Lower Manhattan Cemetery Stroll: Explore historic graveyards and local burial cultures
Take a walk through Downtown Manhattan with a cemetery expert
This tour explores the burial history and practices of six distinct cultures through time within New York City.
Along the way, we’ll decode cemetery symbolism and funerary practices, uncovering the hidden, and sometimes controversial, gravesites of New York.
Tour highlights will include:
- Trinity Church & St. Paul’s Chapel churchyards
- Chinatown’s funeral row and joss house
- Decoding cemetery gravestone art
- St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church
- A visit to the African Burial Ground
- First Shearith Israel Graveyard
- Information about burial rituals for a diverse array of cultures
*Please note that the venues on this tour are subject to change and may be closed on the day of your visit. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including unforeseen maintenance, private events, or other operational issues. While we do our best to ensure our schedule is accurate, we cannot guarantee access to any specific venue. We appreciate your understanding.
A recent TripAdvisor review about the Cemetery Tour:
“James Henry made this tour of NY historical cemeteries truly fascinating. One couldn’t ask for a more knowledgeable and charming guide. Well done James!“
The Tour
This tour walks through Lower Manhattan. You will meet at the info kiosk at Trinity Church (89 Broadway) and end near Chatham Square in Chinatown. (We will send exact details when you sign up.)
Duration
2.5 hours and about 1 mile of walking
Rates
$40
Please contact us to set up a private tour!
Ages
This tour is best suited for ages 16+
Guides
James Henry is a New York City tour guide specializing in the city’s cemeteries and graveyards. He is a guide and tour developer at Green-Wood Cemetery and is currently working on a graphic novel about the global history of body snatching.
Prep for the tour by listening to Bowery Boys episodes “New York Underground: The Story of Cemeteries” and “African Burial Ground”.