Arlington National Cemetery Guide (2026): What to See in 2–3 Hours

October 3, 2026 · 10 min read

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More than 400,000 service members and their families rest at Arlington National Cemetery, on a hillside across the Potomac from the capital they served. It is free to visit, open every day, and ten minutes from downtown by Metro. This 2026 guide covers the Changing of the Guard schedule, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy gravesites, Arlington House, how to get there, cemetery etiquette, and a walking route that fits the highlights into two hours.

The Changing of the Guard: times and what to expect

The ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the reason most visitors come — and it never disappoints. Soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” have stood watch here 24 hours a day since 1948, and the tomb has been guarded continuously since 1937, through hurricanes, blizzards, and 9/11.

• April 1 through September 30: the guard changes every 30 minutes, on the hour and half hour. Cemetery hours are 8 AM to 7 PM.
• October 1 through March 31: the guard changes every hour, on the hour. Cemetery hours are 8 AM to 5 PM.

Arrive at the Memorial Amphitheater plaza at least 15 minutes early — the best viewing spots fill up, and latecomers are held back until the ceremony ends. The full relief takes about ten minutes: the relief commander’s white-glove rifle inspection, the formal exchange of orders (“Post and orders, remain as directed” … “Orders acknowledged”), and the new sentinel’s first measured walk at 90 steps per minute.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The white marble tomb honors unidentified American service members from World Wars I and II and Korea. The World War I Unknown was laid to rest here on November 11, 1921; the inscription reads “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.” Each Unknown was symbolically awarded the Medal of Honor. It is an active memorial, not a museum piece — which is why the silence rule below matters so much.

The Kennedy gravesites and the Eternal Flame

A short walk downhill from the tomb, President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite is marked by the Eternal Flame lit by Jacqueline Kennedy at his funeral in 1963. Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy are buried nearby on the same hillside. It is the cemetery’s second-most-visited site, and the flame — visible day and night — is one of the most moving simple memorials in Washington.

Arlington House

At the top of the hill stands Arlington House, the former estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee — the Union Army seized the grounds during the Civil War and began burying soldiers here in 1864, which is how the cemetery was born. The house’s portico frames the best view in the area: the entire National Mall laid out across the river, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. Even if historic houses aren’t your thing, walk up for the view.

A two-hour walking route

Arlington is 639 acres and hilly — don’t try to see it all on foot. This route hits the essentials in about two hours:

1. Visitor Center (start) — pick up the map, use the restrooms. This is also where you’ll clear security.
2. JFK gravesite & Eternal Flame — 10-minute uphill walk. Allow 15 minutes.
3. Arlington House — continue uphill for the house and the Mall view. Allow 20 minutes.
4. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier — time your arrival for a Changing of the Guard. Allow 30 minutes.
5. Memorial Amphitheater — right beside the tomb; peek inside if it’s open.
6. Walk back via the Nurses Memorial and the Space Shuttle Challenger memorial on your way down.

Note the hills: this route climbs steadily. Visitors with limited mobility should consider the cemetery’s narrated tram tour, which loops the major sites.

Getting there: Metro is the way

Take the Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery station — the entrance is right across from the platform, about ten minutes from Metro Center. Driving is possible but the on-site garage fills on busy days, and you’ll still walk just as much.

• Admission is free. No tickets, no reservations for general visits.
• Bring photo ID if you’re 18 or older — everyone passes through security screening at the entrance.
• Hours: 8 AM–7 PM April through September; 8 AM–5 PM October through March. Open every day of the year.
• Large backpacks, coolers, and weapons are prohibited; small bags and cameras are fine.

Etiquette: this is an active cemetery

Arlington hosts around 30 funerals every weekday. The rules are simple and strictly enforced:

• Silence at the Tomb plaza. No talking, cheering, or clapping — ever. Stand during the ceremony unless you physically cannot.
• Stay on paths and grass edges; never sit or step on headstones, and don’t picnic anywhere on the grounds.
• Dress respectfully — you don’t need formal wear, but beachwear reads wrong here.
• Photography is allowed for personal use, but keep it discreet and never pose on memorials.
• If a funeral procession passes, stop, stand aside, and wait quietly.

Pair it with the memorials across the river

Arlington pairs naturally with the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial — cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge on foot (about 15 minutes from the cemetery entrance to the Lincoln Memorial) and you’ve linked the nation’s grief and its ideals in a single walk. The Marine Corps War Memorial (the Iwo Jima statue) stands just north of the cemetery in Arlington Ridge Park and is worth the short detour.

The Memorial Amphitheater

The gleaming white Memorial Amphitheater wraps around the Tomb plaza, and it’s worth a few minutes on its own. Built in 1920, its marble colonnade hosts the national Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, and the small chapel beneath it — with its stunning stained-glass “Valor” window — is open when ceremonies aren’t in session. If you visit on Easter morning, the traditional sunrise service here draws thousands; arrive very early.

What to bring (and what to leave)

Arlington is an outdoor, uphill, multi-hour visit — pack for it:

• Comfortable walking shoes. The route above is about two miles with real elevation gain. This is not a heels-or-flip-flops situation.
• Water and sun protection. Shade is patchy on the hillsides, and summer ceremonies mean standing in the sun. There are water fountains near the Visitor Center and the Tomb.
• A portable phone charger. You’ll use your phone for the ANC Explorer grave-locator app, photos, and maps.
• Leave the big bag behind. Large backpacks won’t clear security; bring only what fits in a small daypack or purse.
• Layers in winter. The hilltop is exposed and windy from November through March — the guard changes hourly then, so you may wait longer between ceremonies.

Beyond the highlights: notable graves and memorials

Once you’ve seen the big three, the cemetery rewards wandering — every section tells a story:

• President William Howard Taft — the only other president buried at Arlington, in Section 30.
• Audie Murphy — America’s most decorated WWII soldier, whose simple headstone in Section 46 is among the most visited in the cemetery.
• The Space Shuttle Challenger memorial — honoring the seven astronauts lost in 1986.
• The Nurses Memorial and the Argonne Cross — quiet, powerful tributes along the walking route back down the hill.
• Section 60 — the active burial section for recent Iraq and Afghanistan fallen, where visitors leave coins, letters, and mementos on headstones.

The cemetery’s free ANC Explorer app maps every gravesite by name — worth downloading before you go if you’re visiting a specific grave.

Special events through the year

Two annual events transform the cemetery. On Memorial Day, the president or vice president traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and small American flags are placed at every gravesite — an unforgettable sight, but expect the year’s biggest crowds and tightest security. In mid-December, Wreaths Across America places a wreath on every headstone, turning the hillsides green and red; volunteering to lay wreaths is open to the public and deeply moving. Both events are free to attend.

Arlington National Cemetery FAQs

Is Arlington National Cemetery free to visit?

Yes — general admission to Arlington National Cemetery is completely free and no tickets or reservations are needed. You only pay if you take the optional narrated tram tour or park in the on-site garage.

When does the Changing of the Guard happen?

Every 30 minutes (on the hour and half hour) from April 1 through September 30, and every hour on the hour from October 1 through March 31. The tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day since 1937. Arrive at the plaza at least 15 minutes early for a good viewing spot.

How long should I spend at Arlington National Cemetery?

Two to three hours covers the highlights: the Changing of the Guard, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the JFK gravesite and Eternal Flame, and Arlington House with its view of the Mall. The full grounds are 639 acres and hilly, so don’t try to walk everything.

How do I get to Arlington National Cemetery by Metro?

Take the Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery station — the cemetery entrance is directly across from the platform, about 10 minutes from Metro Center. Everyone 18 and older needs photo ID for the security screening at the entrance.

Can you take photos at Arlington National Cemetery?

Yes, personal photography is allowed, but keep it discreet: never sit or pose on headstones or memorials, stay silent at the Tomb plaza, and always yield to funeral processions.

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