For the past few years, my sister and I have been talking about visiting the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Tucked away in the Fairmont neighborhood, the historic site always felt like a great, creepy Halloween activity. Unfortunately, everyone had the same thoughts during Halloween too — so weird — and the tours were always sold out.

We realized this year we can go on a historic tour before Halloween and get the same experience. Probably.

We embarked on a 10 a.m., Saturday history tour through the cemetery, learning all about its origin in the late 1800s and various expansions since. A portion of the graveyard even had to be moved back (dug up and relocated) to make room for Fairmont Park, which the moved plots still overlook today.

Walking down Millionaire’s Row looking at all the mausoleums and incredibly ornate tombs, it was incredible to see the kind of money families and individuals were willing to pay for these eternal resting places — some equivalent to $3.5 million today.

It was also interesting to see all the symbolism in the statues and structures, from the broken columns signifying a life cut short or spires designed to resemble the Washington Monument for some well-to-do deceased.

Tickets were $10 each and benefit the park, and despite the poor, cold, dreary weather, the walking tour was quite full. Clearly, cemetery tours are not just for Halloween.

— Angelique Platas, associate editor