
Woodlawn Cemetery
A vast National Historic Landmark cemetery and arboretum, home to notable figures and stunning mausoleums.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blooming trees & flowers

Woodlawn Cemetery
Best Time
Blooming trees & flowers

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vast National Historic Landmark cemetery and arboretum, home to notable figures and stunning mausoleums.
"Magnificent cemetery, well manicured and highly secure, a truly beautiful place to appreciate lives."

Wear Comfy Shoes! :athletic_shoe:
Woodlawn Cemetery is huge! You'll be doing a lot of walking to see everything.
Grab a Map :world_map:
Essential for navigating the 400 acres and finding specific gravesites. Ask at the office!

Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.4 · 180 reviews
Type
Cemetery
Website
woodlawn.orgHighlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Miles Davis's Final Resting Place
Jazz Corner
Pay homage to the legendary jazz trumpeter. His grave is near other musical giants like Duke Ellington.

Architectural Mausoleums
Throughout the cemetery
Marvel at the intricate and grand mausoleums, showcasing unique architectural styles and the legacies of prominent figures.

Arboretum and 'Great Trees'
Throughout the cemetery
Explore a living museum with numerous historic trees, including several recognized as 'NYC Great Trees'.

Showmen's Rest
Near Chicago (specific location varies)
Discover the unique circus-themed section, featuring elephant statues and memorials to the entertainment community.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating the Vast Grounds
Respectful Visitation
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Wear Comfy Shoes! :athletic_shoe:
Woodlawn Cemetery is huge! You'll be doing a lot of walking to see everything.
Grab a Map :world_map:
Essential for navigating the 400 acres and finding specific gravesites. Ask at the office!
Check for Events 📅
Special tours or events might be happening, adding another layer to your visit.
Respectful Exploration :dove:
Remember this is a resting place. Be mindful of noise and your surroundings.
Tips
from all over the internet
Wear Comfy Shoes! :athletic_shoe:
Woodlawn Cemetery is huge! You'll be doing a lot of walking to see everything.
Grab a Map :world_map:
Essential for navigating the 400 acres and finding specific gravesites. Ask at the office!
Check for Events 📅
Special tours or events might be happening, adding another layer to your visit.
Respectful Exploration :dove:
Remember this is a resting place. Be mindful of noise and your surroundings.
Photography Opportunities :camera_with_flash:
The architecture and landscapes are stunning. Capture the beauty respectfully.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Woodlawn Cemetery for its magnificent beauty, meticulous upkeep, and peaceful atmosphere, making it a scenic and historically rich destination. While many appreciate the arboretum and notable gravesites, some administrative service delays and challenges with site navigation have been noted.
"I enjoyed visiting Woodlawn Cemetery. I followed the Arboretum trail and viewed some of the notable gravesites. It was interesting, scenic and peaceful."
Raymond Ellis
"Beautiful cemetery where you can appreciate the lives of others. Well maintained walking paths. An assortment of tree species and well cared for grounds. There are fantastic stone pieces large and small. I would love to visit in the spring."
T Corr
"I have been doing ancestry since 2006 and in late 2016 my dad gave me a billfold then I found some paperwork and finally being able to locate my great great grandmother and this is the cemetery she’s buried in. Sad part is I went in on Veterans Day 2023 and the office was closed so no one was able to help me. I was able to ask someone on the grounds if he worked there and he did not, but he gave me a map and gave me directions to the section I needed to be. I was able to locate my ancestors after one hour of looking for them because the sections are not marked with anything. If you don’t know you just don’t know because I’ve never been there in the end. I was very happy to be able to locate them. 400 acres of if you know where to go, you know where to go."
Shannon McFarland
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Woodlawn Cemetery is accessible by public transportation. The 4 train to Woodlawn station is a common route, followed by a short walk. Some visitors also opt for rideshares or driving, with parking available on-site.
Woodlawn Cemetery is located on the border of the Bronx and Yonkers, New York.
Yes, trolley tours are sometimes available, offering a guided way to see the highlights of the cemetery.
Yes, Woodlawn Cemetery is a designated National Historic Landmark, recognized for its historical and architectural significance.
Many visitors enjoy walking the grounds to appreciate the details, while others prefer guided tours or trolley rides for a more structured experience.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While the cemetery grounds are generally accessible, specific events or tours may have admission fees. It's best to check their official website or inquire at the office.
Operating hours can vary, especially for the administrative office. It's recommended to check the official Woodlawn Cemetery website for the most up-to-date hours before your visit.
The office may be closed on holidays like Veterans Day, so plan accordingly if you need assistance or a map.
For general visits, advance booking is usually not required. However, for special events or tours, it's advisable to book ahead.
While the grounds are vast, it's important to be aware of closing times to ensure you can exit safely. Always check the official hours.
🎫 🌳 Onsite Experience
Woodlawn is the final resting place for many notable figures, including jazz legend Miles Davis, suffragette Alva Belmont, Julliard School founder Augustus Julliard, and silent film actress Olive Thomas.
Some visitors and local lore suggest Woodlawn Cemetery has a haunted reputation, with mentions of spirits connected to nearby cemeteries.
The Arboretum Trail guides visitors through the cemetery's extensive collection of trees and notable gravesites, offering a scenic and peaceful walk.
Yes, public restrooms are available within the cemetery grounds.
Photography is generally permitted, but it's important to be respectful of the solemn nature of the site and avoid intrusive shots.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities within Woodlawn Cemetery itself. Visitors typically bring their own snacks or plan to eat before or after their visit.
Picnicking is generally allowed in designated areas, but it's always best to confirm specific rules with the cemetery administration to ensure you're following guidelines.
The areas surrounding Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx offer various dining options, from casual eateries to more formal restaurants.
Bringing your own food and drinks is usually permitted for personal consumption during your visit, but please dispose of all trash properly.
Typically, there are no food vendors operating within the cemetery grounds.
📸 📸 Photography
The grand mausoleums, intricate sculptures, and the diverse arboretum offer numerous stunning photographic opportunities.
While photography is generally allowed, commercial photography or filming may require special permits. Always be respectful of the environment.
You can photograph gravesites, but always do so with respect. Avoid disturbing the site or capturing personal information without consent.
A camera that handles varied lighting conditions well, from shaded areas to open fields, would be ideal. A wide-angle lens can capture the scale of mausoleums.
Drone usage is typically prohibited in cemeteries to ensure safety and respect for visitors and the grounds.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit