The GAR Cemetery is part of Seattle’s public park system, not just a historic burial ground — and it’s a genuinely nice place to spend an afternoon, whether or not Civil War history is your thing. The open lawn, mature trees, and quiet paths make it a good spot for a picnic, a game of catch, tossing a frisbee, or just sitting with a book in the shade.
It’s also an active memorial, so we’d ask that you treat the grounds and headstones with the same care you’d want for a family member’s resting place. Beyond that, consider it a neighborhood green space that happens to come with over a century of history built in.
If you’d like to combine your visit with some of that history, the GAR Cemetery Guide’s self-guided Cemetery Walk is a great next step — a guided tour of the grounds with plenty of additional history along the way.
Take the Cemetery Walk ↗Take a Look
A look at the grounds — mature trees, open lawn, quiet paths, and the historic cemetery itself.
