Night Cemetery Insiders Bus Tour in New Orleans

New Orleans buries its dead above ground, and after dark those crowded tombs make the city’s past feel close at hand. This two-hour bus tour links cemetery visits with stories about burial customs, secret societies, yellow fever, and Hurricane Katrina.

I like two things about the experience: the bus makes cemetery visits easy to fit into an evening, and a good guide can turn unfamiliar tombs into a clear picture of how the city lived and mourned. Guides named in past tours include Kendall, Henry, Trish, and Bob, with several praised for lively storytelling.

One caution: the route details are not fully consistent. Masonic Cemetery #2 appears in one description, while the tour FAQ names Masonic #1, the Katrina Memorial at Charity Hospital Cemetery, and Odd Fellows Rest. Confirm the stops before booking, especially if you have a particular cemetery in mind.

Key points before you book

• Masonic Cemetery #2 has an unusual triangular plan, with walkways that echo the Masonic square and compass.
• The tour combines bus transport with cemetery walking, a useful pairing if you want to see burial grounds without arranging separate rides.
• New Orleans burial customs are the main subject, with stories about yellow fever, Katrina, and local beliefs adding context.
• The route may vary or be described inconsistently, so confirm which cemeteries are included before you pay.
• Guides shape the night. Kendall, Trish, and Henry have been praised for warm, animated storytelling, while one account describes a long talk focused heavily on Masons and Shriners.
• At $30 for about two hours, it can be good value if you enjoy guided history and want cemetery access without planning your own transport.

Cemeteries are the point, but the stories make the tour

A cemetery visit in New Orleans is not just a walk among old graves. Above-ground tombs reflect the city’s burial traditions and the practical challenges of local conditions. This tour sets out to explain those customs, then adds the people and events connected to the places you visit.

The experience is led by a storyteller, not simply a driver who drops you at a gate. That distinction matters: tombs can look alike at first, but details about who built them, who shared them, and what happened nearby give each stop a purpose. The best guide will help you understand the place without turning the evening into a lecture.

The tone can vary. Some guides have been described as animated and entertaining, while another tour felt slow and focused too long on Masonic and Shrine groups. If you enjoy detailed local history, that subject may be a plus. If you mainly want ghost tales, ask how much of the tour is devoted to them. The experience includes folklore and myths, but the emphasis is not guaranteed to be spooky.

What the Masonic cemetery’s shape tells you

Masonic Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons, differs in character from the Catholic cemeteries more familiar to many visitors. Its communal tombs reflect a practical arrangement: members of lodges pooled resources to build large group tombs rather than relying only on individual family plots.

The cemetery occupies two irregular city blocks and has a triangular plan. Conti Street cuts through it, while the shape of the surrounding streets and the angular walkways inside recall the Masonic square and compass. Once you know that, the layout becomes part of the story, not just a quirk of city planning.

Inside, cast-iron picket fences divide the two sections. Oak allées edge the northern and western sides, and tombs sit in compact rows parallel to Bienville Street. A wide paved promenade runs through the center, with smaller paths between the rows. These details are useful to notice as you walk: they show how a burial ground was organized for shared access and close-packed city space.

One stated visit to the cemetery lasts about 40 minutes, with admission included. That gives you time to look around and hear the guide’s account, but it is not a long, unstructured wander. If you like taking photographs or reading every marker, stay near the group and save independent exploration for another visit.

There is a significant route question here. The supplied tour information names Masonic Cemetery #2, but the FAQ describes visits to Masonic Cemetery #1, the Katrina Memorial at Charity Hospital Cemetery, and Odd Fellows Rest. Those are not interchangeable stops. Ask NOLA GhostRiders to confirm the actual route for your departure date, and do not assume that one cemetery is included because it appears in a general description.

Katrina, yellow fever, and cemetery memory

The tour’s historical focus reaches beyond tomb architecture. Its FAQ says the guide explains the effects of Hurricane Katrina and includes a visit to the Katrina Memorial Cemetery. The subject gives the cemetery stop a direct connection to recent New Orleans history, rather than leaving the tour entirely in the distant past.

The FAQ also mentions the aftermath of a yellow fever outbreak at Charity Hospital’s graveyard. This is the kind of story that can make a cemetery visit more meaningful: it links burial practice to illness, the city’s changing population, and the people who were laid to rest there. The guide may also discuss superstitions and ghost stories, though the balance between history and spooky material can differ by guide.

Odd Fellows Rest is another stop named in the tour FAQ. It is described as reserved for members of a little-known society. If the route includes it, the stop offers a different angle from the Masonic cemetery: another organization, another burial ground, and another example of how groups created places for their own members.

Do not book this specifically to see Marie Laveau’s tomb. Her tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which is not included on this tour. The guide may cover prominent people and local history, but this is not a substitute for a visit to that cemetery.

A bus ride that saves planning, not walking

The bus is a practical feature, especially for an evening tour. It connects the meeting point to cemetery stops and brings you back to where you started. You do not need to work out separate transport between sites, and the group size is capped at 32.

The bus does not make this a sit-down sightseeing ride. There is a fair amount of walking once you reach the cemeteries, though the ground is mostly flat. Expect uneven surfaces, and wear comfortable shoes. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, according to the operator’s information.

The meeting point is Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, at 1140 Decatur Street in New Orleans. Parking nearby is limited, so walking, public transport, or a ride share is the more sensible plan. Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, particularly if you need to find the meeting spot or are coming by car.

The tour lasts about two hours and is offered in English. A late-night departure can work well if you arrive in the city in the evening or want to use hours that might otherwise be spent back at your hotel. One past outing included a late stop for beignets, but treat that as a possible extra, not a guaranteed part of every tour.

The guide can make or break the evening

The strongest accounts describe guides who combine local knowledge with a personal, lively delivery. Kendall was singled out for storytelling about Katrina, cemetery myths, and ghost photographs, and for being helpful on the ride back. Trish and Henry were also praised for being engaging and making the history fun.

That kind of performance matters more here than polished scenery. You are visiting burial grounds, not a show staged for an audience, so the guide’s ability to explain what you are seeing is central to the value. A good storyteller can move from a group tomb to a local custom, then connect that detail to a larger New Orleans story.

But the experience is not uniformly fast-paced. One account found the guide’s extended discussion of Masons and Shriners boring, and noted that only one cemetery was entered. That is a useful reminder to check the route and ask about the subject mix if you have limited patience for fraternal organizations or want several cemetery visits.

If you are booking for ghost stories, be clear about your expectations. Past tours have included myths, superstitions, and ghost photos, while other accounts emphasize general history. The title suggests a night-time mood, but it does not promise a scare-focused performance.

Is $30 good value?

At $30 per person, the price is reasonable if you value guided interpretation and transport together. You are paying for a two-hour outing that combines a bus, cemetery access, and a guide’s account of burial customs and local history. It also saves you from arranging your own route between stops.

The value depends on the actual route. If you visit two cemeteries and get a clear explanation of each, the price is easier to justify. If the tour enters only one cemetery or spends most of its time on a subject you do not care about, it may feel less worthwhile. The conflicting route descriptions make it especially sensible to confirm the stops before booking.

This is not the right choice if your main goal is Marie Laveau’s tomb, a long independent cemetery visit, or a guaranteed parade of ghost stories. It suits you better if you like hearing history from a guide and are curious about how New Orleans handles death, memory, and community.

The tour is described as appropriate for ages six and up, though the stories can be morbid or frightening for younger children. Good weather is required. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start; cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Night Cemetery Insiders Bus Tour?

Book it if you want a manageable introduction to New Orleans cemetery traditions, appreciate a strong storyteller, and like the convenience of bus transport between stops. It is especially appealing as an evening activity when you want more than a bar visit but do not want to plan a complicated route yourself.

Before paying, ask which cemeteries your departure will enter and how much time is spent at each. That small check will help you decide if the tour matches your interests. If the route and subject matter suit you, $30 is a fair price for a guided look at the city’s unusual burial customs and the stories that still cling to them.

FAQ

How long is the Night Cemetery Insiders Bus Tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The stated price is $30 per person.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation between stops is provided by bus.

Which cemeteries does the tour visit?

The route details are inconsistent. Masonic Cemetery #2 is named in one description, while the tour FAQ lists Masonic Cemetery #1, the Katrina Memorial at Charity Hospital Cemetery, and Odd Fellows Rest. Confirm the stops with the operator before booking.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

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

Does the tour visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

The tour FAQ says that the guide explains Katrina’s lasting effects and that the visit includes the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is described as suitable for ages six and older. Some stories are morbid or may frighten younger children, so use your judgment.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The cemeteries have uneven ground, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour are not refundable.