A stunning 1831 garden cemetery in Cambridge, and a genuine local secret: 175 acres of arboretum, birdwatching, and hilltop views, free to walk. Not a tourist trap, an actual sanctuary. Closed Sundays; open Mon-Sat with early-bird spring hours.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon-Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm Sat: 8:30am-12:30pm Sun: Closed Apr-May: main gate opens 6am (early birders) |
|---|---|
| Price | free |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Bus 71/73 from Harvard Square, or drive |
| Time needed | 1.5-3 hours |
| Best time to go | Spring migration mornings or peak fall foliage |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.6/10- Value9.5
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.2
- excellence8.5
- Crowd level9.0
- Authenticity9.5
- Accessibility6.0
Frequently asked questions
- Who's buried there?
- Notable names include Mary Baker Eddy, Winslow Homer, Charles Sumner, Isabella Stewart Gardner, and Buckminster Fuller. Pick up a map at the entrance to find graves, or just wander and stumble on them.
- Is Mount Auburn Cemetery open to visitors?
- Yes, it's a working cemetery but genuinely welcomes visitors to walk, birdwatch, and explore. It's free. Just be respectful, this is an active burial ground and funerals happen. Stay on paths and keep noise down.
- Is it worth visiting if I'm not into cemeteries?
- Absolutely. Think of it as a historic botanical garden that happens to have monuments. The landscape design, mature trees, ponds, and views stand on their own. It's one of the most peaceful spots near Boston.
- Can I climb Washington Tower?
- Yes, the granite Washington Tower at the cemetery's high point gives one of the best panoramas of Boston and Cambridge, and it's free to climb when open. It's the payoff at the top of the hill.
- What are the hours?
- Roughly Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, Saturday until 12:30pm, and closed Sunday. In April and May the main gate opens at 6am for early-bird birders. Hours shift seasonally, so confirm on mountauburn.org.
- Why do birdwatchers love it?
- It's one of the best migratory birding spots in the Northeast, a green island in the metro area where warblers stop in spring. On a May morning you'll see dozens of birders with binoculars around Auburn Lake and Willow Pond.
- Can I bring a picnic or my dog?
- No picnicking and no dogs, this is a cemetery, not a park, and they enforce it. Come to walk, look, and reflect. Bikes are also restricted. Respect the setting and you'll have a wonderful time.
- How do I get there from Boston?
- It's in Cambridge/Watertown, not central. Take the Red Line to Harvard, then bus 71 or 73 a short ride, or drive (there's on-site driving and parking). It's a bit of a trek, which is exactly why it stays peaceful.
Nearby in Ask Boston
- Charles Hotel Farmers MarketMarket1.83 km · 23 min walk
- Lone Star Taco BarBar1.98 km · 25 min walk
- Harvard Square (Cambridge)Neighborhood2.12 km · 26 min walk
- Danehy ParkPark2.22 km · 28 min walk
- Harvard YardAttraction2.32 km · 29 min walk
Where to stay near Mount Auburn Cemetery
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