Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans

Late night graves are a whole different story. This is New Orleans’ cemetery-and-ghost tour with after-dark access to one of the city’s most unusual burial sites, plus a bus ride that takes you past the usual French Quarter loop. Two things I especially like: the focus on Masonic burial traditions at Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, and the hands-on ghost hunting vibe with camera checks and EMF-style ghost searching. One drawback to think about up front: the BYOB bus can feel loud and party-like, so if you want quiet, plan accordingly.

The $30 price is surprisingly fair for what you get: pickup and drop-off, live commentary, and cemetery admission rolled into the experience. I also like that it’s not just one stop. You get a proper cemetery walk, a breather near City Park for coffee and beignets, and a reflective end at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial site. Still, you should be ready for a timed evening where your chance to roam on your own is limited compared with a daytime self-guided cemetery visit.

Key Highlights Worth Your Time

• Only cemetery access after nightfall on this style of tour, with above-ground tombs and live stories
• BYOB bus format plus a reminder to keep things respectful
• Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 (founded 1865 by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons)
• A City Park break where you can grab coffee and beignets
• Hurricane Katrina Memorial stop honoring 85 unclaimed victims
• Small group cap (max 56), which usually makes the guide easier to hear and follow

Why This Tour Works Better Than a Standard Haunted Walk

Most New Orleans ghost tours aim for the quick wins, meaning the most famous streets and the most photogenic corners. This one takes you in the opposite direction, toward the quieter “city of the dead” atmosphere you really want at night. You’re trading street theater for a real cemetery setting where the architecture, shadows, and layout do a lot of the work for the spooky mood.

What I like is that the tour leans on both sides of New Orleans. You get the uncanny, paranormal-minded fun, but you’re also learning why these burial practices look the way they do. That blend matters because it keeps the experience from feeling like a drive-by scare session.

You’ll also get some time off the main French Quarter grid. The bus route goes beyond the usual hot spots, including a pass through City Park, which gives the night a little variety in scenery and energy.

Price and Value: What $30 Buys You in New Orleans

At $30 per person for about two hours, this tour is a value play if you want cemetery time without renting a car or figuring out night access on your own. You’re not only paying for stories. You’re paying for a coordinated evening: bus transport, pickup and drop-off from the meeting point, a driver and live guide commentary, and admission connected to the cemetery stop.

Also, the BYOB element can make the cost feel even easier to justify. Drinks are not included, but the tour explicitly supports bringing your own, which can help you control your evening budget. Just keep in mind the responsible-drinking rules. If the vibe turns rowdy, the tour can stop being fun for everyone.

One more value point: the group size limit of up to 56 keeps this from turning into a free-for-all. You’re still in a bus tour setting, but the experience is more likely to stay guided rather than chaotic.

Meeting in the French Quarter and the BYOB Bus Reality Check

The tour meets at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St, and you’re expected to arrive about 30 minutes early. That matters because you want time to check in calmly, use the nearby facilities if needed, and get settled before the bus heads out.

This is a BYOB-style experience. Drinks are not included, but you can bring your own from the meeting spot area, and the tour encourages you to do so. The practical takeaway is that you should bring what you can handle easily for a night bus ride, and you should stick to respectful behavior. Disruptive guests can be asked to leave.

Now for the consideration I think you should plan around: this is not a hushed, library-quiet atmosphere. Some people describe the bus ride as having music that can run loud. If you’re sensitive to noise, bring earplugs and sit where you feel comfortable.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2: Above-Ground Tombs and Masonic Layout

The main cemetery experience starts at Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. This cemetery is known for its unusual, elaborate above-ground tombs, and the guide explains why the look is different from the Catholic cemeteries many visitors expect.

Here’s what makes this stop interesting in a practical way: the cemetery isn’t just one standard row-and-grave layout. It occupies two strangely shaped city blocks, with a triangular plan shape influenced by the surrounding street grid. There’s also a central paved promenade that helps people move through the rows without stepping into cramped gaps.

Masonic burial traditions tie into that geometry. Because lodge members pooled resources for group tombs, the cemetery feels communal and organized in a way that reflects membership culture. If you enjoy cemetery architecture, this is the stop to pay close attention to.

What about the spooky factor? The cemetery is accessed after nightfall, which changes everything. You’re walking under darker trees, past picket fences and tomb facades that look more dramatic at night. Even if the paranormal stories are hit-or-miss for you, the setting itself can do a lot of the atmospheric work.

Time-wise, you should expect a guided walk rather than a long free-roam session. That means come prepared to listen and look at the same time.

How City Park and Morning Call Beignets Fit Into the Night

After the cemetery portion, the route includes a break tied to City Park, one of the oldest urban parks in the United States. The guide uses the bus ride and the park setting to shift the night from “tomb focus” into “New Orleans night air,” with oaks and moss that help reset your brain.

The tour also pauses at Morning Call Cafe for coffee and beignets. This is more than a snack stop. It’s your chance to refuel and steady your energy before the evening’s final reflective stop. Since there isn’t a long timeline for drifting away, this brief food moment is a helpful rhythm change.

If you’re the type who likes to capture photos, this is also a better window for getting shots of lighter, calmer scenes. Night cemetery photography is tricky. A daytime-feeling break in a park can help you reset your camera settings and keep your photos from turning into one big blur.

Katrina Memorial: A Quiet Ending With Real Weight

The tour ends at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery, where the guide explains the lasting effects of the 2005 levee failures. You’re able to pay respects at a site honoring 85 unclaimed victims. This part of the evening tends to feel less about scares and more about gravity.

You’ll also learn about Odd Fellows Rest, reserved for the members of a lesser-known society. That adds another layer of cemetery culture, showing how different groups shaped burial practices in the aftermath of crisis.

I appreciate that this stops the evening from going one-note. Many ghost tours stay locked in entertainment mode. Here, the emotional tone shifts, and that makes the earlier stories feel less like pure spectacle and more like part of a larger local reality.

Ghost Hunting Tools: Camera Orbs and EMF Checks

This tour is built around paranormal fun, not just tourism storytelling. You’re encouraged to bring your camera to check photos for things like orbs and other signs. The idea is simple: look for evidence you can debate later, the classic “was it dust, or was it something else?” game.

On top of that, the guide includes an EMF reader and helps you use it to look for ghosts that may be present. The guide also provides ghost hunting tools if you’re interested, which is a big plus for people who want to do more than listen.

For me, the best way to enjoy this part is to treat it as interactive entertainment, not a guaranteed paranormal test. You’ll get the fun of trying, and you’ll keep your expectations realistic. If you focus on the cemetery atmosphere and the guide’s stories while you test the tools, the experience becomes a lot more engaging than if you only chase a single outcome.

Comfort, Walking, and What to Wear for a Night Cemetery

The tour involves walking and it’s mostly on flat surfaces, but you still need comfortable shoes. You’ll also need to be able to handle a few steps to board and exit the bus. The bus used for this tour is not wheelchair accessible, so plan accordingly if mobility is an issue.

Dress code is smart casual, and since it’s an evening experience, layered clothing helps. Even in warmer months, cemeteries at night can feel cooler once you stop moving.

If you’re bringing a drink, keep it easy to manage. Night bus logistics plus a camera plus a drink is how spills happen. Keep your plan simple so you don’t lose time during the stops.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This is a great fit if you want New Orleans flavor beyond the usual streets. I’d recommend it to couples who like a shared, slightly spooky adventure and to families who can handle morbid stories.

It is family-friendly for ages 6 and up, though the tour includes morbid tales that may be scary for younger kids. If you’re traveling with teens, they’ll often appreciate the ghost hunting angle more than a typical history lecture.

If you’re mainly after the most famous New Orleans graveyard name you’ve seen in movies, note this tour does not include Marie Laveau’s tomb, which is located in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. This experience is centered on the Masonic cemetery and the Katrina memorial, so it’s more about atmosphere and local burial culture than celebrity ghosts.

Should You Book This Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

Book it if you want a real cemetery night with a guided structure, and you like the idea of combining spooky storytelling with explanations of burial traditions. The $30 price works best when you want transportation plus entry, not when you just want to wander at your own pace.

Pass or choose carefully if you prefer quiet narration and dislike loud music during bus rides. Also, if you need wheelchair access, this bus tour won’t work for you based on what’s stated.

If your ideal evening is equal parts photos, history, and ghost hunting games, this one is a strong contender. Just arrive early, wear shoes you can walk in, and keep your BYOB behavior respectful so the night stays fun for everyone.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

The tour meets at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

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

What cemetery does the tour begin at?

The tour starts at Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

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

Does the tour stop at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

Yes. You visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery and can pay respects at the site for 85 unclaimed victims. The guide also explains the lasting effects of Katrina, and you visit Odd Fellows Rest.

Are drinks included with the ticket?

No. Drinks are not included, but you may bring your own for the BYOB format.

Is this tour family friendly?

Yes, it is limited to ages 6 and above. The tour includes morbid tales that can be scary for younger children, so discretion is advised.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 2 hours, approximately.

How strenuous is it, and is it wheelchair accessible?

There is a fair amount of walking, mostly on flat surfaces, but it is not considered strenuous. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and you must be able to walk and navigate a few steps to board and exit.

Is there a cancellation policy if the weather is bad?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.