Exploring Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta: History, Culture, and How to Visit

Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta is much more than a burial ground. It’s a historic park, sculpture garden, botanical space, and one of the city’s most atmospheric places to walk, learn, and reflect. Whether you live in Atlanta or are visiting for a weekend, Oakland offers a clear window into the city’s past and a peaceful break from its traffic and towers.

Where Oakland Cemetery Is and How to Get There

Address:
Oakland Cemetery
248 Oakland Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30312

Oakland sits just southeast of Downtown Atlanta, near the intersection of Memorial Drive and Oakland Avenue.

Getting There by Car

• From Downtown/Midtown:
  Drive south on Piedmont or Courtland, then east on Memorial Drive SE. Oakland is just past the State Capitol and Grady Memorial Hospital area.
• From I-20:
  Take the Hill Street or Boulevard exit and follow signs toward Memorial Drive/Oakland.

There is typically free or low-cost parking near the cemetery edges and along surrounding streets, but spaces can fill up on weekends and during events.

Getting There by MARTA

For many Atlanta residents and visitors, MARTA is a convenient option:

• Rail:
  Take the Blue or Green Line to King Memorial Station. From there, it’s roughly a 10–15 minute walk south along Grant Street or Hill Street to Memorial Drive and the cemetery entrance.
• Bus:
  MARTA bus routes serving the Memorial Drive corridor often have stops within walking distance of the cemetery. Route options can change, so it’s best to check current schedules and maps before you go.

Why Oakland Cemetery Matters in Atlanta

Oakland is Atlanta’s oldest public cemetery, established in the mid-19th century. Over time, it has become:

• A historic site reflecting the city’s growth, including the Civil War era and Reconstruction.
• A resting place for many of Atlanta’s most notable residents, including business leaders, politicians, artists, and civil rights figures.
• A public green space with mature trees, gardens, and sculptures.
• A cultural venue that hosts tours, seasonal events, and educational programs.

For someone trying to understand how Atlanta became the city it is today, few places are as revealing as Oakland.

Layout and Atmosphere: What It Feels Like to Visit

Oakland Cemetery combines different roles in one space: memorial site, park, and outdoor museum.

What You’ll Notice When You Enter

• Victorian-style monuments and mausoleums
• Curving brick and gravel pathways
• Large oak and magnolia trees, flowering shrubs, and planting beds
• A mix of meticulously maintained family plots and older sections with a more timeworn feel

Despite its location near busy roads, the interior is generally quiet and reflective, especially on weekday mornings.

Main Sections You Might Explore

While names and labels can vary on printed maps, Oakland typically includes:

• Historic Jewish sections
• African American burial sections reflecting segregation-era history
• Confederate and military sections
• Plots for prominent Atlanta families and community leaders
• Newer areas where burials and interments still occur

Walking from one section to another shows how social, cultural, and economic divisions played out across Atlanta’s history.

Famous Graves and Notable Figures

For many visitors, a highlight of Oakland is visiting the graves of well-known Atlantans. These are a few people many locals and tourists look for:

• Margaret Mitchell – Author of Gone with the Wind and long-time Atlanta resident.
• Maynard Jackson – Atlanta’s first Black mayor, a central figure in the city’s modern political and economic development.
• Bobby Jones – Legendary golfer and co-founder of The Masters Tournament, born and raised in Atlanta.
• Ivan Allen Jr. – Mayor who helped guide Atlanta through the civil rights era and major infrastructure changes.
• Civil War soldiers and officers – Thousands of Confederate soldiers and others from the era are buried here, representing a complex chapter of local and regional history.

If you’re coming with a specific grave in mind, it often helps to pick up or download a map or join a guided tour so you’re not wandering around trying to locate one plot.

Tours, Events, and Programs

Oakland Cemetery is open for self-guided visits, but many Atlantans and visitors find the site more meaningful with a tour or program.

Types of Tours You Might Find

Offerings can change seasonally, but common formats include:

• General history tours – Overview of the cemetery’s origins, architecture, and major figures.
• Civil War or military-focused tours – Emphasize Atlanta’s role in the conflict and how it shaped the city.
• African American and civil rights history tours – Explore stories often underrepresented in traditional narratives.
• Art, architecture, and symbolism tours – Decode tombstone carvings, mausoleum designs, and funerary art.
• Evening or themed tours – Often scheduled around certain seasons or events (for example, near Halloween).

Tours are usually led by trained guides who add context you may not get from plaques alone. Atlantans who have walked past the cemetery for years often find that a single tour changes how they see the place.

Seasonal and Special Events

Throughout the year, Oakland may host:

• History-focused festivals and open days
• Music or cultural performances in designated areas
• Fundraising events that support preservation
• Volunteer workdays for gardening and restoration

If you live in Atlanta, these events can be a good way to connect with local history and meet people who are engaged in neighborhood and preservation work.

Hours, Etiquette, and What to Expect Day-to-Day

Oakland functions both as a historic site and as an active cemetery, so visitors are expected to balance curiosity with respect.

Typical Hours

The cemetery grounds are generally open to the public during daylight hours. Hours can shift slightly with the seasons and for special events. Gates are usually closed overnight.

If you plan a long visit or a photoshoot, it’s wise to check current hours in advance so you don’t get caught by early closing times, especially in winter months.

Visitor Etiquette

To keep the space respectful and safe:

• Stay on paths as much as possible and avoid stepping directly on graves.
• Keep noise low, especially near mourners or services.
• Supervise children so they understand it’s a place of remembrance.
• Pets may be allowed under specific rules (often on a leash and with owners cleaning up after them); check current guidelines.
• Avoid moving or leaning heavily on stones and monuments, which can be fragile.
• Leave flowers or tokens only where appropriate and in line with posted rules.

Oakland is popular for photography, but taking time to be discreet and considerate makes the space comfortable for everyone.

Self-Guided Visits vs. Guided Experiences

Both approaches work well, depending on how deeply you want to dive into the site’s history.

Self-Guided Visit

Best if you:

• Have limited time
• Want a quiet walk in a historic green space
• Prefer to go at your own pace

You can:

• Start near the main entrance and follow posted signs or printed maps.
• Look for interpretive plaques that explain key sections and notable graves.
• Bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down names and topics you want to research later.

Guided or Themed Tours

Best if you:

• Are new to Atlanta and want a strong overview of its history
• Like storytelling and richer context
• Are interested in a particular theme (architecture, civil rights, Civil War, literature, etc.)

Guided experiences help you connect individual graves to broader stories about Atlanta—how its neighborhoods developed, how the city changed after the Civil War, and how different communities shaped local culture.

Oakland Cemetery as a Green Space and Urban Escape

For many Atlanta residents, Oakland is part of a network of in-town green spaces, along with places like Grant Park and the Atlanta BeltLine.

What Makes It Different from a Regular Park

• You’re surrounded by historic monuments and detailed stonework.
• The plantings are curated to balance beauty with preservation.
• The atmosphere is often quieter and more contemplative than standard city parks.

Some people come here regularly to:

• Take short, peaceful walks away from traffic
• Enjoy seasonal flowers and trees (especially spring blooms and fall color)
• Practice sketching or photography in a setting with strong visual elements
• Reflect or read in a calmer environment, while still close to Downtown

Because it’s a burial ground, active recreation (like ball games or loud group activities) is generally not appropriate.

Accessibility and Practical Considerations

Oakland Cemetery is historic, which means its infrastructure reflects older design standards; however, efforts have been made to make parts of it more accessible.

Terrain and Mobility

• Many paths are unpaved brick, gravel, or uneven ground, which can be challenging for wheelchairs, strollers, or anyone with mobility concerns.
• Some sections are on gentle slopes rather than completely flat.
• Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended.

If accessibility is a priority, it can help to:

• Enter from the main gate and start with the most developed paths.
• Limit your route to areas with wider, smoother walkways.
• Check if tours offer information about mobility-friendly routes.

Weather and Comfort

Atlanta’s climate can be hot and humid for much of the year:

• Bring water, especially in late spring through early fall.
• Wear sun protection—there are shaded areas, but also open sections with direct sun.
• During summer, visiting earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon can be more comfortable.
• After heavy rain, some paths may be muddy or slick.

For Locals: Ways to Stay Involved

If you live in Atlanta and feel a connection to Oakland, there are several ways people commonly stay involved:

• Volunteering: Helping with gardening, cleanup, or event support.
• Membership or donations: Many residents support ongoing preservation and restoration efforts.
• Frequent visits: Treating Oakland as part of a regular walking route or personal reflection space.
• Bringing visitors: Sharing the cemetery with out-of-town friends as a way to introduce them to Atlanta’s deeper history.

These activities help keep Oakland vibrant as both a memorial site and a living part of the city’s cultural landscape.

Quick Reference: Planning Your Visit to Oakland Cemetery

Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta offers a rare combination: a place where you can walk under old trees, study art and architecture, and come face-to-face with the people and stories that built the city. For residents and visitors alike, it’s one of the most meaningful places to spend a few unhurried hours in Atlanta.