Everything you need to know about joining our historian-led tours of Alexandria’s most significant historic sites
Choose Your Historical Experience
We offer multiple types of historical tours, each with different logistics and requirements. Select the type that interests you most:
Cemetery Tours
- Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex (America’s Most Historic Cemetery Complex)
- Ivy Hill Cemetery (Victorian Elegance)
- Old Presbyterian Meeting House (Revolutionary War Patriots)
Battlefield & Investigation Tours
- Civil War Battlefields (Antietam, South Mountain, Harpers Ferry)
- Lincoln Assassination Trail (12-day manhunt route)
Cemetery Tours – Essential Information
Tour Details
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Distance: 1-1.5 miles walking
- Terrain: Mostly flat with gentle hills
- Group Size: Varies by tour type
- Restrooms: Not available within cemetery grounds
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Camera or phone for photos
- Weather-appropriate clothing
Weather Policy
Tours proceed in light rain or mild weather. Tours may be rescheduled for:
- Thunderstorms or lightning
- Extreme heat warnings
- Snow or icy conditions
- Other unsafe weather conditions
We’ll contact you promptly if rescheduling is necessary.
Children & Accessibility
- Children: Welcome on all tours
- Strollers: Not recommended due to uneven terrain and narrow paths
- Service Animals: Permitted (certified service animals only)
- Pets: Not permitted for safety and respect of cemetery grounds
Old Presbyterian Meeting House Tour
Step inside one of Alexandria’s most sacred Revolutionary War sites—the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, still an active congregation after 250+ years. Led by David Heiby, lifelong member (60+ years) and working historian.
Duration: 60–75 minutes
Availability: Private groups by request (subject to church schedule)
Location: 323 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Exclusive Access
- Private sanctuary tour of the church rebuilt in 1837 after the 1835 fire
- Historic burial ground with Revolutionary War patriots
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution (1929)
- Stories of Dr. James Craik (Washington’s personal physician) and other founding fathers
How to Book
Meeting House & Burial Ground: Donation-based (no guide fee)
Suggested Group Donation: $350 per group (up to 10 people)
Donations go directly to the church. Contact us for availability and booking.
Pricing & Booking
Public Cemetery Tours
- Standard Rate: $30 per person
- Educational Groups: Complimentary tours available (advance arrangement required)
Private Tours
- Cemetery Tours: Starting at $300-400 per group
- Battlefield Tours: $500-1,450 depending on scope and transportation
- Custom Experiences: Contact for pricing
Credit card processing may include small additional fees
Group Discount & Minimum Guarantee Policy
Group discounts are based on confirmed attendance and apply only to groups of 10 or more participants booked in advance.
If actual attendance falls below the confirmed minimum, standard tour rates apply or a minimum charge equivalent to 10 participants may be assessed.
Final group size must be confirmed at least 48 hours before the tour date.
Meeting Locations & Directions
Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
Address: 1475-1501 Wilkes Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Meeting Point: Intersection of Wilkes Street & Hamilton Avenue
Getting There
By Car:
- Enter at 1300 Wilkes Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
- Park near Wilkes Street & Hamilton Avenue intersection
- Ample free parking available
Walking from Old Town:
- Walk west on Wilkes Street for 1 mile (start at Lee Street Park tunnel)
By King Street Trolley (Free):
- Take trolley to King St & West St stop
- Walk south on South West Street for two blocks
- Cross Roundhouse Lane, enter small park
- Continue to 1300 Wilkes Street entrance
- Walk one block west to Hamilton Avenue & Wilkes Street
From Eisenhower Valley:
- Take Holland Ln & Jamieson Ave, cross Hooff’s Run bridge
- Enter through pedestrian gate at 1450 Wilkes Street (Alexandria National Cemetery)
Ivy Hill Cemetery
Address: 2823 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302
Meeting Point: Firemen’s Monument (opposite the Victorian house)
Getting There
By Car:
- Enter cemetery, turn left and park along either road
- Walk to Firemen’s Monument after parking
By Metro:
- King Street Station, then 1 mile north on King Street
- Located near George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Battlefield & Investigation Tours
Tour Types Available
- Antietam Battlefield: America’s bloodiest single day
- South Mountain: Prelude to Antietam
- Harpers Ferry: John Brown’s raid and Civil War battles
- Lincoln Assassination Trail: Following Booth’s 12-day escape
Options
- Meet-on-Site: $500-650 per group (up to 10 people)
- With Transportation: $1,350-1,450 per group (up to 6 people, includes vehicle, snacks, water)
- Multi-Site Combinations: Available with pricing adjustments
What’s Included (Transportation Tours)
- Professional historian guide with 25+ years battlefield experience
- Transportation from Alexandria area
- Snacks and water
- All site entrance fees
- Detailed historical interpretation at each location
Booking & Contact Information
How to Book
- Public Cemetery Tours: Book directly through Viator
- Private Tours: Contact us directly for availability and custom arrangements
- Battlefield Tours: Email or call for scheduling and availability
Contact Methods
- Email: dave@gravestonestories.com
- Phone/Text: (703) 869-0872
- Response Time: Within 24 hours for all inquiries
Group Bookings
- Corporate and educational discounts available
- Custom itineraries for special interests
- Multi-day historical experiences possible
- Academic and genealogical research tours
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are tours suitable for children?
A: Yes, children are welcome. However, tours involve historical content that may be most engaging for ages 10+. Strollers are not recommended due to uneven cemetery terrain.
Q: What if it rains?
A: Light rain won’t stop us. Only severe weather conditions result in rescheduling.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: Public tours generally require 24-hour advance notice, though same-day bookings may be possible with at least two hours’ notice if space and scheduling permit. Same-day bookings, if available, are handled through our Tripadvisor ticketing platform. Private tours and battlefield expeditions require advance notice (typically 1–2 weeks minimum).
Q: Do you offer group discounts?
A: Educational groups may qualify for complimentary tours with advance arrangement. Other group arrangements are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What makes your tours different?
A: Our guides are working historians who made the discoveries personally through decades of primary source research. You’ll hear stories unavailable anywhere else, including recently rediscovered graves like George Washington’s lost pallbearer.
Q: Are the cemetery tours physically demanding?
A: Cemetery tours involve 1-1.5 miles of walking on mostly flat terrain with gentle hills. The ground can be uneven in places, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. We can adjust the pace for different fitness levels.
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Only certified service animals are permitted out of respect for cemetery grounds and other guests.
Need More Information?
Ready to Book? Visit our Tours Page or check availability on Viator – Wilkes Street or Viator – Ivy Hill
Have Questions? Use the contact form below or call (703) 869-0872
Want to Learn More? Browse our Interactive Maps, read Historical Blog Stories, or explore Notable Burials by Cemetery
