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 at its finest as you learn about the history and heritage of our country’s third-largest cemetery. With over 220,000+ stories to tell, we’re 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

Tombstones & Spring Trees Tour

BLOOMING TREES! See the beauty of the amazing blooming spring trees of Crown Hill & learn about their human neighbors. On this tour, led by our staff Arborist and our Director of Historic Preservation, participants will see the impressive tombstones and the equally impressive nearby trees from our TREE TOUR!
More Details
Purchase Tickets
See the beauty of the amazing blooming spring trees of Crown Hill & learn about their tombstone neighbors. On this tour, led by our staff Arborist and our Director of Historic Preservation, this tour will take a closer look at some of the amazing trees in the cemetery, and among the trees, visitors will also learn about our unique tree stump tombstones and the meanings behind them. Enjoy nature and history at the same time!

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.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, April 27

Bird Watching Tour

Join local bird guide and advocate Wes Homoya for stroll through the Crown Hill Cemetery grounds to see what feathered friends share the property with us.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
Come enjoy and learn about the various birds that call Crown Hill their home. Join local bird guide and advocate Wes Homoya for a morning stroll through the Crown Hill Cemetery grounds to see what feathered friends share the property with us. Wes will point out and share info about whatever birds we come across. Bring your binoculars if you have some; Wes will have a few extra pairs for those who might need them. See what feathered friends share the property with us.

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.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Sunday, April 28

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.”
More Details
Purchase Tickets
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 the view at sunset of the downtown skyline from James Whitcomb Riley’s tomb high atop beautiful Crown Hill!

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 own vehicles to each stop then get out to see the markers and monuments. Some walking is involved.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, May 4

Heritage Tours

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.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
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.

Tour participants will also have an opportunity 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 many of our other tours and is interesting for all ages. Highly recommended! This is a walking tour that will cover about one mile at a comfortable pace for most.

This tour is offered eight times in 2024:

May 11: 4:00-6:00 pm August 24: 10:00 am-noon

June 1: 11:00 am-1:00 pm September 7: 10:00 am-noon

July 20: 10:00 am- noon September 19: 6:00-8:00 pm (Thursday night)

August 10: 10:00 am-noon October 19: 4:00-6:00 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.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, May 11 Saturday, June 1 Saturday, July 20 Saturday, August 10 Saturday, August 24 Saturday, September 7 Thursday, September 19 Saturday, October 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 10,000 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.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
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 more than 10,000 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 hours and the distance is roughly 1-1.5 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.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, June 22

Forest Bathing to Nourish the Mind, Body, and Soul

Led by a guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, this event invites you to listen to nature, savor the sounds and smells of the outdoors, and be mindful of the ways nature can nourish the mind, body, and soul.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
“Forest bathing” promotes interaction between humans and wooded spaces, which is deeply needed in a culture that too often sees nature as a commodity to be bought, sold, transformed, and used. Studies have shown the health benefits of being in nature – it can lower blood pressure, calm heart rates, and reduce levels of harmful hormones all while helping individuals form stronger connections to their communities. Led by a guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, this event invites you to listen to nature, savor the sounds and smells of the outdoors, and be mindful of the ways nature can nourish the mind, body, and soul.

This experience is appropriate for children ages 10 and older.

This tour will be offered twice:

June 23: 10:00 am-noon

October 13: 1:00-3:00 pm

Tour Tickets:
- $30 per person
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 20 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.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Sunday, June 23 Sunday, October 13

Stories in Stone Symbolism Tour

We’ll explore some of the interesting examples of both Victorian and contemporary symbolism on monuments and markers found throughout Crown Hill.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
We’ll explore some of the interesting examples of both Victorian and contemporary symbolism on monuments and markers found throughout Crown Hill. If you’ve ever wondered about unique tree trunk monuments and common symbols such as flowers, ferns, weeping willows, stars, anchors, chains, draped flags, lambs, sun disks, serpents, angels, crosses, open books, and wreaths, then this tour is for you! We’ll also contrast these with more contemporary monuments and markers which often feature engravings of literal representations or quotes that reveal the life of the deceased.

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.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, June 29

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.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
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).

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.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, July 13

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.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
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.

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.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, August 3

Iconic Architectural Gems of Crown Hill Cemetery

Whether it is the Gothic Gates or the Art Deco Community Mausoleum, the architecture of the cemetery adds to the beauty of the site. Led by Jeannie Regan-Dinius, our Director of Historic Preservation, explore the Gothic Chapel, Waiting Station, and other gems of this National Register-listed site.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
Whether it is the Gothic Gates or the Art Deco Community Mausoleum, the architecture of the cemetery adds to the beauty of the site. Led by Jeannie Regan-Dinius, our Director of Historic Preservation, explore the Gothic Chapel, Waiting Station, and other gems of this National Register-listed site.

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.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Thursday, August 15

Skeletons in the Closet, Part I

On this interesting and very popular sunset walking tour, we’ll learn about some skeletons in the closet! Was it one of his three wives, or another long-time lover, that Skiles Test kept in a glass coffin in his “House of Blue Lights” along Fall Creek? Why does one headstone say simply, “Mother of Rosalind” and not her full name, which would have been “Helen Orr Hufnall Phaff English Wegmann English English Prince Prince”?
More Details
Purchase Tickets
On this interesting and very popular sunset walking tour, we’ll learn about some skeletons in the closet! Was it one of his three wives, or another long-time lover, that Skiles Test kept in a glass coffin in his “House of Blue Lights” along Fall Creek? Why does one headstone say simply, “Mother of Rosalind” and not her full name, which would have been “Helen Orr Hufnall Phaff English Wegmann English English Prince Prince”? He 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 by the time Stoughton Fletcher died, he’d lost the house, survived his wife’s suicide, a runaway daughter’s mysterious death, and was working as a hotel elevator operator in Los Angeles when his son committed suicide as well. On this tour, we’ll discuss these lives and the lives of others 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 some of the people buried at Crown Hill.

This tour will be offered twice:

September 28: 5:00-7:00 pm

October 17: 5:00-7:00 pm

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Sunset walking tour! This is a walking tour that will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most. It will end around sunset at the top of Crown Hill, the highest hill in the county. This amazing vantage point provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city skyline.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, September 28 Thursday, October 17

Skeletons in the Closet, Part II Tour

More skeletons! On this tour we’ll learn about the more sensational stories in the Indianapolis news from the 1860s to the 1970s. A few stops will make will be to learn about the infamous Nancy Clem and the Cold Spring Murders; bank robber John Dillinger; the rising executive slain by his mistress in the 1950s; grave robber Hampton West; the 1977 exploits of kidnapper Tony Kirtsis; Dr. Helene Knabe’s brutal unsolved murder in 1911; and the Marjorie Jackson case of 1977.
More Details
Purchase Tickets
More skeletons! On this driving tour, we’ll learn about the more sensational stories in the Indianapolis news from the 1860s to the 1970s. A few stops we’ll make will be to learn about the infamous Nancy Clem and the Cold Spring Murders; bank robber John Dillinger; the rising executive slain by his mistress in the 1950s; grave robber Hampton West; the 1977 exploits of kidnapper Tony Kiritsis; Dr. Helene Knabe’s brutal unsolved murder in 1911; and the Marjorie Jackson case of 1977. Of course, there are many others!

Note: this is not a creepy tour about ghosts, but a historical tour about some of the people buried at Crown Hill.

This tour will be offered twice:

October 12: 5:00-7:00 pm

October 26: 4:00-6:00 pm

Tour Tickets:
- $10 per person (children under 5 free)
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
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.
Less Details
Purchase Tickets
Saturday, Oct 12 Saturday, October 26