Till Death Do Us Part

Each month CarSense highlights some of the best attractions in the region in a feature called "Sunday Drives".

Saturday, February 15

Undying love is a Valentine’s Day staple, but it may not have occurred to you that the love stories of the past can be just as sweet (or as crazy) as any modern-day affair. And Laurel Hill – a large cemetery up the hill from Kelly Drive that lays claim to being Philadelphia’s “most famous home for the dead” – has quite a collection waiting for you on Saturday, February 15.

The Laurel Hill Valentine’s Day wintertime walking tour was inspired by a woman whose heart – and only her heart – now lies buried in the cemetery’s earth. What inspired this symbolic final gesture? Guide Gwen Kaminski has the answer – plus plenty of other tales that will either warm your heart or leave you otherwise contemplating the mysteries of love. Tour begins at 1 pm from the Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance and concludes with a toasty fireside reception complete with hot chocolate and desserts; tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for seniors 65+ and students with ID; $10 for youth 6-12; free for 5 and under.

It should be noted that Laurel Hill does other tours as well. Highly recommended is the monthly overview tour, Hot Spots and Storied Plots, which includes the most notable stories, the best views, and the most beautiful marble masterpieces. Next tour is February 8; tickets are $12 adults. There’s also a Black History Month Walking Tour (famed musician Teddy Pendergrass and several civil rights leaders are buried here) on Saturday, February 29; $15 adults. Check website for tour departure sites.

Laurel Hill Cemetery

3822 Ridge Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19132

215-228-8200