Green-Wood Cemetery, a cemetery with a view of New York

What to Know About Green-Wood Cemetery

• Green-Wood Cemetery is one of New York’s largest cemeteries, located in Brooklyn, southwest of Prospect Park. To get there, take the subway (lines D, N, R, or W) to the 25th Street stop. This brings you to the main entrance on the north side.
• The cemetery was established in 1838. At that time, New York was expanding rapidly, but the Greenwood hills were still countryside, far from the urban center.
• The designers of Green-Wood Cemetery drew inspiration from Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Today, Green-Wood is widely considered New York’s equivalent of Père Lachaise. In 1977, a New York Times journalist summed it up this way: “It is the aim of every New Yorker to live on Fifth Avenue, take the air in the parks, and rest with his ancestors at Green-Wood“.

What to See at Green-Wood Cemetery

• Start with the majestic main entrance at the cemetery’s northwest corner. This imposing stone gate, designed to resemble a Gothic church facade, was created by American architect Richard Michell Upjohn. The monumental portico immediately sets a solemn tone for your visit.
• As you walk through the grounds, you’ll quickly notice that Green-Wood is unlike most cemeteries. Rather than simply lining up graves in rows, the designers created a true park, complete with abundant vegetation. The rolling hills reinforce this feeling—you’re strolling through a landscape, not a cemetery.
• Don’t miss the remarkable views of New York from Green-Wood. Head to Battle Hill, a rise about 60 m (197 ft) high named after a Revolutionary War battle fought here in 1776. From the top, you’ll have an unusual vantage point overlooking the Statue of Liberty directly across the water, and the towers of the Financial District, including One World Trade Center. It’s one of the best viewpoints in the city.

Green-Wood Cemetery in Photos

Getting to Green-Wood Cemetery