New Orleans Cemetery and Paranormal Investigation Bus Tour

New Orleans buries its dead above ground, and this tour lets you see the city’s ornate tombs after dark, when the cemetery feels very different from a daytime sightseeing stop. You ride between sites, hear stories about funerals, voodoo, Katrina, and local ghosts, then try simple paranormal tools such as an EMF reader.

I like the mix of Masonic and Catholic burial traditions, and I like that the tour connects ghost stories with real New Orleans history. Guides named Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish have each earned strong praise for humor, warmth, and personal stories. The main caution is scope: some departures visit only one or two cemeteries and spend a fair amount of time on the bus, so expectations matter.

Key points to know before booking

• Night access changes the mood: Cemetery gates, tombs, and oak trees feel far more mysterious after sunset, though darkness can make details hard to see.
• The route can vary: Stops may include Masonic Cemetery #2, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, Odd Fellows Rest, the Katrina memorial, City Park, and other sites.
• Masonic Cemetery #2 is the clearest historical stop: Its triangular plan, communal tombs, iron fences, and Masonic design give it a character unlike the city’s Catholic cemeteries.
• Paranormal equipment is included: You may use EMF readers and other tools, but this is a guided activity, not a formal scientific investigation.
• The guide shapes the evening: Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish have all been praised for storytelling and comic timing, but the experience can feel weaker when narration is limited.
• The $30 price is fair for a short bus tour: It works best if you want an inexpensive introduction to cemetery customs and ghost lore, not an exhaustive cemetery tour.

What the two-hour ride is really like

This is a compact evening outing from the French Quarter, beginning at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys on Decatur Street and ending there again. The bus holds no more than 24 people, a useful limit in a city where some ghost tours pack people shoulder to shoulder.

You should arrive about 30 minutes early. The meeting point is easy to reach on foot from much of the French Quarter, and public transportation stops nearby. Parking exists, but it is limited and costs extra, so walking, transit, or a rideshare is usually the calmer choice.

The tour is not a long walking expedition. You will board and leave the bus several times, and there is a fair amount of walking on mostly flat ground. You do need to manage bus steps, and the vehicle is not wheelchair accessible. Wear shoes you can walk in and bring layers. New Orleans evenings can shift from warm to damp, and cemetery paths are not the place for flimsy footwear.

The format is part sightseeing ride, part history talk, and part ghost hunt. That combination can be entertaining, but it also explains the mixed reactions. If you expect a full two hours inside cemeteries, you may feel shortchanged. If you enjoy a moving tour with short stops, music, jokes, and a few eerie experiments, the pace may suit you.

Masonic Cemetery #2 and its unusual design

Masonic Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons, is the most distinctive named cemetery on the route. It does not look like the city’s better-known Catholic burial grounds, and that contrast is one of the tour’s best features.

The cemetery occupies two oddly shaped city blocks, divided by Conti Street. Its triangular outline and angular interior paths echo the Masonic square and compass emblem. Cast-iron fences enclose the two sections, while oak rows shade the northern and western edges.

The tombs are tightly arranged in rows parallel to Bienville Street. A broad central walkway leads toward smaller paths between the tombs. This layout matters because Masonic groups often pooled money for large communal tombs. The result is a cemetery filled with unusual structures rather than a simple collection of individual graves.

You receive about 30 minutes here, according to the stated itinerary. That is enough time to examine the layout, hear about above-ground burial, and try the paranormal equipment, but not enough for a slow architectural study of every tomb. At night, the shapes and ironwork are striking. The tradeoff is obvious: you may need to use a phone light or rely on the guide’s explanation to notice smaller details.

Some guides focus more on burial customs and ghost stories than on the people buried there. If you want names, biographies, and detailed architectural interpretation, ask questions early. The quality of the historical explanation depends heavily on who leads your departure.

Catholic cemeteries, pauper’s fields, and the changing route

The advertised route can include several other burial grounds, including St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, and other sites. The Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery and Odd Fellows Rest may also be part of the evening.

The important point is that you should not assume every listed location receives the same amount of time. Some departures have included only one cemetery and a second brief stop, while others have visited two cemeteries and driven past additional sites. At about two hours, the bus ride connects the places, but it limits how long you can spend inside each one.

St. Louis Cemetery #1, the cemetery associated with Marie Laveau’s tomb, is not included. If Marie Laveau is your main reason for booking, choose a tour specifically focused on St. Louis Cemetery #1 instead. You may still see tombs connected with prominent New Orleans figures, but this is not a Marie Laveau pilgrimage.

Holt Cemetery and the pauper’s field offer a different point of view from grand family tombs. They bring attention to the people who did not have money for elaborate monuments. That contrast can make the tour more meaningful than a simple parade of spooky tombs, provided your guide gives the subject enough care.

Odd Fellows Rest introduces another fraternal tradition. Along with Masonic Cemetery #2, it shows how clubs and societies shaped burial customs in New Orleans. These stops are valuable because they place the ghost stories inside the city’s social history.

City Park, old oaks, and the non-cemetery stops

City Park is a major New Orleans green space covering about 1,300 acres. It has served the city since 1854, with historic oaks and moss-covered branches that have framed dances, concerts, and even formal duels.

On this tour, City Park may function as a scenic or atmospheric stop rather than a long walking visit. Its trees give the ride a welcome change from rows of tombs and city streets. At night, however, you should expect atmosphere more than detailed sightseeing. The park is large, and a short stop cannot cover much of it.

Some departures have also included a cafe break, with Morning Call beignets receiving particular praise. Treat this as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed centerpiece. A refreshment stop can be welcome during a late evening, but it also takes time away from cemetery exploration. If you are choosing this tour because you want maximum time among tombs, that tradeoff may bother you.

The same applies to brief stops at large trees or scenic spots. They can add local flavor, yet they may feel like filler if the tour has started late or the group is eager for more paranormal work.

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial and the human side of the tour

The Katrina memorial gives the evening a more serious turn. Your guide explains the storm’s lasting effect on New Orleans and allows time to pay respects at the memorial cemetery.

This part of the tour is important because New Orleans cemetery traditions are not only about ghosts. Flooding, poverty, disease, burial access, and the city’s geography all shape how people care for the dead. A personal Katrina story from a guide can make the subject immediate, but the tone needs care. The strongest departures balance humor with respect instead of treating every stop as a stage for a scare.

You should expect morbid stories. The activity is considered suitable for ages six and up, but younger children may find the tales unsettling. The cemetery setting, nighttime timing, and Katrina material make this better for children who can handle serious subjects, not simply for anyone old enough to sit on a bus.

Paranormal tools, ghost stories, and what to expect

The tour includes tools for communicating with the paranormal, including EMF readers. These devices are simple and interactive. You may watch lights or readings change, take photographs, and decide for yourself what you are seeing.

I would approach the equipment as entertainment rather than proof. Some people leave convinced they captured something unusual on camera. Others remain skeptical but still enjoy the group activity. That flexibility is a strength. You do not need to believe in ghosts to appreciate the setting, the tombs, and the stories.

A few practical points matter. If the guide asks you to download an app, ask for clear instructions before the investigation begins. An app or meter is not very useful if nobody explains what its readings mean. Also, a large group can make a cemetery feel less frightening. You may get goosebumps, but you will not have the quiet solitude of a private investigation.

Sound can be another issue. Music on the bus adds mood, but it may compete with narration. If hearing the historical explanation matters to you, sit where you can hear the guide and ask for clarification when needed. The best guides keep the ride lively and informative. Others may talk less between stops, leaving you with music and highway noise.

The guides make or break the evening

Guide quality is the biggest variable here. Roy has been praised for creating a friendly bus atmosphere, mixing ghost stories with jokes, and paying attention to individual needs. Kendall is known for personal paranormal stories, cemetery history, and the ability to keep the group involved. Henry has received strong praise for combining local culture, city history, and humor. Trish has been described as clear about the rules, funny, and ready to answer questions.

You cannot necessarily choose your guide at booking, but you can ask who is leading when you arrive. If a specific guide is available, requesting Roy, Kendall, Henry, or Trish may improve your odds of getting the style you prefer.

The good guides do more than recite spooky facts. They explain New Orleans funeral customs, tell personal stories, handle questions, and keep the group comfortable. They also know when a Katrina memorial calls for a quieter tone.

The weak version of the tour can feel like a bus ride with a short cemetery visit. There have been departures with little narration on the bus, unclear instructions for the paranormal tools, or an uncomfortable dispute at a cafe. A late start can make the two-hour schedule feel even shorter. I would treat punctuality and guide communication as important signs of how the evening will go.

Is $30 a fair price?

At $30 per person, this is one of the less expensive ways to see New Orleans cemeteries with transportation included. The price covers a roughly two-hour experience, live commentary, pickup and return at the Decatur Street meeting point, and the paranormal equipment.

The value depends on what you want. For a first look at above-ground tombs, Masonic burial customs, Katrina memorial history, and ghost-hunting gadgets, the price is reasonable. You avoid arranging transport between cemeteries, and the small maximum group size is better than a huge walking crowd.

The value drops if you already visited several New Orleans cemeteries during the day. You will see less architectural detail at night, and a route with only one main cemetery may feel thin. It also is not the right purchase if your priority is Marie Laveau’s tomb, since St. Louis Cemetery #1 is not included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund. That policy matters in New Orleans, where rain can quickly change an outdoor evening.

Who should book this cemetery ghost tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a short, affordable introduction to New Orleans burial customs and ghost lore. It fits people who prefer riding between sites instead of walking for hours, families with older children, and anyone who likes a guide-led evening with a social atmosphere.

It is also a good choice for skeptics. You can enjoy the Masonic design, oak trees, funeral traditions, and Katrina history without accepting every paranormal claim. The equipment gives you something to do, and the stories keep the subject light when the memorial stops become heavy.

I would choose another experience if you want detailed biographies, long quiet time in each cemetery, or a focused Marie Laveau visit. I would also be cautious if you dislike loud music, uncertain timing, or a route that may change between departures.

Should you book it?

Book this tour for the combination of nighttime cemetery access, local stories, and low cost, especially if Roy, Kendall, Henry, or Trish is leading. Keep your expectations realistic: it is a moving introduction, not a full cemetery study or guaranteed ghost encounter.

If you want a relaxed first evening in New Orleans, the tour can be a good use of two hours. Arrive early, sit where you can hear, wear comfortable shoes, and ask how much time the group will spend at each cemetery. Those small steps give you the best chance of getting the history, atmosphere, and harmless spooky fun you came for.

FAQ

Which cemeteries does the tour visit?

The route typically includes Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, and other locations. It may also include the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery and Odd Fellows Rest.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery #1, which is not included. The tour does visit other notable tombs and resting places.

Does the tour visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

Yes. Your guide explains Katrina’s lasting effects and gives you a chance to pay respects at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts about two hours and returns to the meeting point at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys on Decatur Street.

What is included in the $30 price?

The price includes live commentary, pickup and drop-off at the designated meeting point, and tools used for paranormal communication.

Is the tour family-friendly?

The tour is considered suitable for children ages six and older, but it includes morbid stories and nighttime cemetery visits that may frighten younger children.

How much walking is involved?

There is a fair amount of walking, mostly on flat surfaces, but the tour is not considered strenuous. You must be able to climb a few steps to board and leave the bus.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

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

Can I use public transportation to reach the meeting point?

Yes. Public transportation stops near the departure location. Limited paid parking is also available, but walking or using public transportation is recommended because the meeting point is in the French Quarter.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If bad weather cancels the activity, you will be offered another date or a full refund.