After dark, New Orleans turns serious. This Cemetery and Ghost BYOB bus tour takes you past the French Quarter and into the city’s “City of the Dead” world, with live guide storytelling and real cemetery time under night skies. I especially like the Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 focus, because it shows a side of New Orleans burial culture you will not get on most quick haunted walks.

I also like that you ride on a bus with pickup built in, so you are not stitching together rides while hunting for something spooky. That said, the bus vibe depends a lot on the crowd, and you should consider the BYOB rules and your tolerance for loud music if you want a quieter ghost-hunting mood.

Quick hits before you go

• Only after-dark cemetery access with above-ground tomb walking time and guide narration
• Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 starts the night, founded in 1865 by Free and Accepted Masons
• A City Park break with the chance to buy coffee and beignets at Morning Call Cafe
• A reflective stop at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial for 85 unclaimed victims
• Live commentary on the bus, plus EMF reader ghost-hunting tools at the cemetery
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 56 travelers

Why a cemetery ghost tour from the French Quarter is different

Most New Orleans ghost tours camp out where the action already is. This one changes the equation by getting you moving away from the bright crowds and into quiet streets and darker corners. The result is a different kind of mood, less “performance in the center of town,” more “you are actually somewhere old and strange.”

And the cemetery choice matters. New Orleans above-ground burials are their own whole system, built around space, family traditions, and the city’s distinct history. When you hear those details while walking among the tombs, the stories stop being generic and start making sense. You will also get a guide voice that explains why the Masonic cemetery looks and feels different from the Catholic cemeteries most visitors already know about.

Getting picked up at Voodoo Tavern and Poboys, then heading beyond the quarter

Your night starts with pickup at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St, with your instructions telling you to arrive about 30 minutes before departure. I like that timing, because it gives you a real chance to get your group together, grab a drink if you want, and not feel rushed before the bus starts moving.

From there, you ride beyond the French Quarter into quieter areas. You also pass through City Park, which is a huge part of why this tour feels more like a full NOLA night than a short cemetery stop. If you want atmosphere, you are getting it in the transitions, not just during the walking part.

One practical consideration: the BYOB setup means the crowd can range from calm to rowdy depending on who shows up that night. If you are sensitive to noise, sit where you can hear the guide clearly, and have a plan to step back to breathe when you need to.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2: the unusual above-ground world

This is the headliner stop, and it is not random. Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 was founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. If you have walked Catholic cemeteries in New Orleans before, you will likely notice the differences immediately.

Here is what makes this cemetery especially interesting in-person:

• It has a distinctive layout, with the cemetery occupying two oddly shaped blocks and Conti Street bisecting it.
• You see a plan that feels angular and symbolic, with internal walkways reflecting the square and compass theme.
• There are cast-iron picket fences enclosing two separate sections, and oak allees lining the northern and western edges.
• The tombs are arranged compactly in rows parallel to Bienville Street, with a wider paved promenade cutting through to reach smaller side walkways.

Why it matters for your experience: the tour guide can connect the cemetery’s physical design to burial tradition. The communal nature of Masonic membership, where lodges pooled resources for large group tombs, helps explain why some areas feel more “grouped” than you might expect. In other words, you are not just hearing spooky claims, you are learning the logic behind what you are looking at.

Also, this is one of those places where night changes everything. Above-ground tombs and dim lighting can make everything feel more personal, like you are reading names that are close enough to touch. It is a walking stop, mostly on flat surfaces, but you still need to be steady on your feet.

City Park and Morning Call Cafe: the break that keeps the night moving

Mid-tour, you pass through City Park, one of the oldest urban parks in the United States, established in 1854. That means your time outside the cemetery is not wasted. You are surrounded by massive live oaks and the kind of quiet that makes a ghost story feel more believable.

You also get a break at Morning Call Cafe, where you can purchase coffee and beignets. I like this stop because it gives you something practical: sugar, caffeine, and a moment to reset before the tour shifts into the more solemn material later.

One caution: based on how tours like this usually run, expect the breaks to be time-boxed. If you know you need a bathroom, go early, not at the last minute. Being calm here helps your whole night, because you will do more walking than you might expect even if the terrain is not strenuous.

Hurricane Katrina Memorial: where the mood goes heavier

The tour does not end on a jump-scare note. It concludes with a visit to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, a contemplative stop for 85 unclaimed victims from the 2005 levee failures.

This part of the tour changes the tone on purpose. You are still in the “City of the Dead” conversation, but it is not only about paranormal energy. It is about real loss and how New Orleans remembers. If you are hoping for scares only, this section might feel more serious than you planned. If you want the full emotional range of the city, it is one of the most meaningful stops you will make in the dark.

I recommend treating this portion with extra patience. Take the time you need. The whole tour will land better if you do not rush through the reflective moment.

BYOB rules, bus vibe, and how to stay comfortable

Let’s talk BYOB. You are allowed to bring your own drinks, and the tour even nudges you to do it responsibly. The key line is respect: if you are disruptive, you can be asked to leave.

In real life, that translates into a simple strategy for you:

• Keep it social, not chaotic.
• Bring water too, especially in Louisiana heat or humidity.
• If the bus music is turned up, position yourself so you can still hear your guide’s key points when you reach the cemetery.

A few of the strongest comments people make about this tour are tied to the energy level and the guide’s performance style. When the guide leans into humor, song choices, and interaction, the night feels like a fun local show wrapped around real cemetery education. When the crowd gets louder, the experience can feel more party-like than spooky. Either way, you are choosing the vibe by deciding what kind of night you want.

Also note: dress is smart casual. Comfortable shoes matter most, but you also want to look like you belong in a nighttime neighborhood walk, not like you came straight from a gym.

Cameras, orbs, and the EMF reader reality check

This is one of the most fun parts if you like “ghost hunting” as a game. You can bring your camera to check photos for orbs and other signs. On top of that, the guide helps you use an included EMF reader in the cemetery.

Here is the balanced way to think about it. The EMF reader and the orb story are part of the tour’s theme, so do not expect scientific proof. Do expect a guided moment that invites you to look harder, listen longer, and treat the cemetery as an interactive space rather than a background set.

If you want the best results from your own photos:

• Keep your camera steady and follow whatever basic instructions your guide gives.
• Take shots of tomb details, not just wide angles.
• Turn off distractions so you can notice patterns like repeated light spots or reflections.

Even if you never spot anything dramatic, the act of hunting for it makes the night feel more personal, and that is often where the magic lives.

Price and value: what $30 buys you in real terms

At $30 per person for about 2 hours, this tour can be good value, mainly because you get more than one piece of the puzzle bundled together. You are paying for:

• Pickup and drop-off from a central meeting spot in the French Quarter
• Live commentary on board as you move through town
• Cemetery-focused time where the guide can explain above-ground burial practices
• Admission ticket included for the Masonic cemetery stop at the 30-minute mark

The “value” part is not just money saved. It is time saved. A cemetery tour that actually works after dark needs planning, safe transportation, and a route that avoids wasting time. This tour does that for you with a single ticket.

Is it worth it for every traveler? If you want quiet, heavily researched history only, you might find the ghost element a bit playful. If you want history with atmosphere and a guide who can work a room, it can feel like a solid deal.

Who should book this and who should skip it

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want cemetery access after nightfall and do not want to cobble together rides
• Like the idea of learning burial traditions in a setting that feels dark and cinematic
• Enjoy interactive elements like EMF reader use and photo checking
• Can follow basic group rules, especially around BYOB

You might skip or switch plans if you:

• Want total silence, low stimulation, and a very “library lecture” tone
• Are counting on long walking time at each site. The walking is real, but the schedule is still time-boxed.
• Need wheelchair access. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and the tour requires you to be able to walk and handle steps to board and exit.

If you are bringing kids: it is limited to ages 6 and above, but discretion is advised because the stories can get morbid.

Should you book Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

I think you should book if you want an after-dark New Orleans cemetery experience that mixes above-ground burial culture with guided spooky play. The Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 focus is the big selling point, and the Katrina memorial stop gives the night real weight, not just campy chills.

My decision rule is simple. Book it if you can handle a social bus atmosphere and you will treat the cemetery walking as the main event. If you want a quiet, tightly scripted ghost story tour with lots of uninterrupted time and zero music chaos, you may be happier with a different style of cemetery tour.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

The tour starts at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

How early should I arrive before departure?

Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time so you can check in for pickup.

Which cemetery does this tour visit?

This tour starts at Masonic Temple Cemetery #2. It also may include other cemetery stops, and the tour information notes it typically visits the Charity Hospital pauper’s field as well as Masonic Temple Cemetery #2.

Does this tour include Marie Laveau’s tomb?

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

Does the tour visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

Yes. The tour concludes with a stop at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, for 85 unclaimed victims of the 2005 levee failures.

Is this tour family-friendly?

It is family-friendly for guests ages 6 and above. The stories include morbid tales that can be scary for younger children.

Is parking available near the meeting point?

There is limited parking near the French Quarter departure location, and rates apply. Because the area is busy, it is recommended to walk, use public transportation, or use a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft.