washington, which is why even short visits usually feel incomplete without it.

Arlington House and the overlook

Arlington House, begun in 1802 as the memorial home of George Washington Parke Custis, adds estate history, Civil War context, and one of the strongest panoramas back toward the city. If you have the energy for one uphill detour, this is the one that usually pays off.

The Civil War layers under the modern cemetery

The place visitors see today took shape in 1864 after the government turned the former Arlington estate into a military cemetery. That story widened further with the Freedman's Village community and burials in Section 27, so the cemetery reads as far more than a single memorial site.

Ticket types at Arlington National Cemetery

Mapped tours here fall into a few clear patterns. The right choice depends less on budget than on how much walking, explanation, and wider Washington sightseeing you want to fold into the same day.

Guided Arlington tours

Best for first-time visitors, history-focused travelers, and anyone who wants the Changing of the Guard built into a coherent route. These tours usually walk the cemetery rather than glide through it, so you trade extra steps for deeper stories and better context. Book now.

Trolley and hop-on hop-off tours

Choose this if your main goal is covering more ground with less effort. The trolley-style format works especially well for mixed-age groups, limited-mobility travelers, or anyone who wants the cemetery's headline stops without turning the day into a long uphill walk. Book now.

Washington combo tours

Great when Arlington National Cemetery is only one chapter in a bigger Washington plan. These products make sense if you want museums or city highlights wrapped into the same booking, but they are weaker than dedicated Arlington formats if the cemetery itself is your main reason for coming. Book now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should I plan for Arlington National Cemetery?

For a first visit, give yourself about 2 to 3 hours. That is enough for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the John F. Kennedy Gravesite, Memorial Amphitheater, and either the tram or a measured walk toward Arlington House; a full visit on foot with frequent stops can take longer.

Do I need a guided tour, or can I visit on my own?

You can absolutely visit on your own, and ANC Explorer makes that easier. A guide becomes worth it if you want the cemetery's stories, military context, and the timing around the Changing of the Guard handled for you.

Is the tram worth it?

Usually yes if you are short on time, traveling with older relatives, or want to save your legs for the headline stops. If your priority is deeper storytelling rather than step-saving, a guided walking tour is usually the stronger buy.

Which entrance is best for most visitors?

For most visitors, the main Welcome Center entrance by Arlington Cemetery station is the simplest. Use Ord and Weitzel Gate only if you are approaching from Rosslyn or pairing the cemetery with the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.

When does the Changing of the Guard happen?

The current official pattern is every hour from October 1 to March 31 and every 30 minutes from April 1 to September 30 during cemetery hours. Check same-day updates before you go, because weather or ceremonies can still affect timing.

Is Arlington National Cemetery still an active cemetery?

Yes. It is an active military cemetery, so funerals and processions take place every day and can reroute trams or temporarily close a stop. Build a little slack into your route and keep the tone quiet once you move beyond the major memorials.

What if someone in my group has limited mobility?

Start with the accessible garage level or the elevator-equipped Metro station, and ask about the free tram access available with a valid disability placard, plate, or similar proof. There are no wheelchairs for rent on site, so bring any mobility equipment you already rely on.

Are photos allowed?

Yes for normal personal photography. The key rule is to stay respectful around active funerals and mourners, and to leave behind bulky tripod-style gear unless you have cleared a formal shoot in advance.

General information

opening hours

Public hours are currently daily from 8 am to 5 pm, retrieved 2026-03-09.
If weather, security, or ceremonies affect access, the cemetery posts same-day updates online.
The Changing of the Guard runs every hour from October 1 to March 31 and every 30 minutes from April 1 to September 30.

tickets

Most visitors use one of three formats:
- self-guided visit with ANC Explorer
- narrated interpretive tram for easier coverage
- guided walking tour timed around the Changing of the Guard
TicketLens inventory here skews strongly toward guided walks, with a smaller trolley and combo subset. Check live inclusions before booking because route length, transport, and cemetery add-ons vary by provider.

address

Arlington National Cemetery
1 Memorial Avenue
Arlington, Virginia 22211
United States

photography and filming

Photography for personal use is generally allowed across the grounds. Keep your distance from active funerals and people who are visibly mourning, and skip bulky media setups unless you have arranged permission in advance.

website

Official site: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

how to get there

The main entrance is at the Welcome Center on Memorial Avenue, about 5 minutes on foot from Arlington Cemetery station on the Blue Line.
Ord and Weitzel Gate is about 15 minutes from Rosslyn if you are pairing the cemetery with the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.
The garage is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm at $3 per hour, capped at $12 per day.

accessibility

Accessible parking sits on the top level of the garage, the Arlington Cemetery Metro station has elevators, and visitors with a valid disability placard, plate, or similar proof can use the cemetery tour tram free with one companion.
If you need help reaching a specific gravesite, ask at the Welcome Center ticket window. Wheelchairs are not available to rent on site.

security

All visitors pass through physical screening before entering. Depending on the day's security posture, adults 18 and older may be asked for a photo ID, and large bags slow things down quickly.
Alcohol, pepper spray, and large tripods are not allowed, so travel lighter than you usually would for a city day.

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