Mount Auburn Cemetery, Boston

In the early hours of spring mornings, bird enthusiasts flock to Mount Auburn Cemetery, channeling their inner feathered friends for some avian camaraderie. Spanning 175 acres with more twists and turns than a Hitchcock thriller, this place has enough space to make even the most seasoned birdwatcher go "tweet" with delight.

Founded back in 1831, Mount Auburn quickly became the benchmark for beautifully landscaped resting places, blending elements of an arboretum with its final resting role. It's the eternal home of some illustrious "residents", from poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to cookbook maestro Fannie Farmer, wordsmith Bernard Malamud, and the ingenious Buckminster Fuller (the guy who dreamt up the geodesic dome). While the cemetery does offer guided tours, you're free to wander on your own accord.

With its undulating hills, scenic valleys, charming knolls, and serene ponds, Mount Auburn invites contemplative strolls. There are nearly 6,000 trees representing 600 varieties across 75 genera, along with some 250 species of shrubs and ground coverings. Take a stroll along Indian Ridge in spring, and your nose will be treated to an all-you-can-sniff buffet of magnolia, viburnum, lilac, and crab apple blossoms.

The delightfully secluded Consecration Dell is a favored spot to pause, especially if you're lucky enough to catch the ethereal serenade of a wood thrush. (The pond there is also a hotbed for one of eastern Massachusetts' largest breeding colonies of spotted salamanders.) Similarly tranquil, assuming Mount Auburn Street isn't jammed with traffic, is Spruce Knoll. This contemplation garden, designed by the renowned landscape artist Julie Moir Messervy, is nestled among towering spruce trees.

Tip:
Upon arrival, swing by the chapel (there are two historic ones worth seeing) to grab a map if you're on a quest to locate specific graves – sometimes the markers can be a tad elusive. They also have audio guides available for self-guided tours. Finally, cap off your visit with a climb to the top of the Washington Tower for a 360° panoramic view of the surroundings. It's a real eye-opener, figuratively and literally.