spring grove cemetery & arboretum

We were really surprised by beautiful/non-morbid it is. We were a bit alarmed driving to it because it doesn't appear like a great side of town but once you are on the cemetery grounds, there is really nothing to worry about because it is heavily patrolled (we saw at least 3 security guards in our 2 hours there). If you Google the cemetery and get on the website, there is a printable self-guided walking tour map available. It is absolutely huge and you could never see everything there, but the walking tour gives you a decent idea of it. I have also heard that this is available in the office, but if you want to be extra prepared you can always bring your own. We learned a lot. I didn't expect myself to really like it that much, but I absolutely loved it and would like to explore it some more if I get the chance. Apparently there is a clown bust in section 75 (we forgot to check that out). I can't say enough good things about this place. It took us about 2-3 hours to complete the walking tour, but we were walking at a leisurely pace and taking lots of pictures. Also, we spent a good 10-20 minutes wandering around/getting lost.

You may not normally consider a Cemetery as a place to stop and visit ... the sites and history in this one are phenomenal. This is not only a scenic park like setting but it is also a walk through history. The Gano family resting place is situated just in through the gates and off to your right. The office will help you with a map available just inside their doors.The Gano's are descendants of Huguenots from France. Settling in the new world and father and son become co-patriots in the American Revolution. It is the son who comes to the Northwest Territory with a group of Baptists to establish "Columbia" a name representative of the New World among our Founding Fathers. The highway immediately in front of the Reds and Bengals stadiums takes you to "Columbia Parkway" which will drop you into the landing site out by Lunken Airport of this family.These were soldiers serving immediately with George Washington and pioneers to the Northwest Territory. Tremendous history not only in their final resting sites but also of many other families of distinction to Southwest Ohio, this is also a testament to pioneer westward expansion. The Cemetery itself is a park in the midst of 21st century progress.Go see it!

I took a beautiful fall day to walk this huge cemetery! ( it's the 2nd largest IN THE COUNTRY!) The grounds are meticulously landscaped. It's a great place for photography with the featured ponds and historical markers.

Artistic monuments, civil war area, beautiful fall foliage, lakes, waterfalls. You will be surprised to notice quiet, respectful happenings; wedding and other photography, catch, picnics on the expansive lawns (no tables), walkers, non-motorised biking, Easter Sunrise service as the sun rises over the misty lake, and various events on facility's calendar.

Cemeteries don't get much better than this one. Visiting a cemetery on a trip might seem weird too some but this place is beautiful. Well known for the landscaping & scenery, many people come here just for the park like setting.

The memorials are phenomenal, the landscape consists of fabulous trees, blooming bushes.Easy to get around, since it has several entrances.

I love this cemetery not just because I am a history geek but because I have an great uncle buried here..my uncle served in World War II in the Navy and in Korea in the Army. At the tender age of 23, he was buried in the NATO cemetery and then he was brought here to his final resting place.So, if you can forgive the fact I am partial..please continue.Spring Grove is a lovely garden and arboretum..littered with gorgeous monuments of the rich, famous and brave of the area. The lakes offer many a backdrop to the hundreds of artists who visit every year. The spring bulbs are bountiful and offer many fragrant blooms to visitors. The visitor's center has many maps of the notables to visit from authors, visionaries and merchants..you can find many interesting people here. The cemetery offers full moon tours for those who like the macabre. Or for those who like the less spooky, daytime tours. Maps can be acquired to find your long lost relatives or the civil war soldiers interred here.Bicycles and Rollerbladers bound. Joggers and picnickers, too!!Memorial day weekend is packed with activities and tours. I will be the one laying a wreath and taking pictures of my daughter..creepy but my uncle had no children. I never met him, but when I am gone, she will take care of his plot. So don't think we are morbid..we are preserving history. I urge you to stop by the visitors center and ask for a driving tour map.. You will be glad you did. Also visit a local restaurant and enjoy your day..

The landscape architects have planted trees and shrubs to provide a beautiful setting all 12 months of the year. The stunning mausoleum architecture, family monuments, and other markers made me too awed to feel sad about the people buried there. The extraordinary Norman Chapel on the grounds is so historically unique and exquisite that my daughter chose to be married there!

I have been to this cemetery numerous times... both of my parents are buried there. But besides that fact, there is a lot of history there. This cemetery is one of the largest in the United States with many famous people buried there including Civil War veterans. Just "Google" Spring Grove Cemetery and you will get much more historical information then I could ever write in this space.

This is a lovely, historic cemetery with Civil War and many more memorials. Our high school class collected leaves here. Brides are photographed here. Bikers bike, hikers hike and tours are available. Even local birders enjoy seeing gatherings - such as the black crowned herons that look like 25-30 penguins congregating in the sycamore trees by the lake. Come, see for yourself!

The old expression "great place to visit but I would not want to live there" fits a lot of places, the cemetery included but the history and monuments are exceptional to view. It is the 2nd largest cemetery in the country and houses numerous presidents and other dignitaries. They have events year round and it is a very nice place to just drop in and see the statues, lakes and vegitation.

Everything! The variety of trees and shrubs are unmatched. The tomb stones and mausoleums are from all centuries. The landscape manicured meticulously ...check it out!

It may seem strange, but I take walks at the Spring Grove Cemetery almost every week. It's more like a park than a cemetery. The trees and plants are wonderful, and many rare migratory or irruptive birds find this oasis in the middle of the urban center. The cemetery seems safe (park on the roadway, but lock your car) and the roads are walkable, especially if you like hills. Two swans grace one of the large ponds on the lower level. In spring, don't miss the flowers near the mausoleum. There are many fascinating old graves and tombstones also, if you just want to wander and read. A number of famous people are buried here. Maps are available and tours as well, but do watch out for funeral processions coming through. The cemetery is HUGE - if you get lost, you can find a road with a stripe down it and follow that to either the north or south entrance, where the yellow, white and green routes meet back up.

Good for a Sunday afternoon walk, jog or bike ride. Beautiful grounds and the memorials are interesting. Will go back in the summer to see the tress in full bloom.

I love cemeteries and this one is amazing for the history…but, more than any other cemetery, it is an amazingly gorgeous park too