For veterans, military families, and anyone who wants to honor the country’s armed services, this tour covers the most significant memorial sites in the Washington DC area. The route crosses from the National Mall into Virginia, visiting Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and the Pentagon Memorial alongside the Mall war memorials. The day is structured around the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. This is a custom, self-paced private tour, so the order below is a starting point: you can add a stop, drop one, or hold longer at Arlington and we reshape the rest. You can also build your own DC tour around the sites that matter most to your group.
Why a chauffeured tour for the military memorials
The Mall memorials and the Virginia memorials are on opposite sides of the Potomac. Driving between them takes about 20 minutes and requires crossing Memorial Bridge or the 14th Street Bridge. Parking at Arlington is a separate fee and a walk from the entrance. The Pentagon Memorial has no public parking. A private chauffeur handles all of this: you focus on the sites and the chauffeur handles the transitions.
The tour can be done in 4 hours if you keep most stops to drive-by plus photo time. Add Arlington inside (Tomb, JFK gravesite) and you need 5 to 6 hours. We time the route around the Changing of the Guard so the Arlington portion arrives just before the ceremony.
A couple or a small family rides in an executive SUV (seats up to 6). Veterans’ reunion groups, school groups, and corporate delegations take a chauffeured Sprinter van (up to 13), which keeps everyone together through the bridge crossings and the cemetery stops. We size the vehicle to your group when you book.
Tour route (suggested order)
National Mall memorials (first hour)
The WWII Memorial is a natural starting point, right at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool. The granite pillars represent each state and territory, with the Rainbow Pool and the Freedom Wall at the center. From there, it’s a short walk to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the black granite wall inscribed with 58,318 names. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is directly across the reflecting pool, with 19 stainless steel infantry figures patrolling through a field.
Crossing to Virginia via Memorial Bridge
Memorial Bridge connects the Lincoln Memorial to the gates of Arlington National Cemetery. The drive over the bridge is part of the experience: the Mall unfolds behind you and the cemetery gates appear directly ahead.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington spans more than 600 acres in Arlington, Virginia, and holds more than 400,000 graves. Most visitors spend time at three places: the Tomb of the Unknowns, the JFK Gravesite, and the Arlington House (Robert E. Lee’s former home). The Tomb of the Unknowns ceremony runs every 30 minutes in summer (April to September) and on the hour in winter (October to March). It takes about 20 minutes and is one of the most precisely executed military ceremonies in the country. The chauffeur times the route to arrive about 10 minutes before the guard change. The cemetery itself opens at 8 a.m. daily; confirm current hours and any ceremony changes on the Arlington National Cemetery site before you travel.
The JFK Gravesite, with the Eternal Flame, is a short walk from the Tomb. Gravesites for Robert Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy are nearby.
USMC War Memorial (Iwo Jima)
The Marine Corps War Memorial sits in a small park on the Arlington side, just outside the cemetery’s main gate. The bronze sculpture depicts the six Marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima (February 1945). It’s free to visit and open 24 hours. At night, it’s illuminated and photographs dramatically against the DC skyline.
Air Force Memorial
Three stainless steel spires rise 200, 270, and 270 feet beside the Pentagon on Columbia Pike. The memorial opened in 2006 and honors the 54,000 members of the Air Force killed in action. It’s a quick stop: the view of the Pentagon and downtown DC from the terrace is worth the 10-minute pause.
Pentagon Memorial
The Pentagon Memorial on Route 27 honors the 184 people killed in the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon. The memorial consists of 184 illuminated benches, each oriented toward either the Pentagon or toward the sky based on where each person died. It is open 24 hours and free. Public parking is not available; the chauffeur drops you at the entrance and waits.
What to wear and bring
Arlington requires significant walking. Wear comfortable shoes. The Pentagon Memorial has accessible paved paths. Most outdoor memorials are accessible by wheelchair or mobility aid, but Arlington’s terrain has grades. Tell us at booking if anyone in the group needs mobility accommodations.
Water is provided in the vehicle. The tour covers about 15 miles of driving and 1 to 2 miles of walking depending on how long you stay at Arlington.
Common questions about the armed services memorial tour
When is the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns? Every 30 minutes in summer (April to September), every hour in winter (October to March). The ceremony lasts about 20 minutes. The chauffeur times the route to arrive just before.
Can I request a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns? Yes, through the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). It requires a request at least 2 weeks in advance, sometimes longer for groups. We can tell you who to contact; the arrangement is handled directly with the Army.
Do we go inside Arlington? The tour includes a walk to the Tomb of the Unknowns and the JFK Gravesite. The Arlington House and Women in Military Service Memorial are optional add-ons if you want more time.
Is the Pentagon accessible by tour groups? The Pentagon interior requires advance coordination with DoD and is not part of a standard tour. The Pentagon Memorial on the grounds is open to the public.
Can I extend this tour to add the National Mall monuments? Yes. This memorial tour is a curated military route, not the general sightseeing circuit. The standard 4 to 5 hour version covers the Mall war memorials plus all Virginia sites. Add an hour to take in the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the Capitol. If you want the broad city tour instead, the Welcome to DC full-day tour already routes through Arlington, the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial alongside every major monument.
Pricing
Starting at $380 for a 3-hour private tour in the Town Car (up to 3 guests). The Executive SUV is $420 for 3 hours or $480 for 4 hours (up to 6); the full 4-to-5-hour route with Arlington runs longer at the vehicle’s hourly rate. Larger groups ride in a chauffeured Sprinter van (up to 13); we quote that rate by group size when you book. Arlington Cemetery charges a parking fee if you drive yourself; that fee does not apply when you arrive by chauffeur. Want a guide walking the group through each stop? Add a dedicated tour guide for $250 for the first 4 hours, then $62.50 per hour, confirmed by phone or email. Book online or call (202) 609-9811.
Related private DC tour packages
The general sightseeing tour is a separate route. If you want the monuments and the military sites in one outing, the Welcome to DC full-day tour covers Arlington, Iwo Jima, and the Air Force Memorial along with the rest of the city. This memorial tour pairs well with the African American Heritage Tour on a second day, since there is almost no route overlap. For a closer look at the Mall monuments alone, see the DC Monuments Tour. Browse the full DC tour packages hub.
Book this private DC tour
Call (202) 609-9811 or book online. Dispatchers answer 24/7. We’ll time the route around the Changing of the Guard and plan vehicle size around your group.
