Several of New York’s most famous former residents are buried in this sprawling Victorian cemetery, known as much for its bird-watching as for its celebrities.
In 1866, the New York Times declared Green-Wood Cemetery an object of envy, writing, “It is the ambition of the New Yorker to live upon Fifth Avenue, to take his airings in the [Central] Park, and to sleep with his fathers in Green-Wood.” That is perhaps no surprise, given that at the time, the cemetery’s naturally landscaped 478 acres (193 hectares) were part of the forefront of naturalistic, park-like graveyards springing up around the world. Visit Green-Wood Cemetery to go on a treasure hunt for famous residents, from Jean-Michel Basquiat to Horace Greeley, or just wander on the winding paths, watching for the many birds nesting here.
Wear comfortable walking shoes because the cemetery is located in a terrain of rolling hills left behind the retreating Laurentide ice sheet. Admire the spindly spires of Richard Upjohn’s Gothic Revival gates, which shelter a colony of monk parakeets that escaped from a passing ship. Climb to the top of Battle Hill, which saw decisive action during the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Brooklyn and is the city’s highest point. Stand next to Frederick Ruckstull’s statue of Minerva, which looks across New York Harbor toward the Statue of Liberty.
Return down the hill and head down shaded paths, either on a self-guided tour using the cemetery’s free maps or on one of the cemetery’s public programs. See the references to the Civil War, commemorating the land as the final resting place of Union and Confederate soldiers. Spot famous names on the elaborate memorials, from baseball players to inventors, artists and generals.
Green-Wood Cemetery is located in south-central Brooklyn, adjacent to the Windsor Terrace, Sunset Park and Park Slope neighborhoods and not far from Prospect Park. The cemetery has several entrances, though the principal and most accessible by public transportation is on 25th Street. Atlantic Terminal is a 15-minute drive or subway ride away. From Midtown Manhattan it’s a 40-minute subway ride or 20-minute drive. Free parking is available.
The cemetery is open to visitors daily from sunrise to sunset. Pets and jogging are prohibited. Public program listings are posted online. Private tours are available.
