Green-Wood Cemetery
9.0Friend Score / 10#2 of 13 Parks & Outdoors in New York City
Known forcemeterybirdwatchingmonk parakeetsfree
Brooklyn's secret masterpiece: 478 acres of Victorian cemetery with hills, ponds, monk parakeets nesting in the Gothic gates, and the best natural high point in Brooklyn looking straight at the harbor. Free, open daily 7am to 7pm, and locals treat it as their arboretum. It's a working cemetery — wander respectfully.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 07:00–19:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | free |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | 25 St (R) — one block from the Gothic main gates at Fifth Ave & 25th St |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours to wander well |
| Best time to go | Golden hour before the 7pm close; spring blossoms and fall foliage are spectacular |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
9.0/10- Value9.0
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level9.0
- Authenticity9.5
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get to Green-Wood Cemetery?
- The R train to 25th St in Brooklyn, then one block uphill to the main gate — about 30-40 minutes from lower Manhattan. Pair it with tacos and shopping in Sunset Park or a walk to Industry City afterward.
- What are Green-Wood Cemetery's hours?
- The main entrance is open daily 7am to 7pm (other gates keep shorter hours). Give yourself at least two hours — the grounds are enormous and hilly.
- Is it weird to visit a cemetery as a tourist?
- Not this one — Green-Wood was designed in 1838 as a public pleasure ground and drew half a million visitors a year before Central Park existed; it literally inspired the movement for city parks. Just stay respectful: it's still an active cemetery with services.
- When is the best season to visit Green-Wood?
- October is unbeatable — the foliage over the hills and ponds rivals anything upstate. Spring cherry blossoms are a close second. Even winter has a stark beauty, and you'll have all 478 acres nearly to yourself.
- Is Green-Wood Cemetery free to visit?
- Yes — admission is free every day, no ticket needed, through the spectacular Gothic Revival main gates at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street. Only special tours and events charge.
- Does Green-Wood offer tours?
- Yes — a $30 historic trolley tour (typically Saturday afternoons), themed walking tours, nighttime catacombs events, and concerts. The events calendar at green-wood.com is worth checking before you go; the moonlight and catacomb events are among the coolest tickets in Brooklyn.
- Who famous is buried at Green-Wood?
- Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Boss Tweed, Samuel Morse, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and about 570,000 others. Pick up a map at the entrance or download one — finding graves without it is hopeless.
- What are the green parrots at Green-Wood?
- Monk parakeets — a feral colony has nested in the spires of the main gate for decades, probably descended from escaped 1960s pet shipments. Look up when you enter; you'll hear them before you see them.
Nearby in Ask New York City
- Prospect ParkPark1.98 km · 25 min walk
- Smorgasburg (Prospect Park)Market2.31 km · 29 min walk
- Brooklyn Botanic GardenAttraction2.8 km · 35 min walk
- Brooklyn MuseumMuseum3.04 km · 38 min walk
- Di Fara PizzaRestaurant3.93 km · 49 min walk
Where to stay near Green-Wood Cemetery
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