Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans

New Orleans saves one of its most unusual sights for after sunset: cemeteries built like small cities, with above-ground tombs lining narrow paths beneath the night sky. This tour takes you out of the French Quarter to Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, City Park, and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, with possible stops at other burial grounds along the way.

I like the chance to see a cemetery after dark, and I like the tour’s mix of local burial customs, ghost stories, and a short stop for coffee, beignets, or a bathroom break. Guides such as Henry and Roy have earned strong praise for being funny, warm, and engaging. The main caution is that the experience can shift toward a party bus with loud music if your guide gives only brief talks.

Key points to know before booking

• Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 is the main cemetery stop: Its triangular layout, group tombs, iron fences, and unusual Masonic design give you plenty to examine.
• The tone depends heavily on your guide: Henry and Roy are especially well liked for combining humor with useful information, while some departures have felt light on storytelling.
• This is a BYOB ride, not a haunted-house show: You can bring your own drinks, but paranormal activity is suggested rather than guaranteed.
• The route reaches beyond the French Quarter: You ride through City Park and quieter neighborhoods instead of spending the whole evening downtown.
• The Hurricane Katrina Memorial adds weight to the night: The site honors 85 unclaimed victims of the 2005 levee failures.
• Arrive early and expect walking: Check in 30 minutes before departure, wear comfortable shoes, and be ready to climb a few bus steps.

A cemetery tour that leaves the French Quarter behind

Many New Orleans ghost tours stay among the bars, restaurants, and crowded streets of the French Quarter. This one takes you farther out, where the city gets quieter and the focus shifts from haunted buildings to burial grounds.

That change of setting matters. New Orleans cemeteries are not ordinary graveyards. Because of the city’s water table and local customs, many people are buried in above-ground tombs. At night, the repeated rows of stone, iron fencing, old trees, and shadowed paths create a setting that feels very different from a standard city walking tour.

The tour costs $30 per person and lasts about two hours. I consider that a fair price if you want transportation between several sites and an evening activity that mixes sightseeing with entertainment. It is less compelling if you expect a long, carefully staged ghost investigation or a full lecture on New Orleans history.

The bus is limited to 56 people, so the size can vary. A smaller group should make cemetery walks easier, but a full bus may feel crowded, especially when everyone boards at once. Arriving early is smart for another reason: one departure had a seating problem when a group member could not fit after the bus filled.

Meeting at Voodoo Tavern on Decatur Street

The tour starts at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, at 1140 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The restaurant is a practical meeting spot because you can eat before the tour or buy a drink to bring along.

This is a BYOB tour, but the drinks are not included. You may bring your own libations, and the meeting location gives you a chance to purchase one before boarding. Keep it civil. The operator makes clear that disruptive behavior can end your tour without a refund.

Parking near the French Quarter is limited and paid. I would walk, use public transportation, or take a rideshare rather than spend your evening hunting for a parking space. Public transportation stops are available near the meeting point.

The departure area has received mixed practical feedback. Road construction and pickup confusion have made the location feel less comfortable at times, so do not cut it close. Give yourself time to find the tavern, use a restroom, and get settled.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 after dark

The first major stop is Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. It differs from the Catholic cemeteries that receive much of the attention in New Orleans.

The cemetery occupies two oddly shaped city blocks and has a triangular plan. Conti Street cuts through it, while the internal paths echo the Masonic square and compass. Cast-iron fences enclose the two sections, and oak-lined edges frame the rows of compact tombs.

One detail I find especially interesting is the cemetery’s communal character. Masonic members pooled money to build large group tombs, so the grounds contain structures connected to lodges rather than only individual families. That gives the place a different look from the more familiar family tombs in the city.

You will spend about 30 minutes walking here. The surfaces are mostly flat, but you should still wear shoes that handle uneven pavement and dim conditions. You may have time to wander between the rows, take photos, and examine the tombs while the guide points out burial customs and selected graves.

The atmosphere may not be as dark as you expect. Some departures have found the cemetery well lit, which makes it easier to see the architecture but reduces the spooky mood. The tour’s paranormal side also varies. Some guides use an EMF reader or other ghost-hunting tools, while others may give only a short explanation before allowing you to explore on your own.

That makes the guide crucial. Henry has been praised for making the cemetery information fun and accessible. Roy has also received strong praise for being interactive and for handing out ghost-hunting tools. If your guide builds a story around the location, this can be the best part of the night. If not, you may feel you have been shown a cemetery without being given enough context.

City Park, old oaks, and a snack stop

After the cemetery, the bus passes through City Park, a 1,300-acre public park dating to 1854. It is one of the country’s oldest urban parks, known for its huge live oaks and moss-covered paths.

The park provides a useful change of pace. Instead of more tombs right away, you get a look at the old trees and open spaces that have hosted dances, concerts, and even formal duels. The tour may stop near the famous oak trees, where the guide tells a local story before the group continues.

The stop at Morning Call Cafe is one of the more practical parts of the route. You can buy coffee and beignets, and the break can provide a restroom opportunity. That matters because at least one departure had no separate bathroom stop, while another included this cafe break as a welcome pause.

Do not confuse the cafe stop with a full meal. It is a short break, not a restaurant visit built into the ticket. I recommend eating before departure if you expect to be hungry, then treating the beignets as a New Orleans snack rather than dinner.

The bus ride itself is part of the experience, but it is also where the tone can split. Some guides use clever songs and fun commentary. Other departures have featured loud hip-hop or party music, which did not suit people hoping for a quieter, more atmospheric ride. If you have tinnitus or are sensitive to sound, sitting near the front may be more comfortable than taking a seat at the back.

The Katrina Memorial brings a serious note

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial is a very different kind of stop. It honors 85 unclaimed victims of the 2005 levee failures. After the playful ghost stories and BYOB atmosphere, this site offers a quiet moment to think about the human cost of the disaster.

I appreciate that the tour includes this stop because it connects the city’s past to a more recent and painful chapter. It is not simply another spooky location. The memorial gives the evening some emotional balance and reminds you that New Orleans’ burial grounds are tied to real families, disasters, disease, and loss, not just ghost tales.

The route may also include Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field and Odd Fellows Rest, a burial ground associated with a little-known fraternal society. Exact stops can vary, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed visit to every site mentioned in the tour description.

The tomb of Marie Laveau is not included. Her tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which is a separate location. If seeing Marie Laveau’s tomb is your main goal, you need a different cemetery visit.

How much ghost story, and how much party bus?

This is the most important expectation to set. The tour offers ghost stories and the chance to look for orbs or other odd signs in your photos, but it is not a guaranteed paranormal encounter.

Some guides make the evening feel like a proper ghost hunt. Roy has been praised for keeping the group involved and helping people use an EMF reader. Henry has been praised for his energy, humor, and clear explanations. Those strengths can turn a short cemetery walk into an entertaining experience.

Other departures have felt thin on content. A guide may talk for only a few minutes at a cemetery, point out a couple of graves, and then send you off to look around. Some people will enjoy that freedom. If you want a carefully built narrative with many local legends, you may find the evening lacking.

The BYOB setup shapes the mood, too. A well-behaved group can make the ride social and relaxed. A noisy group, loud music, or too much drinking can overwhelm the history and make the cemetery visits feel like side stops on a night out.

I would book this as a casual ghost-and-cemetery outing, not as a serious supernatural investigation. You get the best value if you enjoy local customs, old tombs, city scenery, and a guide whose personality carries the evening.

Timing, walking, and what to wear

The tour runs about two hours, though the exact length may stretch slightly. One departure lasted more than two hours and had no bathroom stop, so use the facilities before boarding whenever possible.

Walking is moderate and mostly on flat surfaces. You need to manage a few steps to enter and leave the bus, and the bus is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed, and most people who can walk comfortably should manage the cemetery portions.

Wear smart casual clothing and comfortable shoes. Layered clothing is the sensible choice because the weather can change, and the bus may feel different from the outdoor cemetery. Bring a phone or camera if you want to take photos for possible orbs, but treat any strange light as an amusing possibility rather than proof of a ghost.

Children age six and older may join. The tour includes morbid stories and burial sites, so younger children may find parts of it unsettling. The BYOB setting also means parents should consider whether the evening’s adult atmosphere suits their family.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a rescheduled tour or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this New Orleans night tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see a cemetery after dark, prefer a bus to a long French Quarter walk, and enjoy a mix of history, ghost stories, music, and drinks. It is also a good choice for a first visit when you want to see a quieter side of the city beyond the central nightlife.

Families with older children can enjoy the burial customs and city history, provided they are comfortable with stories about death and disaster. Couples and friends may especially like the relaxed BYOB format.

I would hesitate if you need a tightly planned educational tour, a quiet ride, or a guaranteed list of cemetery stops. The quality of the storytelling depends strongly on the guide, and the mood can range from atmospheric to rowdy.

Should you book the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

Book it if the after-dark cemetery access is the main attraction. Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 offers unusual architecture, the City Park route adds local character, and the Katrina Memorial gives the evening more depth than a simple ghost story circuit.

Go in knowing that the experience is uneven. Henry and Roy have been singled out for warmth, humor, and strong interaction, but some departures provide too little information and too much loud music. Arrive early, choose your seat carefully, limit your drinking, and treat the ghosts as part of the fun rather than a promise.

At $30, I think it is a reasonable choice for a flexible, social evening. It is not the best pick for a serious history lesson or a polished paranormal investigation. For the right mood, though, it offers an unusual look at New Orleans after sunset.

FAQ

Where does the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour begin?

The meeting point is Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys at 1140 Decatur Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to the original meeting point at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys.

How early should I arrive?

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

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours, though the exact timing can vary.

Which cemeteries does the tour visit?

The tour typically visits Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 and Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, along with other possible sites. It may also include Odd Fellows Rest.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which is not included.

Are drinks included?

No. This is a BYOB experience, so drinks are not included. You may bring your own drinks and should consume them responsibly.

Is the tour family-friendly?

Children age six and older may participate. The tour includes morbid tales and cemetery visits, so discretion is advised for younger children.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and all participants must be able to walk and manage a few steps when boarding and leaving the bus.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.