New Orleans Cemetery Bus Tour with Exclusive Cemetery Access

Odd Fellows Rest is the draw here: this nighttime bus tour gives you access to a private cemetery that is otherwise closed to the public. Among its above-ground tombs, your guide connects New Orleans burial customs with local stories of ghosts and the people laid to rest there.

I like two things in particular: the rare cemetery access makes this more than a drive-by tour, and the guides bring together historical detail, humor, and just enough spooky theater. You also spend time seeing other parts of the city from the bus, with commentary along the way.

The trade-off is that the tour’s advertised stops do not all mean time inside a cemetery. You may see some sites from behind a gate, and cold or wet weather can make outdoor stops less pleasant. The route can also change.

• Odd Fellows Rest after dark: The tour includes access to a private cemetery, a rare chance to walk among its tombs.
• New Orleans burial traditions: Hear why above-ground tombs are part of the city’s cemetery character.
• EMF readers included: Try the devices during the cemetery visit, with no promise that they will find anything paranormal.
• A mix of bus and walking: The ride reduces the amount of walking between sites, but you will be on your feet in the cemetery.
• A Katrina memorial stop: The guide explains the memorial and its connection to people whose bodies went unclaimed.
• About two hours, with a restroom break: A stop at Morning Call gives you a chance to use the facilities and buy a drink or snack.

Why the private cemetery access matters

New Orleans cemeteries are not simply rows of graves. Above-ground tombs give the city’s burial grounds a distinctive look, and the stories behind them open a window onto local customs, family histories, and the city’s past. This tour gives you a guided introduction without asking you to puzzle out the sites on your own after dark.

The most unusual part is the visit to Odd Fellows Rest. The cemetery is private, and the tour is presented as the only company allowed to bring visitors inside. That access is the main reason to choose this outing over a general ghost tour or a bus ride past cemetery gates.

Once inside, you can walk among the tombs while your guide explains what you are seeing. The atmosphere does some of the work: nighttime quiet and old stone can feel eerie even if you are a skeptic. The guide’s history helps keep the experience grounded, while ghost stories and the provided EMF readers add a playful, spooky layer.

The tour is not a paranormal investigation with guaranteed results. An EMF reader is a tool to try, not proof of a haunting. I would treat it as part of the fun and focus on the place itself, the tombs, and the stories that make the cemetery compelling.

From Decatur Street to the cemeteries

The meeting point is New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tours at 620 Decatur Street, in the French Quarter. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, especially if you are coming by car. Parking nearby is limited and paid, so walking, public transportation, or a ride-share is likely less hassle.

The tour lasts about two hours and uses an air-conditioned bus. That matters because the cemeteries are spread across town, and the bus lets you cover more ground than a walking tour without spending the whole evening on foot. On board, the guide gives live commentary as you pass local sites and cemeteries, including Cypress Grove and Greenwood on the typical route.

You can bring a drink on the bus, but alcoholic beverages are not included. The information for the tour also describes a stop at a local bar before departure where you can buy a drink to take along. In practice, plan to pay for your own refreshments rather than expecting a drink to be part of the ticket.

The advertised group limit is 42 people. That is large enough to feel like a group outing, though the actual experience can vary with the number who book. A smaller group may make it easier to ask questions and get a closer look at details. If your group is full, the guide still has the microphone and bus commentary to help keep everyone in the story.

Walking through Odd Fellows Rest

Odd Fellows Rest is the center of the tour, and the time spent there can be the difference between a satisfying cemetery visit and a rushed one. The itinerary describes a short initial cemetery visit and a longer stop at Odd Fellows Rest, while the tour’s timing may vary. Some outings spend most of the cemetery time here, so be prepared for the route and pace to shift.

The cemetery’s connection to the Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization, gives the guide a starting point for explaining who used the grounds and why the site matters. You are not just looking at rows of tombs. The guide can connect the architecture and burial practices to the people and customs of New Orleans.

Guides named Jeff or Geoff appear often in the tour’s recent experiences, as does J. Names are not guaranteed for a particular departure, but the strongest guides are described as engaging storytellers who balance historical information with humor. That combination is useful here. A cemetery visit after dark can easily tip into either a dry lecture or a haunted-house routine; a good guide keeps the history in view while letting the place feel spooky.

There is time to walk and look at tombs, and the tour can offer useful opportunities for photographs. Take comfortable shoes, since the cemetery portion involves walking on mostly flat ground, and wear layers appropriate for the weather. The bus is a welcome warm-up on a cold night, but it cannot make the outdoor stops comfortable for you.

The other cemetery views and the Katrina memorial

Odd Fellows Rest is not the only cemetery in the story. The bus passes other grounds with the above-ground tombs that are a hallmark of New Orleans, with commentary from the guide. These drive-bys add context, but they are not the same as getting off the bus to explore.

A second point of interest is the cemetery and memorial associated with the unclaimed bodies from Hurricane Katrina. The guide explains the memorial’s connection to the storm and its lasting effects. The tour’s information says you will visit the Katrina memorial cemetery, but some accounts describe seeing the site through a locked gate at night. Keep that distinction in mind: you may hear the history and pay your respects without necessarily walking among the graves.

The itinerary also refers to Charity Hospital Cemetery, while the FAQ identifies the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery. These names relate to the described stop, but the exact route and access can change. Parades, festivals, construction, and other local conditions may affect where the bus goes. If you are booking mainly for a particular cemetery, ask the operator close to your tour date what access is expected.

The stop at the memorial can be a quieter, more reflective contrast to the ghost stories. It connects the city’s cemetery history to a recent event and the people affected by it. If you are looking for more time inside multiple cemeteries, though, do not assume the tour will provide it. The main walk-in experience is Odd Fellows Rest.

A coffee stop, a restroom break, and the pace

The tour includes a brief stop at Morning Call Coffee Stand, listed as about 10 minutes. You can use the restroom and, depending on what is available, buy a drink or beignets. It is a practical pause in a two-hour evening outing, not a long meal stop.

The stop also gives you a chance to warm up or take a break before the next cemetery-related visit. Keep expectations modest: ten minutes goes quickly, particularly if several people need the restroom. If you want a full drink or a snack, arrive early enough to buy something before departure, or be ready to order quickly at the stop.

Pacing is worth considering. One outing may spend a long stretch at Odd Fellows Rest and then move quickly through the remaining sites. That can be a good trade if you are most interested in the exclusive cemetery, but less appealing if you expect equal time at every stop. The tour covers several locations, yet the experience is not a series of long cemetery walks.

Is $40.32 a fair price?

At $40.32 per person, this is a reasonable price if you value access to Odd Fellows Rest and want a guide to make the cemetery legible. The bus, air conditioning, live commentary, and EMF readers are included. You are paying for the combination of transportation, storytelling, and access to a private site, not just a ride past tombs.

For comparison, a self-guided visit cannot offer the same private cemetery access, and an unguided drive-by would leave you to supply the context yourself. The guide is central to the value. People on the tour have praised Jeff, Geoff, and J for making the history entertaining and keeping the group engaged. A strong storyteller can turn a quiet cemetery into a memorable lesson about the city; a less effective guide or a stop that runs long can make the rest feel compressed.

The tour is recommended by 93 percent of participants and has a 4.7 rating from 1,694 reviews. Those figures suggest a dependable experience overall, not a guarantee that every stop will match your expectations. The clearest risk is a mismatch between the promise of several cemeteries and the reality that the tour may spend most of its walking time at one, with another viewed from outside.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The tour operates in all weather, so keep the forecast in mind before booking.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you are interested in New Orleans burial customs, enjoy a good ghost story, and want access to a cemetery that is not open to ordinary visitors. It also suits you if you prefer riding between locations rather than walking across the city. The guided format can be reassuring at night, especially if you would rather not explore a cemetery alone.

Families and couples can find plenty to talk about afterward, and solo visitors can join the group rather than visit the sites alone. The tone mixes history, humor, and spooky stories, so it works best if you are open to both the factual and theatrical sides of the subject.

Think twice if you want a long, quiet cemetery visit, guaranteed access inside every cemetery, or a strictly historical tour without ghost stories. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and everyone needs to manage a few steps to board and exit. The walking is not considered strenuous and is mostly on flat ground, but it is still part of the outing.

Book it for the Odd Fellows Rest access and the guide’s storytelling, not for a promise of multiple lengthy cemetery visits or a ghost sighting. If that sounds like your kind of evening, the price is fair and the experience offers a memorable way to see a less familiar side of New Orleans.

FAQ

Which cemetery does the tour visit?

The tour typically includes Odd Fellows Rest, where you can enter with the group. It also passes cemeteries such as Cypress Grove and Greenwood, and includes a stop connected to the Hurricane Katrina memorial. Routes and access can change.

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.

Is the Hurricane Katrina memorial included?

Yes. The tour includes a stop at the memorial cemetery and an explanation of its connection to the unclaimed bodies from Hurricane Katrina. At night, access may be limited to viewing from outside the gate.

Are drinks included?

No. You can buy a drink at a stop, and you may bring your own drink on the bus. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the ticket price.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about two hours, including the bus ride, cemetery time, and a brief restroom stop.

How much walking is involved?

There is some walking in the cemetery, mostly on flat ground. The tour is not considered strenuous, but you need to manage steps when boarding and exiting the bus.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

No. The bus is not wheelchair accessible. All participants need to be able to walk and navigate a few steps to board and leave the bus.

What should I wear, and what if it rains?

Wear comfortable shoes and layered clothing suited to the weather. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so bring clothing that will keep you comfortable outdoors.