Nightfall turns New Orleans cemeteries into theater. This is one of the few ghost tours with cemetery access after dark, plus a bus ride that takes you beyond the usual French Quarter route into the quieter “City of the Dead” world.

I like the way the tour centers on above-ground burial traditions instead of generic spooky streets. I also like the pace and group size: it’s capped at 56 people, so you’re not lost in a crowd while you’re trying to hear stories and look closely at tombs.

One thing to consider: this isn’t a pure jump-scare horror show. It’s more history-meets-ghost hunting, and depending on timing and the vibe on the bus, the spooky moment can be short and the soundtrack can get loud.

Key things to know before you go

• After-dark cemetery time instead of only daytime photo stops
• Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, a different style than the Catholic cemeteries most visitors picture
• BYOB on the bus, with reminders to drink responsibly and stay respectful
• City Park + Morning Call Cafe break for coffee and beignets
• Hurricane Katrina Memorial stop for a reflective pause
• EMF reader and orb-style photo checks to turn the night into a game

Why this ghost tour goes beyond the French Quarter

New Orleans has plenty of ghost stories, but most of them keep you in the same tight loop: bars, street corners, and the usual haunted-hoodies-and-cobblestones vibe. This tour changes the “where” and the “why.”

You’re going to see why the city is famous for its cemeteries. New Orleans funerary culture often shows itself above ground, with tombs, family monuments, and structures designed for space and style—not just discreet headstones. That matters because it’s what your guide is talking about as you walk.

Then there’s the nighttime angle. The cemeteries feel different after dark. You’re not just reading plaques; you’re walking among the shapes in shadow. Add live narration and a bus that keeps moving, and you get a night that feels more like a guided story walk than a quick sightseeing lap.

Price and what the $30 really covers

At $30 per person for about 2 hours, the real value is how the ticket is packaged.

You’re paying for:

• Pickup and drop-off from the meeting point
• A live driver/guide with commentary during the bus ride and stops
• Admission ticket included for the cemetery stop

For a New Orleans night activity, that bundle is the point. You’re not trying to coordinate separate rides, separate entrances, and separate timing. Instead, you get one organized flow: meet in the French Quarter, ride out to the cemetery, walk, then return—no extra planning required.

Also, the tour is offered in English, and it’s designed for most travelers. If you’re visiting on a tight schedule and you want one solid “cemeteries after dark” experience, this price generally feels fair.

BYOB on a bus: fun factor, party volume, and smart planning

This tour is a BYOB bus ride. Drinks are not included, and you’re encouraged to bring your own. The important part is the tone: the operator asks everyone to drink responsibly and to be respectful. If someone gets disruptive, they can be asked to leave.

That means two practical things for you:

1. Bring what you can carry comfortably. You’ll be moving between the bus and the cemetery paths.
2. Expect the bus vibe to vary. Some nights lean more into music-and-mixed-fun, so if you’re sensitive to loud audio, have a plan (ear protection helps).

You’ll also want to get your meeting-point logistics right. The tour starts with pickup from the meeting area in the French Quarter 30 minutes before departure. That’s not just for show—it’s your time to check in, use the nearby restroom if you need it, and get ready to head out.

If you want a calmer “quiet ghost hunt” vibe, this might not be your perfect fit. If you’re okay with a little fun, a little partying energy, and a guided story walk, it can be a great match.

Stop 1: Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 and its unusual tomb style

This is the heart of the tour: Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons.

What I love about this stop is that it’s not trying to be the generic New Orleans cemetery you’ve already seen in photos. Masonic burials have a distinctly different look and organization than the Catholic cemeteries dominating the city’s imagery.

What you’ll notice as you walk

• The cemetery uses an unusual layout: two oddly shaped city blocks, with Conti Street bisecting the area.
• The triangular footprint and angular walkways echo the Masonic square and compass concept.
• Cast-iron picket fences enclose two sections.
• Oak alleés line the northern and western edges.
• Tombs sit compactly in rows, with a wide paved promenade through the center to reach smaller walkways.

It’s also known for the “communal tomb” idea. Lodge members pooled resources to purchase large group tombs. That gives the cemetery a feel that’s more organized and architectural than random. And because you’re walking among above-ground tombs at night, the shapes read differently than they would in daylight.

The walk time is about 30 minutes, and the pace is guided. Still, don’t assume you’ll have unlimited wandering time to explore every niche. If you like cemetery details, bring a camera mindset: pause, look up, scan for names and symbols, then move with the group.

Riding past City Park and pausing at Morning Call Cafe

Between the cemetery and the memorial stop, you’ll pass through City Park, one of the nation’s oldest urban parks, dating to 1854. It’s a big space—1,300 acres—and the guide uses it as a mental shift: you’re leaving “graveyard silence” and heading back toward the city’s broader story.

Then you get a break at Morning Call Cafe, where you can purchase coffee and beignets. This is your best chance to grab a drink if you didn’t plan ahead, and it’s also where you can reset before the last major stop.

A practical tip: if your camera battery drains fast in nighttime photos, this pause is your checkpoint. Charge what you can, wipe the lens if you’ve been drinking and handling it, and then head back out ready to look.

Also, note the tour is still a guided flow. Use the cafe time efficiently: bathroom first (if needed), then coffee/snack, then back to the group.

Hurricane Katrina Memorial: the reflective stop that changes the tone

The final stop is the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, a cemetery site acknowledging 85 unclaimed victims from the 2005 levee failures.

This part matters because the tone changes. You go from ghost-hunt energy and cemetery symbolism to a human pause—names, remembrance, and the kind of reality that makes the whole “ghosts” theme feel different.

If you’re sensitive to heavier topics, this is still presented in a respectful way with time to pay respects at the memorial. It’s not there to be scary. It’s there to be true.

You’ll also visit the Odd Fellows Rest during this segment. The tour describes it as reserved for members of a little-known, and some would say secret, society. Even if you don’t know the group’s history going in, this adds another “category” of burial tradition and local story.

Ghost hunting tools, EMF talk, and real photo expectations

The tour leans into ghost-hunting play. The highlights encourage you to bring your camera to check for things like orbs and other signs. And the FAQ also says the guide can help you use an included EMF reader to locate ghosts that may be hanging around the cemetery.

Here’s how to approach this with a healthy, fun attitude:

• Treat the EMF reader as an experience tool, not a scientific instrument you can trust like lab gear.
• For photos, remember lens flare and lighting artifacts are real. Still, it’s fun to compare shots later, and night cemeteries give you plenty of opportunities for interesting-looking results.

One more thing: several guide personalities get called out in the way they run the night—people like Henry, Roy, and Ray are praised for mixing history with entertainment. That matters because when the guide is good at pacing, your ghost-hunt “game” stays on track instead of turning into random minutes.

If you want interactive ghost hunting, watch for the moment your guide hands out tools and invites people to try them. That’s part of what you’re paying for—turning the walk into something participatory.

Logistics that affect your night: meeting point, walking, and group size

The meeting point is at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St in the French Quarter. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

From there, pickup happens 30 minutes before departure. That’s your time buffer. If you show up late, your night can get messy fast. Some tours run tight schedules, and in a group of this size (max 56), you want to be ready when they call your section.

Walking and comfort

The tour isn’t strenuous, and much is on flat surfaces. But you do need to be able to walk and navigate a few steps to board and exit the bus.

Also, the bus used for this tour is not wheelchair accessible. If mobility is a concern, consider a different style of tour.

Dress code and weather

Dress is smart casual. Comfortable shoes matter. Bring layers if it’s cool. The experience also requires good weather, so if New Orleans weather turns, you may be offered a different date or a refund.

Service animals

Service animals are allowed.

Who should book this tour (and who might skip it)

This tour is a good fit if you want:

• Cemeteries after dark with guided storytelling
• A mix of New Orleans burial traditions and ghost-hunt fun
• A bus-and-walk format where someone else handles the driving and timing
• BYOB social energy paired with a historical focus

It may not be your best fit if:

• You want a strictly scary, full-horror experience with long cemetery wandering time.
• You hate bus music or bright sound systems. The vibe can be party-forward on some nights.
• You need longer bathroom breaks. There’s a City Park / Morning Call Cafe pause, and that’s where you’ll usually handle needs most efficiently—plan ahead so you’re not searching mid-ride.

The sweet spot is couples, friends, and families with kids age 6 and up (the tour limits to 6+). If your group enjoys walking, symbolism, and a little theatrical storytelling, you’ll likely have a fun night.

Should you book the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

I’d book it if you’re prioritizing one thing: seeing a New Orleans cemetery at night with a guide who can keep the night moving. The Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 stop is a strong reason by itself, because it’s a different burial culture than what most first-timers expect. Add the City Park break and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial pause, and you get a tour that isn’t only “spooky.” It’s also local, specific, and meaningful.

I’d skip it if your top goal is maximum scares with lots of independent time in each graveyard. This is a structured, timed night, and the ghost-hunting part is more game-and-story than nonstop terror.

If you’re deciding between “another French Quarter ghost story” and “cemeteries after dark,” choose this one. It gives you the City of the Dead experience you came for.

FAQ

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

The tour meets at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St, New Orleans. The tour also ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive before pickup?

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time so you’re ready for pickup.

Which cemetery stops are included?

The tour starts at Masonic Temple Cemetery #2. The tour also references other cemetery locations in the FAQ, and it includes a stop at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial.

Does the tour include Marie Laveau’s tomb?

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

Is BYOB allowed, and are drinks included?

Drinks are not included, but you may bring your own. The tour encourages responsible drinking and respectful behavior.

Does the guide use an EMF reader or ghost-hunting tools?

Yes. The FAQ states the guide helps you use an included EMF reader to locate ghosts that may be in the cemetery.

Is the tour family friendly, and what is the age limit?

The tour is appropriate for ages 6 and above. It includes some morbid tales that can be scary for younger kids, so discretion is advised.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible, and is it strenuous?

The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and you need to be able to walk and navigate a few steps to board and exit. The walking is mostly on flat surfaces and is not considered strenuous.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.