hollywood cemetery driving tour

How to explore Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery

A tour of the historic cemetery can be beautiful and educational.

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Hollywood Cemetery has miles of walkable paths through its historic grounds.

Photo by RICtoday

The iconic 135-acre Hollywood Cemetery is nestled in Richmond’s Oregon Hill neighborhood and has been active since the 19th century. Over 80,000 people have been memorialized in the gardens, and people are still buried there each year.

Hollywood Cemetery is nestled between the historic Oregon Hill neighborhood and the James River.

The Hollywood Cemetery Board created an official list of 47 “notables” in 1953 within the grounds who have “significantly influenced the course of history due to their actions or opinions.”

Some of those mentioned include:

Frederick William Emrich | An 18-month-old, the first burial at Hollywood back in June 1849.

President James Monroe and President John Tyler | Two of the eight US presidents born in Virginia. Their wives, Elizabeth and Julia, are buried alongside them.

Virginia Randolph Ellett | The first headmistress for what is now the St. Catherine’s School , which has been educating young women since 1890.

Isabel Matthes | An early executive director with the Richmond Girl Scout Council, she died at 27 in 1925. Scouts still bring flowers to her grave, marked with the signature trefoil design.

Florence Rees | A 2-year-old girl who died of scarlet fever in 1862. Her grave is guarded by a large iron dog. The statue was once at her grandfather’s house, so he brought it to her grave to prevent it from being melted for ammunition during the Civil War.

Visitors still leave trinkets + toys for Florence and the Iron Dog. | Photo by @therictoday

Guided tours

The cemetery hosts multiple tour options so you can explore in person.

Guided walking tours are available through the Valentine museum. Grab tickets here for the next tour on Friday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. The Valentine also offers walking tours of the historic Shockoe Hill Cemeteries . Pro tip: Walking tours start at the Cherry and Albemarle Street entrance

Groups can explore by GEM car, segway, trolley, or tuk tuk for a less physically-demanding tour.

On your own The cemetery is open for the public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Take the Virginia Mysteries Tour for a self-guided experience, with a full map and must-see grave sites outlined with directions.

You can also see Hollywood Cemetery’s complete burial records from the 19th century to today and plot your own route.

Testimonials

Discover Richmond in a Gem Car

Great way to see the sites in hollywood cemetery.

Join us for an electric car (GemCar) tour through Hollywood Cemetery! As the second most-visited cemetery in the country, it is definitely a must see in Richmond! So much history and gorgeous views of the city and the river!

Book a Tour in Hollywood Cemetery! Hollywood Cemetery Private or Semi-private Gem Car Tours Join us for a 90-minute comprehensive tour of Hollywood Cemetery with RVA Gem Car Tours! Three times daily at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm. Tour starts at the Cemetery at 412 South Cherry Street. Please enter the main gate, drive down the hill to the bottom, make the very first right, then make the next right (approx 25 feet) and park on the shoulder. The Gem Car and guide will be out there waiting for you. Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time. Historic Hollywood Cemetery Tours – Richmond, Virginia. Join us for a 90-minute comprehensive tour of Hollywood Cemetery with RVA Gem Car Tours!

Book A Gem Car Ride Through Hollywood→

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What is a Gem Car?

GEM battery-electric vehicles are street legal in nearly all 50 US states on public roads posted at 35 mph (56 km/h) or less. With a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) GEM cars have a range of 30–100 miles (50–160 km) on a charge depending on the installed battery technology.

RVA on Wheels

Located in the historic Columbian Building in downtown Richmond’s Shockoe Slip, Segway of Richmond brings a full line of world-class personal transporters for guided tours of downtown Richmond, Segway rentals and individual purchase.

"Our hearty thanks to Mr. E.L. Butterworth for the extraordinary tour he was kind enough to provide yesterday at Hollywood Cemetery. Although the vastness of the cemetery is pretty overwhelming, he provided carefully thought out narratives, historical tidbits and funny stories guiding us through the families and history represented. We are grateful for his taking extra time and attention, especially given our traffic concerns over the two and a half hour commute to Richmond. Bless you! We’ll be back!"

-Lynn Lewis

Hollywood Cemetery Tours: Explore Beauty & History in Richmond, Va.

Hollywood Cemetery Tours have come a long way since I first visited there 20 years ago and wandered aimlessly around.

The sprawling 135-acre Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA is by far one of the most beautiful, scenic, and mystical cemeteries I’ve ever visited. It’s got art, architecture, natural beauty and a wide array of notable historical figures buried there, including two presidents.

But don’t take my word for it. Hollywood Cemetery ranks as one of the most visited cemeteries in the state of Virginia.

Ready for your own visit? Let take a look at Hollywood Cemetery Tours and find the one that’s best for you.

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Table of Contents

Hollywood Cemetery Tours

Because Hollywood Cemetery’s paths wind over 135 acres – through valleys, over hills and beneath stately trees, it’s very easy to get lost. (Believe me)!

Thankfully, there are a wide variety of Hollywood Cemetery Tours, with knowledgeable guides who will show you around. Pick the one that appeals to you and book it today.

✔️ Guided Walking Tour

If you enjoy walking, the Hollywood Cemetery Guided Walking Tour is the way to go. A guide takes you to the most important sites and explains the history of this beautiful cemetery.

✔️ Immersive History Tour

Learn about the historical figures buried there, as well as unusual occurrences and strange happenings with the Hollywood Cemetery Immersive History Tour .

✔️ Segway Tour

See more in less time (and less energy) by Segway! With a Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour you can glide through the cemetery quietly and with ease.

✔️ Electric Car Tour

The Hollywood Cemetery Electric Car Tour sounds like an interesting way to learn about Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond! In addition to cruising along a slow speed, your driver will tell you stories about the historic figures buried at Hollywood Cemetery.

✔️Hollywood Cemetery Self-Guided Tour

You can also pick up a map at the Cemetery for $1 (when the office is open). This is how I did it, but I highly recommend you go with a Hollywood Cemetery Tour.

It is such a large, sprawling site, that you will probably miss a lot. Plus the tours have knowledgeable people who share stories that you otherwise wouldn’t hear.

What Can You See On A Hollywood Cemetery Tour?

Nature and trees at hollywood.

Hollywood Cemetery was designed for the living, not the dead. It is literally a nature retreat and contains some of the best examples of native trees in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In fact, there are more than 2,000 trees in the cemetery today, including tulip poplars and white oaks.

Many of the trees predate the cemetery. 

If you like old trees like I do, check out the Angel Oak in S.C. and one of the Witness Trees in Gettysburg.

Hollywood Cemetery Famous Graves

Hollywood Cemetery doesn’t just have natural beauty. It is also worth the visit because it is the final resting place of two presidents.

Presidents Circle serves as the final resting place for the 5th President of the United States, James Monroe, and the 10th President of the United States, John Tyler.

A fact that few know is that James Monroe’s Gothic Revival cast iron canopy, (commonly known as “the Birdcage”) was registered as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in 1968.

This recognition elevated Hollywood Cemetery to one of the most prominent places of burial in the state of Virginia.

Not far away is the Emmanuel Church cemetery where Mosby Ranger Joseph Bryan is buried.

Confederate Soldiers Buried At Hollywood Cemetery

The list of Confederate soldiers buried at Hollywood is seemingly endless.

There are 18,000 Confederate soldiers buried there as well as 2,000 unknown soldiers interred there after the Battle of Gettysburg.

Some of the most well known Confederate soldiers include General JEB Stuart, George Pickett, Dr. Hunter McGuire, Fitz Hugh Lee, John Pegram, and President Jefferson Davis.

Related Post: Richmond is full of history, including being the final resting place of Mosby Ranger Joseph Bryan .

Other Notable Historical Figures

Many notable figures are buried in the cemetery, including six Virginia governors, two Supreme Court justices, prominent authors and suffragists.

In 1953, the Hollywood Cemetery board designated an official list of 49 notables within the cemetery who have significantly influenced the course of history due to their actions or opinions.

You can see a full list of notable figures buried in the cemetery here .

The Stone Pyramid at Hollywood Cemetery

One of the most remarkable monuments in the cemetery is a 90-foot high pyramid  that was built in 1869 as a memorial to the more than 18,000 enlisted men of the Confederate Army buried in the cemetery.

Made from granite quarried from the James River, the monument took an entire year to build. What’s even more amazing about this memorial is that it is dry-laid with no mortar. The stones are immense!

The pyramid is located on a hill in the cemetery, close to where 2,000 unknowns from the Battle of Gettysburg are buried.

The Legend of The Iron Dog In Hollywood Cemetery

Perhaps the most famous — or at least most visited grave marker — is the “Iron Dog.” This statue of a Newfoundland stands guard over the grave of a little girl who died in 1862.

There are many stories about how the Iron Dog came to be in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery. The most popular version is that it was moved to keep it from being melted down into bullets during the Civil War. There are also many ghost stories surrounding this memorial.

I couldn’t find the story behind the death of the little girl, except an account that said it was “tragic.” Every tombstone in the cemetery tells part of a story, but the details will perhaps never be known.

(Some day I will write a post on ghost stories surrounding Hollywood. There are a few of them, one of which involves a vampire!)

Loyal Dogs Honored At Hollywood Cemetery Richmond

I happened to find another dog statue while there on my last visit. One can only imagine the story behind this one. It is beautiful!

It’s hard to capture the beauty and the serenity of Hollywood in words. I shot a little bit of video from my phone (see below), but it’s hard to do while driving since the roads are very curvy and hilly!

Click HERE to see the short clip.

Pro Tip: If you visit Hollywood Cemetery , plan on spending some time there.

Hollywood Cemetery History

Opened in 1849, Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Va., was constructed on land known as “Harvie’s Woods” that was once owned by William Byrd II.

It was designed in the rural garden style, with its name coming from the holly trees dotting the hills of the property.

Located beside the James River, Hollywood Cemetery is spread out across hills and dales, with roads that wind beneath stately trees.

Many of the monuments are works of art, and the natural and architectural beauty of this cemetery sets it apart from the grid-like layout of most others.

Landscape architect John Notman designed Hollywood in 1847 as a “rural” style garden cemetery, and specifically left trees and other plants untouched in order to create a peaceful haven.

Today, there are heritage roses, magnificent trees, and other blooms that live up to the name of a garden cemetery. The sound of chirping birds and the relaxing sound of the James River flowing over rapids close by add to the peacefulness of the place.

Like Old Cemeteries? Check out the Pon Pon Chapel of Ease in S.C. and the Old Burying Ground in N.C.

Note: Just a few days after my most recent visit to the cemetery, it was heavily vandalized with many irreplaceable monuments destroyed. It is heartbreaking, but not surprising, since the historical monuments throughout Richmond have been permitted to be desecrated, removed, and destroyed in actions that are condoned — and even encouraged — by officials and politicians. No arrests have been made at this time.

Other Tours Near Hollywood Cemetery

Church Hill Food Tour or Arts District Food Tour (Both sound yummy)

Richmond Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour

Richmond Downtown Walking Tour

Tuk-Tuk Sightseeing Tou r . This small open air vehicles lets you go slow and see the sites with a guide.

Where To Stay In Richmond, Va

The Jefferson Hotel : Highly rated (and so is the price)

The Westin: Conveniently located downtown

Pick a Hotel North of Richmond : Convenient to Richmond but less expensive than downtown.

Wrap-Up Of Hollywood Cemetery Tours

As is noted on the Cemetery website, Hollywood is more than a cemetery, it is a fascinating outdoor museum that tells its story through stone, iron and the beautiful landscape.

I know many people don’t have cemeteries on their travel bucket list, but Hollywood should be an exception.

Its history and natural beauty make it an important historical, cultural and natural landmark.

Author and Travel Blogger

Jessica James is an award-winning historical fiction author and life-long Gettysburg resident who loves sharing her passions for history and travel. She enjoys exploring the back roads of the USA and uncovering stories about unique destinations, cultures and almost-forgotten history.

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We walk a mile and a half each day at Fairmount Park Cemetery in Spokane Washington. It overlooks the Spokane River and is home to much wildlife. It’s flat with lots of large pine trees and has many historical sites including an English person buired there from the Titanic along with a plaque discribing the incident.

Cemeteries are so peaceful, beautiful…and educational! That sounds lovely!

We nave visited Hollywood several times. My husband s parents are buried there . Many of his relatives are also there His several greats grandfather was governor of Viriginia. We are not sure if he is also there. So distressing to learn of the recent distruction in the cemetery as well as other monuments. Really enjoy all your art I also. Keep them coming,

It is so beautiful! So nice that you have ancestors there! Thanks for reading!

Hollywood Cemetery Electric Car Tour in Richmond

• All taxes, fees and handling charges
• Professional Driver/ guide
• Food and drinks
• Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA Once at the Cemetery, please enter the main gate, drive down the hill to the bottom, make the very first right, then make the next right (approx 25 feet) and park on the shoulder. Your guide will meet you in the cul-de-sac.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Meet Inside the Cemetery - (drive down to the bottom of the hill, take a right, then your very next right into a little cul-de-sac where you will see the GemCar parked. Parking is available on the shoulder in the cul-de-sac.)
• Two Cars total, so there is limited availability
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 5 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at Hollywood Cemetery 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA Once at the Cemetery, please enter the main gate, drive down the hill to the bottom, make the very first right, then make the next right (approx 25 feet) and park on the shoulder. Your guide will meet you in the cul-de-sac. See address & details
• 1 Hollywood Cemetery Stop: 90 minutes This incredible cemetery is the resting place of two United States Presidents, James Monroe's Tomb and John Tyler's Monument as well as 28 Confederate generals! Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

More to explore in Richmond

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Hollywood Cemetery Electric Car Tour in Richmond provided by PedegoRVA

Hollywood Cemetery

Perched above the James River rapids, this tranquil cemetery contains the gravesites of two US presidents (James Monroe and John Tyler), the only Confederate president (Jefferson Davis) and 18,000 Confederate soldiers. Guided walking tours are conducted at 10am Monday through Saturday from April to October, plus Saturday (10am) and Sunday (2pm) in November (adult/child under 13 years $15/free). For a self-guided walk, check the virtual tour offered on the website. The entrance is at the corner of Albemarle and Cherry Streets.

412 S Cherry St

Get In Touch

804-649-0711

https://www.hollywoodcemetery.org

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Hollywood Cemetery

Price & Hours

• Facilities 2.0
• Atmosphere 4.0

U.S. News Insider Tip:  Walk along Waterview Avenue (behind James Monroe's tomb) to snap stellar panoramas of the river. – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

Since 1847, Hollywood Cemetery has welcomed the dearly departed – including Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler and the only Confederate president, Jefferson Davis – into its lush grounds. Across its 135 acres, the cemetery features intricate tombstones, valleys, hills and trees. In fact, it was created as a garden cemetery: a 19th-century trend that designed cemeteries to feature manicured gardens, lawns and trees that locals could use as park space. Today, Hollywood Cemetery is a registered arboretum.

Previous visitors said a trip to the cemetery offers a unique take on Richmond history. Favorite sights included James Monroe's tomb, John Tyler's monument and the sweeping views of the city and the river. Tourists also recommended taking a guided tour of the property to get more information. Others warned that if you have mobility issues, you may want to drive around the cemetery to see the sights rather than walk the hilly terrain.

Hollywood Cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (it closes at 6 p.m. during daylight saving time). It is free to visit. Third-party operators run cemetery tours and will have fees. The cemetery's website offers a full list of tour options. You'll find Hollywood Cemetery south of the Virginia Commonwealth University campus, and less than a mile west of the Belle Isle Suspension Bridge .

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Hollywood Cemetery's Guide to the James River

Welcome to one of the best views of the james river in the city of richmond.

The James River is the oldest feature of Hollywood Cemetery flowing through Richmond on its way from the Appalachian Mountains to Chesapeake Bay. The river can be viewed from many spots in Hollywood Cemetery, but some of the best views are from the Palmer Chapel Mausoleum and Presidents Circle along Riverside Drive.

An Urban Playground

The James River is one of the best-known rivers for urban freshwater recreation in the U.S., serving as a playground for swimmers, rafters, tubers, paddlers, and fish enthusiasts (depending on river levels, which change constantly with rainfall and drought).

The rapids directly below Hollywood constitute some of the most challenging urban whitewater in the U.S. (offering Class III and Class IV rapids during high flows). The fast-moving water is in an area called the Fall Zone, which stretches about 7 miles, from Bosher Dam at the Huguenot Bridge to the I95 Bridge. The James River drops about 100 feet in the 7-mile stretch, half of which happens in the last mile seen below the cemetery. Beyond the I95 Bridge (to the east), the river flattens and becomes tidal, traveling about 100 miles to Chesapeake Bay.

Blue catfish is a prized catch in these waters, with giants growing up to 100 pounds. Large-mouth, small-mouth, and striped bass are favorites, as well.

River Picnics

Directly across the river is Belle Isle, a preserved city park ideal for riverside walks, and picnics on river rocks and beautiful boulders sculpted by eons of wind and water erosion.

Millions of Years of Geological History

Geology of the Fall Zone

A river resembling the current James River has been flowing through this area for about 2 million years. Hollywood Cemetery marks the highest present-day top of the ancient river bed! It has taken that long for the water to cut the 100-foot river valley below the cemetery.

As the river flowed from the mountains in western Virginia, it carried eroded sand (from quartz), gravel and clay and formed the land east of the Fall Zone (known as the Coastal Plain). Marine deposits of sand, clay, and shells were also contributed by cyclic advances and retreats of the ocean over millions of years.

The rock beneath your feet is about 330 million years old, and known as the Petersburg Granite. Large outcrops of the granite – some of the largest in Richmond – are most obvious west of the mausoleum. The granite tells a tale of Virginia’s explosive past when the area had very active and large volcanoes and shifting land masses. In fact, the Petersburg Granite is the geologic scar that resulted from a collision and subsequent separation of (what we refer to now as) the African continent with North America!

Sparked your interest to explore the James River even more? Access information at the resources below.

James River Association Aquatic Recreation and Wildlife Resources Around RVA Hydrology of the James River

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Moscow Metro 2019

Will it be easy to find my way in the Moscow Metro? It is a question many visitors ask themselves before hitting the streets of the Russian capital. As metro is the main means of transport in Moscow – fast, reliable and safe – having some skills in using it will help make your visit more successful and smooth. On top of this, it is the most beautiful metro in the world !

. There are over 220 stations and 15 lines in the Moscow Metro. It is open from 6 am to 1 am. Trains come very frequently: during the rush hour you won't wait for more than 90 seconds! Distances between stations are quite long – 1,5 to 2 or even 3 kilometers. Metro runs inside the city borders only. To get to the airport you will need to take an onground train - Aeroexpress.

RATES AND TICKETS

Paper ticket A fee is fixed and does not depend on how far you go. There are tickets for a number of trips: 1, 2 or 60 trips; or for a number of days: 1, 3 days or a month. Your trips are recorded on a paper ticket. Ifyou buy a ticket for several trips you can share it with your traveling partner passing it from one to the other at the turnstile.

On every station there is cashier and machines (you can switch it to English). Cards and cash are accepted. 1 trip - 55 RUB 2 trips - 110 RUB

Tickets for 60 trips and day passes are available only at the cashier's.

60 rides - 1900 RUB

1 day - 230 RUB 3 days - 438 RUB 30 days - 2170 RUB.

The cheapest way to travel is buying Troyka card . It is a plastic card you can top up for any amount at the machine or at the ticket office. With it every trip costs 38 RUB in the metro and 21 RUB in a bus. You can get the card in any ticket office. Be prepared to leave a deposit of 50 RUB. You can get it back returning the card to the cashier.

SamsungPay, ApplePay and PayPass cards.

One turnstile at every station accept PayPass and payments with phones. It has a sticker with the logos and located next to the security's cabin.

GETTING ORIENTED

At the platfrom you will see one of these signs.

It indicates the line you are at now (line 6), shows the direction train run and the final stations. Numbers below there are of those lines you can change from this line.

In trains, stations are announced in Russian and English. In newer trains there are also visual indication of there you are on the line.

To change lines look for these signs. This one shows the way to line 2.

There are also signs on the platfrom. They will help you to havigate yourself. (To the lines 3 and 5 in this case).