Atlanta's Oldest Cemetery Is An Eerie Tourist Spot That Feels Like Stepping Back In Time

Travelers who appreciate activities with a touch of the macabre are often fans of visiting historic cemeteries around the world. But even if you aren't a fan of spooky spots, Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia, is well worth exploring. 

A cemetery may seem like an odd place to spend time on vacation, but most of them are extremely peaceful places. The best ones are beautifully landscaped, and wandering through them feels like exploring a lovely garden. Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta is actually one the city's largest green spaces, and many locals enjoy the grounds as they would a public park. It's a great free place to visit during a layover in Atlanta, and a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch on a warm spring day. 

Visitors can enjoy wandering through the 48-acre cemetery — located to the east of Atlanta's busy downtown area — and searching for the headstones of the many famous people who have been buried there over the years. Seeing the historic mausoleums is like a journey back in time. If you're planning a trip to Atlanta, carve out some time to escape from the biggest tourist traps and explore this historic gem instead. 

Oakland Cemetery was founded in 1850, and it's one of the most beautiful cemeteries in America. Originally, 6 acres were set aside to create a cemetery on the east side of the city of Atlanta. The land was purchased by the City of Atlanta from a landowner named A. W. Wooding. That 6-acre plot is the oldest part of Oakland Cemetery and it's now referred to as the Original Six Acres, according to the cemetery's website. When exploring the Original Six Acres, you'll encounter tombstones that date back over 170 years. One of the first graves belongs to Agnes Wooding, the wife of the property owner who sold the land to the City of Atlanta. The oldest tombstone belongs to Dr. James Nissen, a medical doctor who was buried there in 1850.

In the early 1850s, Oakland Cemetery was segregated. Enslaved and free Black Americans were buried in a section of the cemetery that was then known as Slave Square. In the 1870s, their remains were relocated to another part of the cemetery that is now called the African American Grounds. In 2017, Oakland Cemetery restored many headstones and added educational signage about America's Black History. "The history of the slave burials made my heart sink but the narration by the foundation was excellent and interesting," wrote a Tripadvisor reviewer with the username NineteenTwelve B.

More than 70,000 people are buried in Oakland Cemetery. You'll see graves of Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War, politicians, and Civil Rights activists. Some of the dearly departed who currently reside there were quite famous during their lives. Margaret Mitchell, the author who wrote the iconic novel "Gone With the Wind," is buried there, along with other notable people from throughout history.

Oakland Cemetery is open to the public daily, and there is no fee to enter the grounds and enjoy the stunning gardens and intricate architecture. The Visitor Center and the Oakland Store are open from 10 in the morning until 5 in the evening. Visitors can park on the street for free, or opt for a spot in the parking lot for a fee.

Taking a guided tour is a wonderful way to learn about the cemetery's history. You can register for the daily guided tour, which departs at 10:30 in the morning each day, on the Oakland Cemetery website. Tickets for the tour cost $12 per adult. "We loved this tour. We signed up for it in advance but it was raining heavily on the day of the tour. The woman at the visitors [center]/book store was very nice and lent us umbrellas," wrote PhotoTripper_10 in their Tripadvisor review. "We learned about local history and also of several notables who are buried there." 

Throughout the year there are exciting ticketed events that take place at Oakland Cemetery. For example, Spirited Love Stories tours were being offered at the time of writing. Activities included crafts for kids and a guided tour through the cemetery in which attendees would be told stories of lovers who are buried there. A popular spring event called illumine allows visitors to wander the cemetery at night. Vibrant lights illuminate the grounds, and guests can enjoy live entertainment, drinks, and shopping for unique gifts made by local artisans. In 2026, illumine will be held on select dates from April 16 through April 26.