First Shearith Israel Graveyard

The First Shearith Israel Graveyard, established in 1683, is the oldest Jewish cemetery in North America, predating the American Revolution. Tucked away on St. James Place in Chinatown, it's a quiet, grassy plot enclosed by a brick wall. The weathered headstones bear Hebrew and English inscriptions, marking the resting places of early Jewish settlers, including veterans of the Revolutionary War. Visitors can peer through the iron gate to see the tombstones, some dating back to the 17th century, offering a tangible link to New York's colonial Jewish community.

Don't miss

• The oldest known gravestone, that of Benjamin Bueno de Mesquita (1683)
• The burial plot of the Gomez family, prominent 18th-century Jewish merchants
• The contrast of the historic cemetery against the surrounding modern Chinatown streets

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit First Shearith Israel Graveyard

Cheapest way inRecoleta Cemetery Walking Tour4.9★ · 752 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →Most bookedNew York Catacombs by Candlelight4.7★ · 2,915 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$38 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate 9/11 Memorial Tour with NYPD First Responder4.9★ · 12 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$499 per personSee dates →