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Spend This Halloween In One Of New York's Cemeteries!
By
Meryl Cates
Published Oct 13, 2011
Modified Oct 13, 2011
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By
Meryl Cates
Published Oct 13, 2011
Modified Oct 13, 2011
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Photo of Trinity Cemetery via Triborough's Flickr
Nothing says Halloween like a stroll through a cemetery... at night. Many of New York's final resting places have opened their gates for a series of special tours sure to leave you in a cold sweat. Now remember (unless you have the Sanderson sisters after you) the undead will not be making an appearance, it’s just some good historic fun... right?
Candlelight Tour of St. Paul’s Church Cemetery: One of the oldest parishes in New York, St. Paul’s cemetery boasts graves dating all the way back to 1704! The tour, which will be led by candlelight, will stop by the tombstones of American Revolution soldiers and civilians. Afterwards, head back to the 18th century style church to hear music by Linda Russell & Companie.
Friday, October 14th at 7 p.m. // Free // Saint Paul’s Church, 897 South Columbus Ave. Mount Vernon
Green-Wood Cemetery Tour: The architectural splendor of Green-wood cemetery with it's stunning Gothic-styled tombs makes it a perfect stop on the cemetery tour circuit. Around since 1838, this was one of the first “rural cemeteries” in the country. Save the hooker heels for Halloween night because there’s a lot of ground to cover—the three mile tour will require some appropriate footwear.
Saturday, October 15th at 10:30 a.m. // $25 // Green-Wood Cemetery, 5th Avenue and 25th Street, Brooklyn
The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery’s Murder & Mayhem Tour: The stomping ground of the Headless Horseman, the small town of Sleepy Hollow (just a short train ride away) is a Halloween mecca. And while this cemetery offers tours throughout October and November, we think the more macabre Murder and Mayhem theme sounds pretty cool. Embark on a lantern-lit trip through Sleepy Hollow’s “colorful” incidents, like a grave robbery, a little murder-suicide incident, and the glamorous husband killer.
Friday, October 14th & 21st // 7 p.m. // $24.99 with reservations required // Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, 540 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY
Harry Houdini’s Grave: One of the most famed magicians, Houdini made the impossible happen—vanishing elephants and all. Word around town is that when he died he told his wife he would return from the grave on October 31st, which is also the day he died. Buried in Machpelah Cemetery in Glendale, Queens, his grave is always a popular place to visit on Halloween night.
Crypt Crawl A Halloween Tour at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine: The Romanesque, Byzantine designed church, although riddled with a history of stop and go construction, provides a striking backdrop to this crypt crawl. As you hop from crypt to crypt, learn about who’s who of the entombed, and how Halloween went from Celtic New Year to All Hallows Eve.
October 25, 26, 27, 28 and 30th // $20 per person, $15 for students/seniors with reservations required // The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue
After Dark at Woodlawn Annual Spooky Halloween Tour: The resting place of many New York City greats, it was established in 1863 and spans 400 acres. Trying to bring some life to the ole’ cemetery, this year’s early evening walk includes real-life interpretations of city legends lore and unsolved mysteries and murders. The tour will be led by City Lore folklorist Elena Martinez, along with bagpipers for your listening enjoyment.
October 29, 30th and 31st // 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. // $20 admission fee with reservations required // Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY
Halloween Is Happening at Trinity Church: Occupy Trinity? "You never know who you'll find in the Trinity Churchyard on Halloween: Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton; Lord and Lady Cornbury; assorted ghosts, witches, goblins, and the occasional Spiderman. It's all part of the Trinity Church Halloween celebration, a night of fun for the whole family, including treats, games, crafts, and a special silent movie screening in Trinity Church." The movie this year will be the futuristic sci-fi flick Metropolis, which you can enjoy after some "Haunted Hamilton" cocktails!
Friday, October 28th // 4 to 10 p.m. // Free, donations accepted // Trinity Church, Broadway at Wall Street
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cemeteries
cemetery tour
fall guide 2011
halloween
Meryl Cates
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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