How to Tour Graceland Cemetery in Chicago

Any trip to Chicago should include a stop at Graceland Cemetery. This beautiful and sprawling acreage was established in 1860 and is the final resting place of some of Chicago's best. The lovely park-like setting is spotted by spectacular monuments and statues and is a most-see spot for photography enthusiasts.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Camera
• Car or good walking shoes
• Map of cemetery

1. First, get yourself to Graceland Cemetery. It's located at 4001 North Clark street in Chicago. You'll find an entrance at the corner of West Irving Park Road and North Clark street.
2. Grab your camera and start with a shot of the famous and stunning bronze statue titled "Eternal Silence." This spooky monument memorializes The Graves family, which was one of the first families to settle in Chicago and is found on the west end of the University of Chicago Midway.
3. Most of us have heard of Marshall Fields and his memorial is quite breathtaking. This large bronze, seated figure portrays a restive soul and was designed by the same architect and sculpture who did the Lincoln Memorial.
4. Victor Lawson was the publisher of the Chicago Daily News. His resting place is marked by a handsome monument known as "Crusader" and features a shielded soldier.
5. Photo from Prairieghosts.com No trip to the cemetery would be complete without a ghost story and the glass enclosed statue of a little girl is the most legendary at Graceland. Said to be a representation of the deceased Inez Clarke, the story goes that the sealed statue disappears during thunderstorms and visitors may hear weeping nearby. Spooky.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out the Graceland Cemetery website for hours of operation and tour maps.
• Bring your camera. There are many more breathtaking monuments here and plenty of opportunities for photography.
• Only visit Graceland during hours of operation.
• Be respectful. This is a working cemetery.