Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans

New Orleans saves one of its strangest sights for after sunset: cemeteries filled with above-ground tombs, reached by a BYOB bus that leaves the French Quarter. The quiet Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 gives you a look at burial customs, lodge tombs, and spooky local stories far from the party streets.

I like the mix of cemetery history and ghost hunting, especially the chance to use an EMF reader and check your photos for orbs. I also like the stop at Morning Call Cafe, where coffee, beignets, and a bathroom break help break up the two-hour ride. The main caution is that this can feel more like a casual party bus than a tightly written ghost story, particularly when music is loud or the guide keeps the cemetery talks short.

Key points to know before booking

• Masonic Temple Cemetery #2: Walk among unusual communal tombs in a cemetery founded in 1865 by Louisiana Freemasons.
• After-dark access: This is built around nighttime cemetery entry, a rare feature among New Orleans ghost tours.
• BYOB format: Bring your own drinks, or buy one at Voodoo Tavern and Poboys before departure. Responsible behavior is required.
• Guides set the tone: Roy and Henry receive especially strong praise for humor, local knowledge, and engaging storytelling, though the experience depends heavily on who leads your group.
• More than a ghost stop: The route can include City Park, the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, Charity Hospital pauper’s field, and Odd Fellows Rest.
• Come early: Arrive 30 minutes before departure, and board promptly. A crowded bus and late arrivals can create avoidable problems.

Why this cemetery tour feels different

Most New Orleans ghost tours stay close to the French Quarter, where music, foot traffic, bright signs, and packed bars make a spooky mood difficult. This trip takes you away from that noise by bus, into quieter parts of the city and cemeteries where rows of tombs replace the usual Bourbon Street scenery.

The attraction is not only the possibility of seeing a ghost. New Orleans burial customs are unusual to many visitors, and the guide explains why above-ground tombs became such a defining feature of the city. You also hear about lodge cemeteries, pauper’s fields, famous local figures, and the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

At $30 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a two-hour outing that includes transportation, a driver-guide, commentary, cemetery admission, and several stops. It is a good value if you want a simple nighttime activity with some history and a social BYOB setup.

It is less convincing value if you expect a carefully staged haunted attraction, a long list of supernatural stories, or plenty of time inside several cemeteries. The amount of actual storytelling can vary, and some guides use music and humor as much as they use history.

Meeting at Voodoo Tavern in the French Quarter

The tour starts at Voodoo Tavern and Poboys, at 1140 Decatur Street. This is a useful departure point because you can eat or pick up a drink before boarding. Parking near the French Quarter is limited and paid, so I would walk, use public transportation, or take a rideshare if possible.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. That extra time matters here. The bus may fill quickly, and one reported problem involved a group member being unable to board after arriving late. The meeting point can also feel less comfortable during construction or road restrictions, so give yourself time to identify the exact pickup spot.

The BYOB rule is straightforward. Drinks are not included, but you may bring your own. Voodoo Tavern is a convenient place to buy something for the ride, though you should keep it controlled. The operator says disruptive behavior can result in removal from the tour, and that rule makes sense on a shared bus at night.

The vehicle can hold up to 56 people, although some departures are smaller. A full bus may feel lively, but it also means less room and more noise. If loud music bothers you, avoid sitting near the back when possible, since one passenger found the sound level uncomfortable there.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 after dark

The main cemetery stop is Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. Its character differs from the Catholic cemeteries that attract most attention in New Orleans.

The cemetery occupies two oddly shaped city blocks, with Conti Street running through it. Its triangular plan and angular paths echo the Masonic square-and-compass emblem. Cast-iron fences enclose the two sections, and oak-lined edges frame the rows of compact tombs.

The most interesting feature is the communal burial system. Lodge members pooled money to build large group tombs, creating an unusual pattern of shared final resting places. Instead of seeing only individual family vaults, you may find elaborate structures tied to fraternal organizations and collective membership.

You receive admission and walk among the tombs for about 30 minutes. The paths are mostly flat, but you need to handle a few steps to board and leave the bus, and the walk requires comfortable shoes. The cemetery is lit, which helps you see the structures but can reduce the eerie mood.

This stop works best when your guide gives the place a clear story. Roy and Henry are names associated with particularly lively tours, and their style includes humor, local detail, and personal experiences. A strong guide can explain the burial customs, point out notable tombs, and give the cemetery a sense of place.

The weaker version is more basic: a short introduction, a few named graves, and time to look around on your own. If you want an hour of detailed interpretation, this may feel thin. I would treat the cemetery as a chance to observe and photograph the tombs, not as a full academic tour.

Ghost hunting with an EMF reader

The ghost-hunting side is intentionally informal. Your guide may provide an EMF reader and explain how to use it while you walk. You can also take photographs and look for orbs or other unusual marks later.

That equipment adds a playful activity to the visit, especially for families with older children and groups of friends. It also gives you something to do between stories. The tour is family-friendly for ages six and up, but the subject matter includes death, unclaimed victims, and frightening tales, so younger children may find it unsettling.

Keep your expectations in check. The tour does not promise proof of paranormal activity, and the supplied details do not support treating an EMF reading or camera orb as scientific evidence. Think of the tools as part of the fun, not a guaranteed encounter.

The guide remains the main attraction. A funny and interactive host can make even a short ghost story work. A less engaging host, combined with loud music, can leave you feeling that the bus ride took up too much of the evening.

City Park, Morning Call, and the oak trees

The bus route passes through City Park, a 1,300-acre public park that has been part of New Orleans life since 1854. Historic live oaks and moss canopies give the park a more reflective mood than the French Quarter.

The exact use of this stop can vary. You may hear stories connected to the park, pause near a notable oak, or spend time outside the bus. Some guides use the setting well, while others keep the visit brief. The park adds variety, but it may not feel like a major stop if you expected another cemetery walk.

Morning Call Cafe is the practical middle break. You can buy coffee and beignets, and the stop provides a chance to use the bathroom. That matters because the tour may otherwise go more than two hours without a restroom break.

Do not assume food or drinks are included. You pay for your own purchases, and the length of the stop may be around 15 minutes. That is enough for a quick snack, not a leisurely cafe visit.

The park and cafe stop also help explain the mixed tone of the outing. This is not nonstop fear. It moves between history, ghost stories, music, snacks, and casual conversation. If you like a relaxed night with a few dark tales, that blend works well. If you want a serious haunted walk with a steady narrative, it may feel scattered.

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial and Odd Fellows Rest

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial provides the most serious pause of the night. It honors 85 unclaimed victims of the 2005 levee failures, making this more than a spooky sightseeing stop.

Your guide explains some of the storm’s lasting effects, and you have a chance to pay respects. I appreciate this part because it places New Orleans’ fascination with cemeteries beside a real and painful event. The dead here are not characters in a ghost story. They are people whose identities were not claimed after the disaster.

The route may also include Odd Fellows Rest, a cemetery reserved for members of a little-known fraternal society. Together, these stops show how New Orleans burial grounds reflect community ties, social groups, disaster, poverty, and memory.

The supplied route description emphasizes Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, City Park, Morning Call Cafe, and the Katrina Memorial. The FAQ also names Charity Hospital pauper’s field, Odd Fellows Rest, and other cemeteries. Since the exact route can differ, ask your guide at the start which sites your departure will include.

How much history and ghost lore will you hear?

This is where the tour can succeed or disappoint. Several guides, including Roy and Henry, are praised for making the experience funny, personal, and interactive. Their approach can turn burial traditions and cemetery layouts into memorable stories rather than a list of dates.

Other departures appear to offer only a few short talks before sending you off to explore. Some people enjoy that freedom. Others feel the tour lacks a strong narrative and spends too much time playing loud hip-hop or party music on the bus.

The best way to judge the format is to picture a social ghost outing rather than a formal historical lecture. You will likely get useful facts about above-ground burial, notable tombs, and local traditions. You may also hear personal anecdotes and jokes. The balance depends on the guide and the mood of the group.

A bus tour has one advantage over a walking tour: you cover more ground and reach cemeteries beyond the French Quarter without arranging taxis. The tradeoff is less control. You cannot linger wherever you want, and the bus atmosphere may be louder than expected.

Timing, comfort, and who should book

The experience lasts about two hours, though some departures run longer. There is a fair amount of walking, but it is mostly on flat surfaces and is not considered strenuous. Wear comfortable shoes and bring layers, since New Orleans evenings can change from warm to cool.

The bus is not wheelchair accessible. You must be able to walk and manage steps to board and exit. Service animals are allowed, and most people who can walk comfortably can take part.

I would recommend this for:

• First-time visitors who want to see a side of New Orleans beyond the French Quarter
• Couples and friends who enjoy ghost stories with drinks and music
• Families with children age six or older who can handle morbid subjects
• Visitors curious about fraternal cemeteries and local burial customs
• Anyone who prefers a short evening activity rather than a full-night excursion

I would be cautious if you dislike loud music, BYOB party energy, or flexible storytelling. You should also skip it if your main goal is Marie Laveau’s tomb. That grave is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which this tour does not visit.

Is $30 a fair price?

At $30, the price is modest for a guided evening outing in New Orleans. Transportation from the French Quarter, cemetery access, live commentary, and multiple stops give you more than a simple bar-to-bar ride.

The value depends on what you want from the guide. If you receive a lively host who explains the cemeteries, handles the group well, and adds ghost-hunting tools, the price is easy to justify. Roy and Henry are especially good names to hope for, based on the strong descriptions of their style.

If the bus spends much of the ride playing loud music and the cemetery talk lasts only a few minutes, the value drops. You are then paying mainly for transportation and atmosphere. That may still suit a casual night out, but it is not the best choice for serious history.

The overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 2,685 ratings, which points to a generally favorable experience, while the low scores show a real weakness in consistency. The tour provider is NOLA GhostRiders, and the driver-guide can make a large difference.

Practical tips for a smoother night

Arrive 30 minutes early, especially if you want to buy a drink at the tavern or choose your seat. Do not count on the bus waiting for late arrivals.

Bring only what you can manage while walking through cemetery paths. A phone camera is useful, and you can use it for the optional orb hunt. Keep drinks secure and behave respectfully around burial sites and other people.

Ask at the beginning about the planned cemetery stops, the restroom timing, and the expected return time. If you need a bathroom break, Morning Call Cafe is the key planned stop, and the tour may otherwise have a long stretch without one.

If you are sensitive to sound, sit toward the front and tell the guide politely. The bus may include party music, and the back can be especially loud.

The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the provider cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

Book it if you want a low-cost, social night that combines New Orleans burial customs, a few ghost stories, cemetery access, and a BYOB bus. It is especially appealing when Roy, Henry, or another strong storyteller leads the group, and the Masonic cemetery is the part I would most look forward to.

Skip it if you want a polished theatrical ghost show, a quiet ride, or long guided walks through several historic cemeteries. The tour can be genuinely entertaining, but it is not identical on every departure. Go in expecting a relaxed ghost-and-history outing with party-bus energy, and you are more likely to feel you received fair value.

FAQ

Where does the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour start?

The tour starts at Voodoo Tavern and Poboys, located at 1140 Decatur Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. If you drive, allow extra time for traffic and paid parking.

Which cemeteries does the tour visit?

The tour typically visits Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, Charity Hospital pauper’s field, and other cemeteries. It may also include Odd Fellows Rest, so ask your guide about the exact route that evening.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which is not included. You may visit tombs and resting places connected to other prominent people.

Are drinks included?

No. The tour is BYOB, so you must bring your own drinks or purchase one at Voodoo Tavern and Poboys. Responsible drinking is required, and disruptive behavior can result in removal from the tour.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is limited to ages six and up. It includes morbid stories and cemetery settings, so younger children may find some parts frightening.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The bus is not wheelchair accessible. You must be able to walk and manage steps when boarding and leaving the bus.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.