New Orleans Cemetery and Paranormal Investigation Bus Tour

New Orleans burial customs become much more striking after dark, when rows of above-ground tombs, old oaks, and paranormal tools turn a simple bus ride into a spooky city lesson. I like the $30 price, which keeps this unusual night out within reach, and I like the chance to hear personal Katrina stories alongside tales of ghosts and cemeteries. Guides such as Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish have each earned strong praise for their humor and warmth.

The main caution is that the route and amount of time at each stop can vary. You may visit only one or two cemeteries in practice, with some time spent driving or taking a break. If you want a serious cemetery study or a carefully structured investigation, this may feel light.

Key points to know before you book

• Masonic Temple Cemetery #2: See unusual communal tombs in a triangular cemetery shaped by Masonic design.
• Paranormal tools included: You can try EMF readers and other tools instead of only listening to ghost stories.
• Katrina Memorial visit: The tour connects supernatural tales with the real human suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina.
• Guides make the difference: Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish have been especially praised for humor, personal stories, and guest care.
• Compact night outing: The tour lasts about two hours and returns to the French Quarter meeting point.
• Route details need flexibility: The advertised stops include several cemeteries, but the actual evening may cover fewer sites.

Why this $30 night tour can be worth your time

At $30 per person, this is one of the easier New Orleans excursions to add to a packed schedule. You are not paying for a full evening of formal museum interpretation. You are paying for a short bus ride, a cemetery visit or two, live commentary, and the chance to test paranormal equipment in a historic setting.

That distinction matters. I would book this as a relaxed introduction to New Orleans ghost lore, not as an expert investigation into the city’s burial grounds. The experience mixes history, local folklore, music, jokes, and spooky stories. That blend works well for a first visit or for a group with mixed interests.

The tour is offered in English and carries no more than 24 people. That is a manageable group for a bus excursion, although it is still large enough to limit the feeling of solitude inside a cemetery. You are unlikely to feel alone among the tombs, and that is either reassuring or disappointing, depending on what you want.

The bus also saves you the trouble of arranging transport to cemeteries scattered around New Orleans. Parking near the French Quarter can be limited and costly, so starting on foot or using public transportation is usually simpler. The meeting point is Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys at 1140 Decatur Street. Arrive at least 30 minutes early, especially if you are walking from a hotel or relying on a ride-share service.

Starting in City Park under the old oaks

City Park is one of the most pleasant parts of the route, even though it is not presented as a conventional walking stop with a long guided visit. At 1,300 acres, it is a large outdoor escape from the tight streets of the French Quarter. The park dates to 1854 and is known for its historic oak trees and curtains of Spanish moss.

Those trees have witnessed dances, concerts, and old-fashioned duels called affaires d’honneur. That detail gives you a useful sense of New Orleans character: beauty and theatrical behavior have long shared the same stage here.

Do not expect a full City Park tour. The value of this part of the outing is the setting and the brief connection to local culture. Depending on the evening’s route, you may spend more time looking from the bus than walking beneath the trees. If City Park is high on your sightseeing list, return during daylight and explore it separately.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 and its angular tombs

The clearest historical stop is Masonic Temple Cemetery #2. Founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons, it offers a different view of New Orleans funerary design from the Catholic cemeteries most people picture first.

The cemetery occupies two oddly shaped city blocks, with Conti Street cutting through the middle. Its triangular shape and angular paths echo the Masonic square-and-compass emblem. Cast-iron fences enclose the two sections, while oak-lined edges soften the geometric plan.

The tombs are arranged in compact rows parallel to Bienville Street. A broad paved walkway runs through the center, with smaller paths leading between the rows. Look for the large communal tombs, which reflect the way lodge members pooled money and space. Instead of every person receiving a separate family structure, groups of Masons could share an elaborate monument.

You receive about 30 minutes here, with admission included. That is enough time to see the cemetery’s layout, examine the tombs, and take part in the paranormal portion of the outing. It is not enough for a slow architectural study of every structure, so listen for the guide’s explanation of burial methods and local custom.

The atmosphere changes after dark. Tomb shapes become less clear, and the fences and trees create plenty of shadows. You may find the setting eerie even without accepting every ghost story. A near-full moon, when it happens to appear, can add to the mood, but lighting is limited, so wear shoes that are comfortable on paved paths and watch your footing.

The other cemeteries and sites on the changing route

The broader route can include Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, Odd Fellows Rest, and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery. These places represent different parts of New Orleans burial culture, from formal tombs to less ornate memorial spaces.

The important point is that the exact sequence is not fixed in a way you should treat as guaranteed. Some evenings cover one cemetery in detail, while others reach two or more. You may also pass other cemeteries without stopping for a long walk. Several people have found the driving time greater than expected, so set your expectations accordingly.

The tour does not include St. Louis Cemetery #1, where Marie Laveau’s tomb is located. If visiting her tomb is your main goal, choose a separate daytime cemetery experience. This tour instead focuses on other resting places, cemetery customs, and paranormal investigation.

Odd Fellows Rest adds another unusual stop. It was reserved for members of a little-known fraternal society, fitting the tour’s interest in secretive groups, symbols, and private burial traditions. The attraction here is less about one famous name and more about seeing how New Orleans organizations created their own spaces for remembrance.

Remembering Hurricane Katrina at the memorial

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial gives the evening a needed change of tone. Ghost tours can easily become a string of sensational stories, but Katrina was a recent disaster that affected real families and neighborhoods across New Orleans.

Your guide explains the storm’s lasting effects and gives you time to pay respects at the memorial cemetery. Personal accounts can make this section especially moving. One guide has been praised for sharing a personal Ninth Ward Katrina story, helping connect the large-scale disaster to daily life in the city.

I consider this one of the tour’s most worthwhile elements. It reminds you that New Orleans is not only a stage for ghost tales. Its cemeteries also reflect disease, poverty, disasters, family loss, and the city’s long struggle with water and storms.

The tone may vary with the guide. A strong guide will treat the memorial with care and avoid turning it into just another spooky backdrop. If you are looking for a purely playful ghost hunt, this stop may feel serious, but that seriousness adds balance.

How the paranormal investigation works

The tour includes tools for communicating with the paranormal, including EMF readers. These devices are intended to detect changes in electromagnetic fields, and the guide may help you use them around cemetery sites.

You should think of the equipment as an interactive prop and a conversation starter, not scientific proof of ghosts. The fun comes from watching the readings, comparing what people notice, and deciding for yourself how convincing the experience feels. Some people have reported capturing unusual images or seeing movement in the devices. Others remain skeptical but still enjoy the atmosphere.

This is not a silent, private investigation. The group may be talking, reacting, and moving around together. One useful tip is to ask the guide to explain how each tool works before the investigation begins. Some participants have found that being told to download an app without clear instructions makes the activity less satisfying.

The strongest guides personalize this section. Roy has been praised for keeping the mood light while taking the investigation seriously. Kendall has shared personal paranormal experiences and encouraged participation. Henry has been especially effective when combining cemetery history, local culture, and ghost stories. Trish has been praised for explaining the rules clearly and answering questions.

Because guide quality shapes so much of the evening, your experience may differ from another departure. The best version has a good rhythm: a short historical explanation, time to inspect the site, a ghost story, then a chance to use the tools. The weaker version can feel like music on the bus followed by loosely connected stories.

The guides set the mood

This tour is not a formal lecture. It depends on the guide’s storytelling and ability to read the group. Roy is a good choice if you want comedy, personal tales, and a social atmosphere. Kendall suits people who want more ghost stories and lively explanations. Henry has been praised for connecting cemetery stops to the wider life of New Orleans. Trish is a strong fit if you value clear rules, direct answers, and an organized start.

These names cannot guarantee who will lead your departure, but they show the style you may encounter. Guides are expected to provide live commentary, yet the amount of historical detail can vary. Some guides focus on burial customs and personal stories. Others lean harder into eerie music, paranormal claims, and jokes.

The tone also depends on your fellow passengers. A group that treats the outing as a party may make the bus lively but can make it harder to hear. One departure was affected by a loud dispute at a café, an unusual problem that disrupted the evening. That is not the normal purpose of the tour, but it is a reminder that a group outing cannot control every stop or personality.

Timing, walking, and comfort

The stated duration is about two hours, and the tour begins and ends at the Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys meeting point. Some evenings may run slightly longer, which can be welcome if the guide is engaging. If your schedule is tight, allow extra time rather than planning a restaurant reservation immediately afterward.

There is a fair amount of walking, but the surfaces are mostly flat. You will need to manage a few steps when boarding and leaving the bus. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and every participant must be able to walk and climb those steps.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring layers. New Orleans weather can shift, and cemetery paths may feel cooler or less even at night. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but the subject matter includes death, disaster, and frightening stories. The experience is considered suitable for ages six and older, though younger children may find the tales unsettling.

The bus itself is part of the experience. You get a break from walking between sites, but driving can take up a noticeable share of the two hours. If you want long periods inside cemeteries, choose a dedicated walking tour instead.

What you will not get

You will not visit Marie Laveau’s tomb. You may not see three cemeteries, despite the broad range of possible sites. You also should not expect every minute on the bus to include a detailed historical talk. Some departures use music between stops, and the amount of narration depends heavily on the guide.

This matters because the tour’s name suggests a large cemetery circuit and a serious paranormal investigation. In practice, it is better understood as a short introduction to several New Orleans themes. You get a taste of Masonic burial traditions, Catholic and communal cemetery design, Katrina remembrance, and ghost-hunting equipment.

If your priority is architecture, book a daytime visit with more light and more time. If your priority is Marie Laveau, choose St. Louis Cemetery #1. If your priority is a polished, fact-heavy study of voodoo, ask careful questions and listen critically, since some explanations may simplify or sensationalize a complex religion.

Who should book this New Orleans cemetery tour

I would recommend it to you if you want a low-cost evening activity that mixes history and spooky fun. It works especially well for families with older children, couples, and friends who want an easy group outing rather than a demanding walking tour.

It is also a sensible choice for a skeptic. You can use the EMF tools, take photos, listen to local stories, and decide what you believe. You do not need to accept the paranormal claims to enjoy the tombs and the city’s unusual burial traditions.

I would hesitate if you have already visited several New Orleans cemeteries during the day. The darkness adds mood, but it also makes tomb details harder to see. I would also skip it if you want a quiet, scholarly tour with exact timing and a guaranteed list of three or more cemetery stops.

Should you book it?

Book this tour for the atmosphere, personal storytelling, and $30 value, not for a guaranteed two-hour investigation at multiple cemeteries. Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish represent the best of what the experience can offer: humor, local insight, clear guidance, and a warm group spirit.

Go in ready for a flexible route, some bus time, and a cemetery visit that may be shorter than expected. If that sounds like a fair trade for a night of New Orleans tombs, Katrina remembrance, and ghost-hunting tools, it is a good budget pick. If you need depth, precision, or Marie Laveau’s tomb, spend your money on a more specialized cemetery tour instead.

FAQ

Which cemeteries can this tour visit?

The route can include Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, and others. The precise stops may vary, and some departures visit fewer cemeteries than the full list suggests.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery #1, which is not part of this tour. The guide may show you other prominent resting places instead.

Does the tour visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

Yes. The guide explains the lasting effects of Hurricane Katrina, and you can pay respects at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and returns to the Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys meeting point in the French Quarter.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys at 1140 Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Is the tour family friendly?

Yes. It is considered suitable for ages six and older, but it includes morbid stories and material that may frighten younger children.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

No. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and participants must be able to walk and manage a few steps to board and exit.