Lake View Cemetery is, believe it or not, one of the most coveted landmarks in Northeast Ohio. As the most beautiful cemetery in Cleveland, the atmosphere at this place is anything but macabre. In fact, the cemetery is lively, vibrant, and welcoming. Even its most famous tomb, the Garfield Memorial, seems to encourage a tone of celebration as you walk through its gorgeous halls. Its landscape is worth wandering, or you may choose to visit and talk the path most traveled. Either way, a hike through Cleveland's most cherished cemetery is endlessly rewarding.
Yes, families grieve in cemeteries. However, there's one in Cleveland that celebrates life in an incredible way.
At 285 acres and with more than 100,000 permanent residents, Lake View Cemetery is well worth a visit.
Many of its earliest interments featured lavish and architecturally striking graves, mausoleums, statues, and more.
Landmarks like Daffodil Hill keep this landscape fresh and intriguing all year round. Each season has its own highlights!
There are several ways to view the park. For one, you can take a self-guided tour of its trails with the assistance of a trail guide you can find at the office, the Garfield Memorial, or Wade Chapel.
Or, you can schedule a private group tour to get an in-depth look at this pretty landscape.
Tours of 12 or more are just $5 per person. This is an incredible way to see the cemetery, as knowledgeable experts will immerse you in the history of the area's most coveted sites.
Whatever you decide to do, you'll find yourself face-to-face with fascinating monuments from start to finish.
Though it may seem morbid at first glance, a family visit to Lake View Cemetery is oh so special.
A visit to the cemetery gives parents and grandparents an opportunity to talk to the kids about a variety of topics, including how we celebrate life and why we continue traditions. It's an opportunity to reflect on a lot of different things, and the kids will be exposed to a number of fascinating landmarks along the way.
You may even gather up the family and plan to visit during a special event or concert.
During your visit, you'll want to make time to visit The Angel of Death Victorious.
Otherwise known as the Haserot Angel, this landmark is silent yet beautiful. It seems to have movement in its aging bronze facade, including what seem to be dark tears flowing from her eyes. This angel, hiding in Section 9 on Lot 14, is a popular landmark.
And you might even want to visit the graves of famous interments, including Ray Chapman. Chapman (whose headstone is pictured) was the only MLB player to die from an injury sustained during a Major League Baseball game.
Oh, and since the landscape is wooded, Lake View Cemetery is an incredible place to watch for local wildlife.
Critters like deer, raccoons, opossum, and more have been spotted in and around the cemetery. Many also come to experience the area's abundance of birdwatching opportunities. Nearly 200 species have been spotted in the area!
All in all, a stroll through this gorgeous cemetery will have you realizing that works of art hide even in the most unsuspecting places.
And you'll love the extravagance of the Gilded Age landmarks in particular.
Wade Chapel is overflowing with Tiffany glass elements, and the devil is in the details of the cemetery's many mausoleums. Bring a camera, because there are many elements in this park that you'll want to remember.
A world of adventure awaits at Lake View Cemetery.
A long stroll through the most beautiful cemetery in Cleveland may not seem to be the ideal hike, but it is oh so rewarding. Have you ever visited Lake View Cemetery? Which landmark is your favorite? Share your tips in the comments to help others plan their own visit!
Can't get enough of the local landscape? Continue traveling through time at Erie Street Cemetery, Cleveland's oldest remaining resting place.
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