Green-Wood Cemetery.

Green-Wood Cemetery (500 25th Street, Brooklyn) opened in 1838, and before Central Park existed, it was the most popular outdoor attraction in New York. 478 acres of rolling hills, ponds, Gothic architecture, and enormous old trees.

It’s a working cemetery, so be respectful. But it’s also a National Historic Landmark that actively welcomes visitors. The views of the harbor from Battle Hill (the highest point in Brooklyn) are incredible. The parrots living in the Gothic arch at the main entrance are real and nobody can fully explain how they got there.

Free to enter. Open daily.

I know some folks might consider a cemetery as a place to see cherry blossoms a morbid thought, but this peaceful place is hard to beat. The highest concentration of cherry blossoms can be found by the Valley Water and Sylvan Water ponds (pictured above).

This also a really great spot for birding during the spring season, so take advantage. While visiting the cemetery, make an effort to see the 25-year art installation titled Here Lie the Secrets of the Visitors of Green-Wood Cemetery. It’s a grave designed specifically for secrets, visitors can write their most intimate thoughts on paper and lay them to rest.

Serving as the final resting place for Jean-Michel Basquiat, F.A.O Schwarz, Samuel Morse and Horace Greeley, Green-Wood Cemetery was founded in 1838 and was one of the first rural cemeteries in the country.

Come autumn, the cemetery hosts some of the most unique fall events in New York City, like touring the historic grounds after dark and participating in a Crime and Catastrophe trolley tour. Check out the event calendar at Green-Wood Cemetery and plan the prefect spooky night while visiting New York City in the fall.

Green-Wood Cemetery spans 478 acres and the spring blooms simply can’t be beat. The highest concentration of cherry blossoms can be found in the Valley Water and Sylvan Water ponds. There’s also a fascinating art installation called Here Lie the Secrets of the Visitors of Green-Wood Cemetery. It’s a grave designed specifically for secrets! Visitors can write their most intimate secrets on a sheet of paper and finally lay them to rest.

Mentioning a cemetery might sound morbid for a list of unique things to do in NYC, but Green-Wood Cemetery is truly distinctive. Spanning 478 acres, it boasts unparalleled spring and fall colors, providing a serene escape from city noise.

Plus, there’s a fascinating 25-year installation called “Here Lie the Secrets of the Visitors of Green-Wood Cemetery,” where you can write and bury your most intimate secrets. It’s one of the most exciting and unique experiences in NYC.