Historic Metairie Cemetery Walking Tour by Save Our Cemeteries

Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery is less a quiet burial ground than a remarkable open-air museum. Behind its gates, live oaks shade Greek temples, Gothic tombs, Islamic-style monuments, obelisks, ironwork, and stained glass. In 90 minutes, Save Our Cemeteries connects this striking architecture with the people who shaped New Orleans.

I like the small maximum of 16 people, which gives guide Glenn room to answer questions and keep the walk personal. I also like the tour’s calm tone. This is a respectful look at burial customs, family stories, and local history, not a ghost-story show dressed up as history.

The main drawback is the sun. The grounds are mostly flat, but you will be outside for the full tour, and shade matters in New Orleans. The 10 a.m. start helps, yet comfortable shoes, water, and a hat will make the experience much easier.

Key points before you book

• Grand funerary architecture: See Greek, Gothic, Islamic-style, and classical monuments among live oaks and ironwork.
• A who’s who of New Orleans: The cemetery includes nine Louisiana governors, seven mayors, 49 kings of Carnival, three Confederate generals, Anne Rice, Louis Prima, Al Hirt, and Tom Benson.
• Glenn’s personal approach: Glenn Schiro, also referred to as Mr. Schiro, is praised for clear stories, strong local knowledge, and an easy way with questions.
• A small, focused group: The tour accepts no more than 16 people, useful in a cemetery where details can be easy to miss.
• A preservation-minded purchase: Save Our Cemeteries is a nonprofit, so your $35 ticket also supports cemetery restoration work.
• Plan around the weather: The tour can be canceled in poor weather, and at least four people must be booked 12 hours before departure.

Why Metairie Cemetery is worth your morning

New Orleans is famous for its above-ground tombs, but not every cemetery offers the same experience. Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery is especially notable for its scale, elaborate monuments, and concentration of prominent local figures.

The grounds cover 65 landscaped acres and contain more than 9,000 burials. That size matters. You are not simply walking past a few ornate tombs. You are moving through a carefully arranged record of New Orleans society, where political leaders, entertainers, writers, business figures, Carnival royalty, and notorious citizens share the same setting.

The cemetery also helps explain why burial in New Orleans looks different from burial in many other American cities. Above-ground tombs and family vaults reflect local conditions, customs, wealth, and cultural traditions. The tour places those practices in context instead of treating them as odd curiosities.

I find that approach useful because the monuments can easily steal all the attention. The architecture is beautiful, but the people and customs give it meaning. With a guide, the cemetery becomes a way to understand New Orleans itself.

Starting at 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard

The tour begins at 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard at 10 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point. That simple out-and-back setup makes planning easier, especially if you have another activity later in the day.

You receive a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. The advertised length is about one hour and 30 minutes, long enough to cover substantial ground without taking over your whole morning.

This is a walking tour, so I would treat the meeting time seriously. Arrive ready to begin rather than expecting a long orientation period. Bring water, wear supportive shoes, and consider a hat or sunscreen. The cemetery is mostly flat, according to tour information and guide comments, but flat does not mean cool. Some areas offer shade beneath the oaks, while other sections are more exposed.

The early start is one of the practical strengths of the outing. New Orleans heat can turn a pleasant walk into hard work later in the day. At 10 a.m., you have a better chance of enjoying the grounds before the sun reaches its strongest point.

Tombs, oaks, and styles from across New Orleans

The first thing to notice is the variety of funerary design. Greek temples, Gothic forms, Islamic-style tombs, obelisks, marble monuments, ironwork, and stained glass all appear within the cemetery.

That mix gives the walk visual variety from one section to the next. You might find yourself looking at a small architectural detail, then turning toward a much larger family monument under the trees. A good guide helps you understand why these styles matter rather than asking you to admire them as decoration alone.

The setting is part of the appeal. Live oaks provide shade and create a quieter mood, while the plants and birds add a gentle touch of nature. One especially appealing detail is the sound of birds singing through the grounds. It keeps the experience from feeling like a parade of names and dates.

The cemetery is well maintained, which makes the architecture easier to appreciate. Still, the polished appearance can give you an incomplete picture if you only focus on the wealth represented by the largest tombs. One important point raised by the tour is that Metairie was largely a cemetery for the wealthy. If you want to study more ordinary burial traditions or New Orleans cemetery life across a wider range of communities, this may not be your only stop.

The people behind the monuments

Metairie Cemetery’s list of burials gives the tour much of its narrative power. Nine Louisiana governors, seven New Orleans mayors, 49 kings of Carnival, and three Confederate generals are buried here.

The cemetery also includes people from very different parts of the city’s past. You might encounter the names of madams and brothel owners alongside civic leaders and military figures. Musicians Louis Prima and Al Hirt are here, as are writer Anne Rice and former Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson.

That mixture is more revealing than a simple list of famous names. New Orleans history is full of overlapping worlds, and the cemetery puts those worlds close together. Political power, entertainment, Carnival culture, business, vice, literature, and sports all appear within the same 65 acres.

Guide Glenn is a major part of how this information comes across. His strongest quality is enthusiasm backed by detail. He has been praised for knowing the cemetery and its families well, while also keeping the mood friendly and conversational. You should expect stories about individuals, family connections, and the customs surrounding the dead, not just a string of dates.

The tone is also worth noting. This is not presented as a haunted attraction. The emphasis is on history, burial rites, architecture, and the human sadness connected with death. That makes it a better fit for you if you prefer a thoughtful local tour over theatrical storytelling.

Why a small group improves the walk

The group size is limited to 16 people. That is not an ultra-private tour, but it is small enough to hear the guide more easily and ask questions without shouting across a crowd.

A cemetery tour depends on small details. A carved symbol, a family name, or a feature of a tomb may be hard to see from the back of a large group. A smaller gathering lets you stay closer to the explanation and makes it easier for Glenn to adjust the pace.

The format also suits people who want a more personal introduction to New Orleans. The guide can spend time on questions about burial rites, local families, architecture, and the people connected with individual monuments.

There is one practical condition to keep in mind. At least four people must be booked 12 hours before departure, or the tour can be canceled. If that happens, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. If you are building a tightly scheduled New Orleans morning around this walk, check your email before leaving.

The value of a $35 ticket

At $35 per person, the tour sits in a reasonable range for a 90-minute guided experience in New Orleans. The value comes from access to a large site and from the guide’s interpretation. You could walk around a cemetery on your own, but you would miss much of the connection between architecture, burial custom, and local personalities.

The nonprofit connection adds another layer of value. Save Our Cemeteries uses its work to support cemetery restoration, so the ticket is not only paying for a guide. It also contributes to preserving the places and monuments being discussed.

That does not mean the tour will suit every budget or interest. If you are content to photograph tombs without context, you may prefer a free or self-guided visit. If you want the stories behind the names and a clearer sense of New Orleans burial culture, $35 is easier to justify.

The 90-minute length is also sensible. You get a substantial visit without committing half a day. I would pair it with another activity in the area or use the rest of the morning for a different part of the city, rather than treating the cemetery as your entire day.

Who will enjoy this cemetery walk?

I would recommend it most strongly if you enjoy local history, architecture, family stories, or unusual cultural traditions. It is also a good choice if you want to step away from the louder parts of New Orleans for a quieter morning.

The tour works well for couples, families, and friends because it mixes visual interest with stories. Children who enjoy names, monuments, or unusual places may find plenty to notice, though the subject is still a cemetery and includes death and mourning.

You should also choose it if you appreciate guides who teach rather than perform. Glenn’s style, based on the information available, is informed, warm, and enthusiastic. He may answer almost all of your questions, but the real strength is his command of the cemetery and the families connected to it.

I would be more cautious if you want a broad picture of every New Orleans burial tradition. Metairie’s monuments reflect a wealthy side of the city, and that is a central part of its identity. It cannot represent every community or cemetery in New Orleans.

Weather, comfort, and cancellation details

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The official group limit is 16 people. Since the walk takes place outdoors, your own tolerance for heat and sun is likely to matter more than the distance.

The tour is normally booked about 14 days ahead. That is not a rule requiring you to book two weeks early, but it is a useful planning clue. If your New Orleans dates are fixed, reserving ahead makes sense, especially if you want the 10 a.m. departure.

Should you book the Metairie Cemetery tour?

Book it if you want to understand why New Orleans cemeteries look the way they do, see grand monuments, and hear stories about the city’s political, musical, literary, and Carnival figures. The small group, 90-minute length, nonprofit mission, and guide Glenn’s strong reputation make the $35 price fair.

Skip it if your main goal is ghost stories, dramatic legends, or a broad look at ordinary burial grounds. Metairie Cemetery is polished, architectural, and closely linked to the city’s wealthy and influential families.

For the best experience, choose the morning, bring water, and leave room for a slower pace. This is a respectful walk through New Orleans history, with enough human detail to make the monuments memorable.

FAQ

Where does the Historic Metairie Cemetery Walking Tour begin?

The tour begins at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries, located at 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The guided walk lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $35 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 16 people.

Is there a minimum number of people required?

Yes. At least four people must be booked 12 hours before the departure date and time. If the minimum is not reached, the tour may be canceled and you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.