Arlington National Cemetery: Secrets and Stories
Trip Highlights
American heroes – known and unknown
See what everyone else isn’t
The Kennedy family gravesite and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Description
Every working day more than twenty Americans who sacrificed for their country are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. On this tour we learn the secrets of Arlington's past and present and the fascinating stories of those buried here. And while Arlington's dead rest in peace, we'll see that they are still always working.
Tour info
Outside visitors center
Why take this tour?
As soon as we leave the visitors center the crowd will go one way, we're going another. We are going to visit the graves of some fascinating figures in American life. Some well known, some unknown. We are going to see the graves of those not often acknowledged - men and women of diverse backgrounds who made contributions in politics, the arts, sports, the military, and civil rights. We will also see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Highlights
- The graves of two presidents, actors, athletes, a civil rights martyr, and much more
- The cemetery’s only radioactive grave
- The grave of the only person born on the cemetery’s grounds.
Included
Guiding walking tour with a local guide
Photography
Excluded
Tips
Water
Transportation to/from cemetery
Snacks
Frequently asked questions
Things to know
Participation requirements
Participants need to be old enough to walk for two hours. Since some of the tours is on the grass, it may not be easy to negotiate with wheelchairs or strollers.
Participants need to be old enough to walk for two hours. Since some of the tours is on the grass, it may not be easy to negotiate with wheelchairs or strollers.
What to bring
Water, sunscreen, hats, comfortable walking shoes, and camera.
Water, sunscreen, hats, comfortable walking shoes, and camera.
Good to know
We will do a lot of walking. Most of the tour is on sidewalks, but to reach some graves we will walk on some grassy areas that can be uneven. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and bring water. We will stop along the way to sit in the shade and talk about what we’re seeing.
We will do a lot of walking. Most of the tour is on sidewalks, but to reach some graves we will walk on some grassy areas that can be uneven. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and bring water. We will stop along the way to sit in the shade and talk about what we’re seeing.
About your guide
David Shaw, a guide with lot of stories about how Arlington National Cemetery works and who's buried here.
I’m a certified master guide of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC. I am also a certified guide at Washington National Cathedral and hold a District tour guide license.
David Shaw, a guide with lot of stories about how Arlington National Cemetery works and who's buried here.
I’m a certified master guide of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC. I am also a certified guide at Washington National Cathedral and hold a District tour guide license.
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