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    Green-Wood Cemetery

    4.7 (222 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Deborah W.

    A group of us went to this cemetery in Brooklyn. It's not your typical cemetery as most of us would view it. It's more like an arboretum with beautiful trees, flowers, sculptures and famous people buried there. We had a guided tour about 2 hours. Our guide was very knowledgeable and fun. It was not depressing at all, but very upbeat and super interesting. The pictures will tell a beautiful story. There is no cost to go in unless u go with a group and want a tour guide

    Marie S.

    Historic, peaceful and a little creepy - it's a cemetery after all. Other reviewers have already described it in great detail. The gothic revival style gates and the chapel are NYC landmarks. * Photos are allowed for personal use, social media is encouraged; editorial & commercial use requires written permission. * The main gate has a brochure and maps available- you can ask for one - so you don't get lost. Cars are allowed. There's also an expert-led trolley tour - tickets were around 30$ last time I checked. *The Nightfall evening of art and performances is popular, the website says it sells out quickly; it's held in mid- October this year.

    Karina R.

    Established in 1848, this serene and historic cemetery is a place of remarkable beauty and quiet reflection. It is the final resting place of over 600,000 people, including notable figures such as Leonard Bernstein and Boss Tweed. The grounds are peaceful and expansive, inviting visitors to wander among striking architecture and thoughtfully maintained landscapes. It is also a certified arboretum, adding to its natural beauty. The terrain is quite hilly, and without a map it's easy to lose your bearings. There is one main entrance and three additional entrances. I entered through the Sunset Parkway entrance. Maps are available at the main entrance and are highly recommended. Very highly recommended.

    October 17, 2025; Night Fall.
    Matteo R.

    I've come to Green-Wood Cemetery a few times throughout the years, and calling it a cemetery doesn't do it justice. Part sculpture garden, part history museum, and part nature sanctuary, all spread across nearly 500 acres of rolling hills right in the middle of Brooklyn, this is one of most astonishing public space I've ever seen. The Gothic Revival arches by Richard Upjohn at the main entrance on 25th Street are, quite literally, breathtaking, and set the tone perfectly for what's inside--this mix of art, architecture, and quiet beauty everywhere you look. The landscape itself is stunning: winding paths shaded by century-old trees[1], peaceful ponds, and views that make you forget you're still in New York City. But what really makes Green-Wood special are the monuments and mausoleums scattered across the grounds. It's like walking through an open-air museum of 19th-century architecture. Grand Gothic tombs, neoclassical temples, Egyptian-inspired crypts, designed by some of the most talented architects of their time--Upjohn, Minard Lafever, Warren & Wetmore, and more. A few that really stood out to me: the Steinway family's elegant classical mausoleum, the dramatic Gothic one built for William Niblo, and the Lispenard family's Norman-style monument. There's also a haunting memorial to the SS Arctic disaster, featuring a half-sunken ship carved in stone. And at the top of Battle Hill, you'll find the towering Civil War Soldiers' Monument, surrounded by incredible views of the city. William Beard's grave[2], with a bear saddling the tombstone, is another notable one. What's moving is the range of people buried here. There are big names--Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Samuel Morse, Boss Tweed--but also countless ordinary New Yorkers with stories you'll never forget[3]. If you're into American history, there's a lot for you at Green-Wood. Battle Hill was actually a key site in the Revolutionary War's Battle of Long Island, and throughout the cemetery you'll come across graves of generals, inventors, artists, and other notable figures in American history. I also love how Green-Wood isn't just a place of remembrance--it's become part of Brooklyn's cultural life. They host tours, concerts, art installations, and community events[4] that make it feel alive and connected to the city in a really meaningful way. If you've never been, set aside a few hours and go. Bring comfortable shoes, take your time, and just wander. Whether you're into history, architecture, art, or simply want a peaceful escape, Green-Wood is one of the most beautiful, unexpected places in New York. ------------------------ [1] The weeping beech tunnel, just to mention one. [2] https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/william-beards-grave [3] Such as Charlotte Canda's Gothic memorial, built for her after she died at just 17. [4] Into the Veil a few years back: https://www.green-wood.com/event/into-the-veil-2017/2017-10-13/ And more recently Nightfall: https://www.green-wood.com/event/nightfall-2/2025-10-16/

    Minerva and the Altar to Liberty, she faces the Statue of Liberty
    Fawn G.

    Can a cemetery be a cool learning experience? Yes, when we honor the dead and learn more about them, what contributions they made. "Greenwood Cemetery brings people closer to the world as it is and was, by memorializing the dead and bringing to life the art, history and natural beauty of NYC". "Founded in 1838 and now a National Historic Landmark, Green-Wood was one of the first rural cemeteries in America. By the early 1860s, it had earned an international reputation for its magnificent beauty and became the prestigious place to be buried, attracting 500,000 visitors a year, second only to Niagara Falls as the nation's greatest tourist attraction. Crowds flocked there to enjoy family outings, carriage rides, and sculpture viewing in the finest of first generation American landscapes. Green-Wood's popularity helped inspire the creation of public parks, including New York's Central and Prospect Parks". I didn't know much about Greenwood before taking a free ninety minute tour sponsored by Brooklyn City Council. As the tour started, I was mesmerized by the Gothic Arch entrance and the extraordinary landscape and soon to learn history of this beautiful landmark. Here's a few notable findings: 1. 8000 trees stand tall throughout this cemetery, thus, in 2015 it's accredited as an arboretum 2. Famous artists are buried here such as Leonard Bernstein, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Jean- Michel Basquiat, Boss Tweed and several members of Theodore Roosevelt family 3. The Historic Chapel, inspired by the chapel in Oxford, England, has been extensively restored. I could only see the beautiful stained glass windows from afar as there was a funeral service taking place inside 4. The first burials at Greenwood took place in 1840 5. In 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opens and now people who live in Manhattan can cross bridge to get to cemetery 6. On Meadows Avenue, 150,000 graves rest here 7. A dog has her own plot! Elias Howe Jr. ,inventor of the sewing machine, buried his dog Fannie at Greenwood and the poem " Ode to a Dog" is written on her tombstone 8. The cemetery spans 478 acres, it is huge 9. The cemetery was a key site in the Battle of Brooklyn, "the area known as Battle Hill within the cemetery was a strategic point during the battle, and the conflict is commemorated with a statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, who faces the Statue of Liberty across the harbor. " 10. The history and the stories! "The girl who died in a horse-related accident in Green-Wood Cemetery is Charlotte Canda. She was thrown from a carriage on her 17th birthday when the horses bolted. She died shortly after the accident, in her parents' arms. Her elaborate monument, designed by her father based on her own design for her aunt's tomb, is a prominent feature in the cemetery. " Her monument is not to be missed. There are free tours to this beautiful and historic landmark; take advantage of exploring some of Brooklyn's history. I need to go back, probably a few times, due to one visit not enough to capture the momentum of this place There are 4 different entrances to enter cemetery: Sunset Park, Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton, and 25th and 5th Avenue. Check Cemetery website for more info on transportation for each entrance.

    Stacy C.

    I've always wanted to do one of the tours here but never got around to it. I wanted to see the architecture at the main entrance so we drove up the hill and admired iy from the car. As we were about to leave the guard came to the window and handed us a map and told us just make sure to drive slowly and watch out for the sharp turns. He noticed my puzzled look and asked if we weren't planning on coming in. I had no idea driving throughout the grounds were allowed so of course we hopped on the opportunity. I'm so glad we fot a chance to explore by car. Walking through would have been quite exhausting. It's hilly and I think best in cooler temps if on foot. It's so intriguing though. We kept saying we'd exit at the next turn but the grounds are so beautiful we kept driving. It was nearing sunset and the sky was bursting with sunlit splendor. I feel a little weird glorifying this as a must-visit site , after all, people are in their final resting place. However if you can be respectful and love botanical gardens, statues, architecture, graveyards that aren't eerie you will definitely love the peaceful walk or drive here. There are very famous people buried here and I love that the map gives you some insight on each person's (famous/notable) story. We didn't go searching for those graves . It was jarring to see our family name ( no relation) on a giant gravestone towering more than 9 feet . We took this as an indication to leave lol.

    Art, music and poetry
    Genie M.

    Always thought cemeteries were places of death and gloom. But this cemetery is beautiful and clean and welcoming. They sell wine. There was music, art and poetry, to honor Jean Michel Basquiat. It was a great event. They have many evening events. They have trolley rides. They give tours. The bathrooms are spotless. The staff are all friendly, not creepy, like in the movies. Great time was had here. Can't wait to return.

    Michael M.

    Always awkward to review a cemetery. Knowing the reason you are here. Must say it is a beautiful place. Well maintained. In middle of Brooklyn it is tranquil. All the workers are attentive and professional. Also a very historical place either many famous interned here.

    Montage of images from Green-Wood Cemetery
    Ed U.

    I see dead people. OK, maybe not dead people but a whole lotta tombstones. It's 478 acres so surely it must be one of the country's largest cemeteries. Not that I'm a size queen... or a necrophiliac for that matter. However, it is a bit odd how Jamie W. and I have recently visited cemeteries of note like Hollywood Forever (review: https://bit.ly/3oKg5v7) and Westwood Village (review: https://bit.ly/3nuSsHA). Walking in here was quite unplanned as we were making our way from Industry City to Prospect Park. We were taken in by the elaborate Gothic Revival entrance gate (photo). Reading my iPhone as we walked, I discovered it was founded in 1838 and that it was considered Brooklyn's first public park and the model for both Central and nearby Prospect Park. As with cemeteries of this scale, there are notable burials here like Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and the Wizard of Oz himself, Frank Morgan. We went over to see Bernstein's memorial bench but not much more since the grounds went on and on. So if you're organizing your own Great Cemeteries tour, consider including this one in Park Slope. You're welcome. RELATED - Exploring Brooklyn? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2V51pX7

    Brandon B.

    As a tourist I was always stuck in Manhattan but I tried expanding last trip. This was truly the highlight! Such a massive cemetery, piled high with history, famous bodies, wildlife, greenery, and immaculate tributes to the dead, as well as a famous US history site. I didn't learn of the parrots until later that day. I wish we could ride bikes inside since it's so huge we got exhausted just seeing 25% of it, there was a tour from someone in a cart that paralleled what we were doing, which might have been a good option as well. You could easily spend days here learning history and soaking up the ambiance and exploring every nook. Keep in mind that the buinesses down the street dont' have public bathrooms and will tell you to go back to the cemetery.

    Talitha C.

    Greenwood is a very beautiful, well kept cemetery. We were visiting NY and I wanted to see where the beloved Basquiat was resting his head. It was nice to see that he was in such a beautiful place. I found it to be a very serene place.

    The Mafia Bride
    R. W.

    We took the Trolly tour. So much fun and educational. Don't hesitate. After the tour spend the day walking many famous graves.

    Look up! What are these green birds up there? So pretty!
    Jen K.

    What a cool part of my visit - Green-Wood Cemetery! We walked through the cemetery on our way to brunch. There's not a ton of people doing what we were doing, but it also wasn't deadsville (pun intended). Old monuments, ornate gravestones, gothic entrance - there's a story around every corner! If you haven't walked through, do yourself a favor and take a stroll through. There's benches to sit and trails to follow. Grab a coffee and take in this gem in Brooklyn when the weather is sunny

    I really wanted to see the tombstone of someone born in the 1600/1700s -- one of the few I found from the 1700s was Timothy Baxter

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    Very professional and patient with me at my time of need. Thank you. I was very satisfied with the niche.They provided for me and my family.

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    Leonard Bernstein's grave is just behind Minerva, off of the path by an understated stone bench.

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