Glenwood Cemetery

Some people get the heebie-jeebies over cemeteries. But we think Glenwood Cemetery is one of Houston's most beautiful and tranquil spots. Overlooking Buffalo Bayou, its sloping lawns are filled with solemn monuments, elaborate headstones and sprawling tombs.  This is a historic Texas site and many soldiers of the Republic of Texas found their final resting places here. Glenwood opened its gates in 1871 and the famous buried here include the legendary Howard Hughes and  Hollywood actress Gene Tierney (ironically, Hughes tried to seduce Tierney when she was under contract to Columbia in the late '30s and she rebuffed his advances – but here they are now, buried in close proximity). Tierney ended up at Glenwood because she married Texas oil baron W. Howard Lee and lived the last decades of her life as a wealthy River Oaks socialite.  Glenwood is a magnet for photographers who want to capture dramatic sculptural shots and its lush greenery. It’s also a great spot if you’re in a quiet mood and are looking for a place to think it out, but don’t be surprised to see someone walking a peacock on a leash (as we did the last time we were here) or couples meeting for a quick assignation. Expect the unexpected.