Making the Most of Your Tour Experience
Discover essential tips for planning your visit to our award-winning Alexandria cemetery tours. As you prepare to book your experience, we want to ensure you have all the key details needed to make the most of your time with us. Below, you’ll find information on what to expect during these top-ranked historical walking tours, which are unanimously praised as a premier local experience.
Our knowledgeable guides, David Heiby, and Catherine Weinraub, are dedicated to bringing Alexandria’s history to life. You can meet them below and learn more about their incredible walking tours. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions as you plan your visit – we’re here to help you have an unforgettable experience exploring the city’s fascinating cemeteries and landmarks.
Planning Your Visit
Tour Lengths and Distance:
- Tours typically last 1.5-2 hours
- It covers approximately 1-1.5 miles of walking distance.
Tour Terrain:
- Mostly flat pathways with some gentle hills
- Comfortable shoes are recommended
Tour Pricing:
- Tickets are $20 per adult. (Please note that some credit card processing systems may add additional fees to the ticket price).
- Discounted youth (under 18) and group rates (15+ people) are available
Restrooms:
- There are NO restrooms within Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Please plan accordingly and use facilities beforehand.
- Nearby restrooms are located 0.5 miles away at Whole Foods or 1 mile away at Balducci’s Grocery.
Weather:
- Tours go on rain or shine
- Dress appropriately for the forecasted weather with layers, a rain jacket, etc.
What to Bring:
- Valid ID
- Payment method
- Camera
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone
Arrival:
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early to allow time for a restroom break, purchase tickets if needed, and get settled before the tour starts.
Tour Guidance:
- Experienced guides lead tours, sharing in-depth history and stories. See their bios below.
- Groups capped at 30 participants.
Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex Tours:
Tour Meeting Location:
1475-1501 Wilkes St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex tours start and end at the intersection of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue (see map below).
Driving Directions:
Enter the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex at 1300 Wilkes Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Park near the intersection of Wilkes Street and Hamilton Avenue. Tours begin at the designated meeting spot.
Ample parking is available within the complex near the meeting point.
Walking Directions:
Option 1: From Old Town to tunnel at Lee St Park. Follow Wilkes St 1 mile west.
Option 2: From Eisenhower Valley along Holland Ln and Jamieson Ave. Cross Hooff’s Run bridge to the pedestrian gate that takes you inside the Alexandria National Cemetery at 1450 Wilkes St.
By Trolley:
Take the free King Street Trolley to the King St & West St stop.
From this stop:
- Walk one block west to Payne St.
- Turn right onto Payne St. and walk four blocks south.
This will bring you to the entrance of the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex. Continue to Hamilton Avenue and Wilkes Street.
Ivy Hill Tours
Tour Meeting Location
2823 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 (see map below).
Driving:
Upon entering the cemetery, take a left and choose a parking spot along either of the two roads. After parking, go to the Firemen’s Monument opposite the house.
Public Transportation:
Using the Metro, disembark at the King Street station. The cemetery is a mile north up King Street from the Metro Station and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
Meet Your Guides
David Heiby – Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex
David Heiby, a Board Member of the Alexandria Historical Society and Lee-Fendall House Museum serves as Superintendent of the Presbyterian Cemetery in the Wilkes Street Complex. With a long-standing, multigenerational connection to the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, Alexandria’s historic Presbyterian congregation dating back to 1772, David draws on his extensive knowledge of regional history to provide insightful tours showcasing Alexandria’s heritage. His expertise includes the Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex, Antietam Battlefield, South Mountain Battlefields, Harpers Ferry, and the route of Lincoln’s assassination conspirators. David also provides insightful tours at the storied Old Presbyterian Meeting House, sharing secrets and stories from the region’s rich history.
Catherine Weinraub – Ivy Hill Cemetery
Catherine Weinraub, a Northern Virginia native and devoted historian, brings Alexandria’s past to life through her captivating storytelling. With experience at the Office of Historic Alexandria, Mount Vernon, and Arlington House, she shares her expertise as the Historian for the Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society and Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association. Catherine’s engaging tours through Ivy Hill Cemetery showcase her knowledge of the city’s history, including the impact of devastating 19th-century fires.
Contact Us
For questions, group bookings, discounts, or cancellations:
- Email: dave@gravestonestories.com
- Text: (703) 869-0872
- Or use the Contact Us Form below.
