Public Tours

We welcome you to discover, explore, and experience historic Crown Hill Cemetery on our award-winning tours! Led by knowledgeable guides, our tours allow you to enjoy Crown Hill and experience nature as you learn about the history and heritage of our country’s third-largest cemetery. With over 250,000+ stories to tell, we are just getting started!

Tour group sizes are limited based on the tour and all tickets must be purchased online in advance. There will be no tour tickets sold at the gate. Please get your tickets early!

For larger groups, we also offer Private Group Tours.

Also, be sure to stay up to date with the Crown Hill Foundation tours and events, and learn more about Crown Hill by subscribing to our newsletter HERE

Heritage Tour

Our most popular tour! The Heritage Tour presents the history of Crown Hill Cemetery while visiting the graves of some of the many interesting people buried here, both the famous and not so famous, recent and long gone. A variety of monuments will be seen, including some of our most recognized statues.
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Our most popular tour, The Heritage Tour, presents the history of Crown Hill Cemetery while visiting the graves of some of the many interesting people buried here, both famous and not-so-famous, recent and long gone. Various monuments will be seen, including some of our most recognized statues.

Tour participants will also be able to enjoy the stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the downtown Indianapolis skyline from the tomb of the famous Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley, high atop beautiful Crown Hill. This tour captures highlights from our other tours and is interesting for all ages.

This walking tour will cover about one mile at a comfortable pace.

2025 Heritage Tour dates:

April 19: 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm August 2: 10:00 am – noon

May 1: 1:00 – 3:00 pm August 16: 10:00 am – noon

May 14: 1:00 – 3:00 pm August 20: 10:00 am – noon

May 31: 1:00 – 3:00 pm August 30: 10:00 am – noon

June 12: 10:00 am – noon September 13: 10:00 am – noon

June 21: 10:00 am – noon September 18: 10:00 am – noon

June 28: 10:00 am – noon September 27: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

July 9: 10:00 am – noon October 15: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

July 20: 10:00 am – noon

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, April 19 Wednesday, May 14 Saturday, May 31 Thursday, June 12 Saturday, June 21 Saturday, June 28 Wednesday, July 9 Saturday, August 2 Saturday, August 16 Wednesday, August 20 Saturday, August 30 Saturday, September 13 Thursday, September 18 Saturday, September 27 Wednesday, October 15

Arbor Day Tree Tour

See the beauty of the amazing blooming spring trees of Crown Hill, led by our staff Arborist. This tour will allow you to take a closer look and learn about some of the unique trees within our 555-acre arboretum.
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See the beauty of the amazing blooming spring trees of Crown Hill, led by our staff Arborist. This tour will allow you to take a closer look and learn about some of the unique trees within our 555-acre arboretum.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, April 26

Iconic Architectural Gems of Crown Hill Cemetery

Join us for this rare, after-hours tour! Whether it is the Gothic Gates or the Art Deco Community Mausoleum, the architecture of the cemetery adds to the beauty of the site.
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Join us for this rare, after-hours tour! Whether it is the Gothic Gates or the Art Deco Community Mausoleum, the architecture of the cemetery adds to the beauty of the site. Alongside our Director of Historic Preservation, you will explore the Gothic Chapel, Waiting Station, and other gems of this National Register of Historic Places site. This tour is only offered once per year.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

This 2-hour tour is a combination walking and driving tour.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, May 10

Racing Legends Tour

On this driving tour, we will complete a shortened version of Crown Hill’s Self-Guided Racing Legends Tour and visit the graves of the four founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, racecar drivers, auto manufacturers, and others who have made Indianapolis “the racing capital of the world.”
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On this driving tour, we will complete a shortened version of Crown Hill’s Self-Guided Racing Legends Tour and visit the graves of the four founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, racecar drivers, auto manufacturers, and others who have made Indianapolis “the racing capital of the world.” You will also see the Final Finish Line! It will conclude with a view of the downtown skyline from James Whitcomb Riley’s tomb high atop beautiful Crown Hill! This tour is only offered once per year.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

Driving tour! Participants will drive their vehicles to each stop and then get out to see the markers and monuments. Some walking is involved.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, May 17

Civil War Tour

Crown Hill and the Civil War – did you know that Crown Hill Cemetery was founded in 1863 because of and during the Civil War? The original city cemetery, Greenlawn, became full due to the many Civil War soldiers being buried there. The Civil War was still being fought when Crown Hill opened its gates in June 1864, and the first burial was for Lucy Ann Seaton, the young wife of a Civil War Union Captain.
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Did you know that Crown Hill Cemetery was founded in 1863 because of and during the Civil War? The original city cemetery, Greenlawn, became full due to the many Civil War soldiers being buried there. The Civil War was still being fought when Crown Hill opened its gates in June 1864, and the first burial was for Lucy Ann Seaton, the young wife of a Civil War Union Captain. On our Civil War tour, we’ll examine the lives of the many brave soldiers and generals who took part in the War Between the States, and of the politicians, journalists, and even household servants whose lives influenced and were influenced by our country’s great conflict. Included on this tour is Civil War Union Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, the highest-ranking military officer buried at Crown Hill. (He’s not to be confused with Confederate President Jefferson Davis), General Benjamin Harrison (who would become the 23rd President of US), and Edward Black (the youngest soldier drummer boy at 8 1/2 years old).

This tour will be offered on Saturday, June 7, and Saturday, July 5 at 10:00 am.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, June 7 Saturday, July 5

The Underground Railroad and Crown Hill’s Connection Tour

Every Indiana community has oral histories about those individuals who participated in the Underground Railroad, but the nature of the network sometimes makes it difficult to find evidence to substantiate the stories. Learn about those buried in Crown Hill Cemetery and the role that they played in this important group.
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The UGRR was neither underground nor a railroad. Instead, it was a network of individuals and communities that helped fugitive slaves try to gain their freedom by fleeing north into states that did not allow slavery or into Canada. The UGRR was most active in Indiana between 1830 and 1865. Every Indiana community has oral histories about those individuals who participated in the Underground Railroad, but the nature of the network sometimes makes it difficult to find evidence to substantiate the stories. Learn about those buried in Crown Hill Cemetery and the role that they played in this important group. This tour will be offered in the morning and evening on June 19th. The 6 PM tour is a rare, after-hour tour with our Director of Historic Preservation. This tour is offered only once per year.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Thursday, June 19

Spectacular Specimens: Arboretum Bike Tour

Pump up your bicycle tires, grab a helmet, and get ready for the ride of your life. With more than 11,000 inventoried trees and 136 unique species, this massive living museum of trees is the architectural backbone of this beautiful urban green space and historic landscape.
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Crown Hill Cemetery Arboretum Bike Tour with Arboretum Director, Carrie Tauscher:

Pump up your bicycle tires, grab a helmet, and get ready for the ride of your life. With over 11,000 inventoried trees and 136 unique species, this massive living museum of trees is the architectural backbone of this beautiful urban green space and historic landscape. Carrie will take you through the cemetery pointing out interesting specimens, and stopping at some of her favorite trees and vistas to talk more in-depth about trees and the designed landscape that is Crown Hill. This experience will last approximately 1 ½-2 hours and the distance is roughly 3 miles at a slow roll pace.

The tour is limited to ages 13 and up.

Please bring your bike, a helmet, and a reusable water bottle.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (tour is limited to ages 13 and up)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 15 people
Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, June 21

Stories in Stone Symbolism Tour

This is a rare, after-hours tour with our Director of Historic Preservation! We’ll explore some interesting examples of Victorian and contemporary symbolism, how pop culture impacted what we put on our tombstones, and some of the unique markers found throughout Crown Hill.
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This is a rare, after-hours tour with our Director of Historic Preservation! We’ll explore some interesting examples of Victorian and contemporary symbolism, how pop culture impacted what we put on our tombstones, and some of the unique markers found throughout Crown Hill. This tour is only offered once per year.

Tour Tickets
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This is a walking tour that will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, July 12

Twilight Tree Tour

This is your opportunity to see the beautiful trees of the Crown Hill Arboretum at twilight! On this tour, led by our staff Arborist, you can take a closer look and learn about some of the unique trees in the cemetery.
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This is your opportunity to see the beautiful trees of the Crown Hill Arboretum at twilight! On this tour, led by our staff Arborist, you can take a closer look and learn about some of the unique trees in the cemetery. Enjoy a wonderful, summer evening stroll within the 555 acres of Crown Hill after-hours!

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, July 19

Dillinger and the Eastside Notables Tour

This very popular walking tour includes the sections just north of the Waiting Station, which is a part of the cemetery not regularly covered on other walking tours. Bank robber John Dillinger’s grave will, of course, be one of our destinations. We will also stop at the graves of many other interesting and important people, and others – although unknown – have memorialized themselves with some rather unique monuments.
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This very popular walking tour includes the sections just north of the Waiting Station, which is a part of the cemetery not regularly covered on other walking tours. Bank robber John Dillinger’s grave will, of course, be one of our destinations. We will also stop at the graves of many other interesting and important people, and others – although unknown – have memorialized themselves with some rather unique monuments. This tour is offered once per year.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, July 26

Beyond the Subway Northside Tour

Beginning in the late 1800s, development started on the north side of Crown Hill Cemetery. Led by our Director of Historic Preservation, we will explore the property north of 38th Street, we’ll focus on the 20th-century history of Indianapolis, influenced by those buried beyond the Subway.
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Beginning in the late 1800s, development started on the north side of Crown Hill Cemetery. Led by our Director of Historic Preservation, we will explore the property north of 38^th Street, we’ll focus on the 20th-century history of Indianapolis, influenced by those buried beyond the Subway. The tour will start at the Community Mausoleum (700 West 38^th Street). This tour is offered only once per year.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: The Community Mausoleum (behind the funeral home) at 700 West 38th Street. Please arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, August 9

Skeletons in the Closet Tour

On this interesting and very popular walking tour, we’ll learn about some skeletons in the closet!
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On this interesting and very popular walking tour, we’ll learn about some skeletons in the closet! Learn about Skiles Test and his “House of Blue Lights” along Fall Creek. Stoughton Fletcher followed in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather to become bank president, building himself a 40,000 square-foot mansion on the east side of town, but what happened to all of his fortune? Who claimed to commune with spirits in her parlor? On this tour, we’ll discuss the lives of those who show us that money does not necessarily bring happiness (spoiler alert!).

**Note: this is not a creepy tour about ghosts, but a historical tour about those buried at Crown Hill.**

This tour will be offered:

October 4: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

October 11: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

October 18: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

October 25: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This is a walking tour that will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.
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Saturday, October 4 Sunday, October 11 Thursday, October 18 Saturday, October 25

Fall Trees Tour

Experience fall color compliments of the trees at Crown Hill! On this tour, led by our staff arborist, we will take a closer look at some of the remarkable trees in the cemetery giving attendees a chance to appreciate the views and learn a little more about the physiology behind the season of letting go.
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Experience fall color compliments of the trees at Crown Hill! On this tour, led by our staff arborist, we will take a closer look at some of the remarkable trees in the cemetery giving attendees a chance to appreciate the views and learn a little more about the physiology behind the season of letting go. Participants of all ages will be able to collect leaves from specimens during this tour. Please dress for the weather and off-pavement terrain.

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, October 25