One quiet loop can teach you a lot. This self-guided audio tour in New Orleans uses GPS so you hear stories tied to where you are in the cemetery, and you can do it at your own speed. I like the offline VoiceMap setup (audio, maps, and geodata download), and I like the pace control—stop, listen, and move on when you want. One real drawback to weigh: the tour depends on getting the app and access working correctly, and a couple of people hit download or starting problems.

The good news is the experience is designed to be simple once you’re set up: it’s only for your group, it starts when you’re standing at the right spot, and it runs about 35 minutes. If you want a straightforward way to get into the feel of Metairie without joining a big group, this format can fit nicely—just plan a little extra time for your phone setup before you arrive.

Quick hits before you go

• Offline VoiceMap audio and maps mean no data worries while you walk.
• Private, GPS-guided route: it’s just your party, and the narration follows your location.
• Lifetime access to the Faith & Courage: Metairie Cemetery Stories tour after purchase.
• Start-at-the-right-spot directions help you trigger the audio once you’re in place.
• Flexible pacing: you can pause, replay, and take your time along the route.
• Rain-friendly planning: the narration can still work even when the weather turns.

Metairie Cemetery Stories: the setup and why the self-guided format works

Metairie Cemetery can feel big, quiet, and easy to wander through without context. That’s exactly where a GPS audio tour earns its keep. Instead of a fixed group schedule, you get narration that responds to where you are, so you’re not just looking at names—you’re learning why those names matter.

You also get control of the pace. The tour runs about 35 minutes, but your real time depends on how long you stop for each story. If you’re the type who likes to stand, read headstones, and then listen for the next cue, this format supports that.

Another practical win is the offline approach. VoiceMap is the free app you download, and the tour audio and supporting files are available offline after you download them. In New Orleans, weather and phone connectivity are never guaranteed. Offline keeps the experience from becoming a tech support project mid-walk.

The one thing to keep in mind is that this is not a staff-led walking tour. If you prefer someone physically steering you from grave to grave, you might want that structure. Here, you provide the walking, and the app provides the storytelling.

Price and value: $8.99 for a 35-minute route you can replay forever

At $8.99 per person, the price is relatively low for a guided-style experience—especially because you’re buying into lifetime access. That means you’re not “paying for today,” you’re paying for a resource you can come back to when you’re in the mood for a different angle of the cemetery.

The time investment is also manageable. A 35-minute audio walk is long enough to feel like you did something meaningful, but short enough that it won’t derail your whole day. That matters in a city like New Orleans, where you may have other stops lined up.

Value also comes from what’s included. You get:

• Lifetime access to the Faith & Courage: Metairie Cemetery Stories tour
• The VoiceMap application
• Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
• Directions to help you reach the correct starting spot
• GPS-style flexibility to explore at your own pace

What’s not included is also part of the value equation. You’ll need your own smartphone, and the tour doesn’t include transportation or food/drink. If you’re already planning to be in the area, that’s fine. If you’re booking this as your only activity, you might find yourself paying more in logistics than you expected.

Where the tour starts: Washington Artillery Park and the importance of the right location

The tour route is designed to begin at 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA, and it’s associated with Washington Artillery Park as the key start area. The directions you receive are meant to help you reach the correct spot so the audio triggers when you’re in place.

That “right location” detail matters more than people think. Audio tours that rely on GPS can be sensitive. If you start 5–10 minutes away from where the app expects you to be, the audio may not begin correctly—or it may loop or skip ahead.

A helpful mindset: treat the start like a meeting point, not like an open-ended stroll. When you arrive, take a minute to line up with what your phone shows, then start the tour. If you’re walking in from a different point, budget a little extra time so you’re not trying to fix the app while you’re also trying to find where you are.

The tour ends back at the meeting point, which keeps the logistics clean. You don’t need to figure out a separate drop-off or plan for a long walk back.

VoiceMap offline GPS: what you’ll do on your phone (and how to avoid pain)

This tour runs through the VoiceMap app. The free app is included as part of the setup, and your purchased tour is accessed through the app.

In practice, your job looks like this:

1. Install VoiceMap
2. Redeem your tour access in the app
3. Download the tour so it works offline
4. Use GPS to follow the route cues until you finish the loop

The most positive feedback centers on how easy it is to follow once the tour is loaded: narration is clear, the route works even during rain, and the geolocation feature helps you feel like you’re being guided without being rushed.

But there are also clear cautions from people who ran into trouble:

• Downloading can be confusing if you don’t follow the steps exactly
• You may need to enter an emailed code to redeem the tour
• If the tour doesn’t start or starts looping, it can take time to troubleshoot

If you hit technical trouble, the provider’s support channels are available by both email and telephone, and reaching out is a good move rather than continuing to wrestle with the app in the cemetery.

My practical advice: do your setup at home (or at a café) before you head out. Make sure you can open VoiceMap, redeem the tour, and confirm the download completes. Then—when you arrive—your job is just listening and walking.

The 35-minute pacing: how the route feels in real life

Because the tour is GPS-based and self-guided, the experience you get is shaped by how you move. The audio is designed for a roughly 35-minute window, but you can stretch or shorten it.

Here’s what that typically means for your experience:

• You can pause for photos or to read names longer than planned
• You can stop to listen to a story fully without feeling behind
• You can drive the route rather than walk it, if that’s how you plan to explore

One reviewer-style note that’s still useful: the tour can miss a grave or two depending on your exact position and what you expect to be covered. That doesn’t mean the tour is “wrong,” but it means you shouldn’t treat it as an exhaustive list of every notable headstone. If you want a specific name or a “must see” person, bring that goal separately—then use the audio tour for atmosphere and context.

Also, if you expected a very deep level of detail at every stop, consider that this is a short format. At 35 minutes, it’s more about narrative highlights than exhaustive biographies. You’ll get plenty to think about, but it won’t replace longer cemetery research.

Rain and realism in New Orleans

New Orleans is great, but weather can change quickly. One of the best points from the experience is that it can still work when it rains. Since your audio is available offline, your phone isn’t living or dying with cellular service. And because you can drive portions of the route, rain doesn’t automatically force you to cancel the plan.

Still, being realistic: rain can slow you down, especially if you’re trying to keep your phone steady while listening and walking. If the weather is questionable, I’d plan your timing so you’re not rushing the download or the setup. Once the tour is loaded, the actual experience is more “press play and go,” not “figure out your settings.”

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a strong match if you:

• Want a private experience for your group only
• Like guided structure but don’t want to follow a live guide’s schedule
• Prefer a short activity that gives you context without taking over your day
• Appreciate offline tours that keep working even when connectivity is spotty

It may be less ideal if you:

• Get frustrated with app setup and want everything plug-and-play at the site
• Expect a fully comprehensive, grave-by-grave catalog
• Need a human to ensure every stop lines up perfectly with your interests

If you’re comfortable using your phone and you’re willing to do a quick setup check before you go, you’ll likely get more out of the experience.

The good parts people remember most

The highest satisfaction comes from a few repeat themes:

• Clear narration and story pacing that’s easy to follow
• The geolocation feature, which helps you feel oriented instead of wandering blindly
• The flexibility to go at your own pace and stop when you want
• The fact that it can still work during rain thanks to offline access

That combination is powerful. New Orleans cemeteries aren’t usually “just another photo stop.” They reward patience. This tour respects that by letting you control how long you linger.

Possible drawbacks to plan for before you buy

Let’s talk about the friction points so you don’t get surprised.

First, technical setup. Some people found the process confusing—having to use multiple steps, download the right tools, and redeem access properly. If you arrive without time to troubleshoot, that can ruin the mood.

Second, starting location sensitivity. If your phone’s GPS thinks you’re not at the starting point, the tour may fail to trigger correctly or feel off. The fix is usually patience and positioning—stand where the app expects you, then start.

Third, detail expectations. A short route can’t cover everything. If your goal is a deep dive into specific individuals, you may want to treat the audio tour as the entry point, then do your own reading afterward.

If you can handle those points, you’re in a good place.

FAQ

FAQ

How much does the Metairie Cemetery Stories audio tour cost?

It costs $8.99 per person.

How long is the tour?

It’s listed at about 35 minutes.

What language is the tour available in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I need an internet connection during the tour?

No. The VoiceMap tour supports offline access, including audio, maps, and geodata.

What app do I need to use for the tour?

You’ll use the free VoiceMap app, and your purchased tour is accessed through it.

Where do I start the tour?

The meeting point/start location is 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book Faith & Courage: Metairie Cemetery Stories?

I’d book it if you want a low-cost, private, offline audio way to understand Metairie Cemetery without committing to a long guided tour. The offline VoiceMap design and the self-paced GPS approach are exactly the kind of practical travel tool that works well in New Orleans.

I’d pause before booking if you hate app setup or you’re the type who expects everything to start instantly on arrival. If that’s you, plan a little time to download and verify the tour before you get there, so your walk stays focused on the stories—not your settings.

If you’d like, tell me when you’re going and whether you plan to walk or drive, and I’ll suggest a simple “arrive-ready” plan for your phone and timing.