A cemetery tour, but make it fascinating. Lake Lawn Metairie is one of New Orleans’ most striking city-of-the-dead spaces, with Greek temples, gothic and Islamic-style tombs, and more marble monuments than you can count. This small-group walking tour is built around stories—about burial customs, the people who shaped New Orleans, and the meaning behind the monuments.

What I really like is the tone. It stays respectful and educational, not spooky-for-spooky’s-sake, and you’ll get plenty of time to ask questions. Another big plus is the guide approach: guides like Glenn (and sometimes Mr Schiro, per tour notes) share history with room for pauses, shade, and real conversation—even in the heat.

One thing to consider: it’s outdoors, and New Orleans sun can be intense. Even though the cemetery is mostly flat, you’ll feel it if you arrive unprepared.

Key highlights you’ll actually notice

• Small group size (max 16): easier pacing, better Q&A, and fewer people crowding each landmark.
• Iconic burial architecture: Greek temples, gothic and Islamic-style tombs, obelisks, marble monuments, ironwork, and stained glass.
• Big names, but grounded in context: governors, mayors, Carnival figures, Confederate generals, and pop-culture legends like Louis Prima, Al Hirt, Anne Rice, and Tom Benson.
• Told as living culture: you’ll learn how New Orleans burial rites shaped what you see, not just who’s buried there.
• Shade strategy: the tour is attentive to temperature, with stops timed for comfort under live oaks.
• Guides who keep it humane: the best moments are calm, respectful stories tied to the people and families.

Entering Metairie: a pretty walk with serious meaning

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries sits in a way that feels almost theatrical: wide paths, old trees, and tombs with architectural flair. The cemetery is known for funerary sculpture and bold design, but the tour’s real value is how it helps you read what you’re looking at.

This is a guided walking tour of about 1 hour 30 minutes, so it doesn’t try to swallow the entire cemetery. Instead, you get a curated walk through the places that best show how New Orleans burial culture expresses wealth, faith, memory, and public identity.

Because it’s outdoors, your comfort matters. The tour is mostly flat, but you still want to bring water and plan for sun. The guides handle heat with smart pacing—finding shade spots under live oaks so you can listen without roasting.

Price and value: what $35 gets you

At $35 per person, this isn’t a budget “see it fast” add-on. The cost makes sense when you think about what you’re buying:

• A live guided tour (not an audio loop)
• A route designed to connect burial rites + architecture + famous names
• Small-group attention (max 16 people)
• A tour run by Save Our Cemeteries, which—based on tour notes—operates as a non-profit supporting cemetery restoration

In other words, you’re not just paying to look at graves. You’re paying for interpretation and stewardship. If you like learning while you walk, the value is strong. If you only want a quick photo stop, you might feel the price is higher than you expected.

Stop 1: Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

The tour’s anchor is the cemetery itself—specifically the Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries area. From the first moments, you’ll notice why this place gets described as stunning.

This cemetery’s grounds are famous for funerary architecture that reads like a mix-and-match museum: Greek temples with classical lines, gothic tombs, and Islamic-style elements. You’ll also see obelisks and marble monuments paired with ironwork and stained glass, which means the visuals aren’t just decorative. They’re part of how families wanted their loved ones remembered—built to be seen.

The tour is structured so you’re not lost. You’ll move along a path that lets you take in the scale: the cemetery spans 65 landscaped acres and holds the resting place of over 9,000 people. In a place this big, having a guide matters because it turns random spotting into an actual story.

What to watch for while you’re walking

Keep your eyes open for the design choices. If you see a particular style—Greek, gothic, Islamic—ask what it suggests about identity and beliefs. That kind of question is exactly where the guide’s stories make the walk click.

Also, slow down when you stop. Tombs here aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some are sculptural, some are architectural, and some feel like quiet memorials you might otherwise miss if you’re rushing.

The famous names—plus why they matter

Metairie is packed with notable burials, and the tour uses those names to give you context. You’ll hear about leaders and cultural figures who shaped New Orleans history—then you’ll connect them back to the cemetery’s role in the city.

Here are some of the categories and specific names you can expect to hear during the walk:

• Nine Louisiana governors
• Seven New Orleans mayors
• 49 kings of Carnival
• Three Confederate generals
• Famous New Orleans figures including Louis Prima, Al Hirt, and writer Anne Rice
• Business legacy tied to sports and nightlife, including Tom Benson, former Saints and Pelicans owner
• And you’ll also hear about the lives of “madams” and brothel owners, plus other people who were central in their era

That mix is the point. This isn’t a cemetery that only tells one kind of story. It reflects how New Orleans history is layered—politics, entertainment, culture, social life, and public memory all braided together.

One practical tip: if you’re the kind of traveler who likes to Google later, jot down a few names as you go. The tour gives you enough to work from, and you can follow up afterward without feeling like you missed everything.

Burial rites in plain language (and no gimmicks)

New Orleans burial rites can sound complicated until someone explains them in human terms. This tour’s goal is to teach what you’re seeing—why tombs look the way they do, and how those choices connect to New Orleans culture.

The best aspect is the storytelling style. The tone stays calm and respectful. If you’re worried about ghost stories or melodrama, you’ll be relieved: this is an educational walk with meaning, not theater.

You’ll also learn the cultural logic behind the cemetery’s “city of the dead” idea—how a cemetery functions like an outdoor gallery of identity. The guide doesn’t just point at stone. They explain why the city of tombs exists and how it shaped community memory.

Why this matters for your visit

If you’re only sightseeing, cemeteries can blur together fast. With a guide, you start to see patterns:

• architectural style isn’t random
• monuments can reflect status and intent
• and the cemetery becomes a map of who mattered in different eras

That shift makes the walk feel worth slowing down for.

Your guide matters: Glenn and Mr Schiro’s storytelling style

A huge part of this tour’s reputation is the guide. Glenn is mentioned again and again in tour notes as the kind of person who loves the history and shares it with care. People highlight his ability to connect families, loved ones, and New Orleans history in a way that makes the names feel real.

There are also references to Mr Schiro leading tours, with the same theme: enthusiasm, a solid facts-to-story balance, and keeping the experience engaging.

What you can take from this as a traveler: the guide isn’t just reciting dates. They’re managing pacing, questions, and comfort. One recurring detail is how guides look for ideal spots in the shade under trees to share information when the sun gets harsh.

Even if you’re not a “cemetery person,” that kind of guiding makes the difference between a tour you tolerate and a tour you actually remember.

Timing, weather, and what to wear for shade

This tour starts at 10:00 am and runs about 1 hour 30 minutes. Morning is smart because the light is gentler and the heat is usually more manageable. Still, this is New Orleans, so plan like you’ll be outdoors the whole time.

The cemetery is mostly flat, which helps, but don’t confuse flat with easy if you’re not used to steady walking. Wear comfortable shoes you can trust for uneven stone and paths. Bring water. If you run hot, a hat and light layer make a big difference.

Shade is part of the experience here. The guides look for it, but you still want to arrive ready to take advantage of tree cover. If the weather is too poor, the tour can be canceled and you’ll be offered another date or a refund.

Who should book this walking tour—and who might want a different one

This tour fits best if you want:

• a short, guided introduction to New Orleans burial culture
• architecture and symbolism you can actually interpret
• famous names explained with context, not just a list
• a calm, respectful tone (no scare-show energy)
• better attention from a guide thanks to a small group up to 16

You might think twice if:

• you want a more traditional cemetery feel above all else. Metairie is known for grand, elaborate tombs, and some people notice it’s more about the wealthy-era monumental style than a simpler graveyard experience.

If your trip includes food, music, and French Quarter wandering, this can be a great change of pace. It adds depth to the city without turning into a long slog.

Should you book Historic Metairie Cemetery Walking Tour?

I’d book it if you enjoy learning by walking and you like New Orleans stories with substance. The $35 price feels fair for a guided, small-group experience that connects architecture, culture, and names you’ll recognize. It’s also a smart option because the tour is short enough to fit into a busy day.

Skip it—or switch plans—if you hate outdoor walking in heat, or if you’re looking for a simple self-guided stroll with minimal explanation.

If you do book, show up early and dress for comfort. Bring water. And give yourself permission to pause. The point isn’t to rush from grave to grave. It’s to walk slowly enough that the meaning lands.

FAQ

How long is the Historic Metairie Cemetery Walking Tour?

The tour lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $35.00 per person.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA.

What’s included with my ticket?

Your ticket includes a 1.5-hour guided cemetery tour.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:00 am.

How large is the group?

This activity has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is it a lot of walking?

It is a walking tour, but most travelers can participate. The tour also covers ground across the cemetery.

Can service animals join the tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather or not enough people?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. The tour also needs a minimum of 4 guests signed up; if it doesn’t meet that minimum, it may be canceled and you’ll receive an email. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.