FAQs
Things to Know About the Tour
- This is a casual, 2.5 hour walking tour through Arlington. We'll cover about 2.5 miles - about 5,000 steps. Arlington is somewhat hilly - so you should be in reasonably good shape to walk this distance. The walk is primarily on paved roads and sidewalks - but there are some hills!
- Tour groups are no larger than 16 people.
- Although all ages are welcome on the tour, please consider whether this is an appropriate tour for young children. It is important to ensure they can handle the duration and terrain safely. In addition, complete silence is required for about 10-12 minutes at the Changing of the Guard. It is also advisable to prepare them with some knowledge about the ceremony to enhance their experience.
- Please plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the tour. You must clear security screening to enter the Welcome Center. Once inside, there are restrooms, a gift shop, benches for relaxing, water refill stations, and many displays. We meet 10 minutes prior to the start of the tour inside the Visitor Center at the mannequin of an Army Bugler - after you have cleared security.
- Arlington does require an ID for anyone over 16 years old - and a passport for international visitors. I have never seen them check this - but they can. This is, after all, a U.S. Army military installation.
- As you can imagine - absolutely no weapons of any type. Security is kind of serious about that stuff.
- You are permitted to take pictures in the cemetery - even at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They only request you not take photographs of any funerals.
- Arlington does permit visitors to walk on the grass to visit a grave. We might do that once or twice - but most of the tour is on paved roads and sidewalks.
- Comfortable walking shoes. Really, there will be no fashion judges on the tour! And even if we see one, we'll pay no attention to them. Wear what you are comfortable with.
- A backpack.
- Water. There are some drinking fountains, but I never trust that they are working.
- Your fully charged camera or cellphone.
- A jacket or sweater if the forecast requires.
- An umbrella or raincoat if there is a chance of showers.
- Sunscreen. You can get burned even in cloudy weather. Our tour guide has personally helped put his dermatologist’s kids through college.
- Your sunglasses—and probably a hat.
- Any medicines you may be required to take during the 2.5-hour tour.
- Arlington does not permit food or beverages in the cemetery - except water. Have breakfast or lunch before the tour!
Washington D.C. can be wicked cold in the winter and a humid oven in the middle of summer. Many days are perfect. Just check the weather and dress accordingly. We recommend that you check 
www.nbcwashington.com for pretty good local D.C. weather forecasts. If it looks like the weather is going to be bad, we’ll cancel the tour and refund your money. However, if the forecast calls for scattered showers or snow flurries, we’re going on a walk! We won’t intentionally put our clients in any weather danger. Sudden downpours can occur without much warning, so we do recommend bringing a rain poncho or umbrella if there is a chance of rain in the forecast. If we need to cancel the scheduled tour, it is important that we have your email and cell phone number in order to contact you as soon as we know of a change in plans.
www.nbcwashington.com for pretty good local D.C. weather forecasts. If it looks like the weather is going to be bad, we’ll cancel the tour and refund your money. However, if the forecast calls for scattered showers or snow flurries, we’re going on a walk! We won’t intentionally put our clients in any weather danger. Sudden downpours can occur without much warning, so we do recommend bringing a rain poncho or umbrella if there is a chance of rain in the forecast. If we need to cancel the scheduled tour, it is important that we have your email and cell phone number in order to contact you as soon as we know of a change in plans. Our tour guide’s goal is not just to recite a bunch of facts about the memorials or the cemetery that you could read in a guide book. He has been working with the National Park Service on the National Mall since 2001, and has had the opportunity to talk to literally hundreds of thousands of visitors. He is a licensed guide and a member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington DC - where he has attained 'certified' level. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Guild and of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. He has learned from the many great National Park Service rangers he has worked with over the years, from research, and nearly 12,000 hours of volunteer experience. Your guide has more than 500 tours of Arlington National Cemetery. We’ll try to keep the tour informative and interesting. It is a walking tour - and it's 100% outdoors. Dress for the weather. Our guide will ensure you have an engaging experience from start to finish.
We have to ask to please keep politics, religion, and etc. out of the tour. The wonder of our great country is that we are free to have our own opinions and to express them. Washington D.C. and the National Park Service support the concept of a ‘First Amendment City’—and you’ll find protests or rallies for almost every cause imaginable on any given day. Maybe after the tour, you’ll want to join a protest! But, for 3 hours, let’s all just get along and focus on the remarkable memorials and monuments that remind us of our heritage and history. Thank you.
Disclaimers, Odds, and Ends
Tips are welcome - if you enjoyed the tour. You can tip with cash or a number of electronic methods including Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us continue offering excellent services.
From time to time, memorials or monuments are closed for maintenance or repairs on streets or sidewalks, or due to funerals in the area. Arlington handles up to 30 funerals a day! We’ll do our best to have you visit as many of the major memorials and sites as we can.
We don't cover parking in the Arlington parking lot ($12 max for 3 or more hours).
There is no cost to enter Arlington National Cemetery. The two museums on the property - Arlington House and the Women in Military History to America are also both free - but we don't go in them during the tour.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Arlington is
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible