7+ Sensational Reasons To Visit Oakland Cemetery Before You Die

Oakland Cemetery is like a good Irish wake, there is an appropriate amount of reverence, lots of great stories, and a party that celebrates life.

And thankfully, no one has to pass on to enjoy this unusual Atlanta attraction.

HISTORIC OAKLAND CEMETERY

Historic Oakland Cemetery is the oldest Atlanta, Georgia, cemetery. Founded in 1850, it is located less than a mile from the heart of Downtown Atlanta. It is an outstanding example of a Victorian garden cemetery with a magnificent sculpture garden, botanical garden, flourishing wildlife habitat, and a public park.

It may seem funny to visit a cemetery for fun, but I assure you, this famous cemetery in Atlanta is for the living just as much as the dead.  In fact, one of the best ways to learn Atlanta history is to hear the stories of ‘residents’ on one of the Oakland Cemetery tours.  

The Oakland Cemetery events are some of the best in the city – I mean, who doesn’t want to participate in a 5K called the Run Like Hell or attend events like Tunes from the Tombs, Arts and Architecture, or a beer festival called Malts and Vaults?

There are so many reasons you should visit this historic cemetery…we’ve gathered up some of our favorites.

OAKLAND CEMETERY GUIDED TOURS

One of the many great things about Oakland is its rich history. Wonder who is buried in Oakland Cemetery? There are Oakland Cemetery Tours that celebrate every group, from the famous Atlantans like Margaret Mitchell and Bobby Jones, to the not-so-famous, and together they tell the story of Atlanta. 

Sights, Symbols, and Stories of Oakland

The Sights, Symbols, and Stories of Oakland tour is a guided overview tour that’s offered on Saturdays, Sundays, and select Wednesdays.

During this tour, you’ll learn more about the history of the cemetery, the period gardens, and the art and architecture in Oakland Cemetery.

Oakland is an outdoor museum of Atlanta’s history, and there are plenty of stories to tell. The knowledgeable and entertaining guides will take you on a 90-minute walking tour so you can learn more about what makes this Atlanta landmark so amazing.

Specialty Topic Tours

In addition to their overview tour, there are also specialty topic tours offered throughout the year. Some of the tours you may find on select days are…

• Civil War Highlights Tour
• Famous Oakland Cemetery Burials
• Love Stories of Oakland
• The Jewish Grounds of Oakland

Reservations are required and sometimes fill up fast for their specialty tours, so make sure to check out Oakland Cemetery’s calendar HERE.

SELF-GUIDED OAKLAND CEMETERY TOURS

I sometimes like to wander around Oakland without a guide. If you are like me, you might be interested in the self-guided tours available. Here are a couple of ways to take a self-guided tour…

• Purchase a digital version of their Self-Guided Tour Map that you can print at home or order a paper copy from their online Museum Store. This guide, priced at $5, has over 55 marked stops, and enough Oakland Cemetery history to keep you engaged for hours! View the monuments at your own pace and enjoy a walk through the history of Oakland.

• Our favorite Clue Town Books offers a Oakland Cemetery book. Their Oakland book will let you tour its brick paths in a respectful scavenger hunt that delivers a beautiful and cultural experience.

• You can also explore Oakland Cemetery by your phone. Take their self-guided dial-in tour of the African American Burial Grounds: “African American Voices” by dialing (678) 365-0232.

OAKLAND CEMETERY EVENTS

One of my favorite ways to experience Oakland is through their many, many incredible events. And the t-shirts are always uniquely awesome! Check the website for a full listing of events, but here are a few of our favorites. And what’s cool is that all proceeds from these events benefit the Oakland Cemetery Restoration Fund.

SPRING SCRAMBLER SCAVENGER HUNT (APRIL & MAY)

Gather a group of friends or family for a day of cemetery sleuthing on this self-guided scavenger hunt throughout historic Oakland Cemetery! Choose from three different packets, organized by degree of cemetery riddle difficulty:

• Easy: Kid-friendly riddles and perfect for families (expected hunt time:1 hour)
• Medium: Challenging, but not impossible to solve, riddles (Expected hunt time: 1.5-2 hours)
• Deadly: Try it if you dare (Expected hunt time: 2-3 hours)

Each team that purchases a packet will be entered into a drawing for prizes. Prizes include tour tickets, memberships, Museum Store gift cards, and more. There will be weekly prize drawings, and winners will be notified by email.

OAKLAND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP (MAY-JUNE)

Sharpen your photography skills during this four-part workshop series at Oakland Cemetery!

Rich in subjects and scenes, Historic Oakland Cemetery is a photographer’s dream setting. Led by seasoned professionals, this series will explore different photography genres with technical advice and hands-on instruction. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or still learning the basics of your camera, you will discover tips and techniques to improve your skills during each class.

JUNETEENTH AT OAKLAND CEMETERY

Juneteenth National Independence Day, celebrated on June 19, is a federal holiday that commemorates the end of enslavement in the United States. Celebrate Juneteenth at Oakland Cemetery with two weeks of free programs open and available to the public!

• We Shall Overcome Walking Tour: “We Shall Overcome” became the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, but the origin of the song dates back to antebellum days and a spiritual sung by enslaved people, “No More Auction Block for Me.” This tour explores the lives and accomplishments of outstanding and ordinary African Americans who fought to overcome the effects of slavery and discrimination to help shape the history of Atlanta.

• Black Magnolias Guided Walking Tour: This guided walking tour explores the history, lives, and labors of Atlanta’s African American women.

• Storytelling Hour: Join their storyteller for an hour of interactive tales and music at Oakland. Recommended for ages 5-12. Meet in North Public Grounds. Picnic blankets are encouraged!

TUNES FROM THE TOMBS AND SUNDAY IN THE PARK (SEPTEMBER)

Typically held in June, Tunes from the Tombs has been combined with Sunday in the Park in September. Enjoy the sunset over the Atlanta skyline as the music flows from Oakland’s North Public Grounds.

I love listening to bands on an outdoor stage and being able to float between stages is even better. Tunes from the Tombs music festival is perfect.

This fun community festival features live music, a vendor market, food trucks, beer tents, kids’ activities, and so much more. VIP Tickets are also available.

SWAPTEMBER (SEPTEMBER)

Swap the savings during the annual SWAPtember event at 22 metro Atlanta attractions! Show your Historic Oakland Foundation membership card when you visit these participating Atlanta attractions between September 1-30, 2022 and receive $10 off a membership purchase.

Or show your membership card from one of these participating attractions at Oakland’s Museum Store and get $10 off your Historic Oakland Foundation membership. You’ll also get 10% off your purchase at the Museum Store when you show your card from a participating attraction.

Some attractions are also offering additional discounts on general admission during the month-long savings event. For full offer details, visit the participating attraction’s website.

CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF OAKLAND HALLOWEEN TOURS (OCTOBER)

Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween tours are a favorite autumn tradition in Atlanta, selling out every year in July. The event returns for its 17th year in 2024.

Designed to enlighten rather than frighten, Capturing the Spirit of Oakland tours bring to life the stories of some of the cemetery’s notable and notorious residents and allow visitors to experience Oakland Cemetery after dark. A costumed docent guides you through the cemetery’s beautifully lit Victorian Gardens where you’ll meet some of Oakland’s fascinating residents and hear their tales.

The evening also includes musical performances, craft beer and cocktails, and an Oakland gift shop. Guests are encouraged to arrive in costume to set the mood.

TOUR THE GARDENS IN THE SPRING

You must experience Oakland Cemetery in the spring! The flowers are bursting with color, and they look magnificent against the aging tombstones of our cities historical figures.  You can take a guided tour, or like me, you can roam the grounds with your littles and experience it yourself.  

I find it peaceful. I love being in the midst of “scared ground” with flowers around me and gorgeous views of the city.  I love seeing my boys run up and down a row, stopping to smell a flower or point out an angel.  If they are a little loud…hey, that’s OK.

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO ATLANTA

• YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
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• GHOST TOURS: 13 Spell-Binding Atlanta Ghost Tours That Guarantee Goosebumps
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• MUSIC FESTIVALS: Atlanta Music Festivals: A Noteworthy List of 31+ of Metro’s Best