The "Hagia Sophia" chapel exterior
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Lakewood Cemetery

4.6
·129 reviews·Minneapolis, United States

A vast, beautiful cemetery featuring stunning architecture, tranquil ponds, and unique monuments, serving as an open-air museum.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Pleasant weather, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
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The "Hagia Sophia" chapel exterior

Lakewood Cemetery

Best Time

Spring & Fall mornings

Pleasant weather, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vast, beautiful cemetery featuring stunning architecture, tranquil ponds, and unique monuments, serving as an open-air museum.

4.6
(129 reviews)

"The most impressive cemetery I have ever visited and I have been to quite a few. Spectacular buildings and views."

Vertical photo
TIP

🗺️ Grab a Map

Essential for navigating the 250 acres and finding specific points of interest like the Ouija tombstone.

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking on paved paths and grassy areas.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 129 reviews

Type

Cemetery

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Memorial Chapel

Memorial Chapel

Historic Memorial Chapel

A stunning Byzantine-style chapel adorned with over 10 million mosaic pieces, inspired by Istanbul's Hagia Sophia.

TikTokInstagram
Reflecting Pond

Reflecting Pond

Central Pond

A serene body of water surrounded by lush greenery, offering peaceful views and a popular spot for events.

Instagram+1
Unique Monuments

Unique Monuments

Throughout the cemetery

Discover elaborate sculptures, grand mausoleums, and historically significant gravestones, including the 'Ouija Tombstone'.

TikTokInstagram
Tiny Tim's Final Resting Place

Tiny Tim's Final Resting Place

Specific section (map recommended)

Visit the grave of the famous entertainer Tiny Tim, known for his song 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips'.

Instagram
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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Tranquility

Lakewood Cemetery is a vast, beautiful space perfect for reflection and exploration. Plan for at least a few hours to wander its tree-lined paths and discover its stunning monuments. Consider visiting during a special event for a unique experience. Instagram+1

Respectful Exploration

As a working cemetery, visitors are asked to be respectful of ongoing services and private memorials. While it's a popular spot for walks and photography, remember it's a place of remembrance. InstagramReddit

Best Times

When
Spring & Fall mornings
Why
Pleasant weather, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
During special events
Why
Unique community experiences
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Quiet reflection time
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Reply to @maricelanavarro85 #fypage #questions #cemetery #todayilearned
@miss_lisa_lopez
50.1K likes • 385.5K views

🗺️ Grab a Map

Essential for navigating the 250 acres and finding specific points of interest like the Ouija tombstone. TikTok

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking on paved paths and grassy areas. Instagram

She told me to tell you guys her story. 🖤 #lakewoodcemetery #ellalouise #minnesota
@danceswithwerewolves
22.8K likes • 184.2K views
✨The Memorial Chapel at Lakewood Cemetery is a historical jewel, and an architectural treasure of the cemetery. It is one of the best examples of the Byzantine mosaic art in the United States. It was completed in 1910 and was assumed to be the only mosaic interior that was authentic. Throughout the years, many experts as well as visitors, believe that this mosaic art is one of the best examples ...
localtwincities
0 likes • 408 views

📸 Capture the Beauty

The cemetery is incredibly picturesque, especially in autumn. Instagram

🙏 Be Respectful

Remember this is a place of remembrance; be mindful of services and private memorials. Reddit

I'm a big fan of Lakewood Cemetery's annual Lantern Lighting Celebration. Always a moving experience to witness people decorate lanterns for loved ones now gone, then float them out on Jo Pond at dusk during a beautiful ceremony with family and friends. Special thanks to the Lakewood staff and volunteers for making the 10th annual event such a success on a stunning evening. "My mind still talk...
smosborg
17 likes • 138 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🗺️ Grab a Map

Essential for navigating the 250 acres and finding specific points of interest like the Ouija tombstone. TikTok

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking on paved paths and grassy areas. Instagram

📸 Capture the Beauty

The cemetery is incredibly picturesque, especially in autumn. Instagram

🙏 Be Respectful

Remember this is a place of remembrance; be mindful of services and private memorials. Reddit

📅 Check Event Schedule

Lakewood hosts events like Lantern Lighting and community sings. Instagram+1

What Travellers Say

4.6
(129 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Lakewood Cemetery for its stunning beauty, impressive architecture, and tranquil atmosphere, calling it one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country. However, some negative experiences have been reported regarding the handling of infant remains and a perceived lack of 'spooky' elements for those seeking a more haunted experience.

"The most impressive cemetery I have ever visited and I have been to quite a few. Spectacular buildings and views. Many ridiculously large monuments. Impressive but obscene. They have a nature walk and history tour handouts. I have spent most of my life in Minnesota and most of the time in MN in the Twin Cities and had never been to this cemetery and nobody mentioned how spectacular it is."

Lee Witte

"I gave birth to my baby at 14weeks gestation. We got to hold him before the hospital took him away. A couple hours after the miscarriage they told us we needed to choose funeral arrangements. They said we could go with Lakewood and they would take care of everything and that he would be in a plot with other babies in a similar situation. Out of grief and overwhelm we chose that option. Yesterday was my sons would be birthday. I called and asked where the babies resting place is from that hospital. We were led to believe it’d be someplace like a huge urn and a tribute to lost babies. I was told when I called that they dig up dirt around the “baby land” statue and dump the babies ashes in the dirt. They have been doing this for years. They dig us babies ashes to pour more ashes in. You would never desecrate an old person’s grave and pour more people on top of them. I’m not sure if this is a money proposition as it is with a big hospital but if anyone is looking into this place for their angel baby DONT DO IT.
Update: after a year and a half of pursuing answers I was finally told what happened to my child’s ashes. After being told they “dumped the ashes” in the ground near the monument the first time, then to the response of this review saying they “bury” the ashes to this new information from a patient care provider who has been advocating for me. They scatter the babies ashes near the monument. Not buried in a plot like I was told. They said they didn’t know “exactly” where the babies ashes were because of which “batch” my “fetus” was in. I was lied to about this establishment on 3 seperate occasions. I stand with my original review, DO NOT have your child laid to rest here. The misinformation spread here was disgusting. As a bereaved mother I’m sicker by how they treated my child’s remains and so many others without true parental knowledge. This is not something a non for profit should be proud of. This needs to change."

Julie Wells

"Nice and beautiful surroundings for a relaxing 2.5 mile walk on well paved paths. Just be mindful of occasional burial services going on nearby. Guided tours available to the public."

Kevin Barnard

What People Like

Spectacular buildings and views
Beautiful landscaping
Peaceful atmosphere

What People Dislike

Misinformation on infant remains
Not spooky enough

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Lakewood Cemetery is located in Minneapolis, MN. It's accessible by car and is also on a bus route, making it convenient for visitors without a vehicle. Reddit Parking is available on-site. Instagram

Yes, ample parking is available throughout the cemetery grounds. Instagram

Absolutely! Lakewood Cemetery is accessible via public transportation, with bus routes serving the area. Reddit

Yes, Lakewood Cemetery is open to the public for visitation, reflection, and exploration. Reddit

Visitors can explore by walking the tranquil paths, taking advantage of nature walk and history tour handouts, or attending guided tours. InstagramReddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, general admission to Lakewood Cemetery is free. Special events may have associated costs or require registration. Instagram+1

Lakewood Cemetery is generally open daily from dawn until dusk. It's always a good idea to check their official website for the most up-to-date hours, especially around holidays. TikTok

There is no entrance fee to visit Lakewood Cemetery. It is a free public space for exploration and reflection. Instagram

Yes, Lakewood Cemetery offers burial plots, cremation services, and mausoleum spaces. Pricing can vary significantly. TikTok

Yes, guided tours are often available to the public, offering insights into the cemetery's history, architecture, and notable figures. InstagramReddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Lakewood boasts stunning architecture like the Memorial Chapel, serene ponds, beautiful landscaping, and a vast array of unique monuments and sculptures. TikTokInstagram+2

Absolutely! With its beautiful architecture, natural scenery, and intricate monuments, Lakewood Cemetery is a photographer's dream. Instagram

Visitors often seek out the grave of entertainer Tiny Tim Instagram and the unique 'Ouija Tombstone'. TikTok A cemetery map can help locate these and other points of interest. TikTok

Lakewood hosts various events throughout the year, including a popular Lantern Lighting Celebration Instagram and community sings on Memorial Day. Instagram+1

Yes, Lakewood is renowned for its tranquil, tree-lined paths and beautiful surroundings, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing walk. InstagramReddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Lakewood Cemetery does not have on-site dining facilities. Visitors are advised to bring their own snacks or plan to eat before or after their visit at nearby restaurants in Minneapolis. Instagram

While there are no designated picnic areas, visitors can enjoy a quiet moment with a packed lunch on the grounds, provided they are respectful of the surroundings and any ongoing services. Instagram

The cemetery is located in Minneapolis, offering a wide range of dining options from casual cafes to upscale restaurants in the surrounding Uptown area. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, photography is generally allowed at Lakewood Cemetery, and it's a popular spot for photographers due to its scenic beauty and unique architecture. Instagram

The Memorial Chapel's mosaic interior, the reflecting pond, grand monuments, and the autumnal foliage are particularly photogenic. TikTokInstagram+1

While generally permitted, photographers should be mindful of ongoing services and private memorials. Drone photography may be restricted. Reddit

You can photograph graves, but always be respectful. Avoid disturbing any floral tributes or memorial items. TikTok

Early morning or late afternoon often provide the best natural light for photography, creating a softer, more atmospheric feel. Instagram

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