Decatur Cemetery - Image 1
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Decatur Cemetery

4.8
·35 reviews·Decatur, United States

Metro Atlanta's oldest public burial ground, offering a peaceful walk through history with unique art and serene landscapes.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
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Decatur Cemetery - Image 1

Decatur Cemetery

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Metro Atlanta's oldest public burial ground, offering a peaceful walk through history with unique art and serene landscapes.

4.8
(35 reviews)

"Awesome place to take a peaceful walk or stroll. Beautiful scenery, around every twist and turn."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Wear Comfortable Shoes

The grounds are expansive with varied terrain. Comfortable footwear is essential for exploring the 54 acres.

🗺️ Grab a Cemetery Map

A printed guide can help you navigate and find historical figures, though some errors have been noted.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 · 35 reviews

Type

Cemetery

♿ Wheelchair accessible

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Old Section

Historic Old Section

Oldest part of the cemetery

Discover the roots of metro Atlanta's oldest public burial ground, with stories dating back to the early 1800s.

Unique Art & Decorations

Unique Art & Decorations

Various grave sites

Admire the personal touches and artistic expressions left by loved ones, adding a unique visual dimension to the landscape.

Peaceful Pond

Peaceful Pond

Central pond area

Enjoy a serene moment by the stocked pond, offering a tranquil spot for reflection amidst the historical surroundings.

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Planning Your Visit

Respectful Exploration

Decatur Cemetery is an active burial ground, so always be mindful and respectful of ongoing services and visitors. Stick to designated paths and avoid disturbing any grave markers or decorations. It's a place for quiet reflection and historical appreciation.

Navigating the Grounds

With over 54 acres and 20,000 graves, exploring Decatur Cemetery can be extensive. Consider using a map or guide to locate specific historical sections or notable figures. Wear comfortable shoes as some walkways can be uneven.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoons
Why
Golden hour light for photos
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The notorious Devil’s Chair at Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur, Illinois. #greenwoodcemetery #haunted #hauntedtiktok #cemetery #cemeteryexploring #fyp
@freyzel_productions
36.7K likes • 751K views

🚶‍♀️ Wear Comfortable Shoes

The grounds are expansive with varied terrain. Comfortable footwear is essential for exploring the 54 acres. Reddit

🗺️ Grab a Cemetery Map

A printed guide can help you navigate and find historical figures, though some errors have been noted. Reddit

This is a well-known legend in the Decatur Illinois area. This is the story of the devils chair at Greenwood cemetery. Do you believe in this or not? #cemetery #haunted #cemeterytok #cemeteryexploring
@freyzel_productions
6.9K likes • 203.9K views
This is a really nice nature getaway really close to Atlanta. I do it often because the hike is short but you get to see a lot, including learning about a lot of interesting history. What I didn’t mention in the video is that Glenlake Park has bathrooms, the cemetery has some unique art (a bit is showed at the end of the video), and you can get nice views of downtown Decatur from the cemetery as...
ganzamedia
485 likes • 13.8K views

📸 Capture the History

Many visitors find the unique headstones and decorations incredibly photogenic. Instagram+1

🐶 Leash Your Dog

Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. Be mindful of other visitors and the cemetery's rules. Instagram

This morning at the Decatur Cemetery. So many little treasures. #decaturcemetery
vstanbach
18 likes • 801 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Wear Comfortable Shoes

The grounds are expansive with varied terrain. Comfortable footwear is essential for exploring the 54 acres. Reddit

🗺️ Grab a Cemetery Map

A printed guide can help you navigate and find historical figures, though some errors have been noted. Reddit

📸 Capture the History

Many visitors find the unique headstones and decorations incredibly photogenic. Instagram+1

🐶 Leash Your Dog

Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. Be mindful of other visitors and the cemetery's rules. Instagram

🤫 Be Respectful

This is an active cemetery. Maintain a quiet demeanor and avoid disturbing any services or visitors. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.8
(35 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise Decatur Cemetery for its historical significance, peaceful atmosphere, and beautiful scenery, making it ideal for quiet walks and photography. While generally well-maintained, some note minor inaccuracies in available guides. It's a respected active cemetery, so visitors are reminded to be mindful and respectful.

"The Decatur Cemetery is the oldest Burial ground in the Atlanta metropolitan area, and it is believer ro have been used even before Decatur's 1823 incorpoaration. Till dat it has expanded to 54 acres and contains well over 20,000 graves. A special section exists for cremated burials; the cemetery also contains a pond stocked with fish."

Aman Mandal

"We worked up an appetite walking the grounds of the Decatur Cemetery, using one of their printed guides to find the interesting residents here. We did notice four different errors in the guide, so there's that.

The Decatur Cemetery is the oldest known publicly owned burial ground in metro Atlanta, believed to predate the city's 1823 incorporation.

Rich and poor, free and slave, and yes, quite a few CSA soldiers laid to rest here. Most of the walkways are easily walkable but some are not. If you're mobility challenged, there is still quite a lot that is accessible. Military veterans, legislators, congressmen, authors and judges. Even one of the delegates to the Secession Convention.

This is well worth your time to visit. Please be respectful as this is an active cemetery and there are people here encountering their own personal losses."

Bruce InCharlotte

"Awesome place to take a peaceful walk or stroll. Beautiful scenery, around every twist and turn.

I love walking my dog there. I took hundreds of pictures. Peaceful & Relaxing. Also many very interesting headstones to look at.

Love the way some people have decorated, the areas around their loved ones.

IF YOU LIKE MY PICTURES AND THINK MY REVEIW WAS HELPFUL PLEASE LIKE IT.

THANK YOU,
JENNA"

Jenna Ronk

What People Like

Historic significance
Peaceful atmosphere
Beautiful scenery

What People Dislike

Guide inaccuracies

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Decatur Cemetery is located in Decatur, Georgia. It's accessible by car, and public transportation options may be available depending on your starting point. Parking is generally available within the cemetery grounds. Instagram

Yes, Decatur Cemetery is a well-known landmark in Decatur, GA. It's often mentioned in local guides and is easily searchable on GPS devices. Instagram

Decatur Cemetery has multiple entrances. The main entrances are typically well-marked and provide access to different sections of the grounds. Instagram

For a comprehensive exploration, consider using a cemetery map or guide, especially for the older sections. Walking is the primary way to get around. Reddit

While many walkways are walkable, some areas can be uneven. However, a significant portion of the cemetery is accessible for those with mobility challenges. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Decatur Cemetery is a public burial ground and generally does not require an admission fee. It's open for visitors to explore respectfully. Instagram

As an active cemetery, it is typically open during daylight hours. It's advisable to check for specific operating times if you plan to visit very early or late. Instagram

Yes, weekends are a popular time for visitors seeking a peaceful walk. Be aware that it might be busier, and respect any ongoing services. Instagram

Parking is usually available and free within the cemetery grounds. However, it's always a good idea to check for any posted signage regarding parking regulations. Instagram

While generally open during daylight, it's best to avoid visiting during funeral services or very early/late hours to ensure respect for the grounds and mourners. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Visitors often highlight the historic 'old' section with graves dating back to the early 1800s, unique grave decorations, and a peaceful pond. Notable figures like veterans, legislators, and authors are also interred here. InstagramReddit+1

Absolutely! The variety of historical headstones, artistic decorations, and the natural scenery make it a popular spot for photographers. Instagram+1

Yes, dogs are welcome in Decatur Cemetery, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. Be considerate of other visitors. Instagram

While official guided tours might not always be available, historical guides or maps can sometimes be obtained to help you explore the significant areas. Reddit

The cemetery is the resting place for a diverse range of individuals, including military veterans, legislators, congressmen, authors, judges, and delegates to the Secession Convention. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The historic 'old' section offers a wealth of aged gravestones and unique inscriptions. Areas around the pond and any sites with particularly artistic or elaborate decorations are also highly photogenic. Instagram+1

Generally, personal photography for non-commercial use is permitted. However, always be respectful of ongoing services and private memorials. Avoid intrusive photography. Instagram

Late afternoon 'golden hour' often provides beautiful, soft light that enhances the atmosphere and details of the gravestones. Early morning can also offer a serene, quiet light. Instagram

While not explicitly stated, it's best to use tripods discreetly and avoid setting them up in a way that obstructs pathways or disturbs other visitors. Check with cemetery management if unsure. Instagram

Look for weathered inscriptions, unique angel statues, ornate ironwork, family mausoleums, and the natural integration of the cemetery with its surroundings. Instagram+1

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