I have visited Woodlawn twice and have been fascinated each time. The small lake in the cemetery is a lovely setting. The Julius Manger and Belmont Mausoleums are extraordinary. The grounds are well maintained. Few people visit, so it is quiet and relaxing. For an architecture student it is a wonderful place to study the classical orders.
The graves of many famous peopled can be viewed in this amazing cemetery. From the first US Navy Admiral, David Farragut to artist Leroy Neiman. Captains of industry, artist, writers, civic leaders and jazz musicians, all too numerous to list. The grounds are beautifully designed and maintained, Upon entering the cemetery you will receive a map with general locations of the graves of the famous. Some are easy to find and others not so easy. Either do your homework before going or visit the cemetery office to find a specific grave.
One might not think a cemetery is a nice place to visit, but Woodlawn is so beautiful, it's a great place for quiet reflection. I've done some volunteer work there and find the grounds, and history to be just spectacular.
A trip to Woodlawn Cemetery, across the street from the northern end of the 4 Train, is a visit to a 19th Century landscaped city of the dead. Beautiful statuary and mausoleums are arranged on wooded roads. It's a quiet park, perfect for a contemplative stroll among the mini-temples of marble, and weeping angels and Jesus statues. Combine it with your trip to the Bronx Botanical Gardens, which is not too far away, for a Northern Bronx day trip.There is a printed guide available at the front gate, with a list of famous 19th and 20th Century Americans interred here. Visit their official site, with more information: http://www.thewoodlawncemetery.org/
This cemetery is so Historical! They have many famous people, for example Sir Miles Davis, Woolworth, Duke Edward Kennedy Ellington, Ciela Cruz, The Queen of Salsa! I can go on and on of who is buried at this Historical Cemetery. The monuments are to be marveled, they are a work of art. If you LOVE nature, bring your camera, in the spring the trees are beautiful, the variety of birds are awesome to watch, and the lake is so peaceful. They offer a walking tour if you schedule one, and if you are in the area at Halloween time, don't miss out on that walking tour!!!
I make the trek once in a while from Astoria, just because it's such a great, relaxing place to wonder around and finally drop down on a hillside for a rest or to read a few chapters or to sketch some trees and geese.The landscaping is fantastic. It's also fun trying to find Herman Melville's little grave marker or to walk through the larger stones that mark Ellington's and Davis' resting places.
This is a beautiful spot in The Bronx and definitely worth a visit. There is limited parking within the gates. I did the audio tour ($5) with a friend of mine and it was difficult to find the highlights on the tour. We were helped out twice by super friendly cemetery employees because there were no markings on the grounds itself to let you know if you were going in the right direction. We enjoyed it thoroughly because it was so serene and lovely and we could (and did) walk for hours and getting to all 37 highlighted spots became secondary. We did about 15, but the guided tour must definitely be the way to do it if you want to see them all. Also, the weeping beech tree aside Jay Gould's Mausoleum is amazing. If you do do the audio tour, make sure the machine is working before you leave the office.
Wanted to see this historic cemetery for a long time, but wasn't sure of its location or how to get there. Subway changes seemed too messy, but the metro north from Grand Central was a straight shot and let's you out ACROSS the STREET from the cemetery office ! I just wanted to look around and to find the burial site of an ancestor. The office staff was very helpful (NO FEE if you go in person!). Luckily, they were buried not too awfully far from the office. Beware -- it's 400 acres. Others had told me that you'd need a car, but I didn't have access to one, so public transport worked just fine.They have many interesting tours, so I'll go back again -- maybe for a full moon tour. Next I want to go see Green-wood in Brooklyn which seems to be a similar style and age.
This place is very large. And very impressive.The staff in the office are very helpful. I wanted to visit the grave of Felix Pappalrdi (a great musician). The staff found it for me.I travelled here by subway to Woodlawn station. The entrance is across the road from the station.
Being a western history buff I was excited to pay my respects to Bat Masterson. But there was much more. Woodlawn is like a serene park. And there is history everywhere. Besides Bat I found Duke Ellington and Miles Davis next to each other. Also Olive Thomas, a Rockefeller, a Woolworth and a Kress.