New Orleans Cemetery and Paranormal Investigation Bus Tour

A cemetery after dark changes the mood of New Orleans history. On this roughly two-hour bus tour, you may walk among compact rows of tombs, hear about local burial customs, and try tools meant to detect paranormal activity. It is part history outing, part ghost hunt, and part ride between sites.

I like two things in particular: the chance to enter a cemetery at night, when its tombs and iron fences feel different from a daytime visit, and the mix of local stories, including accounts of Hurricane Katrina. Guides such as Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish have earned praise for blending history with humor and personal tales.

The main caveat is that the route and pace can vary. Some outings spend much of the time driving or make only one or two cemetery visits, so if you expect a long, detailed walk through several burial grounds, this may not be the right fit.

The short version: a ghost hunt with a changing route

The tour costs $30 per person, lasts about two hours, and meets at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys at 1140 Decatur Street, in the French Quarter. A bus carries the group to cemetery and memorial stops, then returns to the same meeting point. The maximum group size is 24, which is small enough for a shared outing but still large enough to feel lively, especially during the investigation portion.

This is not a private cemetery tour or a guaranteed visit to a particular famous grave. The route may include Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, the Charity Hospital pauper’s field, Odd Fellows Rest, and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery. The precise stops and the time spent at each can vary, so check the route with the operator if one specific site matters to you.

The tour is offered in English, and live commentary is included. Its appeal depends a lot on your guide: some guides are praised for strong local stories, clear explanations, and comic timing. Others have left people wishing for more history and more time on site. I’d book it expecting an entertaining, somewhat unpredictable night out, not a carefully paced lecture.

At a glance

• Masonic tombs: The included visit to Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 is a chance to see a burial ground with a distinctive communal design.
• Nighttime atmosphere: Cemetery visits after dark are central to the appeal, though you will see less detail than during the day.
• Paranormal tools: You can try the supplied investigation equipment, including an EMF reader.
• Katrina history: A stop at the memorial may bring a sobering account of the storm’s lasting effects.
• Route flexibility: The number of cemeteries visited and time spent at each can vary, so don’t plan around a single promised grave.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 and its unusual plan

Founded in 1865 by Louisiana’s Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 has a character different from the Catholic cemeteries most associated with New Orleans. It occupies two irregular city blocks, with Conti Street running between its sections. Viewed on a map, the triangular shape and angular paths suggest the Masonic square and compass.

Inside, the graves sit closely in rows, with a broad paved walk through the center and smaller paths between tombs. Cast-iron fencing encloses the two sections, while oak allées edge parts of the grounds. The tour allows about 30 minutes here, with admission included. That is enough to take in the layout and hear an introduction, but not a leisurely hour to study every tomb.

The cemetery is known for elaborate group tombs. Lodge members pooled money to build shared burial structures, creating a different pattern from the individual family tombs you may see elsewhere. That communal story is useful context: the architecture is not only a collection of grand facades, but also a record of how a community organized care and burial.

A night visit brings atmosphere, but it has a trade-off. Shadows and limited light can make the cemetery feel eerie, while fine details and inscriptions are harder to see. If your main interest is architecture or reading names, consider visiting a cemetery during the day as well.

Other cemeteries, memorials, and the bus ride between them

The route can include several other burial grounds, among them St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, and the Charity Hospital pauper’s field. These sites offer different ways to think about burial in New Orleans, from prominent tombs to places connected with people who had fewer resources. The guide may also point out notable people buried along the way, but the exact locations visited can change.

The tour does not visit Marie Laveau’s tomb. Her tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery #1, which is not part of this outing. If seeing that specific site is a priority, make separate plans rather than assuming it is included.

Expect some time on the bus between stops. That can be a useful chance to hear stories and get a sense of how the cemeteries relate to the wider city, but it also reduces time on foot. Some outings include a cafe or restroom break, and the bus ride may take up more of the two-hour schedule than you expect. A stop for beignets has been part of some tours, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed feature.

The description of the tour also names City Park, a 1,300-acre urban park founded in 1854, with old oaks and moss canopies. But the precise role of the park in the route is not clear. It is best to think of it as a possible point of interest, not a promised walking stop or a major part of the outing.

The Katrina memorial is a change of tone

A visit to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery brings a different weight to a night of ghost stories. The guide may explain the storm’s effects and give you time to pay respects. Some guides also share personal experiences connected to Katrina, which can make the subject feel close and specific rather than distant history.

This stop calls for a little sensitivity. Katrina is not simply a spooky tale or a backdrop for entertainment; it remains part of the city’s lived experience. A strong guide can keep the evening light without treating the memorial lightly. If the subject matters to you, ask how much time the tour gives this stop before booking.

Odd Fellows Rest may also be on the route. It is described as a cemetery reserved for members of a little-known fraternal group, adding another layer to the tour’s focus on private societies and communal burial. As with the other locations, confirm the actual route if you want to be sure of seeing it.

Trying the paranormal equipment

The tour includes tools for communicating with the paranormal, and the guide may help you use an EMF reader. The investigation is participatory: you can test the equipment and decide for yourself what to make of any readings or odd moments. Some people come away with a photograph or a flicker of activity they find intriguing; others see the equipment as part of the fun rather than proof of anything.

Don’t expect a controlled scientific experiment or a guarantee of a supernatural encounter. The value is in the shared activity, the stories, and the atmosphere of a cemetery at night. If your guide hands out equipment or suggests using an app, ask for a quick demonstration before the group begins. Clear instructions make the experience more engaging, especially if this is your first ghost hunt.

The group size also shapes the mood. With as many as 24 people, you will have company and a guide nearby, but it may not feel especially quiet or solitary. If you want stillness and close attention to the sounds around you, a larger group can get in the way. If you prefer not to wander a cemetery alone after dark, the group is reassuring.

What makes a guide matter

The strongest part of the tour may be the person telling the stories. Roy has been praised for creating a friendly, funny atmosphere and adapting to the group. Kendall has been singled out for energetic storytelling and cemetery history, while Henry and Trish have also drawn praise for mixing local context with a welcoming manner.

Those names are useful clues, not a promise of who will lead your outing. The guide can make the difference between a lively tour and a rambling one. Some people have found the historical detail too thin, especially on cemetery customs, prominent graves, or the paranormal equipment. If you want more than ghost stories, ask questions about burial practices, the cemetery’s design, and the people connected to the site.

One practical note: the tour’s tone can shift between history, comedy, and spooky storytelling. That suits people who want an easygoing night out. If you prefer a quiet, scholarly account of cemetery architecture, a daytime history tour may serve you better.

Is $30 good value for two hours?

At $30, the price is reasonable if you value the combination of bus transport, a guide, cemetery access, and paranormal equipment. The bus is especially helpful if you would rather not arrange transport between several sites yourself. The tour also gives you a structured evening activity from a central French Quarter meeting point.

Value depends on how much time the group spends out of the bus. If you get several cemetery visits, a substantial walk, and a guide who connects the sites with clear local history, the price feels fair. If the outing turns into mostly driving with a short cemetery stop, you may feel you got less than expected. That is the tour’s biggest uncertainty, so ask about the planned stops and walking time before you pay.

The tour is booked an average of 17 days in advance, which suggests you should not leave it to the last minute if your schedule is fixed. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Meeting point, walking, and what to bring

Meet at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur Street. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, as recommended, and allow time for traffic if you are driving. Parking nearby is limited and paid, so walking, public transport, or a ride-share may be easier. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Wear comfortable shoes and layers suited to the weather. The walking is described as mostly flat and not strenuous, but you should be able to walk and manage a few steps to board and exit the bus. The bus is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.

Families can consider the tour for children aged six and older, but the stories include morbid subjects and can be frightening for younger children. Use your judgment, especially if your child is sensitive to ghost stories or cemetery settings after dark.

Should you book the New Orleans Cemetery and Paranormal Investigation Bus Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, social evening with cemetery atmosphere, local stories, and a playful chance to try paranormal tools. It is a good fit for first-time visitors who want transportation between sites, people who enjoy a guide with humor, and curious skeptics who can have fun without needing proof of ghosts.

Think twice if your priority is a long, detailed visit to several cemeteries, quiet time for photography, or a specific grave such as Marie Laveau’s. The route can vary, and some outings spend less time at the sites than the two-hour length might suggest. Before booking, ask which stops are planned and how much time the group expects to spend walking.

FAQ

Which cemeteries might the tour visit?

Stops can include Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, the Charity Hospital pauper’s field, and other burial grounds. The route may vary.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Her tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery #1, which is not included on this tour.

Does the tour visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery, where the guide may discuss the storm’s lasting effects.

How long is the tour, and how much does it cost?

It lasts about two hours and costs $30 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur Street, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is considered appropriate for children aged six and older, though it includes morbid stories that may frighten younger children.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and everyone must be able to walk and manage a few steps when boarding and exiting.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.