Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans

New Orleans saves some of its most unusual stories for after sunset. This BYOB cemetery tour leaves the French Quarter for Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, where above-ground tombs, iron fences, dark oak trees, and Masonic symbols give the evening a setting that feels very different from a standard bar-and-ghost walk.

I like the chance to enter a cemetery at night, and I like that the bus carries you beyond the familiar French Quarter. Guides such as Henry, Roy, and Ray have earned especially strong praise for bringing humor and local detail to the ride. The main drawback is that the experience can lean more toward a lively party bus than a carefully built ghost story, depending on your guide and group.

Key points to know before you book

• After-dark cemetery access: The tour visits Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 and may include Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, Odd Fellows Rest, or other sites depending on the route.
• A history-first setting: You learn about New Orleans burial customs, communal tombs, and the city’s response to Hurricane Katrina.
• BYOB changes the mood: You may bring your own drinks, but loud or disruptive behavior can get you removed.
• Morning Call provides a useful break: Coffee, beignets, and bathroom access help break up the bus ride and cemetery walks.
• Guide quality matters: Henry, Roy, and Ray receive especially warm praise, but some departures offer only brief talks before free time.
• Plan for walking and steps: Paths are mostly flat, but the bus is not wheelchair accessible and you need to climb aboard.

What this New Orleans ghost tour really offers

At $30 per person, this is one of the less expensive ways to see New Orleans burial grounds after dark. You are paying for a driver-guide, transportation, live commentary, cemetery access, and roughly two hours on the road and on foot.

That price makes sense if you want a social night out with some local history and ghost hunting mixed in. It is less convincing if you expect a tightly scripted theatrical performance, several long cemetery walks, or a nonstop run of frightening tales.

The BYOB rule is central to the experience, not a minor extra. You meet at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys on Decatur Street, where you can buy a drink before departure. Some groups settle into a friendly party-bus mood, with music during the drive. Others come for the burial traditions and ghost stories and want a quieter ride.

I would book this for a group of friends, couples, or families with older children who enjoy a relaxed evening with a drink and a little spooky atmosphere. I would choose another tour if your main goal is serious paranormal investigation or a polished, dramatic narrative.

Meeting at the Voodoo Tavern in the French Quarter

The official meeting point is Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, at 1140 Decatur Street. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. This matters because the bus may have limited seating, and arriving late can create problems for the whole group.

The location is easy to reach on foot from much of the French Quarter. Parking nearby is limited and costs extra, so walking, public transportation, or a rideshare is usually the sensible choice. Give yourself extra time if you are driving, since traffic and parking can be slow in this part of town.

The tavern is also useful for picking up a drink or eating before the tour. You should not count on a full meal during the outing. The group eventually stops at Morning Call Cafe, but that is better for coffee, beignets, and a quick pause than for dinner.

A practical warning: some departures have had crowded buses or seating issues. Arriving early gives you a better chance of sitting where the music is comfortable and staying with your party. If loud sound bothers you or you have tinnitus, avoid the back of the vehicle when possible.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 after dark

The main stop is Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. This cemetery has a different character from New Orleans Catholic burial grounds, and that difference is one of the tour’s strongest points.

Members of Masonic lodges pooled money to build large communal tombs. Instead of each family having a separate elaborate structure, groups could share a substantial resting place. The result is a cemetery filled with compact, unusual tombs arranged in rows.

The grounds occupy two oddly shaped city blocks and form a triangle. Conti Street cuts through the site, while the internal paths reflect the square and compass associated with Masonic symbolism. Cast-iron fences enclose the sections, and oak-lined edges add to the night setting.

You will see how practical design and ritual shaped the cemetery. The tombs are above ground, as is common in New Orleans, and the arrangement offers a useful explanation of how local burial practices developed. This is the part of the tour that works best even if you are not convinced by ghost hunting.

The quality of the stop depends on how much your guide shares. Henry has been praised for explaining burial customs while keeping the talk light and entertaining. Roy is especially good at mixing local detail with a more interactive ghost-hunting approach. Ray has also been singled out for his energy and care with the group.

Other departures may be less satisfying. Some guides give a short talk about the cemetery, point out a few graves, and then send you off to look around on your own for 10 to 15 minutes. That can be pleasant if you like quiet exploration, but it may feel thin if you expected a steady stream of stories.

The lighting can also affect the mood. Some parts of the cemetery are well lit, so the setting may feel atmospheric rather than truly frightening. You will get the most from this stop by paying attention to the tomb design and local customs, not by expecting a haunted-house production.

Ghost stories and simple paranormal tools

The tour invites you to bring a camera and look for orbs or other odd shapes in your photographs. Some departures also provide EMF readers, giving you a basic tool for testing possible paranormal activity.

Think of this as a playful extra rather than scientific equipment or proof of ghosts. It can make the cemetery walk more interactive, particularly for families and groups who enjoy comparing photos and readings. The guide may also point out graves connected with notable people and local legends.

Marie Laveau’s tomb is not part of this outing. It is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which is not included. That is worth knowing before you book, since some visitors associate any New Orleans cemetery tour with the famous Voodoo Queen.

The tour may instead include Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, Odd Fellows Rest, and other burial sites. The exact route can vary, so you should not assume every departure will visit the same number of cemeteries. The supplied itinerary specifically names Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, while the tour information also describes additional cemetery stops.

City Park, Morning Call, and the oak trees

After the cemetery portion, the bus passes through City Park. At 1,300 acres, this is one of the oldest urban parks in the United States, dating to 1854. Historic oaks and hanging moss give the park a softer, more reflective mood than the iron tombs.

The stop at Morning Call Cafe is practical and pleasant. You can buy coffee and beignets, use the bathroom, and take a break from the bus. This pause is important because one of the tour’s weaknesses is the lack of regular restroom stops outside this part of the route.

Some departures spend time near a large oak tree in the park while the guide tells a story. This can be an atmospheric change of pace, but it may not satisfy you if you expected another cemetery walk or a major historical site. The value depends heavily on the guide’s ability to keep the story focused.

The music on the bus is another variable. Several guides use clever song choices and upbeat music to keep the ride moving. Other departures have been described as loud, with hip-hop or party music taking up more space than the ghost stories. If you want quiet commentary, ask about the sound level early and sit near the front if possible.

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial

The tour concludes its sightseeing with a visit to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, where 85 unclaimed victims of the 2005 levee failures are commemorated. This is not a spooky attraction in the same way as the cemetery. It is a serious place that adds modern New Orleans history to an evening otherwise focused on older burial customs and ghost lore.

I appreciate this change in tone. It reminds you that cemeteries are not only settings for legends. They also reflect real loss, public responsibility, and the long effects of disaster. Your guide explains the lasting impact of Katrina, then gives you a chance to pay your respects.

Some visitors may find the transition from BYOB bus ride to memorial a little abrupt. That is not a reason to skip it, but it does call for respectful behavior. Keep voices low and treat the site as a memorial first, sightseeing stop second.

How much walking and sitting should you expect?

The tour lasts about two hours and combines bus travel with walks through cemetery grounds. The walking is described as mostly flat and not strenuous, but you still need comfortable shoes and enough mobility to manage a few steps when boarding and leaving the bus.

The vehicle is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but every participant needs to walk and climb the bus steps. Dress in smart casual clothing with layers suited to the weather.

The group can reach a maximum of 56 people. That is a fairly large possible group for narrow cemetery paths. Smaller departures may feel more personal, while a full bus can make it harder to hear a soft-spoken guide or stay close to your party.

The tour returns to the Voodoo Tavern meeting point. Do not assume hotel drop-off is part of the standard arrangement, even though one departure included a direct return for a particular group. Plan to finish at the listed French Quarter location.

Is the BYOB setup a good fit?

Bring your own drink if you want one, but treat the BYOB rule as optional. Drinks are not included in the price. You can buy something at the starting tavern, though it is wise to arrive early rather than rushing in just before the bus leaves.

Responsible drinking matters here. The operator says disruptive behavior can lead to removal from the tour without a refund. That rule is sensible, since a loud group can spoil a cemetery visit for everyone else.

I would not choose this outing as a drinking event first and a tour second. The best version combines a modest drink, good music, a funny guide, and enough attention to the burial sites. If the bus turns into a loud party, the historical material can get lost.

Which guide and departure should you hope for?

Guide performance is the largest unknown. Henry receives strong praise for informative commentary, funny delivery, and clever music. Roy is noted for his local perspective, interactive style, and use of ghost-hunting tools. Ray is praised for making a last-minute booking feel worthwhile and for taking good care of the group.

Marcus is described as friendly and funny, though one departure with him felt more like a booze cruise than a scary tour. Other guides have been praised for enthusiasm but criticized for short talks and weak storytelling. That variation is important when you decide how much to expect from the $30 price.

If you can choose among departure times, the late-night outing may offer a darker setting, but darkness alone will not create a better tour. A strong guide who explains the tombs and builds a story matters more than the exact hour.

Who should book this cemetery tour?

Book it if you want:

• A low-cost evening activity away from the French Quarter
• A look at above-ground tombs and Masonic burial traditions
• A relaxed BYOB ride with music and local stories
• A family-friendly outing for children age 6 and older who can handle morbid tales
• A cemetery experience that includes the Katrina Memorial
• A chance to use an EMF reader or check photos for possible orbs

Think twice if you want:

• Marie Laveau’s tomb
• A long, detailed lecture at every cemetery
• A quiet bus with no party atmosphere
• Guaranteed access to several major cemeteries
• A wheelchair-accessible vehicle
• A tightly scripted, frightening performance

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour for the setting, the low price, and the chance to see New Orleans burial grounds after dark. Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 is a worthwhile stop even when the ghost stories are modest, and the City Park and Katrina Memorial visits give the night more range.

I would not book it expecting a serious paranormal investigation or a carefully staged horror show. The experience can be excellent with a guide such as Henry, Roy, or Ray, but the amount of storytelling and the bus mood can vary. Arrive early, sit near the front, bring comfortable shoes, keep your drink under control, and treat the cemetery and memorial with respect. That approach gives you the best chance of a fun and thoughtful New Orleans evening.

FAQ

Where does the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour begin?

The tour begins at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

How early should I arrive?

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

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Which cemeteries does the tour visit?

The route typically includes Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, and other cemeteries or burial sites. The exact route may vary.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

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

Are drinks included?

No. You may bring your own drinks or purchase one at the starting tavern. Responsible drinking is required.

Is the tour family-friendly?

The tour is limited to children age 6 and older. It includes morbid stories and cemetery visits, so younger children may find parts of it frightening.

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.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.