Some people are daunted by the idea of visiting a cemetery as a tourist, or for a relaxing walk, but this is a highly unusual, scenic and historic cemetery, absolutely worth visiting. It's set within a beautiful park, sculpted by glacial activity, and filled with towering trees, small lakes, wooded hillsides, cobblestone roads, and impressive monuments, mausoleums and headstones. It's an early Victorian cemetery, with plots arranged in natural settings, instead of staid rows of headstones like a typical cemetery. It's a great place to take a walk any season of the year - even in winter. It's also a wonderful place for an "urban photographic safari". I return there every time I'm in Rochester, and have endless photos of the beautiful monuments and relics of history.
Headstones and monuments in the cemetery date back to around the 1830s - this was the first municipal Victorian cemetery in America. The Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery have a map and guide available at the entrance to the cemetery, that points out graves of significance: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass are among the most famous residents of Mt. Hope, along with many others that contributed to the history of the area.
If you're as fascinated by this place as I and many others have been, a book of black-and-white photographs, history, explanation of symbolism and monuments provides a great memory of this area. It's often hard to convince people just how wonderful and fascinating a cemetery can be, but this one is sure to change your mind.