When the leaves start to fall and the air gets that unmistakable chill, some people go apple picking. Others? They go cemetery strolling.
If you’re someone who finds beauty in the stillness of a graveyard, the poetry of carved stone, or the rich tapestry of history told through headstones, then this one’s for you. Philadelphia is a city where the past always lingers just below the surface, and nowhere is that more evident than in its cemeteries.
Here are five cemeteries in the Philly area that are perfect for walking, wondering, wandering, and even watching outdoor movies with the dearly departed. These spots are hauntingly beautiful all year long, but they’re especially magical in the fall.
1. Laurel Hill East Cemetery
3822 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19132
Size: 74 acres | Founded: 1836
Graves: Over 33,000
Vibe: Gothic grandeur, history-rich, community-focused
What I Think:
If cemeteries had superlatives, Laurel Hill East would be voted Most Likely to Be the Cool Kid. It’s the rock star of Philadelphia’s cemeteries. Historically significant, visually stunning, and always buzzing with spooky and smart events. You don’t just visit Laurel Hill East - you experience it.
It also happens to be across from the Paradise Collection of homes, which we represent. Take a (non-spooky) tour of Paradise Peak, Laurel Hill Estates, or West Alley Row with us. You’ll find just how incredible it is to have a cemetery where dogs are walked, trails are jogged, and neighbors meet up just across the way.
Why It’s to Die For:
It’s not just a cemetery; it’s the first National Historic Landmark cemetery in the United States.
Set on a picturesque bluff above the Schuylkill River in East Falls, it feels worlds away from the city noise, yet it’s just off Kelly Drive
The cemetery is an arboretum and garden as well as a burial ground, with stunning views and rare tree species dotting its 74-acre expanse.
Founded in 1836 as part of the rural cemetery movement, Laurel Hill East helped redefine how Americans viewed death - not as something to be hidden, but as something to be honored and even visited.
Famous Residents:
Philadelphia mayors, Civil War generals, business moguls, poets, inventors — this place reads like a who’s-who of 19th-century society including Henry Disston the businessman responsible for bringing Disston Saw Works and therefore building up the neighborhood of Tacony, Sarah Josepha Hale, the poet of Mary Had a Little Lamb, William Pepper the founder of the Philadelphia Free Library, and the list goes on and on. Some of which are said to still linger among the headstones...
Don’t Miss:
Cinema in the Cemetery – Classic films projected under the stars
Soul Crawl – After-dark flashlight tours through shadowy paths
Rest In Peace 5K – A scenic run among the stones (yes, costumes are welcome)
Good to Know:
Laurel Hill East is managed by a nonprofit, the Friends of Laurel Hill, dedicated to preserving its monuments, stories, and spooky magic.
Support:
laurelhillphl.com/support
2. Laurel Hill West Cemetery
225 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
For GPS: Use 321 Belmont Ave.
Size: Over 200 acres | Founded: 1869
Vibe: Serene, spacious, contemplative
What I Think:
If Laurel Hill East is the life of the party, Laurel Hill West is her quieter, introspective sibling. Just across the river in Bala Cynwyd, Laurel Hill West is larger, more open, and more meditative. It’s less about events and more about peace.
Why It’s to Die For:
Opened in 1869 as an extension of Laurel Hill East, it reflects 19th-century ideals of planned landscapes and serenity.
It’s even more expansive — over 200 acres — with wide open spaces and mature trees offering shade, quiet, and bird song.
Like its older sibling, it’s also an arboretum and features carefully preserved gardens alongside its graves.
Popular with joggers, dog walkers, and those seeking a quiet moment of reflection.
Support:
laurelhillphl.com/support
3. The Woodlands Cemetery
4000 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Size: 54 acres | Founded: 1840
Graves: 32,000+
Vibe: Botanical, haunted, historic haven
What I Think:
Tucked behind University City’s buzz, The Woodlands is a true hidden gem. Equal parts garden, graveyard, and historical treasure trove, it’s beloved by plant lovers, historians, and spooky season fans alike. There’s a wild beauty here — Victorian, vine-covered, and quietly otherworldly.
Why It’s to Die For:
A National Historic Landmark that began as the country estate of botanist William Hamilton. In fact, Gingko trees were planted and introduced to the US at The Woodlands by Hamilton.
Today, it’s an open-to-the-public green space and cemetery, with a strong focus on preservation and community events.
Famous for its Cradle Graves, which are flower beds built into the gravestones. A volunteer group called the Grave Gardeners now lovingly tends to these beds, reviving a forgotten tradition with Victorian-era plants.
Don’t Miss:
After Hours: Under the Full Moon – A nighttime tour warmed by fire pits and lit by lanterns
Grave Gardeners Program – Over 150 volunteers adopt graves to beautify and protect
Why It Feels Magical:
The combination of decaying stone, creeping ivy, and fragrant blossoms makes this one of the most visually striking cemeteries in the city — especially in October.
Support:
woodlandsphila.org/support
4. Christ Church Burial Ground
N 5th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Size: 2 acres | Founded: 1695
Burials: Over 4,000
Vibe: Compact, colonial, history-packed
What I Think:
Looking for a spooky detour while you’re sightseeing in Old City? This one’s got your name on it. (Maybe literally.)
Christ Church Burial Ground may be small in size, but it’s huge in historical significance. You’ll walk among the graves of early American legends — and if you’re lucky, catch a tour guide spinning stories of revolution, disease, and death.
Why It’s to Die For:
Final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence
Guests leave pennies on Franklin’s grave as a tribute to his wit: "A penny saved is a penny earned."
Don't Miss:
Yellow Fever 1793 Tour – Learn about one of Philadelphia’s deadliest epidemics
Gravestone Symbolism Tour – Decode the eerie etchings and epitaphs
Support:
christchurchphila.org/support
5. Mount Moriah Cemetery
6201 Kingsessing Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19142
Size: 200+ acres | Founded: 1855
Burials: Over 150,000
Vibe: Overgrown, eerie, hopeful
What I Think:
Mount Moriah is a place that pulls at your heartstrings. Once majestic and then abandoned, it’s slowly being brought back to life — one weed, one headstone, one volunteer at a time. It’s a wild place, but there’s deep beauty in its decay and renewal.
Why It’s to Die For:
Once the largest cemetery in Pennsylvania, spanning parts of Philadelphia and Yeadon
Closed unexpectedly in 2011, leaving the grounds overgrown and neglected
Rescued by the Friends of Mount Moriah, a nonprofit now working tirelessly to restore the land
A grassroots success story in progress — and they need all the help they can get
Famous Graves:
Betsy Ross (yes, that one)
Civil War veterans, community leaders, and everyday Philadelphians
Get Involved:
Volunteers are essential here — whether you’re clearing paths, documenting graves, or planting native species.
Final Resting Thoughts
Philadelphia isn’t just a city of rowhomes, cheesesteaks, and championship-starved sports fans. It’s a city of stories, and some of the best ones are buried right beneath your feet.
These cemeteries offer more than peace and quiet. They offer history, architecture, art, nature, and the eerie thrill of connection across time. Whether you come for a tour, a walk, a 5K, or a moonlit movie night, you’ll leave with your heart a little fuller — and maybe your hair standing a little on end. This spooky season, skip the haunted houses. Visit a haunted cemetery instead.
If you’ve been outside today you know it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk. Before you go jump in the Schuylkill to cool off (not advisable), here’s the low-down on where to get your swim on in Philly.