Walking Tour: Coast Guard

The history of the Coast Guard is that of survival: the survival of the service and the survival of the individuals it was created to save. On this tour, you’ll be introduced to commandants who led the Coast Guard through tremendous change, visionaries who changed how the Coast Guard performed its duties, and everyday people who risked their lives to save the lives of others.
  • Length: 4 miles
  • Starting point: Section 3 (0.94 miles from Welcome Center)
  • Exertion Level: Moderate

Walking Tour: Air Force

Since 1947, the Air Force has developed and used advances in aerial warfare to defend the United States from threats in air, space, and cyberspace. This focus on progress and innovation has attracted many trailblazers. On this walking tour, you’ll meet individuals who made daring decisions in battle, pressed the limits of their field, and expanded the capabilities of the Air Force.
  • Length: 3 miles
  • Starting point: Section 2 (0.3 miles from Welcome Center)
  • Exertion Level: Moderate

Walking Tour: Army

The Army is the oldest and largest service branch in the U.S. military, tracing its roots to the Continental Army established in 1775. Throughout its history, the U.S. Army has continually risen to meet the ever-changing needs of an expanding and diverse nation. This tour features individuals from throughout the Army’s history who exemplify this diversity and change, from enlisted soldiers to five-star officers.
  • Length: 5 miles
  • Starting point: Section 27 (0.5 miles from Welcome Center)
  • Exertion Level: High

Walking Tours: World War II

These six walking tours share some of the diverse experiences and individual stories of those who fought abroad or worked on the home front during World War II. The main walking tour includes stops across the entire cemetery, while the four cluster tours only include stops in one of the four main sections of the cemetery. The school tour is an abridged version of the main tour.

Memorial Arboretum: Seasonal Guides

Whether visiting in the spring, summer, fall or winter, there is always something to see in Arlington National Cemetery's Memorial Arboretum. Download our seasonal guides for recommendations on horticulture highlights for each season.
 

Walking Tour: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the gravesites of individuals related to the Tomb's history.
On November 11, 1921, an unknown American soldier who died in World War I was laid to rest at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On this walking tour, you will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the gravesites of several individuals who took part in the Unknown’s 1921 burial ceremony. You will also explore other sites in the cemetery that invite reflection on the sacrifices of those who gave not only their lives, but also their names and identities in the service of the United States.
  • Length: 2 miles
  • Starting point: Section 5 (.3 miles from Welcome Center)

Walking Tour: The Spanish-American War

Arlington National Cemetery contains more monuments and burial sites related to the Spanish-American War than any other location in the continental United States.
Learn about the historical significance of the Spanish-American War by visiting the gravesites of individuals who played prominent roles in it, as well as the USS Maine Memorial, the Spanish-American War Memorial and other monuments.
  • Length: 1.2 miles
  • Starting point: Section 24 (1 mile from Welcome Center)

Walking Tour: Segregation and Civil Rights

Explore Arlington’s past as a plantation, learn about the Freedman's Village built on this property during the Civil War, and meet some trailblazers of the civil rights movement.
The history of African Americans at Arlington National Cemetery parallels and reflects the history of African Americans in the United States. This walking tour includes sites related to slavery, Reconstruction, segregation, the civil rights movement, and the continuing contributions of African Americans to the U.S. military and society.
  • Length: 5 miles
  • Starting point: Section 36 (0.2 miles from Welcome Center)
  • Because this walking tour is quite long, we recommend completing it in smaller sections.

Walking Tour: African American Firsts

This walking tour celebrates African American men and women buried at Arlington National Cemetery who were first in their fields.
Meet the first African American four-star general, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, the first boxer to appear on a U.S. postage stamp and many other pioneers. 
  • Length: 5 miles
  • Starting point: Section 33 (0.5 miles from Welcome Center)
  • Because this walking tour is quite long, we recommend completing it in smaller sections.

Walking Tour: African American Military Heroes

Learn about the lives of Tuskegee Airmen, members of the 369th Infantry Infantry Regiment (the “Harlem Hellfighters”), Medal of Honor recipients and more. 
Throughout U.S. history, African Americans have fought bravely for the United States and distinguished themselves in combat. This walking tour includes gravesites and memorials that honor the service of these heroic individuals. 
  • Length: 5 miles
  • Starting point: Section 40 (0.4 miles from Welcome Center)
  • Because this walking tour is quite long, we recommend completing it in smaller sections.