Mount Auburn Cemetery - Bucketlisted

Mount Auburn Cemetery

America’s first garden cemetery

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Where the Star-Spangled Banner was born: a compact fort with sweeping harbor views and living history. It’s an easy win—flat paths, open lawns, and a visitor film that sets the scene in under 15 minutes.

Start at the visitor center for your map, then follow the ramp to the east wall for the best harbor vantage. Time your visit for a flag raising or lowering—the ranger talk turns the place into a story you’ll remember.

For a slower visit, circle the star-shaped ramparts clockwise and watch ships move in and out of the Patapsco.

What’s new? Updated today

Sunset flag lowering 6:30pm (Fri–Sun)
Temporary exhibit: War of 1812
Harbor shuttle every 20 minutes

What are the hours? — 9:00–17:00 (daily)

Hours may vary for holidays and special events; check the official site before you go.

How much does it cost? — $15 adults · kids free

Admission covers the fort and visitor center exhibits; special tours may be extra.

Where do I park? — On-site lot + overflow

Lots can fill on weekends by mid-day; arrive early or consider rideshare.

Is it accessible? — Flat paths; accessible restrooms

Most ramparts have graded access; some historic areas may have uneven surfaces.

Arrive 30 min before sunset for the lowering ceremony and best light.
Wind picks up on the ramparts—bring a light jacket even in summer.
Stroller route: enter via visitor center, ramp to east wall loop.

The first garden cemetery in the United States, Mount Auburn revolutionized how Americans honor the dead—and in the process, inspired the creation of public parks like Central Park. Designed as a sanctuary of nature and art, it was a dramatic shift from the cramped, unsanitary graveyards of early Boston, introducing a peaceful, park-like landscape for both mourning and reflection.

Spanning 175 acres, Mount Auburn became the prototype for the rural cemetery movement, blending winding paths, rolling hills, and lush gardens with sculptures, monuments, and mausoleums. The 62-foot Washington Tower offers one of the best panoramic views of Boston, while its diverse plant life makes it a haven for birdwatchers and naturalists.

A National Historic Landmark, Mount Auburn is the final resting place of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Mary Baker Eddy, Julia Ward Howe, Edmonia Lewis, and Felix Frankfurter, among others. It remains a living landscape, evolving with changing traditions of mourning, remembrance, and conservation.

USA > Massachusetts > Boston

Cemeteries, Landmarks