Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery
5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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How to get there
- 25th St • 5 min walk
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See what travelers are saying
- FarwriterLondon, United Kingdom169 contributionsSuperbIt feels odd to write a review for what is still a working cemetery, but they do encourage visitors and photography, and it is an amazing place to visit. 478 acres, established in 1838, and full of incredible tombs and mausoleums, some of well-known people such as Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Morse, and others to people you have never heard of but often even more impressive in appearance. There is an excellent free map you can pick up at the entrance highlighting points of interest, including noteworthy monuments and also significant trees and other natural features, but there must be so many unknown stories attached to the people buried here. I spent 4 hours walking around here and hardly saw anyone else. If you want peace and history, this is the place to go.Visited March 2024Traveled soloWritten March 21, 2024
- Analia GStaten Island, New York400 contributionsA must visitLush, pristine landscape with fabulous views of NYC skyline. We took the trolley tour and our guide, Marge, was fantastic with stories to share and even a song or two. This is a great historic site filled with beauty and significance. It has free parking, and bathrooms at the entrance. The calendar is loaded with activities throughout the year. Wear walking shoes. The paths are great; and it’s huge so grab a map.Visited May 2024Traveled on businessWritten May 15, 2024
- Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻Los Angeles, California8,982 contributionsBeautiful Historic CemeteryI briefly visited this wonderful necropolis on my last trip but wanted to return for a more in depth look. The cemetery conservancy, which offers tours, had one that detailed the Victorian era's fascination with the concept of death. It coincided with my May trip so I booked a slot for Mother's Day afternoon. Our guide took us on a drizzly wander and explained all of the unusual designs that appeared on some grave markers, and what that symbolism meant. The grounds were all abloom with spring flowers, which made for even more breathtaking views of the green hillsides. There are various tours put on throughout the year (October is understandably very popular). Definitely worth a visit, as the cemetery is not only historic (a Revolutionary War battle was fought there) but it's the final resting spot of many famous and infamous folk.Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 28, 2024
- Patricia tNewark, New Jersey3 contributionsGreen-WoodWent with a friend to visit the cemetery that I had not heard of. It was a wonderful visit on a wonderful day. The tour guide James was fabulous. He shared so much information. I couldn’t get enough. We were on a two hour trolley tour that could have extended for at least another hour. The monuments were so interesting, the trees and everything in the cemetery were well maintained. What an interesting and informative visit. Would love to back. Couldn’t keep in my head all that James shared I would have purchased a book on the spot if he was selling them.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,079 reviews
Excellent
866
Very good
184
Average
23
Poor
3
Terrible
3
CelestialWillow
Cambridge, UK369 contributions
Apr 2023
It might sound strange that a cemetery was the reason we decided to plan a trip to America in the first place, but it's true! My son did a project (pre Covid) on the Romans at school and chose Minerva as his subject. While looking her up online we came across the Green-Wood Cemetery and the Statue of Minerva on Battle Hill, the highest natural point in Brooklyn.
Minerva is standing, arm raised, facing towards the Statue of Liberty, who looks as though she's waving back. My son had to see Minerva (and Liberty, but mainly Minerva), but then there was Covid... finally we've been able to visit Minerva.
The cemetery is really lovely, and was a plesant start to our holiday. So many birds to spot, blossoms on the trees, lakes, information boards about the area and the Civil War battles fought here. There's even a decent rest room at the main entrance!
Worth doing if you're in Brooklyn on a sunny day and fancy waving to Lady Liberty.
Minerva is standing, arm raised, facing towards the Statue of Liberty, who looks as though she's waving back. My son had to see Minerva (and Liberty, but mainly Minerva), but then there was Covid... finally we've been able to visit Minerva.
The cemetery is really lovely, and was a plesant start to our holiday. So many birds to spot, blossoms on the trees, lakes, information boards about the area and the Civil War battles fought here. There's even a decent rest room at the main entrance!
Worth doing if you're in Brooklyn on a sunny day and fancy waving to Lady Liberty.
Written April 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kensi B
New York City, NY95 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
I live right near here and it's one of the most amazing areas of NYC. If you're in Brooklyn it is absolutely worth a visit however be prepared to spend 2-3 hours here at the least as it is over 500 acres. It is a wonderful respite from the city and lately I've liked it for a walk more than Prospect Park, which has gotten too crowded and dirty (at least on nice days). Greenwood Cemetery is pristine, and I love looking at all the old and quite beautiful and ornate graves and mausoleums. Many famous and wealthy people are buried here. Too many to list. The cemetery also has many events that are worth checking out. Do the basic tour. You could do 10 tours and still not see all of the cemetery. There are two large lakes. It's definitely worth walking around at your leisure or sitting on a lake bench reading a book. Warning there are no picnics allowed and no jogging. Be respectful, people are buried here.
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI1,131 contributions
Oct 2021
Our first time in Brooklyn, the Green-Wood Cemetery was high on the list of sites to visit...for its incredible history of being the final resting place of so many notables, including Louis Comfort Tiffany, Leonard Bernstein, "Boss" Tweed, and Jean-Michel Basquiat; the beautiful Gothic Arched entranceway and the Drummer Boy, Bear, and Minerva statues; and the Brooklyn Theatre Fire of 1876 Memorial. We went into the historic Chapel building and were impressed with interactive art exhibit '18 Months of Grief.' The cemetery is huge (nearly 500 acres), with many gravesites on hillsides that can be steep, so wear comfortable shoes! Pick up a map at the cemetery guardhouse to help you locate the sites throughout the cemetery. We found the map helpful to a point, but still had difficulty making our way through the cemetery with all the twists and turns of the roads within. Still a beautiful site to visit, walk, sit, and enjoy for a couple of hours! Be sure to find the high points for some stunning views of Manhattan!
Written October 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Itinerant_Foodies
Greensboro, NC604 contributions
Dec 2021
The history of this cemetery makes it a fascinating place and the best way to learn about the history is by taking a guided tour on the trolley. I don't recall the name of our guide but he was a self-described taphophile (cemetery enthusiast) who works at Green-wood. He was outstanding! He clearly has plenty of knowledge of cemeteries (especially Green-wood), is a great presenter, and is very enthusiastic which makes even the most obscure information interesting. Famous "residents" of the cemetery as well as famous and unique features (such as pyramids and obelisks) and zinc grave stones were highlighted. Highly recommended!
Written January 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nate F
Brooklyn, NY2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Tranquil and historic cemetery and arboretum in Brooklyn. Notable and beautiful graves of historic figures of New York City amid well-spaced and airy trees. Excellent place for meditative walks through rolling hills.
Written February 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UNR91
Berkeley103 contributions
Apr 2023
We took the highlight trolley tour on a very rainy afternoon. The guide had an encyclopedic knowledge of the cemetery and it was obvious there was a sub culture of complete cemetery nerds in our presence, taphophiles we learned. Being complete newbies to this world, we learned not only about the history of Green-Wood but interesting facts about cemeteries in general. The only thing that marred our experience was the rain and fogged up windows making it difficult to see the sights being described.
Written May 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Computergeek60
Medford, NY34 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
So glad I finally came here and did the trolley tour as a great introduction to this historic site. I’ve picked up a map so I can plan a trip back, and leisurely see all the memorials the trolley missed. Easily can spend the day here wandering around. There are some documentaries occasionally on TV, and it would be good to watch before coming to give you an idea of what is here. The main gate itself is spectacular,and I loved the monk parrots living at the top of the gate.
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN5,765 contributions
Jun 2020
If you’re looking for lots of famous people buried here, this isn’t an exciting place to start. But it is a large (over 400 acres) cemetery, very pretty, with a lot of impressive headstones to see. A lot of walking paths, benches to sit on, and shade trees. Expansive view of the city, as it sits on a hill. There are also ponds and fountains. The entrance, two large gothic arches, is imposing and make for a beautiful photograph. Very peaceful. Lots of squirrels and birds to watch. There is a grand Civil War monument with poignant bronze relief scenes and statues. There is also a Minerva statue dedicated to liberty. Normally there are several trolley tours throughout the day, but they weren’t running when I went, due to COVID 19. This isn’t exactly a must-see on your NYC list, but is a great place to go for a walk, to see some neat gravesites. Some people even appeared to be on dates while I was here. Worth a look.
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IntlTravlrRevwr
San Diego, CA212 contributions
Jul 2021
At one time this sight had as many visitors as Niagra Falls. When we went (on a hot July afternoon, it was nearly empty except for those attending a funeral and burial. There are a number of famous people (including composer Leonard Bernstein, civil war heroes, and artists like Basquat. If you go in the main entrance a few blocks from the F/G subway 25st stop and ask the guard you will be given a very nice map that includes architectural points of interest, famous peoples' graves, and trees of note. Many are hard to find and the trees are not marked at all so you will have to do some sleuthing to figure out which is being highlighted. Some of the views of downtown Brooklyn are phenomenal and the hilly terrain is pleasant to traverse. We saw some people having picnics and others madly taking photos. There were some tour guides but this is an easy do-it-yourself spot if you have the time.
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grumo
New York City, NY1,122 contributions
Jun 2022
I walk through Green-Wood Cemetary on occasion. Such beautiful landscaping and stunning mausoleums! What a sense of history, eeing the English and Irish names of the earliest graves and the more contemporary names including many Italians of more recent graves is something. Many of these names are from families that are well-known. I didn't get to see many of the famous people buried here. The entrance on Fifth Avenue and 25th Street is spectacular. I know people who have taken tours and found them really interesting. In the mid-19th century this was the second most visited site in America, second only to Niagara Falls! A special place to spend time in in Brooklyn.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where is the Gottschalk grave with the Angel of Music?
Written August 29, 2024
We did not see this grave site, but a quick search by name says it's in section M. It's actually on my to do list in October.
I'd contact the cemetery for more information, they're very helpful.
Written August 29, 2024
Has anyone done the Halloween thing where they have candles and performers all around the cemetery for one night?
Written September 24, 2018
I have not BUT a friend has and enjoyed the experience.
Written September 24, 2018
I will be visiting Green Wood Cemetery on our holiday from Australia in April 2018. We would love to do a trolley tour and notice that there are three to choose from. Does anyone recommend the best one for us to do????
Written December 10, 2017
Trolley tours are great. Heated in the winter, A/C for the summer and you can see more of the 478 acres. There are 3 different trolley tours. They are on Wednesday and Sunday at 1:00 PM. All 3 go to Battle Hill with its magnificent view of NYC. Discover Green-Wood. The Far Side and Hidden Gems.
Written January 18, 2018
Has anyone done their Twilight Tour? I am interested to do the tour this fall, but have only read reviews about the Historical Trolley tours.
Written October 7, 2017
I went into the cemetery and stayed after twilight. I did not go into the crypts with the tourists but the walk around and research I needed to get done was more important. I hear wonderful things about the entire tour.
Written March 1, 2018
Parking? We will be coming by car and need to know where to park etc
Written April 19, 2017
There is free parking inside the cemetery. Go through the Historic Maingate at 25 St & 5th Ave during week days. On weekends the Ft Hamilton entrance and east entrance is open. . You can park anywhere inside the cemetery along the side of the road.
Written January 22, 2018
The official website doesn't say anything about picnics being allowed or not allowed, but I have read reviews from people who WERE allowed to picnic and from people who WERE NOT allowed to picnic. Anyone have any recent picnicking experiences?
Written April 17, 2017
I know that during the Memorial Day Concert, people are picnicking everywhere and when my son had a field trip there, they ate their lunches on the grass. Hope that helps.
Written April 18, 2017
My paternal grandfather, g grandfather & other relatives are buried here. My father would drive the family here seventy years ago to visit loved ones When I was quite small he would have me tell him to turn in various directions & he would have to find his way out.
What a treasure trove for genealogists 17 yrs ago I wrote to the cemetery & was given much info. Now I see information is available on line & I am thrilled to recheck again since I have additional pieces that will help me fit more pieces together. What a great service is available
After reading some of the info on Trip Advisor I'm considering a trip from FL to Greenwood to take the bus tours & visit the graves
Written November 13, 2016
Hi Bob,
I think you would really enjoy the tour and save some time to explore on your own. It really is a wonderful place to visit.
Written November 14, 2016
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