Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans

The draw here is stepping into a New Orleans cemetery after dark, away from the French Quarter’s bright streets and crowds. You ride to quieter parts of the city, then walk among above-ground tombs while a guide connects burial customs, local history, and ghost stories.

I like two things in particular: the chance to see a cemetery by night, when its compact rows of tombs feel different from a daytime visit, and the ride through City Park to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, which adds a thoughtful note to an evening of spooky tales. Guides such as Henry and Roy have earned praise for mixing humor with history.

One caution: the experience depends heavily on your guide and what you expect from a ghost tour. Some tours offer engaging stories and time to explore; others feel light on narration, with loud music on the bus. Bring curiosity, not a guarantee of scares.

What to know before you book

• Cemetery access after dark: The tour takes you inside a New Orleans cemetery at night, a feature that sets it apart from many French Quarter ghost walks.
• A ride beyond the Quarter: The bus visits quieter neighborhoods and City Park, so you see more than the usual bar-and-haunting route.
• Above-ground burial traditions: Expect tombs, cemetery customs, and stories about local people and places, not just ghost hunting.
• BYOB, not drinks included: You can bring your own drink, but be responsible and respectful. The meeting point is also a place to buy one.
• A route that may vary: Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 is a listed stop; other cemetery visits, including Charity Hospital pauper’s field and Odd Fellows Rest, are described as typical stops.
• A guide-led experience: Henry and Roy have been praised for their lively, personal storytelling, but guide style can shape the evening.

A cemetery visit that changes the mood

New Orleans’ above-ground tombs are not just atmospheric scenery. They reflect the city’s burial customs, where tombs hold remains above ground rather than relying on conventional in-ground graves. Walking among the structures gives you a closer look at how communities and families marked death, memory, and belonging.

This tour’s main draw is access after nightfall. Darkness makes a cemetery feel quieter and more enclosed, though do not expect every stop to be pitch-black or frightening. Some visitors have found the Masonic cemetery well lit. That can make it easier to see the tombs and walk safely, but it may soften the spooky effect.

The tour is billed as the only ghost tour offering cemetery access after dark. That makes it a distinct choice if you want to enter a graveyard rather than hear ghost stories from a sidewalk. It is not necessarily the best fit if your main goal is a tightly scripted scare show. The experience leans on the guide, the setting, and your interest in cemetery history.

The French Quarter meeting point and BYOB setup

The tour starts at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, at 1140 Decatur Street. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure, as requested. The French Quarter location is convenient if you are already staying nearby, and public transportation stops are in the area. Parking is limited and paid, so walking, transit, or a rideshare is the simpler plan for many people.

This is a BYOB bus tour, but drinks are not included in the $30 price. You can bring your own libation, and the meeting point is a place to buy a drink before boarding. If you want to carry a cocktail onto the bus, arrive early enough to sort that out rather than rushing in at departure time.

The BYOB format can make the ride feel sociable and festive. It also means that the group’s mood matters. The operator asks everyone to drink responsibly and be respectful; disruptive behavior can lead to being removed from the tour. If you prefer a quiet, formal history outing, this party-bus element may not suit you.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2: unusual tombs and Masonic geometry

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 was founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. Its character differs from the Catholic cemeteries that dominate the city. One reason is its communal history: lodge members pooled resources to build large shared tombs, creating a collection of elaborate structures that can look quite different from family tombs elsewhere in New Orleans.

The cemetery occupies two oddly shaped city blocks and has a triangular plan. Conti Street cuts through it, while the bordering streets and angular internal paths suggest the Masonic square-and-compass emblem. Cast-iron fences enclose the sections, and oak-lined edges frame tightly arranged rows of tombs. A broad paved walkway runs through the center, with smaller paths leading between the rows.

You can expect a guided walk, followed by some time to look around. This is where the experience can be rewarding for anyone curious about architecture, burial traditions, or the social history visible in a cemetery’s layout. It can be less satisfying if you expect the guide to narrate continuously or build a long sequence of ghost stories. The tour does not guarantee a particular story list or amount of time at each tomb.

Some versions of the route also include the Charity Hospital pauper’s field and other cemetery stops. The route information names Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, while the tour details also describe visits to places such as Odd Fellows Rest. Ask at booking if a particular cemetery matters to you, since the exact stops may vary.

City Park and the Morning Call pause

After the cemetery, the bus passes through City Park, a 1,300-acre urban park that has been part of New Orleans life since 1854. Historic oaks and moss canopies give this stretch a very different feel from the city’s streets. The park has served as a setting for dances, concerts, and even duels, so it offers a reminder that local history is not confined to graveyards.

The tour includes a break at Morning Call Cafe, where you can buy coffee and beignets. It gives you a chance to pause, warm up, or grab a snack during an evening that includes walking and bus travel. Food and drinks are not listed as included, so budget separately if you plan to order.

The break is also useful for practical reasons. One tour description includes this cafe stop, while some accounts of the experience have noted a lack of bathroom breaks. Treat the stop as a possible opportunity, not a guarantee of a lengthy rest or restroom visit, and use facilities before departure.

The Katrina Memorial and a quieter ending

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial offers a more solemn close to the tour. It is a burial place for 85 unclaimed victims of the 2005 levee failures. The stop shifts the evening from ghost stories toward a painful part of the city’s recent past, and it gives you a moment to reflect on the people behind the history.

That change in tone is one of the tour’s strengths. New Orleans cemeteries are not only spooky settings or photo backgrounds; they are places of memory. A respectful visit to the memorial can give the evening more weight than a sequence of paranormal tales alone.

The listed route ends back at the French Quarter meeting point. Depending on the tour, you may also visit other cemetery sites, so check the current route if you are hoping to see a specific place. Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which is not included on this tour.

Ghost stories, EMF readers, and the guide’s role

The guide is the biggest variable. Henry and Roy have been singled out for being engaging, funny, and good at explaining cemetery customs. One guide, Roy, has also been described as offering EMF readers for anyone interested in trying a bit of ghost hunting. Such tools are part of the fun, not proof of paranormal activity.

The strongest version of the tour seems to combine personal stories, clear explanations, and enough time to walk around. You may hear about burial traditions and prominent people connected with the cemeteries, alongside ghost tales. But do not assume every guide will use the same stories or approach. Some evenings are lively and interactive; others can feel short on history or narrative.

The bus ride is part of the atmosphere, too. Music has been a welcome touch for some, while others have found it too loud, especially near the back. If you are sensitive to noise, consider where you sit and speak up politely if the volume is uncomfortable. The group may be as large as 56 people, so the experience can feel less intimate when the bus is full.

Is $30 good value for two hours?

At $30 per person, the value rests on the unusual cemetery access and the convenience of a bus between stops. You are not paying for a full evening of guided walking or a guaranteed ghost spectacle. You are paying for transport, a guide, cemetery entry where included, and a route that can connect several locations beyond the French Quarter.

The price looks fair if you value seeing tombs after dark, learning about local burial practices, and getting beyond the Quarter without arranging transport yourself. The guide and the setting can turn a simple visit into a memorable evening. On the other hand, if you want detailed history at every stop, extended cemetery exploration, or a carefully paced theatrical ghost story, you may feel the tour needs more substance.

The advertised duration is about two hours. Some outings may run longer, and the bus can spend time on music or at breaks, so leave a little breathing room in your evening rather than scheduling a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward.

Practical details that can make the evening smoother

Wear comfortable shoes. The walking is described as moderate and mostly on flat ground, but you will be on your feet in cemetery paths and need to manage a few steps to board and exit the bus. The bus is not wheelchair accessible. Layered clothing is a good idea, since the evening weather can change.

The tour is open to people aged six and older. The subject matter includes death and morbid stories, so use your judgment with younger children. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

Bring a camera if you like, but treat claims about orbs or other signs of spirits as part of the ghost-hunting fun. Take photos respectfully, especially at the Katrina Memorial. This is a working memorial site as well as a stop on a themed tour.

Booking about two weeks in advance is the average, though availability can change. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or too few bookings can also lead to a different date or a refund.

Should you book the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

Book it if you want an easy way to visit New Orleans cemeteries after dark, enjoy a relaxed bus outing, and hear a mix of burial history and ghost stories. It is especially appealing if a guide like Henry or Roy brings the warmth and humor that make the stops feel personal.

Skip it if you expect a nonstop history lecture, a guaranteed scare, or a quiet ride. The route and storytelling can vary, and the BYOB format may make the bus more festive than scholarly. For a flexible evening with an unusual cemetery visit and a thoughtful memorial stop, $30 is a reasonable price. Arrive early, keep your expectations balanced, and let the city’s tombs do some of the storytelling.

FAQ

How long is the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

The tour lasts about two hours. Allow extra time in your evening, since some outings may run longer.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, at 1140 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Arriving early also gives you time to buy a drink at the meeting point if you want one for the tour.

Which cemeteries does the tour visit?

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 is a listed stop. The route may also include the Charity Hospital pauper’s field and other cemeteries, including Odd Fellows Rest.

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.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. You may bring your own drink, or buy one at the meeting point. Drink responsibly and be respectful of the group.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is limited to people aged six and older. It includes morbid stories that may be frightening for younger children, so use your judgment.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.