Historic Cemetery Tour: 13 Sites, 35,000 Stories

Explore 13 historic cemeteries with expert historians, uncovering 35,000+ stories from the Revolutionary War to modern times. Discover America’s past today.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Wilkes Street Cemetery Complex - Historic cemetery complex established 1796, containing 13 distinct cemeteries with over 35,000 burials spanning Revolutionary War to modern era. America’s most concentrated collection of historic burial grounds.
What's Included
  • Small group experience
  • 90-minute cemetery tour
  • Expert Local Knowledge
  • Professional historian guide
  • Access to 13 Historic Cemeteries
  • Free Parking Available
  • Photo Opportunities
What's Not Included
  • Transportation to meeting point
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks (please bring your own water bottle)
Additional Information

Under the leadership of public historian and cemetery superintendent David Heiby, this exclusive tour offers unique access to a 13-cemetery complex. Within this single square mile, visitors will find the resting places of George Washington’s pallbearers, a Soviet spy, and the highest-ranking Confederate general. This tour is not about reciting scripts;…

Location
Wilkes Street & Hamilton Avenue
Your guide will wear Gravestone Stories-branded clothing and name tag. Meet at Wilkes Street & Hamilton Avenue intersection near Methodist Protestant Cemetery entrance.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(20 Ratings)
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Noidk
Jan 3, 2026
Amazing Walk Through History with an Exceptional Historian - What a fantastic experience!! As lovers of history, we hit the jackpot when we booked this tour. Our tour guide, David Heiby, is a noted historian, and an authority on American history from the colonial era through the 19th century. He is truly a force of nature! After booking the tour, he sent us precise directions on where to meet him before taking us on one of the most fascinating historical tours we have ever enjoyed. David is incredibly bright, very welcoming, and a polished speaker who really took his time to answer all questions patiently. He also has a great sense of humor, and truly enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge with others. As we went from one area to the next, David vividly brought so many American historical events back to life. We especially enjoyed learning about the cemetery’s tie to Fort Myers, Florida, the meaning of the marker inscription, USCT, and about Alexandria’s famous, “female stranger.” We highly, highly, recommend booking this tour. David’s in-depth level of knowledge, combined with his keen intellect, and passion for American history, makes it a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Thank you David!! We hope to come back again soon and wish you continued success in 2026.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracey_n
Dec 17, 2025
Best tour ever! - Fantastic tour. Our guide knew his history inside and out. Very impressive knowledge and supporting documents to share. All stories were very interesting and very noteworthy subjects. So happy I booked this for us to do. We had such a good time and learned so much!
Review provided by Viator
Sherri_p
Nov 21, 2025
Our guide was very... - Our guide was very knowledgeable. He gave a very interesting tour. We learned a lot about local history
Review provided by Viator
Dlbennsky
Nov 13, 2025
An amazing walk through history! - An amazing trip through Alexandria's history and America's History, even quite a few side journeys to world history! Dave's knowledge of history is surpassed only by his enthusiasm. As we walked through the cemetery, Dave told stories and made connections between different times and different people in history and then why they would be buried in Alexandria. HIGHLY recommend whether you are a seasoned history buff or just dabbling. Great tour! Thanks Dave, we will be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dana_b
Nov 13, 2025
An amazing walk through history! - An amazing trip through Alexandria's history and America's History, even quite a few side journeys to world history! Dave's knowledge of history is surpassed only by his enthusiasm. As we walked through the cemetery, Dave told stories and made connections between different times and different people in history and then why they would be buried in Alexandria. HIGHLY recommend whether you are a seasoned history buff or just dabbling. Great tour! Thanks Dave, we will be back!
Review provided by Viator
Christine_s
Nov 13, 2025
Amazing historical experience - I highly recommend this tour through Alexandria’s graveyard complex. David was extremely knowledgeable and a great tour guide who clearly cares about the history of Alexandria as well as the people, both living and those buried there. The time flew by—I’d do this tour again.
Review provided by Viator
Judith_b
Oct 31, 2025
Perfect choice for Halloween 🎃 - Fascinating tour through United States history told through the graves. David was extremely knowledgeable and told wonderful stories to bring history to life. A gem and a wonderful spot to enjoy a perfect autumn afternoon.
Review provided by Viator
Christopher_t
Aug 15, 2025
Great tour! - You’ll learn tons, and Dave is energetic and has a sense of humor. History is written in those gravestones.
Review provided by Viator
Jameswi3905cm
Aug 15, 2025
Highly illuminating cemetery tour in Alexandria - Alexandria residents, you need to take advantage of this outstanding tour right in your backyard. You will learn a lot of local history. David Heiby has done a remarkable job of research that connects this cemetery complex to a wide swath of history from colonial times to the Civil War. The walk was pleasant and highly informative. I'm glad I got out of the house and explored these cemeteries right across the street from me. Here's a challenge for you: try to find all 13 cemeteries. It took me three walks to find them all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Walter_d
Aug 15, 2025
Journey through time - David Heiby effectively revives the spirits interred within this cemetery, ensuring that they reside in perfect harmony in death, a stark contrast to the discord they experienced during life.
Review provided by Viator
From $30
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).