Green-Wood Cemetery is a 478-acre historic burial ground in Brooklyn, known for its rolling hills, old trees, ponds and elaborate monuments. The grounds offer a quiet walk through New York history, with graves of figures such as Leonard Bernstein and Boss Tweed among Victorian mausoleums and sculpture. Head to Battle Hill for a high viewpoint, and look for birds and other wildlife along the paths. Its size and hilly layout reward an unhurried visit, but a map will help you find your way.
A cemetery designed for walking
Green-Wood was established in 1838 as a rural cemetery, at a time when Manhattan was running short of burial space. Its hills, valleys, ponds and winding roads made the grounds a destination for walks as well as a place to mourn. In the 19th century, it drew visitors in numbers that put it among the country’s most popular attractions after Niagara Falls. The cemetery later helped inspire the creation of Central Park and Prospect Park.
Today, the site is a National Historic Landmark covering 478 acres. Its landscape includes an arboretum and a large collection of funerary sculpture, monuments and mausoleums. The buildings and memorials range across architectural styles, including Gothic and Romanesque designs. The main entrance is marked by a monumental Gothic arch, with carved scenes referring to death and resurrection.
Battle Hill and the grounds
Battle Hill is the highest point in Brooklyn and a site associated with the Battle of Brooklyn during the Revolutionary War. A statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, stands on the hill. From the high ground, views extend toward the harbor and the Statue of Liberty.
The cemetery’s landscape changes as you walk: ponds and tree-lined routes sit among open slopes and burial plots. Spring brings blossoms, including cherry trees and magnolias; autumn colors the grounds with fall foliage. Wildlife noted on the property includes parakeets and groundhogs, and the ponds have been associated with turtles and koi. Keep to a considerate pace around graves and memorials, and allow time to explore beyond the first paths you reach.
Notable graves and ways to explore
Green-Wood is the resting place of many artists, musicians, politicians and other New Yorkers. Among the well-known names buried here are composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, politician Boss Tweed, inventor Samuel Morse and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany. The elaborate memorials of people whose names are less familiar are also part of the cemetery’s architectural interest.
You can explore on foot, use a map or the cemetery’s free app, or look into a guided tour. The grounds are large and hilly, and paths can take you far from the entrance where you began. Plan your route before setting out, especially if you have a particular grave or viewpoint in mind. The cemetery also holds special events and programs; check its website for current details before planning around one.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long should I spend at Green-Wood Cemetery?
Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore part of the extensive, hilly grounds at a relaxed pace.
Who is buried at Green-Wood Cemetery?
Notable graves include those of Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Boss Tweed, Samuel Morse and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
What can you see at Battle Hill?
Battle Hill is Brooklyn’s highest point and a Revolutionary War site. It has a statue of Minerva and views toward the harbor and Statue of Liberty.
Is Green-Wood Cemetery free to enter?
The cemetery grounds are free to enter. Tours and special events may have separate arrangements; check the cemetery’s website for details.
