Visit Kansas City legends this Halloween in these historic local cemeteries

Kansas City is home to a rich history filled with impressive figures, including those who are no longer with us. Legendary locals and a number of out-of-towners have found their final resting place in the Kansas City area. While some, like actor Ed Asner, are buried in private cemeteries, many others have graves that are easily accessible to the public. There’s no better time than “spooky season” to visit these sites and pay your respects to some of KC’s biggest names.

Union Cemetery

Established in 1857, this sprawling green is the oldest public cemetery in Kansas City. It also doubles as a public park, allowing strollers, dogs, skateboards, bikes and foot traffic. This cemetery is an ideal spot for a family outing in a relaxed environment. This Sunday afternoon, families can wear costumes and trick-or-treat at Union for Halloween as part of the city’s Walktober event series.

Noteworthy graves include those of artist George Caleb Bingham, founder of the Pony Express Alexander Majors, and early Kansas City mayor Johnston Lykins.

Admission: Free; 7 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week

Walktober Halloween event at Union Cemetery: Sunday, October 31, 1-3 p.m. You can RSVP here.

Wyandot National Burying Ground

Formerly known as the Huron Indian Cemetery, this historic site serves as a resting place for hundreds of members of Oklahoma’s Wyandotte Tribe and Kansas’ Wyandot Nation. The small cemetery was once the site of a two-year standoff between an indigenous family and the U.S. Department of the Interior. When land developers wanted to destroy the family burial ground of Helena and Eliza Conley, the sisters occupied the land to protect it. In 1909, Eliza Conley became the first Native American woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of the land, located near Huron Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Admission: Free, seven days a week during daylight hours

Mount Washington Cemetery & William Rockhill Nelson Chapel

This sprawling cemetery contains over 60,000 individuals, including civil war generals and Congressman Col. Robert Thompson Van Horn. Former FBI Director Clarence M. Kelley is also buried there. The towering mausoleum on the west side of the cemetery contains the remains of William Rockhill Nelson, after whom the structure is named. In 1880, this influential businessman and civic leader launched the newspaper that would eventually become The Kansas City Star.

Admission: Free, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week

Nelson Chapel: Currently undergoing restoration, but the surrounding grounds are open to visitors

Lincoln Cemetery

Located just across the road from Mount Washington Cemetery, this historically African American cemetery is the final resting place of influential jazz musician Charlie Parker and his wife, Addie Parker. Curious visitors can check out both Lincoln and Mount Washington cemeteries in one trip, and pay their respects to a variety of significant figures.

Admission: Free, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., seven days a week

Mount Moriah Cemetery

A huge mausoleum known as the Temple greets visitors who enter this large cemetery in southern Kansas City. Musician Carleton Coon is buried there, but he isn’t the only remarkable figure to call this cemetery his final resting place. Also in residence is journalist Walter Cronkite, buried alongside his wife Betsy’s family beneath a red stone grave marker. You can also celebrate the return of Halloween trick-or-treating by visiting the tomb of candy tycoon Russell Stover.

Admission: Free, seven days a week during daylight hours

Memorial Park and Green Lawn Cemeteries

Established in 1922, Memorial Park Cemetery is notable for its use of exclusively flat grave markers. This feature has allowed the site, along with its adjacent Green Lawn Cemetery, to double as a park filled with religious statues, memorials and other attractions. David Atchison, who is said to have served as President of the United States for one day, is buried here with his family. While technically a private cemetery, the grounds are open to visitors 7 days a week.

Admission: Free, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week