A cemetery tour should not feel this alive. Metairie’s monuments turn weird, funny, and sometimes dramatic as you walk with local author Sally Asher and learn what all that stone is saying. I love the focus on Millionaire’s Row tombs, and I love how the tour makes Metairie’s symbolism readable instead of just decorative.

The big win here is the storytelling engine. Sally Asher is a writer and historian, and her guidance brings the people behind the names to life, from city leaders to famous cultural figures like Anne Rice. If you’re into architecture, art, and meaning, this tour keeps pointing your eyes at the details you’d otherwise miss.

One consideration: it’s a 2-hour walk (about 2 miles) on cemetery paths, and it runs rain or shine. Bring water and comfortable shoes, and plan for some sun under all those oak branches.

Key highlights that make this tour worth your time

• Millionaire’s Row: oversized tombs and the “why” behind the design choices
• Anne Rice’s resting place plus other big-name stories you recognize
• A pyramid guarded by a sphinx, explained in terms of symbolism and history
• Jewel-stained-glass and themed mausoleums, including an Islamic-inspired limestone tomb
• Characters beyond the famous: mayors, governors, Carnival kings, mob bosses, law enforcement, and journalists
• Local tips for food, music, and culture included with the experience

Arriving at the Law Enforcement Memorial and getting oriented fast

The tour starts at the Law Enforcement Memorial. You meet your guide there, which is a smart setup because you’re not wandering a massive cemetery trying to guess where the group fits.

If you’re driving, park in the lot. To find the memorial, go to the right of the funeral home, take a right at the stop sign, and use any entry gates to reach the memorial.

Once you’re gathered, you’ll kick off the walking portion under a canopy of shade. The cemetery is known for its trees, and you’ll feel that “walk in the green tunnel” vibe early on.

The almost 1,000-tree shade and why Metairie feels different

One reason Metairie Cemetery hits harder than you expect is the atmosphere. The tour begins beneath the shade of nearly 1,000 trees, which turns a hot afternoon (or a bright Mardi Gras day) into something more bearable.

You’ll also get the setting that makes everything else click. The cemetery was established in 1872, and it later made the National Register of Historic Places. With that context, the monuments don’t feel random. They feel like a city of ideas, families, and status.

Sally Asher’s approach is to connect the stones to the people. That’s the part I like most: you stop treating tombs like background and start treating them like history.

Millionaire’s Row: how status gets built in stone

This tour is very much about the elaborate side of Metairie, especially Millionaire’s Row. You’ll see extravagant, multi-dollar tombs that look like they belong in an art museum instead of a cemetery.

The practical value for you is simple: Sally teaches you what to look for. It’s not just “this one is fancy.” You’ll learn how the tombs’ architecture and decoration reflect the mindset and ambitions of the people who commissioned them.

And once you understand that, the walking gets more fun. You’ll start spotting symbolism and design choices as you go, rather than passively “seeing” monuments.

A side note that matters: these stops can vary in how closely you can study each structure up close. Plan on using your eyes and angle-watching rather than expecting every monument to be equally accessible for reading fine details.

Al Copeland and Anne Rice: pop culture meets burial culture

Metairie isn’t only for local families and political figures. This is where a lot of modern names land, and that connection makes the tour easier to follow—even if you’re new to cemetery history.

You’ll stop at Al Copeland’s tomb, the Popeyes’ founder. That’s one of those moments where you realize cemetery culture in New Orleans isn’t sealed off in the past. It stays in the present through the people who become part of the city’s story.

Then there’s Anne Rice. Seeing where the vampire-novelist is laid to rest is a thrill, but the payoff is what comes after the shock value. You’ll get the background behind her presence in Metairie, and how her story fits the cemetery’s mix of public fame and private memorial.

This combination—big names plus explanations—works well if you want something memorable without the tour turning into a trivia quiz.

The sphinx-guarded pyramid: symbolism you can actually understand

One of the strangest features on the route is the pyramid guarded by a sphinx. If you like monuments that feel half-myth and half-history, you’re going to enjoy this stop.

The tour doesn’t just point at the pyramid and say it’s unusual. You’ll learn about the symbolism and the history tied to it, so it becomes more than a photo op. You start understanding why someone would choose that imagery in a burial context.

For me, the biggest win here is learning to read symbols as choices, not accidents. Once you’re told what to look for, the cemetery becomes a map of beliefs and status signals, all turned into architecture.

Jewel-stained glass and themed mausoleums you’ll want to pause for

As you continue, you’ll reach tombs and mausoleums with strong visual identity. One stop includes a tomb with jewel stained-glass windows, and it’s the kind of detail you’d miss fast if you were just walking on your own.

Expect to spend a little time here. The tour style is to slow down enough to let the structure make sense.

You’ll also see an Islamic-inspired tomb made of limestone, built by a Confederate general for his daughter. That stop is heavy with context, because it highlights how burial art in this city can blend influences, ambitions, and personal history.

Even if you’re not an expert on religious art, you’ll get enough explanation to connect the style to the people and time that produced it. That’s what keeps this from being just “pretty cemetery sightseeing.”

Lake Lawn Metairie entry: seeing more than one famous garden cemetery

This experience includes entry to Lake Lawn Metairie as well as Metairie Cemetery. That matters because you get more variety in the same outing.

Practically, it also means you’re not stuck only with one cemetery’s layout and one style of monument. You’ll be able to compare how memorials are expressed across two well-known places in the area.

The tour is still a walking experience, so you’ll want to keep your energy steady. But if you only have a day or two in New Orleans, combining these sites is a smart time-saver.

How the tour pacing works (and what it means for your comfort)

The total duration is about 2 hours, with approximately 2 miles of walking. That’s a manageable distance, but it’s not flat sidewalk strolling. Cemetery paths can be uneven, and you’ll likely step at a slower pace to keep up with the stops and stories.

Wheelchair accessible is noted, which is great news if you need a route designed for mobility. Still, you should expect some outdoor walking surfaces and sun exposure because it happens rain or shine.

What to bring is straightforward and worth taking seriously:

• Comfortable shoes
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Comfortable clothes

A small tip: if you’re going in warmer months, treat water like part of your outfit. Shade helps, but you still want hydration for a full 2 hours.

Also, because it’s rain or shine, pack a light umbrella or rain layer if that’s your comfort level. The tour doesn’t stop just because the sky does its own thing.

Where the guide makes the difference: truth, detail, and Q&A

Plenty of tours can say “this is important.” What makes this one stand out is how the guide teaches you to notice, and how the stories land with credibility.

Sally Asher’s background comes through in the way she connects monuments to real people. The strongest praise for the tour consistently points to her storytelling and the care she puts into explaining architectural choices and symbolism.

Another practical plus: she’s willing to answer questions and adjust the talk to the interests of the group. That flexibility helps if your group leans more toward architecture, more toward famous names, or more toward the human stories behind the city.

If you’re the type who likes to ask why a structure is built a certain way, this is one of those tours where your curiosity gets fed instead of brushed off.

Price and value: why $35 can feel like a bargain here

At $35 per person, this tour isn’t trying to be cheap. It’s also not priced like a premium museum ticket. The value comes from what you get bundled together.

You’re paying for:

• A guided walking tour led by a local author and historian
• Entry to Metairie Cemetery
• Entry to Lake Lawn Metairie
• Insider tips for local food, music, and culture

Two hours at a cemetery is also enough time for the guide to go beyond surface-level viewing. You’re not just paying for admission. You’re paying for interpretation—someone helping you read stone and symbol while you walk.

The main trade-off is you’re responsible for getting yourself to the meeting point since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you’re already driving or using local transport, that’s manageable. If you need curbside pickup, that’s where the plan may need adjusting.

Who should book this tour (and who might not)

I think this tour is a great match if you:

• Like history that feels real, not textbook-flat
• Enjoy architecture, symbols, and art in unusual places
• Want famous New Orleans names with context, not just a quick glance
• Prefer a guided story-led walk rather than a self-guided cemetery loop

It may be less ideal if you want a minimal walking experience or you hate being outside in changing weather. Also, if you’re looking for a strict focus on one theme only—say, strictly mob history or strictly genealogy—this tour covers a wide range of characters, from city officials to law enforcement to cultural figures.

Should you book the New Orleans Millionaire’s Tombs tour?

I’d book it if you want a cemetery tour that feels like a guided conversation with someone who truly understands what you’re looking at. The specific stops—Millionaire’s Row, Al Copeland’s tomb, Anne Rice’s final resting place, the sphinx-guarded pyramid, jewel stained glass, and the Islamic-inspired limestone mausoleum—make it easy to remember, and the explanations make it meaningful.

It’s also a strong value at $35 because it includes entry to both Metairie Cemetery and Lake Lawn Metairie, plus local tips you can use after the walk. Just be honest with yourself about the walking: plan for about 2 miles over 2 hours, outdoors, rain or shine.

If that sounds like your kind of New Orleans experience—odd, artful, and human—I think you’ll leave with a new way to look at the city.

FAQ

How long is the Millionaire’s Tombs of Metairie Cemetery tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

How much walking is involved?

It includes about 2 miles of walking.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at the Law Enforcement Memorial to the right of the funeral home. Take a right at the stop sign and use any entry gates to reach the memorial. If you drive, you can park in the lot.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get a guided tour with a local author and historian, entry to Metairie Cemetery, entry to Lake Lawn Metairie, and insider tips for local food, music, and culture.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Does the tour run rain or shine?

Yes, the tour happens rain or shine.

Is it possible to cancel or pay later?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.