Is the tour suitable for beginners in photography?

Yes, the tour welcomes all skill levels, and the guide offers helpful tips for both smartphone and professional camera users.

Are children allowed on the tour?

The tour is recommended for ages 10 and up due to the walking distance and terrain.

Is the Green-Wood Cemetery wheelchair accessible?

No, the cemetery terrain and tour route are uneven and include steep hills, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs.

What should I bring with me?

Bring your camera or smartphone, comfortable shoes, and dress in layers appropriate for fall weather.

Can I visit the historic chapel during the tour?

Access to the chapel depends on its availability at the time of your tour, but it is included as a potential stop on the route.

Is there parking available nearby?

Parking options exist around Green-Wood Cemetery, but public transportation or ride-share services are recommended for convenience.

Capture Stunning Autumn Photos on the Fall Foliage Photo Walk at The Green-Wood Cemetery | Sightseeing Tour | Guided Tour

Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery stands as a unique blend of history, art, and nature sprawling across 478 acres. Designated as a Level III Arboretum, it boasts one of the Northeast’s most diverse tree collections with over 8,600 trees, creating a breathtaking canvas of fall colors every autumn. The "Fall Foliage Photo Walk at The Green-Wood Cemetery" offers a rare chance to experience this vast, historic sanctuary paired with expert photographic guidance from Bethany Jacobson, a professional photographer and video artist renowned for capturing the cemetery’s serene beauty.

Founded in 1838, Green-Wood Cemetery is loaded with rich heritage and remarkable landmarks. As you stroll beneath vibrant maples, oaks, and beeches, you’ll encounter a landscape peppered with ornate Victorian monuments, intricate statuary, and serene, contemplative groves. Highlights along the path include the Gothic Arch entrance, the historic chapel (when open), and notable gravesites such as Leonard Bernstein’s resting place. The walk culminates at Battle Hill, the highest point in Brooklyn, offering sweeping vistas of the Hudson River where George Washington’s troops fought during the Revolutionary War.

This two-hour photography tour is designed for all skill levels. Whether you wield a smartphone or a professional camera, Bethany teaches participants how to frame compelling shots amid the rich tapestry of autumn hues and sculptural artistry. The gently rolling terrain adds a subtle challenge while ensuring the experience remains accessible to most, although proper footwear and moderate mobility are recommended due to uneven ground and occasional steep sections.

What sets this experience apart is the fusion of historical storytelling and immersive nature photography. The Green-Wood’s arboretum status means that alongside legacy gravesites, you’ll explore tree species rare to urban settings, making every snapshot a tribute to both Brooklyn’s natural and cultural fabric. It’s a quiet retreat from city buzz, perfect for creative expression and a fresh perspective on one of New York’s most significant outdoor spaces.

Visitors typically stay in Brooklyn or nearby Manhattan, making it an easy addition to a city itinerary yet feels worlds away. This guided photo walk not only enhances your technical skills but also deepens appreciation for a site that blends remembrance with living landscape beauty. For anyone chasing vibrant fall colors through a historic lens, this outing is a standout experience in New York’s outdoor recreation scene.

About Untapped New York

Untapped New York is a specialist tour operator based in Jersey City, New Jersey, offering immersive, history-focused experiences across the New York metropolitan area. The company curates guided walking tours, hard hat access trips, private tours, and urban exploration itineraries that reveal hidden architecture, abandoned spaces, and lesser-known cultural stories. Signature experiences include private tours of remnants of Old Penn Station with photographic documentation from noted photographers and railroad historians; Secrets of Grand Central led by award-winning guides; and multiple Ellis Island Hospital hard hat tours that explore century-old contagious disease wards, autopsy rooms, and JR’s "Unframed" exhibition. Other offerings include underground subway explorations, Gilded Age mansions walks along Fifth Avenue, and thematic cultural routes such as NYC’s Irish History Tour.

Tours are presented as focused, small-group experiences—private and public—designed for visitors and locals who want deep historical context and rare access. Untapped New York highlights tangible artifacts and architectural remnants, combining storytelling with visual materials to enrich each tour. The company works with specialist guides, photographers, and historians to document locations factually and compellingly. Booking options include private tours and scheduled public departures for select trips. Whether exploring abandoned hospital wards, hidden stations, or the opulent façades of Millionaire’s Row, Untapped New York emphasizes archival research, expert-led narration, and unique on-site photographs to convey the layered history of New York’s built environment. Scheduled experiences feature Remnants of Penn Station, Secrets of Grand Central, Ellis Island Hospital Hard Hat Tours, NYC’s Underground Subway Tour, Fifth Avenue Gilded Age mansion walks.