New Orleans Cemetery Bus Tour with Exclusive Cemetery Access

New Orleans buries its stories above ground. This two-hour evening bus tour pairs cemetery access with spooky tales, city history, and a rare night entry into Odd Fellows Rest, a private cemetery normally closed to the public. I like the mix of a comfortable, air-conditioned bus and real walking time among the tombs. I also like the way guides such as Jeff, Geoff, and J balance humor with serious stories about burial customs, Hurricane Katrina, and New Orleans life.

The main caution is that the advertised cemetery count can feel larger than what you actually visit. You spend the most time at Odd Fellows Rest, then make a restroom and drink stop before seeing the Charity Hospital Memorial Cemetery from outside its gate. On a cold or windy night, that last stop may feel brief, and one recent account described missing other cemeteries after too much time was spent at the first stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Odd Fellows Rest is the main event: This private cemetery is the tour’s special access point, with about 35 minutes of walking and commentary inside.
• Most of the tour is by bus: You pass Cypress Grove, Greenwood, and other cemeteries while hearing stories from the guide.
• The ghost angle is playful but grounded: EMF readers add a hands-on paranormal element, while the best commentary puts the legends in historical context.
• You can buy a drink before continuing: The tour stops at Morning Call Coffee Stand for a restroom break, drinks, and possibly beignets, but alcohol is not included.
• Expect a maximum group of 42: The bus keeps walking to a minimum, though you still need to handle a few steps and walk on mostly flat ground.
• Plan for weather and timing: The tour runs in all weather, and routes can change because of parades, festivals, construction, or other city conditions.

Why New Orleans cemeteries look different

New Orleans cemeteries do not look like the grassy burial grounds found in much of the United States. High water levels and the city’s difficult relationship with flooding helped make above-ground tombs a familiar part of local burial practice. The result is a city where cemeteries feel architectural, historic, and slightly theatrical even before the ghost stories begin.

That makes this tour more than a search for spirits. You hear about how bodies were buried, how tombs were used, and why these places matter to the city. The supernatural material works best when it grows out of those real customs.

I would not book this simply to chase a famous name. The tomb of Marie Laveau in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is not part of this route. Instead, you see other notable resting places and learn about the people and communities connected with the cemeteries on the itinerary.

The night setting changes the mood. A tomb that looks solemn in daylight can seem much more mysterious when your guide points a flashlight toward its details and asks you to watch an EMF reader. You can enjoy that part as a believer, a skeptic, or someone who simply likes a good story.

Meeting in the French Quarter

The tour begins at New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tours, at 620 Decatur Street, in the French Quarter. That is a useful starting point because it is close to restaurants, bars, public transportation, and places to get a quick meal before departure.

Bon’s New Orleans Street Food is listed as the opening meeting area. You may want to arrive early enough to get your bearings, use a restroom, and buy a drink before boarding. The recommended arrival time is at least 15 minutes before departure, especially if you are driving.

Parking near the French Quarter is limited and costs vary. I would walk, use public transportation, or take a rideshare if that fits your plans. Do not build a tight schedule around the tour’s end, since routes may change.

You may bring your own drink on the bus, but alcoholic beverages are not included. The tour makes a later stop where you can buy a drink, so you have options without needing to carry anything from the start.

Riding past New Orleans’ tombs

Once on the bus, the guide supplies live commentary as you move through the city. This part matters because you do not spend two hours walking from cemetery to cemetery. Instead, you see more of New Orleans and hear about the above-ground tombs in several burial grounds along the route.

Cypress Grove and Greenwood cemeteries are among the places you typically pass. The bus gives you a chance to view their tombs without stopping for a full walk through each one. That is useful for anyone who wants cemetery history but does not want a strenuous walking tour.

The bus is air-conditioned, and the driver keeps the vehicle comfortable. Several accounts specifically praised the clean, warm bus on colder evenings. Cory and Bruce were singled out for being helpful drivers, while J and Carl were praised for making the experience friendly and fun.

The group can reach up to 42 people. That is not an intimate private tour, but the bus format keeps the group together and gives the guide a microphone for commentary. A smaller group may make it easier to ask questions and spend more time looking at details inside Odd Fellows Rest.

Entering Odd Fellows Rest after dark

Odd Fellows Rest is the reason to choose this tour over a standard drive-by cemetery excursion. The company has exclusive access to this private cemetery, and the tour typically spends about 35 minutes inside.

You walk among the tombs while the guide explains the cemetery and tells stories tied to New Orleans. The site is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization that many people know little about. That connection gives the visit a more specific focus than a general ghost walk.

The appeal is not just the locked gate. You get time to look closely, take photographs, ask questions, and listen to stories without trying to see everything through a bus window. Guides including Jeff and Geoff received repeated praise for their storytelling, local facts, and ability to keep the group laughing while maintaining a suitably eerie tone.

The EMF readers add a simple interactive element. You can use them to look for possible paranormal activity, but the equipment should be treated as entertainment rather than proof. I like that the tour lets you enjoy the spooky side without requiring you to accept every story as fact.

This is also where the tour can run long. One poor experience came from spending too much time at the first cemetery, which meant the rest of the route was shortened. If you want to see every stop listed, pay attention to the guide’s pacing and remember that the private cemetery is the central visit, not just one equal stop among many.

The Morning Call break

After Odd Fellows Rest, the bus makes a quick stop at Morning Call Coffee Stand. The break lasts about 10 minutes and is mainly practical: use the restroom, buy a drink, or pick up a snack such as beignets.

That short pause helps on a two-hour evening tour. You can warm up, stretch your legs, and reset before the final cemetery-related stop. It also gives the experience a small local-food touch without turning the tour into a meal outing.

Do not expect the stop to include refreshments in the ticket price. Drinks and alcohol are not included. If you want something, plan to purchase it yourself.

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial stop

The route also includes the cemetery and memorial connected with the unclaimed bodies from Hurricane Katrina. Your guide explains the lasting effects of the disaster and gives you a chance to pay respects.

This stop brings needed weight to an evening built around ghosts. The subject is not legend or theatrical suspense. It is a real part of New Orleans’ recent past, and the memorial gives the tour a reason to pause and remember the people affected.

At night, the Charity Hospital Memorial Cemetery is closed, so the experience may involve viewing it through the gate and listening to the guide rather than walking inside. This is an important expectation to set. The stop can be meaningful, but it is not the same as the private cemetery access at Odd Fellows Rest.

Some route descriptions also refer to walking by other cemeteries or memorials. The exact sequence may change because of construction, festivals, parades, or other city conditions. Think of the route as a guided overview with one major interior visit, not a guaranteed full tour of every cemetery named.

A ghost tour with real historical footing

The tone depends heavily on the guide. Jeff, Geoff, and J were repeatedly praised for being energetic, funny, helpful, and well informed. One guide helped a person using a mobility device, while another called a late-arriving guest to help with directions. Those details matter because a good guide can make a dark cemetery feel welcoming rather than uncomfortable.

The strongest style blends technical information with human stories. You learn about burial methods, tombs, and cemetery customs, then hear the legends that have grown around them. The humor keeps the evening from becoming too solemn, while the memorial stop prevents it from becoming a shallow haunted-house performance.

You should also expect some personality from the guide. That is usually a strength, but it can be a drawback if your guide spends too much time talking about themselves. One unhappy account described the guide as overly self-focused and felt that too much time at Odd Fellows Rest reduced the rest of the itinerary.

For that reason, the guide is a major part of the value. The tour is not simply transportation plus cemetery admission. You are paying for interpretation, pacing, storytelling, and access. If the commentary suits you, the evening feels distinctive. If it does not, the limited number of stops becomes more noticeable.

Walking, weather, and comfort

The tour is not considered strenuous, and most walking takes place on fairly flat surfaces. You still need to walk through the cemetery and manage a few steps when boarding and leaving the bus.

The vehicle is not wheelchair accessible. All participants must be able to walk and navigate the bus steps. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but anyone with limited mobility should consider the boarding requirement before booking.

Wear comfortable shoes. New Orleans evenings can change quickly, so layers are sensible. The tour operates in all weather, and cold wind can affect your enjoyment, especially during the cemetery walks and the outdoor memorial stop.

The bus offers welcome shelter, but it does not remove the need for weather planning. A warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a small umbrella if rain is forecast will serve you better than dressing only for the French Quarter’s indoor nightlife.

Is $40.32 a fair price?

At $40.32 per person, this is reasonably priced if you value the exclusive cemetery access and live storytelling. You are paying for roughly two hours, an air-conditioned vehicle, commentary, a driver, and entry into a private cemetery that you cannot normally visit on your own.

The value is less convincing if you expect several long cemetery walks. The tour typically gives you substantial time at Odd Fellows Rest, a short break at Morning Call, and a view of the Hurricane Katrina memorial site from outside at night. The other cemeteries are mainly seen from the bus or during brief pass-bys.

I would compare it with a standard walking ghost tour before booking. A walking tour may offer more continuous street atmosphere and possibly more ghost lore, while this bus tour gives you cemetery access and reduces the amount of walking. If you have already done a French Quarter ghost walk, this experience adds something different.

Group discounts may improve the price for families or friends. The tour is booked, on average, about 14 days ahead, so I would reserve early if your schedule is fixed, especially around festivals or busy holiday periods.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this tour if you want New Orleans history with a spooky edge, prefer riding between sites, or like the idea of visiting a cemetery normally closed to the public. It also suits solo visitors who want the security and company of a group after dark.

Families with older children may enjoy the stories and EMF readers, though the tone includes death, ghosts, and Hurricane Katrina. Couples and friends looking for an unusual evening activity should find the combination of bus ride, cemetery walk, and local storytelling easy to fit into a French Quarter stay.

It is less suitable if you want Marie Laveau’s tomb, a long cemetery photography session, or a fully private experience. It may also disappoint you if you picture a nonstop parade of cemetery interiors. The schedule is built around one special access visit and several drive-bys.

Should you book the New Orleans Cemetery Bus Tour?

Book it if Odd Fellows Rest access is the part that catches your attention. That private night entry, paired with a strong guide such as Jeff, Geoff, or J, is what gives the tour its character and makes the price sensible.

Skip it if you need a predictable itinerary with several full cemetery stops. The route can change, Charity Hospital Cemetery may be viewed only through its gate at night, and the experience depends greatly on the guide’s pacing.

For most people, I would call it a good choice for a first cemetery tour in New Orleans, especially if you want history, ghost stories, and less walking than a traditional nighttime tour. Arrive early, dress for the weather, keep your expectations focused on Odd Fellows Rest, and you are more likely to get the unusual evening the tour promises.

FAQ

Which cemetery does the tour usually visit?

The tour typically visits Odd Fellows Rest, a private cemetery with exclusive access for this company. It also usually passes Cypress Grove and Greenwood cemeteries.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

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

Does the tour visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

Yes. The guide explains the effects of Hurricane Katrina, and the route includes the cemetery and memorial connected with unclaimed bodies from the disaster.

Can I enter the Charity Hospital Memorial Cemetery at night?

The cemetery is closed at night, so you may view it through the gate and hear its history rather than enter.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tours, 620 Decatur Street, New Orleans. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Are drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. You can buy a drink at the stop near Morning Call Coffee Stand, and you may bring your own drink on the bus.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

No. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and all participants must be able to walk and manage a few steps to board and exit.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.