I'm a huge history nerd and have a tad bit of a morbid curiosity. I've been visiting Graceland for years now: taking walks, going on cemetery tours, enjoying driving through and seeing the beautiful architecture of everything from the headstones to the mausoleums. The cemetery is so well maintained and very safe. read more

Graceland Cemetery - Entrance - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This cemetery is unique because it is also an arboretum. That makes it the perfect place to take a walk and pick up maps at the welcome center. The two maps available are of of the different species of trees, and the other of the historical figures buried in the cemetery. I spent about an hour walking and taking pictures. During my time, I saw four other people walking or running, so it is a utilize space, but not overly crowded on a weekend. read more

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Graceland is such a beautiful cemetery, you almost forget it's even a cemetery at all! If I'm going for a run and don't want to go all the way to the lake, I like coming through here because of the paved winding roads. I've never felt drawn to a cemetery, but it's incredibly peaceful and serene here. There are some beautiful (and old!) tombstones, mausoleums, and memorials. There are also a lot of famous Chicagoans are buried here. I recommend a walk through if you're in the area! read more

If you visit the Visitor's Center, they have clean restrooms and I found material for a tree tour around the cemetery. It seemed as if a lot of people were there to exercise and the roads within the area are wide and nicely paved. As a Cubs fan from California, I finally got to visit and pay my respects to a legend, Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. From what I saw in my short walk, the staff does an incredible job maintaining the facility. Trash cans were clean, the restroom spotless, there was a huge team of men blowing the leaves the clean the plots, let me tell you, these guys were hustling! In simple words, this cemetery is absolutely beautiful. It's peaceful, a lot of history to view, the L and buses stop in walking distance of the entrance. read more

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It is the best cemetery I've been too. So beautiful and peaceful and nostalgic And well manicured. It is an experience especially when the coyotes are about. But I will go whenever I have time to wander in Chicago because it's perfect place to be with your thoughts. read more

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Beautiful. The day I went there were many people on tours, running, site seeing. There was even a memorial service. Yet staff were friendly and helpful to this out of town lookie-loo. We used Google maps to find the notable sites. We drive to them so we would have a fast in and out. All people were respectful and it was a beautiful experience. read more

Great day looking at the beautiful architecture and unique tombs. Impressive nice way to get in a good walk. read more

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I have lived in Memphis all my life and my great grandparents went to high school with him. I went without knowing I could leave flowers and take all of these beautiful pictures and came back. Every time is a beautiful experience and I learn and see more each time. Xoxo Angel Jordan read more

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Went here on a weekend for a walking excursion, self-guided, using the maps and pamphlets which are available from a very nice nondescript but distinguished visitor center. Parking is on the adjacent streets. read more

Graceland Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I used to be incredibly freaked out by cemeteries; I used to joke that people came to the midwest to die since there seems to be some humungous cemetery every few blocks. But maybe that's just because I've only lived on the north side, and have lived within a mile or two of at least five different huge cemeteries whilst I've lived in Chicago. Though I've lived in my home for over a dozen years, five minutes from Graceland, I've never made a visit until this weekend. I know Graceland is steeped in history, so why have I never gone? Your guess is as good as mine. What finally forced my hand was a competitive streak, in trying to complete the Chicago Scavanger book first. The day I visited was also an afternoon when the Chicago Plein Air Painters met in the cemetery to paint and practice their craft. Since it was Halloweekend, I checked for tours and the Chicago Architecture Center was hosting two more walking tours before they stop until spring. I did two, one that was focused on cemetery art and monuments, and the other which was the original tour of Graceland and is more general. Both were excellent. Graceland Cemetery was established in 1860, and at that time was two miles outside the city. It was a rural cemetery at the time given its location, and was an answer to overcrowding and health concerns of many European cemeteries. Most often, cemeteries of the time were churchyards, which could quickly get crowded. They began moving some of the burials in City Cemetery (in what is now Lincoln Park), and some of them ended up here in Graceland. It's one of three Victorian garden cemeteries in the city, the other two being Oak Woods and Rosehill. Originally 80 acres, it's significantly larger now and spans a half mile from Irving Park to Montrose on Clark. As of 2022, there are approximately 120 burials/cremains in Graceland. In some areas of the city you will see coping, a type of short wall that surrounds a grave or plot. The board of trustees decided early in Graceland's history that coping would no longer be permitted in Graceland, so the burial sites featuring coping are from the first 10-25 years of the cemetery's history. The practice was discontinued because it did not align well with the vision that Graceland would be a park-like setting, and it was also difficult to landscape around the coping. Now they use landscaping to create various "rooms" to act as coping, which separates one family's area from another yet looks natural. The chapel is from 1889, and was designed by Holabard and Root (who are buried in the cemetery). When I was here there was a wedding taking place so we couldn't visit the chapel (I saw the bride on the second tour I took and she was everything I hoped she would be!). To the east of the chapel is the Chapel Hill Columbarium, and it's my understanding the columbarium is totally sold out. The cemetery no longer offers perpetual care, and guests are not permitted to leave flowers and whatnot. That doesn't mean they don't, though, but the cemetery will clean it up. There were several unique monuments or burials here. I learned that rosebuds would be used to denote the death of a younger person; similarly, a monument that looks like a tree cut down had a similar meaning. Open roses would be used for people who passed after adolescence. Bertha and Potter Palmer have perhaps the most stately resting place; you cannot miss the large greek-inspired structure with two sarcophagi, overlooking the lake. The Getty Tomb is in itself a Chicago city landmark. A tomb built by a heartbroken widower after the untimely death of his wife, it was designed by none other than Louis Sullivan. The Jones plot marks the resting place of a free man of color and his wife, who came to Chicago and who had a home on the Underground Railroad. And a somber family monument for the Hoyt family is surrounded by a mother and four children who died in the Iroquois Theatre fire; the patriarch of the family died two months later. Cubs fans will want to visit the marker of Ernie Banks, aka "Mr. Cub", who is placed near the lake. His monument has some of his accomplishments marked on all sides, and the ivy growing along the base is a nice touch. Graceland is a must-visit if you're interested in cemeteries. If you like a quiet place to walk or run, it's great for that too. read more

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I personally find cemeteries creepy but a necessary evil when I want to get in a good walk with worrying having to stop...I have a Fitbit and I love getting those active minutes. But while there are plenty of dead folks there (no zombies spotted as of yet), I have never felt like this was a cemetery. True there are tombstones and monuments to let you know that these people were important in life and want you to know it, but it actually feels more like a park. This is due in large part to the number architects who were involved in the planning and later residing there. This cemetery is famous as the "Cemetery of Architects", who are responsible for the feel of the place. A landscape architect named Cleveland came up with the plan to make this a beautiful place, William Le Baron Jenney created the Victorian park style atmosphere and Ossian Simonds enhance the design by using native plants to create the cemetery's pastoral landscape. There is no creep factor while walking here for me, just a scenic stroll through a park with a lotta stones. I have strolled through this cemetery many times, most times alone, and never felt like I had to watch over shoulder form someone crawling out of their grave (HAHAHA! Yep I do that in other cemeteries), but here I have to say it feels peaceful. Because we are now in COVID times, there was even more of park feel to the cemetery: parents were strolling with their kids, at least two families with blankets spread out having a picnic, people on bikes, people having lunch while sitting on stone benches that are a part of someone's memorial. There are some amazing tombstones in this cemetery, some of famous people, some of people who wanted to remembered in death. Ruth Page Mr. Cub himself (Ernie Banks), Pullman (railroads), The Palmer family (hotels), Marshall Fields (never Macy, always Marshall Fields), Kimball/Elston/Kinzie (streets in Chicago), Jack Johnson (defeated the Great White hope). There is a lovely lake in the center of the cemetery and an island. You could see people sitting on the banks smoking, drinking and eating. Not sure I can say this for all cemeteries, but this is truly one where you can go and unwind and just enjoy the peace and quiet. If you are a photographer, you have ample subjects to take photos of. You can do a self tour with a provided map as well as audio on their website (https://www.gracelandcemetery.org/self-guide-audio-tour/). They were doing group tours, but I am pretty sure that is not happening now. There is also a tour you can take of the trees as Graceland collection of trees has been certified as an arboretum by Chicago's Morton Arboretum. There isn't a lot of parking in the cemetery itself, but plenty of street parking. If you are looking for someplace to go and get out of the house with plenty of space, consider visiting here. Hell, bring a lunch/drink and chillax. read more

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Is it terrible to see I had a ton of fun visiting Graceland? There is so much to see at Graceland, so many famous Chicagoans have been laid to rest here. It's just fascinating to explore and thank goodness, you can pick up a map right at the front when you enter at the Visitor Center. You can also pick up two different tree tour maps and explore the nature of the cemetery. Going in I was most excited to see Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan's grave. I was surprised Louis Sullivan's was fairly simply though it has an amazing design on it. And Daniel Burnham had an entire mini island accessible via an adorable little bridge - so fitting! I ended up most enjoying the architecture of Peter Schoenhofen's tomb though. It looked almost like a pyramid and no surprise I was drawn to it as Schoenhofen was one of Chicago's first brewers. I don't want to ruin the rest for you, but just trust it's somewhere you should visit if you're a Chicago history buff. Really interesting part of the city! read more

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Amazing place, for a cemetery! My daughter wanted to go to see historic gravesites... we saw the graves of many including Ernie Banks, Marshall Field... huge monuments, memorials to many. Saw a teacher who had a printed map/information page from the website which was so helpful! We even saw a coyote too. We were there during a Chicago Cubs game and we could hear cheering often and even the 7th Inning Stretch! Yes I'd go back again! Rest In Peace to everyone there... read more

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Bunch of dead folks doing what dead folk do. A perfect place to get your steps in and contemplate how much money you're going to spend to be forgotten. read more

Graceland Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place has SO MUCH history. We spent a few hours here today just walking around and reading the tombs and headstones. Its crazy to think how many people were buried here years and years ago. I dont want to spoil it with too many pictures cause its just a place you need to see for yourself. Its not a typical cemetery. Go check it out! read more

Graceland Cemetery - The tombstones are really interesting and fun to see and read. - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

From a time when cemeteries were synonymous with gardens. Most people think of cemeteries as a somber, disquieting place to visit. Yet, Graceland was a scenic experience. I've visited here many times and spent many hours here. Many of Chicago's greatest are buried here. Disclaimer: I did not pay for a tour here so my review may be a bit biased. Yet self-guided tours and maps are available for those also not looking to pay for tour guides. Graceland Cemetery is located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Yet it also borders Lakeview. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from the Sheridan red line station. Parking is available on-site as well. The grounds are absolutely massive and sometimes one can forget that they're in the middle of a bustling metropolis. The grounds are also well kept without being overgrown. This place is also a certified arboretum with a wide variety of trees. Walking through the grounds feels less like what one would think of a cemetery and more of a park. I've seen people study on the grass, walk their dogs, jog laps, or even bike. None of the listed activities feel out of place here. Visiting Graceland brings new surprises every time. I found it fascinating to see a tombstone or monument, Google who it was, and read about their past. I almost had a sense that I was transported back in time and was walking shoulder to shoulder with these people. 5/5. Favorited for the city of Chicago. Worth a detour for those looking for something to do outside of downtown. Also highly recommended for history buffs and people interested in Chicago's past. read more

A huge, beautifully kept cemetery. I stopped by while I was visiting from out of town. The grounds are massive, you could easily spend a few hours walking around. There are a lot of famous architects buried here, and I believe they offer tours as well. I didn't book ahead of time so I didn't get a tour but I used their online map and visited the famous Inez Clarke grave. There's a ton of trees and if you're interested in Chicago history I highly recommend checking this place out. If you're taking the subway, it's about a 10 minute walk from the closest stop on the red line. The entrance is right on the corner. read more

You're not a Chicagoan if you haven't visited this Cemetary. I remember coming here for the first time when I was 17 years old. I was part of an "urban camping" experience. This was my first encounter with the North side of Chicago and all I could say was, "Really? Marshall Field is buried here?" If you're like me and are fascinated with cemetaries and ghosts you have to walk through Graceland Cemetary. I could not believe that Daniel Burhnam is buried here! How exciting and how lucky are we to be able to visit his grave site?! Chicago architect and city planner, Burnham along with others designed the plans for the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition. Thanks to Burhnam today we enjoy the Lakefront. His vison was for the Lakefront to be enjoyed by the public and to never become private property. Burhnam is buried on the island at the park which is surrounded by weeping willows that are prettier to look at in the summer. It's a nice quiet place to take a nap or read a book. I don't recommend that you do this alone. The buddy system works for a reason. Charles Dickens brother is also buried here. Who knew!? I stumbled upon him by accident. I could go on and on. There are maps at the front office. Pick up a map and go for a stroll in the Spring. I learn something new everytime I'm there. "Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably will not themselves be realized." Daniel Burhnam read more

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Very interesting place to visit never knew it's history until now quite peaceful minus the statue of doom plot it's quite frightening

I go running or biking in this cemetery all the time. Although it is a cemetery it is very peaceful, if you want to have a nice running route, definitely go to Graceland Cemetery read more

The most amazing aspect of this place is that it manages to be so serene & peaceful even though there is parking for Wrigleyfield across the street. It's seriously like walking into a separate little world inside of Chicago. As everyone has already said a number of times, there are some really beautiful things to see here including the little island! Now, does anyone know what that groupings of plots with all the little kids is!? I tried looking up their names but got nada. read more

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Many people see visiting cemeteries as something "creepy", but this is a beautifully planned cemetery filled with tombstones representing The Who's Who of Chicago. According to a friend of mine, back in the day there weren't a lot of green spaces in the city and cemeteries were actually considered a place to have a peaceful stroll through. This cemetery was inspired by the English garden movement and it definitely came off as peaceful. Seeing the old tombstones of so many well-known Chicago icons was a plus. It was really interesting to see how much symbolism tombstones from the past had. The entrance of the cemetery has an office you can go into with a map of some of the better known people buried here. Just ring the doorbell. Also, there are private tours but from independent tour companies. read more

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Celebrate Chicago history and its many memorable citizens by taking a stroll through the beautiful grounds of Graceland cemetery. The cemetery is scenic and peaceful, boasting amazing architecture and art throughout the grounds. The names on the stones read like a who's who of Chicago--so many prominent citizens reside here now. Graceland's website also features a neat map with especially significant graves clearly marked. Bring a friend, since the grounds are pretty expansive, and enjoy taking in this gorgeous spot! read more

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I went there today on a beautiful day . It was very interesting with so called haunted areas . There was a small lot we parked at . Then just wandered on the path and checked out the graves and mausoleums. It was very peaceful, even though pride parade was happening on the next street. I get it's not for everyone , but we like a good ghost story. And it's free . read more

Yes, I understand that reviewing a cemetery borders on "creepy-weird," but I have a different spin...ok? I have probably paced hundreds of miles around Graceland. My pooch and I faithfully trot the perimeter almost daily. I use it to meditate. I find it soothing, peaceful. The clip of my steps, my trotting pup, no ipod, no talking, just breathing and walking (ok and inhaling some bus exhaust on Irving Park). A quiet loop in a chaotic world. A path so familiar I barely have to think about where I'm going...a nice change of pace, ya know? There is something reassuring about Graceland. Unmovable. Indestructible. Forever etched in time. Some of the oldest trees, greenest grass and gnarliest wired fences around. "The unreal is more powerful than the real, because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. because its only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. stone crumbles. wood rots. people, well, they die. but things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on." -Chuck Palahniuk I'd actually love to tour the interior, as morbid as that may sound. Pay homage to those that keep me company on my walks...or something like that :) read more

Graceland Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sorry Elvis, but when I hear "Goin' to Graceland," this is the place I think of. Even if you've never been to Graceland, you've probably seen inside it. The Red Line runs along the east side of the cemetery just north of the Sheridan Road stop (just before or after the curve, depending on the direction you're riding). If you've taken the train to Wrigley from parts north, that's Graceland Cemetery you've passed. Or maybe parked outside of, if you drove. Graceland is justifiably famous for both historic and architectural reasons. Louis Sullivan designed several of the monuments, and then ended up buried here himself. Sullivan's partner, David Adler, ended up here, as did Daniel Burnham (and his partner, John Root), and of a more recent vintage, Mies van der Rohe. Appropriately for Mies "Less is More," his grave is marked by a simple marble slab. Not so many of the others. Graceland is chock full of tombs, mausoleums, and all sorts of memorial structures. As befits the bigwigs who find this their final resting place: Marshall Field, Potter Palmer (of Palmer House fame), Cyrus McCormick, meatman Philip Armour, detective Allan Pinkerton. If you want to see how the other half died, across the street from Graceland is Wunder's Cemetery, a German Lutheran graveyard of the same vintage as Graceland (both opened in 1860). Interestingly, although the cemetery only has space for 15,000 graves, records indicate more than 28,000 burials were held there. South of Wunder's is the sadly overgrown "Jewish Graceland," which is actually a combination of four different cemeteries. So many dead, so little space. read more

I always thought of cemeteries as creepy places where the undead hangout. As I now view death as a part of life, I now longer fear them but look at them as a place for the living to visit and keep connected to their loved ones that have moved on to the next life. I've never visited this particular cemetery until now but have done lots of research on it, as I am a Chicago enthusiast. The grounds were beautifully covered in a blanket of fresh white snow. But while the city's streets are filled with snow, Graceland's ground keepers were plowing so crazy people like me could visit. I began looking for statues and found Dexter Graves (Eternal Silence) right away. I was also able to find George Pullman, Marshall Field, Potter Palmer (of Palmer House fame), William Kimball, Daniel Burnham, Carter Harrison Sr. (Chicago's first mayor) and many others. During my self-guided tour I met one of the ground keepers who told me a little more about the cemetery and suggested I visit the office for a map and listing of the local residents. There I learned that the office has public restrooms and outdoor facilities available when they're closed. There is so much to see here and so much history. I could have easily spent the whole day taking photos of the headstones while looking for some Chicago's most elite and historic people. read more

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I am in love with Graceland Cemetery. I have a B.A. in American History, so I was obviously impressed with the preponderance of persons of distinction who now rest at Graceland. Lives that shaped the City and our great nation now sleep here. The grounds are immaculate and surprisingly empty, perhaps because most of the residents are elite and it can be hard for newer people to get a plot, as it is attractive and space is at a premium. That said, I saw many tombs or graves that had deceased persons from over a hundred years ago with floral plantings or arrangements well-tended. Perhaps they had a pre-arranged trust? The monuments, statues, and flora and fauna were stunningly beautiful, artistic, opulent, and inventive in their design. If you want a terrific and helpful writeup, visit their website; it more than adequately summarizes the biographies and monument's makers. My favorite monuments were, of course, the island (coming around the corner of the lake you will be surprised to find a bridge and tiny island, wherein a family has their plots and stones. Quite inventive, if you ask me), the pyramid, eccentric and interesting, considering when it was errected, (Schoenhofen), Pinkerton's mausoleum, and Palmer's Greek Temple. I will be buried here. The only space left is on the east side and is well-shaded by sporatic trees. read more

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I'm not a fan of the cliche "hidden gem" so I will refer to Graceland as a concealed jewel : ) It's a secret haven placed within earshot of the cheers at Wrigley. This is such a sweet little spot for anyone... history buffs can examine ancient gravesites, goths can explore the striking tombstones & children can watch the friendly turtles in the lake (he came up out of the water probably looking for some bread). I enjoyed it all & yet fit into none of the above-mentioned categories. I just happened upon it while strolling through the neighborhood. The grounds are walkable & at the entrance building, a map is provided. The gates close promptly at 430. Oh and I how can I resist.... there was no sign of an Elvis stone or memorial :) hehe read more

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One of my favorite places to bring visitors to Chicago! "A cemetery?!" you ask. Why yes, my friend. You see, this is not just any cemetery. Graceland is the final resting place for many of Chicago's historical figures (despite the name, Elvis is not among them). Off the top of my head: hotel magnate Potter Palmer, railroad baron George Pullman (buried under a ton of concrete and a pillar as he feared reprisals from his enemies), Chicago architects Adler, Sullivan, and Burnham, department store king Marshall Field, and photographer Richard Nickel (who tried to draw attention to Louis Sullivan's buildings when he'd fallen out of favor and his works were being razed; Nickel died in Sullivan's Stock Exchange Building, falling through the floor when he tried to salvage pieces of the architecture before demolition.) If that didn't intrigue you, maybe the art will: since many of the people buried here were wealthy, there is a wide array of sculptures, statues, and crypts. It's lovely in the spring with the flowering trees, but also in the snow. You can take tours, but the gates are also open 365 days a year if you just want to drive through (what I do, as I have done the research on my own). It's an amazing place and you don't get much more Chicago history than this! Take a walk, enjoy the quiet and learn something about our past. read more

Being part of the findagrave family, I can honestly say this is by far one of my favorite cemeteries' anywhere. I come here more-so to find the peace, after all the dead do not talk back do they. I know it sounds macabre, but graceland holds a special place in the history of Chicago. At one time, the first Cemetery in Lincoln Park, had some of their bodies moved here and surrounding cemeteries back in the day. One of the most veered inhabitants of Graceland would be Pullman. Who OWNED the Pullman district on the South side of Chicago. His wife buried him under 20 feet of cement due to having a fear that the people of the Pullman district would take him out of the grave due to him being such a jerk. But of course the cemetery has some more "nicer" citizens such as Ruth Paige, she was a ballet dancer for the City who made it big in the world. SO many stories to tell and yet so little time. Graceland has a beautiful lake that is just so serene and sometimes it may be filled with ducks that pass Chicago to migrate. Respect the cemetery though, it is a beautiful place with so much to offer, and of course, this is where I will eventually be interred in. A beautiful cemetery indeed. While here don't forget to visit Little Inez Clark, the little girl who at the tender age of 14 was struck by lightning while holding a parasol at a family picnic. She is the one people say that on stormy nights, is so afraid of thunder that she disappears from her glass encased tomb. A Security guard quit the same night many years ago due to saying he actually saw this. But you will often find pennies and toys left for her by the citizens of Chicago. Oh Graceland we love you! read more

I've never been on a Cemetery tour before but I can't wait to go back. This place blew me away. It's like an architectural sculpture garden set in a mature, bucolic, serene garden. You can't help be inspired by stories of the history of the men, women and families resting here and what they achieved, and endured in heir lives, and their lasting impact on Chicago and society. Buried here are many of the the great architects, socialites, athletes, politicians, captains of industry and others that made Chicago great, all with unique, tasteful and sometimes unusually modest headstones, exquisite mausoleums or monuments marking their plots. These are very unique and progressive designs for their day. No one does it better than Chicago Architectural Foundation. They are truly world class and I strongly suggest going on a guided tour with them. John, our guide was terrific and very well informed which really made the visit for us. . read more

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This place is beautiful. We went on our trip to Chicago for 5 nights, 6 days, and Graceland was one of our favorites. We went on a overcast tuesday afternoon and no one was there (except one girl who was sitting under a tree writing in her diary, who, we concluded was a ghost). We got a map from the shack at the entrance and the woman was very nice to point out some "must sees". We walked all the way to the end of the cemetery and were greeted by a beautiful pond with a weeping willow and magnificent "tombstones"... which were more like greek columned palaces! We made the loop and walked back down to see the statue of the little girl who was enclosed in the plexiglass (I googled her history, turns out she died at age 5 by a lightning bolt!!!). All in all, it was a wonderful destination, unique experience, and the whole time (since we were ALONE there) we were looking around for strange things.... we didn't find anything, but at one point my phone stopped working. The photograph application I was running started getting weird... so, I'd like to THINK that was my moment with something scary happening (but probably just my iphone freezing and messing up on its own). I would totally recommend going. We took the architecture bus tour (the boat tour might be better and faster), got some good information about the architects and their work, and visited them at their graves later that day. Best photo op location we had on our beautiful trip to Chicago :) read more

Graceland Cemetery - next to an interesting tombstone. isn't he handsome? - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A cemetery for me has never been a macabre place to visit (even if I didn't know anyone personally buried there). Without getting too philosophical, for me it is a reminder that the wheels of life grind on and that you are mortal. And with that mortality, make the most of your life that you can. And that you aren't as important as you (might) think you are. It is humbling. I would say the above for any cemetery, but Graceland is stunningly serene and beautiful. Walking thru the well kept grounds felt more like a stroll thru a botanical garden. Some of the headstones and plots are lavish in the extreme and a great marker of Victorian mindsets and social norms. But it is simply more beautiful than any other I have been to. I didn't think that a fun visit to Chicago would end with a trip around the cemetery. Only noticed on Google maps since it was very close to where we were staying. But I am very glad we did. read more

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Beautiful cemetery filled with the who's who of Chicago history. My relatives are buried here. The grounds are beautifully kept. My only complaint is the many families bringing their children who are running on the gravestones and riding their scooters on the paths hitting people. This isn't a public park, it is a cemetery. If you choose to visit, be respectful. Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon around the pond. Stroll around the grounds. You feel like you're not even in the city. read more

Nice cemetery with lots of famous people buried here. A few nice statues, but not as grandiose as cemeteries you find in other Midwest cities. Also, now there are speed cameras on Irving Park road trying to give everyone automatic tickets because this counts as a "park." But there are no kids playing here, so I'm pretty sure the city is just doing it to make a buck. read more

A peaceful sanctuary in the middle of urban Chicago. So much history & culture that made Chicago what it is today... read more

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As far as Cemeteries go this one is too notch. It is beautiful and well maintained while still having an air of spookiness (what cemetery does not have that?) plus it had its share of celebrities such as Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub, Jack Johnson (Ghost in the house!), Marshall Field, and many other famous Chicago architects. Many of which streets are named after (Kinzie, Elston and Kimball to name a few). There are also sculptures by Lorado Taft, the most interesting is called "Eternal Silence" found at the grave of Dexter Graves. One of the very first Chicagoans. Worth a visit if you like this kind of thing. read more

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AWESOME way to spend an afternoon. Stop at the welcome center and have them buzz you in, grab a map, and head out for a stroll. The first piece I couldn't wait to see was "Eternal Silence" aka the Statue of Death. Monument of Dexter Graves, Chicago's first colonist. It is a truly stunning, spooky piece that used to be all black and now the bronze is a brilliant teal all except for the face, which is still black. Other notable points of interest, the Palmers tomb, Kimball, Getty Mausoleum, Schoenhofen Pyramid, Marshall Field. I never came across the girl, Inez, killed at age 6 after being struck by lightning- whose sculpted likeness is said to leave its glass box and walk to grounds when there is a bad storm. We were there for more than 2 hours and covered a lot of the grounds, took great photos. It's a peaceful escape, and a great place to take in life, death, art, architecture, and history. read more

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Pointing to the tool shed, the tour guide from the Chicago Architectural Foundation says, "And to your right, you will see the mausoleum created for the man who started Home Depot." Who doesn't love a little cemetery humor? Definitely spend a few extra bucks and spring for the tour. I would like to think of myself as fairly well-versed in Chicago history, but I definitely received a few extra nuggets of wisdom on my tour of Graceland this past Sunday. Many of the people buried here are the people who shaped the city and it's important we learn a little bit about them. If we were required to take American and world history in school, shouldn't Chicagoans be required to know the history of the city in which they live? I'm just sayin'. The tour lasted two hours, but one could easily spend a day there. While on the tour we walked past a couple sitting by the lake eating their lunch. If you can get past the creep factor, it's actually a beautiful area to picnic and collect your thoughts. These massive park-like cemeteries were originally built for that purpose, so it isn't as weird of a concept as it sounds. This is the time of year to go; the weather is still beautiful and you can get some peace and quiet while you look at the leaves change. If you are looking to go to Graceland for the purpose of gaining historical knowledge though, either map out the sites you want to visit beforehand or take a tour. Had I gone solo without doing my research, there's no way I would have seen everything I wanted to see. It's impossible. The place is just too big and it's way too easy to get lost. Here is a link to the online map if you wanted to plot out your own plan of attack: http://www.gracelandcemetery.org/pages/maps.html read more