Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Metairie Cemetery is a place to slow down and look closely. This 35-minute audio tour gives you stories to listen to as you move through the grounds, with the freedom to pause, take a closer look, or carry on when you’re ready.

I like two things in particular: you can explore at your own pace, and the audio and maps work offline once downloaded. The tour is also private by design, so you won’t be keeping step with a group or guide.

The main caution is the technology. Some people have had trouble getting the app or tour to start, and the stated starting details are not entirely consistent. Set it up before you arrive, and check the exact location carefully.

• A short cemetery tour: The audio is listed at about 35 minutes, though stops and pauses can add time.
• Your own schedule: Start and stop when you like, and return to the tour later.
• Offline maps and audio: Download the tour in advance to avoid using mobile data during the walk.
• Private for your party: There is no live group to join or keep up with.
• A few practical snags: App setup and the precise starting point deserve attention before you set out.

Stories among Metairie Cemetery’s monuments

The appeal here is not just the setting. Metairie Cemetery is a place where the monuments and tombs invite a slower look, and the tour gives you a narrative to follow as you move around. Its title, Faith & Courage: Metairie Cemetery Stories, signals a focus on stories connected with the people memorialized here, rather than a general city walk.

The audio format suits a cemetery particularly well. You can listen, stop to look at a tomb, and take the next segment when you’re ready. There is no need to stay shoulder to shoulder with a group while you try to read a monument or take in the grounds.

The experience is self-guided through VoiceMap, with GPS directions and audio. You’ll need your own smartphone, and the tour is offered in English. No live guide is listed, so the narration is your guide. That means you get a private outing, but you also need to manage your own route and phone.

A key strength is the ability to take the tour at your own pace. The cemetery is the sort of place where you may want to linger, and a fixed group schedule can make that awkward. Here you can pause the audio, look around, and decide how long to spend before continuing.

The route, the listed stop, and the starting point

The tour information names Washington Artillery Park as a stop, but gives 5510 Pontchartrain Boulevard as the starting and ending point. Those details do not line up clearly, so check the start location in the app and confirm it before you leave. Don’t assume that searching one place name will take you to the other.

This matters because one person who had trouble with the tour also found that the map pin for a funeral home was about a ten-minute walk from the actual location. That does not mean you will have the same problem, but it makes a quick location check worthwhile. Use the directions supplied with the tour, and look at the map before you travel to the cemetery.

The stated itinerary has only one named stop, Washington Artillery Park. There is not a detailed list of every grave, monument, or point along the route, so I would not book this expecting a stop-by-stop inventory of famous tombs. The tour’s value is in its audio stories and the freedom to explore, not a promise that it will point out every notable grave.

That distinction is useful to keep in mind. One person felt the narration missed some important graves, including one close to the start and finish. If you have particular people or tombs you want to see, bring your own list or plan to explore beyond the audio prompts.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That makes it easier to plan your visit than a one-way route, especially if you have arranged transportation to the starting location. The cemetery is listed as open every day, around the clock, but a 24-hour schedule should not be mistaken for a staffed tour: you are responsible for following the route and using the app.

A 35-minute tour that can take longer

The advertised duration is about 35 minutes. Treat that as the approximate listening and route time, not a strict limit on your visit. If you pause to look at monuments, take photographs, or replay a section, you’ll need more time.

One of the tour’s practical strengths is that it does not force a pace. You can stop the audio whenever you want, continue when ready, or take a break and return to it. The purchase includes lifetime access, so there is no need to squeeze every moment into one uninterrupted visit.

Some people have completed the route by car, including in rainy weather. That suggests driving may be an option for some parts of the experience, but the tour is described as a self-guided GPS exploration, not as a formal driving tour. If you do use a car, keep your attention on where you are going and follow the cemetery’s rules. Walking gives you more freedom to stop and look closely.

Rain did not prevent one person from finishing the tour by car, and another found the experience enjoyable despite wet weather. Still, weather changes how comfortably you can pause outdoors. If rain is likely, download everything first and consider how you would prefer to move around the grounds.

What the audio does well, and where it may fall short

The most praised feature is the storytelling. The narration is described as clear and easy to follow, with historical detail that makes the visit more than a quiet walk among tombs. For a compact tour, that can be a good trade: you get a focused introduction without committing to a long guided outing.

The geolocation feature is another plus. Instead of constantly checking a paper map or guessing which direction to take, you can use the app’s GPS prompts to guide you. The audio and map files can be downloaded for offline use, which is especially handy if you would rather not rely on mobile data during the visit.

The format does have limits. A self-guided tour can only highlight so much in 35 minutes, and individual tastes differ on which stories deserve the most attention. If you want a close look at every grave or a detailed account of a particular person, this may feel selective. The narration is a route through the cemetery, not a complete reference guide.

The tour also depends on the app working as intended. A few people found setup simple, while others ran into confusing instructions, a tour that would not start, or audio that seemed to loop. That spread of experiences makes preparation sensible rather than fussy.

Getting VoiceMap ready before you go

The tour includes access to the VoiceMap application and offline audio, maps, and geodata. You will need your own smartphone; the phone is not included. Download the app and tour before reaching the cemetery, and check that you can open the tour and see its map.

Some people have found the setup quick. Others have struggled with account creation, entering a redemption code, or getting the audio to begin. If the tour loops or refuses to start, the provider says support is available by phone and email. It is better to sort out a technical issue before setting off than to spend the first part of your cemetery visit troubleshooting.

The app’s offline function is a real advantage, but only after the files are on your phone. Do not count on downloading a large audio tour after you arrive. Give yourself a little time to make sure the map and narration are available, and bring enough battery for the outing.

The practical checklist is short: have your smartphone, download the tour, confirm the start point, and test that the audio plays. You do not need food or drink included, and transportation is not part of the price. Any personal expenses or admission fees that arise are also not included.

Is $8.99 good value?

At $8.99 per person, the tour costs less than a typical live private guide, and you get lifetime access rather than a single scheduled session. If you enjoy listening to stories while exploring on your own, that is reasonable value for a focused cemetery visit.

The value depends on how you like to travel. You are paying for narration, route guidance, and the convenience of doing the tour when it suits you. You are not paying for a person to answer questions in real time, adapt the route to your interests, or ensure that the app works on your phone.

The ability to pause and return to the tour helps make the price more attractive. You can take longer than 35 minutes, explore the grounds at your own speed, and use the purchase again because access is described as lifelong. But if you are uncomfortable troubleshooting apps, the low price may not compensate for the risk of spending time on setup.

The tour is private for your party, though that means simply that no other group joins your activity. It is not a private live guide. For couples, families, or friends who prefer their own pace and are comfortable using a phone, the distinction is a plus.

Who should choose this cemetery tour?

I’d consider it if you like historical audio tours, want an unhurried visit, and are happy to use your phone for navigation. The offline maps and flexible pacing are especially useful if you want to stop often or spend more time looking at the grounds than the recorded duration suggests.

It may be less suitable if you expect a live expert, a complete catalogue of notable graves, or hands-on help at every turn. The information is selective, and the technology is part of the experience. If you want to focus on specific monuments, do a little research of your own as well.

Service animals are allowed, the activity is described as suitable for most people, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those details make it easier to plan, but the tour does not include transportation, food, or drink. Check your route to the meeting point rather than assuming the app’s starting pin will be obvious.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes made in that window are not accepted. If you are still uncertain about your plans or have concerns about using the app, keep that deadline in mind.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a low-cost, flexible way to hear cemetery stories and are willing to set up the app before you arrive. The best parts are the storytelling, offline access, and freedom to pause whenever a monument catches your eye.

Skip it, or choose a live guide instead, if app problems would spoil the visit or if you need a tour to cover specific graves in detail. Before paying, check the starting location carefully, download the tour in advance, and be ready to explore beyond the audio if there are particular tombs you do not want to miss.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour is listed at approximately 35 minutes. Your visit may take longer if you pause or explore at your own pace.

How much does it cost?

The listed price is $8.99 per person.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is this a live guided tour?

No live guide is included. It is a self-guided audio tour using the VoiceMap app.

What do I need to bring?

You need your own smartphone. The tour does not include a phone, transportation, food, or drink.

Can I use the tour without mobile data?

Yes. The audio, maps, and geodata can be downloaded for offline access. Download the tour before you begin.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The meeting point is listed as 5510 Pontchartrain Boulevard, New Orleans, and the tour ends back there. Washington Artillery Park is also named as a stop, so check the app’s directions before setting out.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private activity for your party, with no other group participating.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. There is no refund for cancellations made less than 24 hours beforehand.