The most hauntingly beautiful cemeteries in Chicago

Spread across a whopping 350 acres in Lincoln Square, Rosehill is Chicago's largest cemetery, so set aside a few hours to explore its storied grounds. Enter through the Rosehill entrance on Ravenswood Avenue, where you'll pass beneath a stately, castle-like entrance gate (designed by William Boyington, who also worked on the Chicago Water Tower pumping station); once inside, you'll find winding paths, stunning crypts and the burial sites of famous folks like hot dog titan Oscar Mayer and John G. Shedd. Don't miss the cemetery's intricate mausoleum and lore-steeped statues, like the glass-encased sculpture above the gravesite of Frances Pearce and her infant daughter, said to fill with spooky mist on the anniversary of the young woman's death.

Since 1860, Uptown's Graceland Cemetery has served as the final resting place for countless famous Chicagoans, from pioneering architect Daniel Burnham to Bauhaus giant Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and is filled with commensurately gorgeous obelisks and tombs. Aside from its historic value, Graceland is also just an especially beautiful green space—it's a certified arboretum with more than 2,000 trees spread across 121 acres. Take a walk among its lush grounds to admire natural beauty, stunning burial monuments and a reflective lake while paying respect to some of the city's most influential figures.

Reportedly one of the most haunted cemeteries in the country, this abandoned graveyard in Midlothian attracts ghost hunters and those in search of spooky vibes. Though it’s no longer actively maintained, visitors are still allowed to wander Bachelor’s Grove after walking through a deserted trail in the woods. The cemetery is home to 82 graves—most in poor condition due to vandalism and decades of neglect—and numerous paranormal sightings including a phantom dog, a vanishing house, a farmer and his horse, and a woman in a white dress. You’ll also find toys left by visitors in front of the headstone of an unnamed infant girl.

This 184-acre cemetery in Greater Grand Crossing has been around since 1854 and serves as the final resting place for dozens of famous Americans, from professional athletes to pioneering civil rights activists. For an afternoon of history, wander among quiet lakes and tree-studded grounds to check out the burial sites of journalist Ida B. Wells, former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Olympic athlete Jesse Owens and other familiar names. Notably (and controversially), the cemetery is also home to the Confederate Mound, a mass grave and memorial paying tribute to Confederate POWs from the Civil War era.

Opened back in 1859, Calvary Cemetery is the oldest of its kind established by the Archdiocese of Chicago. City dwellers will find it tucked along the lakefront between Chicago and Evanston, just a few blocks north of the Howard Red Line stop. Like its name suggests, the manicured grounds are dotted with religious symbols, including crosses and statues of saints. And though it may not have the same name recognition as Graceland, Calvary is home to some noteworthy Chicagoans, particularly politicians. Five former mayors are buried here, including Jane Bryne, the city's first female mayor. White Sox fans will want to seek out the final resting place of founding owner Charles Comiskey. And when you're done roaming the grounds, the waterfront makes a nice backdrop to reflect: Head north to South Boulevard Beach or south to Rogers Beach Park.

Guarded by a stately, castle-like limestone gatehouse, Bohemian National Cemetery is a peaceful 126-acre expanse that's situated between Albany Park and Brynford Park on Chicago's North Side. Established by the city's Czech community in 1877 to accommodate one of their own who was denied burial elsewhere, the cemetery is home to some notable residents and fantastic architecture. Visitors can find the graves of former Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak as well as many of the victims of the SS Eastland shipwreck, which left 844 passengers dead in 1915. Before you go, it's worth seeking out "Beyond the Vines," a Wrigley Field-inspired brick wall covered in ivy that doubles as a final resting place for devoted Cubs fans.

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The 10-mile trek to Forest Park is worth it to stroll the grounds of Forest Home Cemetery, which is actually the site of two graveyards that merged in 1969. Long before that, land was the site of a Potawatomi village and burial ground. Visitors will spot the graves of baseball player Billy Sunday, radio announcer Paul Harvey and serial killer Belle Gunness, but the most noteworthy plot is the Haymarket Memorial. The National Historic Landmark memorializes the lives and executions of the five Haymarket martyrs; at the time, it was the only cemetery that would accept their remains. The monument, pictured above, features a 16-foot-tall granite pillar as well as two bronze figures: a fallen worker and a cloaked woman standing over him.

Resurrection Mary, Chicago’s most famous ghost, can be found in this Justice cemetery. As legend has it, a young girl was struck and killed by a driver along Archer Road in the ‘30s. She was buried in the nearby graveyard and her spirit has since been seen haunting the surrounding area—most notably hitching rides and then vanishing. But the 400-acre grounds aren’t just home to apparitions. There’s an architectural wonder on site: A New Formalism-style mausoleum highlighted by classical white columns and one of the largest stained glass installations in the world. Though you may not encounter any supernatural beings on your visit, there’s a good chance you will see wildlife like deer roaming around.

The final resting place for Al Capone, Frank Nitti, Sam Giancana and other notorious mobsters, Mount Carmel Cemetery is full of Chicago history. But despite the sordid pasts of the figures buried here, the Hillside graveyard is actually quite beautiful and home to hundreds of family mausoleums. Take a walk through the 214 acres to admire the monuments—you may even come across the statue of Julia Buccola Petta, “The Italian Bride” whose grave was exhumed and body found to be in perfect condition after her mother kept having dreams that she was still alive.