Cemeteries in New Orleans feel like neighborhoods. On this 90-minute walking tour, you’ll learn how burial customs shaped city life and then step into the maze-like above-ground tombs of St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1 and No. 2. It’s a respectful, story-led way to understand New Orleans beyond the usual stops.

I also love that the tour balances big-picture traditions with very specific sites, including the Katrina Memorial area at Charity Hospital Cemetery, where you’ll pay respects and learn about the thousands of people buried behind it. The main drawback to consider is that it’s substantial walking, so it’s not ideal if your fitness level is low.

Key takeaways before you go

• Three cemeteries in 90 minutes: a tight route that keeps moving while still letting you absorb what you see
• St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1 and No. 2: above-ground tombs arranged like a maze you’ll learn to read
• Masonic and Irish immigrant connections: you won’t just look at stones—you’ll get the story behind them
• Katrina Memorial stop at Charity Hospital Cemetery: a somber final chapter with local meaning
• Expert guides with personality: guides like Taylor and William are described as friendly, energetic, and story-focused
• Photo opportunities and personal games: you may even have time to wander enough to catch memorable angles and try playful tombstone searches like finding birthdays

New Orleans burial culture is the real show

New Orleans does cemeteries differently, and this tour is built around that. Instead of a simple ground burial, you’ll spend time among above-ground tombs—structures that reflect how locals historically handled space, family plots, and long-term remembrance.

What makes this more interesting than a quick drive-by is the way the guide ties each location to a theme you can carry with you. You’ll hear about burial traditions and customs, plus specific connections like the Masons at the Masonic cemetery area and the Irish immigrant link at St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2. That structure matters, because cemeteries can look confusing if you’re left on your own.

And yes, the atmosphere is serious. This is a place to pay respects, not chase thrills.

G’s Pizza to the first cemetery: the 90-minute flow

Your meeting point is simple: G’s Pizza on Bienville Street. You’ll start there and then move through three cemeteries with guided sections at each stop. The total duration is about 90 minutes, with guided time split across the route.

Here’s the practical shape of the walk:

1. St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1 (about 30 minutes, guided)
2. Charity Hospital Cemetery (about 30 minutes, guided)
3. Then you’re guided through St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 as part of the cemetery sequence

Why this flow works: you’re not stuck in one massive cemetery for hours. You get a guided orientation early, then you move into other themed sections—so the stories don’t blur together.

One consideration: tours run rain or shine, and the walking is described as substantial. Even if each stop is timed, your feet do the work.

St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1: tomb maze + Masons

St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1 is where you start learning the language of the place. You’ll wander through the above-ground tombs, arranged in a dense layout that can feel like a maze on first contact. The guide helps you orient yourself so you’re not just staring at dates and names—you’re understanding why these structures look the way they do.

This first stop also includes the story of the Masons connected with the Masonic Cemetery No. 1 area. You’ll hear how groups and organizations played a role in shaping what you see there, including references to unique tombs.

What I like about starting here: it sets up your expectations for the rest of the tour. By the time you reach St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2, the maze won’t feel random. You’ll have a mental map and some context for what you’re looking at.

Potential drawback at this stage: because you’re walking among tombs and narrow paths, comfortable shoes matter more than you’d expect. If your feet get sore quickly, you’ll feel it sooner at the first cemetery.

Charity Hospital Cemetery: the Katrina Memorial and the people behind it

The emotional center of the tour is the Katrina Memorial at Charity Hospital Cemetery. The guide will bring you in to pay respects and explain what you’re seeing in context.

This stop is also where the tour shifts from cemetery design to human scale. You’ll learn that thousands of people are buried in the graveyard behind the Katrina Memorial. That detail changes how you experience the space. It’s not just about how tombs are built; it’s about why the cemetery matters now.

Why this is valuable: it prevents the tour from turning into a purely architectural experience. You leave with a stronger understanding of how New Orleans processes loss, public memory, and the aftermath of major events.

One note for your expectations: since this portion is about respect and remembrance, keep your pace quiet. Save your camera time for when the guide indicates it’s appropriate and you’re not interrupting others.

St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2: Irish immigrants and a second tomb maze

St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 brings a different layer to the same overall style. You’ll explore more maze-like tomb areas and learn about New Orleans’ connection to Irish immigrants.

This is where the tour becomes more than a single-theme walkthrough. You can compare the two cemeteries in your head: similar above-ground structures, but different story emphasis. The guide helps you connect that to immigration history and how communities left their mark.

What to watch for on your own time during this stop: the tour is set up so you can pause and look around, not just march forward nonstop. Some guides even create small moments of fun, like prompts for playful tombstone searching—an idea shared by visitors is to find a birthday on tombstones for a quick game.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys mixing serious with a little lightness, this stop hits that balance well.

Price and value: why $35 makes sense here

The price is $35 per person for about 90 minutes. That’s not a bargain-only price, but it’s also not one of those tours where you feel like you’re paying mainly for access.

Here’s where the value comes from:

• You’re guided inside three cemeteries, not just walking past gates.
• The experience is built around a local guide (described as 5-star by the tour info), which is what turns a confusing warren of tombs into something readable.
• You get both context (burial customs, Masons, Irish immigrant connections) and a specific remembrance stop tied to Katrina.

Also, meeting at G’s Pizza on Bienville Street means you likely won’t need hotel pickup. That keeps costs down and simplifies logistics.

Not included: you won’t get food or drinks, so plan for your own water. The walk and the stories can make you thirsty.

What you should bring (and what can slow you down)

Plan for a walking tour that’s active even though it’s only 90 minutes total.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes (non-negotiable for uneven paths and lots of time on your feet)
• Water (the guide info explicitly calls for it)

Don’t plan on:

• Video recording (not allowed)
• Pets (not allowed)

And because tours happen rain or shine, bring whatever helps you stay comfortable in wet weather—especially footwear that handles puddles without slipping.

If you’re someone with low endurance, keep in mind the tour is described as not suitable for lower fitness levels. You’ll be moving through multiple cemetery sections with limited chances to fully sit and recharge.

Who this tour is best for

I’d recommend this tour if you:

• want real context for New Orleans history that isn’t just names and dates
• like story-led walks where the guide helps you interpret what you’re seeing
• feel curious about how communities handle memory and space—especially in places with above-ground tombs

It’s also a good choice if you enjoy a respectful tone. This isn’t a ghost-story performance. It’s about burial customs and local meaning, with Katrina Memorial as the emotional anchor.

If you hate walking, or if you need frequent mobility breaks, you may want to skip this one. The tour calls out substantial walking, and your experience will depend on being able to keep moving.

Should you book New Orleans: Secrets and Societies Cemetery Experience?

If you want a guided route through three major cemeteries that explains burial customs and the social groups connected to them—plus a serious stop at the Katrina Memorial—this is a strong pick for your New Orleans time.

Book it if:

• you’re excited by historical detail you can actually see
• you can handle comfortable shoes and steady walking for about 90 minutes
• you want a balance of Irish connection, Masonic context, and Katrina remembrance

Skip it if:

• you don’t do well with walking
• you expect a quick photo tour with minimal interpretation
• you need accessibility features not mentioned in the tour details

When you have the right expectations, this kind of visit sticks. You don’t just leave with photos—you leave understanding why the city buries its dead the way it does.

FAQ

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet your guide at G’s Pizza on Bienville Street.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 90 minutes.

What does the tour cost?

It costs $35 per person.

How many cemeteries does the tour include?

You’ll visit three cemeteries with guided walking inside each.

Which places are included on the route?

You’ll tour St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1, St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2, and Charity Hospital Cemetery, including the Katrina Memorial.

Is the tour guided?

Yes. It’s a live guide and the tour is in English.

Is video recording allowed?

No, video recording is not allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and water.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The tour takes place rain or shine, but it can still be canceled due to poor weather conditions or minimum numbers.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It’s not suitable for people with low level of fitness, since there is a substantial amount of walking.