In Your Own Backyard: Graceland Cemetery's Spring Tours Are Drawing Neighbors Into Chicago's Most Storied Arboretum

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Graceland West · May 7, 2026

Graceland West takes its name from the 121-acre historic gem anchoring its eastern edge — and this spring, Graceland Cemetery is reminding neighbors just how remarkable that backyard really is. Earlier this month, on May 2nd, the cemetery hosted two ticketed public walking tours in a single day: a Symbolism & Architecture Tour led by local guide Mandy Crypt, followed by a South Side-focused tour with Chicago author and historian Adam Selzer — a rare "tag team" pairing that drew history buffs and curious neighbors alike through the grounds.

The tours spotlight what residents already sense on their daily walks: Graceland isn't just a cemetery — it's a certified arboretum, a landscape architecture landmark, and a quiet cathedral of Chicago history. As one local real estate broker put it, the neighborhood's character is defined by its "heavy greenery," with old oaks, hydrangeas, and the scent of the arboretum drifting westward on a lake breeze. From the grave of Ernie Banks to the tomb designs of William Le Baron Jenney — the father of the American skyscraper — every corner of the grounds holds a story.

With spring in full bloom and the summer social calendar filling fast, there's never been a better moment to treat Graceland Cemetery as the living cultural landmark it is. Check gracelandcemetery.org and sites like do312.com for upcoming tour dates — and share your favorite cemetery stroll spots with neighbors at gracelandwest.org.

Sources:
1. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/graceland-cemetery-symbolism-architecture-tour-tickets-1987655689674
2. https://do312.com/events/2026/5/2/graceland-cemetery-tour-south-side-with-author-adam-selzer-tickets
3. https://www.homes.com/local-guide/chicago-il/graceland-west-neighborhood/