Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans

New Orleans saves one of its most striking sights for after dark: the City of the Dead, where above-ground tombs replace ordinary graves and oak trees cast long shadows over quiet paths. This roughly two-hour BYOB bus tour takes you beyond the French Quarter to Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, with cemetery walks, ghost tales, and a stop at Morning Call Cafe.

I like two things here. First, you get access to a cemetery at night, something most New Orleans ghost tours do not offer. Second, the tour gives you more than spooky talk: you learn why New Orleans burial customs developed and pause at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, a sober reminder that the city’s cemetery story is tied to real loss.

The main consideration is the tour’s tone. Some guides, including Henry and Roy, have been praised for being funny, warm, and engaging, but the experience can also feel like a BYOB party bus with loud music and only brief formal storytelling. Arrive early, expect some variation from one guide to another, and do not book this expecting a nonstop haunted-house scare.

Key things to know before you book

• Night access to Masonic Temple Cemetery #2: Walk among unusual Masonic tombs after sunset, an experience rarely included on standard New Orleans cemetery tours.
• The bus ride is part of the show: Music, personal stories, ghost lore, and your own drinks shape the mood between stops.
• Guides make a major difference: Henry and Roy receive especially warm praise for humor, local insight, and interaction, while some tours have felt thin on stories.
• The cemetery focus can vary: The listed route centers on Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, while the usual schedule may also include Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, Odd Fellows Rest, or another cemetery.
• Morning Call offers a useful pause: Coffee, beignets, a bathroom break, and a change of pace come midway through the outing.
• Plan for walking and bus steps: The route is mostly flat but is not wheelchair accessible, and you should arrive 30 minutes early at Voodoo Tavern and Poboys.

Why a cemetery after dark changes the experience

New Orleans cemeteries look unusual in daylight. At night, the same tombs feel quieter, stranger, and more theatrical, even when the lighting keeps the paths easy to follow. The setting does much of the work, but the guide needs to supply the context and stories that turn a pretty old burial ground into a worthwhile tour.

The central idea is New Orleans above-ground burial. Tombs sit above the water table, and families or groups often reuse vaults over time. Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 adds another layer because it was founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. Its tombs reflect a fraternal tradition rather than the Catholic cemetery style most associated with the city.

I find the cemetery’s layout especially interesting. It occupies two oddly shaped blocks, with Conti Street running through it, and its triangular form echoes the Masonic square and compass. Cast-iron fences, oak-lined edges, compact rows of tombs, and angular walkways make the place feel planned rather than randomly arranged.

That detail matters because this is not simply a stop where you wait for a ghost story. You are seeing how architecture, religious practice, water, family structure, and social organizations shaped New Orleans burial customs. If your interest is local history, this side of the tour may be more rewarding than the paranormal claims.

Starting at Voodoo Tavern and Poboys

The meeting point is Voodoo Tavern and Poboys at 1140 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. The location is convenient if you are already staying or dining in the Quarter, but it is not the sort of place where you should arrive at the last moment and expect a calm check-in.

The tour asks you to arrive 30 minutes before departure. That is good advice. You may need time to find the exact pickup spot, get a drink for the BYOB ride, and settle your group before the bus leaves. Parking near the French Quarter is limited and paid, so walking, public transportation, or a rideshare is the sensible choice.

The bar can also serve as your pre-tour stop. Drinks are not included, but you may bring your own libations. The rules are straightforward: drink responsibly, respect the group, and do not become disruptive. The BYOB setup can add a festive New Orleans feel, but it is not permission to turn the outing into a private party.

A practical warning: arrive early even if you are not drinking. A few people have had trouble with disorganized pickups, late arrivals, or a crowded bus. One account described a reservation group being overbooked, with one person unable to board, and another described being left behind at a stop. These appear to be exceptions, but arriving early and staying close to the group is wise.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 after sunset

The first major stop is Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, where you spend about 30 minutes walking among the tombs. This is the strongest part of the experience when the guide gives the cemetery room to speak for itself and adds clear background about its design and burial customs.

The cemetery was established in 1865 by Louisiana’s Masonic grand lodge. Unlike Catholic cemeteries with family tombs and famous individual burials, this site is known for communal Masonic tombs. Lodge members pooled money to build large group vaults, creating an unusual pattern of compact, elaborate structures.

The setting is visually unusual even before the ghost stories begin. Cast-iron picket fences enclose two sections. Oak allées mark the northern and western edges. Tombs line up parallel to Bienville Street, while a broad paved promenade leads toward smaller paths between the rows.

Your guide may point out particular tombs, explain the use of above-ground vaults, or invite you to look for unusual details and possible paranormal signs. Some versions of the tour include EMF readers, which give you a playful ghost-hunting activity rather than a guarantee of supernatural evidence. You can also bring a camera and check your photos for orbs or other odd effects, but keep your expectations sensible. A strange spot in a photograph is an entertaining possibility, not proof.

Lighting is another factor. Some people find the cemetery too well lit to feel truly frightening. That is a fair criticism if you want darkness and suspense. The lighting does make it easier to walk and see the tombs, though, and the cemetery’s shapes and history remain interesting even without a scare.

The amount of guided content can also vary. A strong guide builds a story around the cemetery, explains local burial practices, and keeps the walk interactive. A weaker presentation may offer only a short talk before sending you off to look around. If you want detailed history at every stop, ask questions as you walk. That can draw more information from a personable guide.

City Park, Morning Call, and the change of mood

The bus passes through City Park, a 1,300-acre public park dating to 1854. It is one of the oldest urban parks in the United States, with ancient oaks and moss-covered branches that have framed dances, concerts, and old-fashioned duels.

The park portion is less about a formal sightseeing stop and more about atmosphere. After tombs and ghost stories, the wide park and old trees give the tour a different rhythm. At night, the oak canopies can feel mysterious, though the experience is not the same as walking through a cemetery.

The stop at Morning Call Cafe is practical as well as pleasant. You can buy coffee and beignets, and this is the main chance to use a bathroom. The break has been especially useful for people who want a snack or a pause from the bus, but the timing may feel short if you want a leisurely cafe visit.

Do not count on several comfort stops during the two-hour outing. One unhappy account specifically noted the lack of bathroom breaks, while another found the Morning Call stop helpful. The safest plan is to use the facilities before departure and treat Morning Call as the likely mid-tour break, not a guarantee of a long rest stop.

The Katrina Memorial and the tour’s serious side

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial gives the tour its most thoughtful moment. It commemorates 85 unclaimed victims of the 2005 levee failures, connecting New Orleans cemetery traditions with the city’s recent past.

This stop changes the tone. You move from ghost stories and possible EMF readings to a place of real mourning. I appreciate that contrast because it keeps the outing from treating every tomb as a prop. Your guide can explain the lasting effects of Katrina, and you have a chance to pause and pay respects.

The exact combination of cemetery stops may vary. The usual route can include Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field and Odd Fellows Rest, which was reserved for members of a little-known fraternal society. Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 is the clearly described main stop, but you should ask at check-in which sites are planned that evening.

You will not visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 or the tomb associated with Marie Laveau. If that is your main New Orleans cemetery goal, choose a different tour. This outing is better for seeing less central burial grounds and learning how several types of tombs and memorials fit into the city’s story.

The guide can make or break the night

The strongest praise is aimed at the guides. Henry is described as informative, entertaining, and good at choosing clever songs for the ride. Roy receives similar praise for being charismatic, local, funny, interactive, and willing to share personal experiences. A guide with that mix of humor and substance can make a simple bus transfer feel like part of the tour.

Your guide’s personality matters more here than on a fixed museum visit. The bus ride includes live commentary, music, and stories, and the group spends time in open cemeteries where the guide is not reading a long script at every step. A lively guide keeps you involved and helps connect burial practices, local characters, ghost lore, and the sites outside the French Quarter.

The less successful outings have had loud hip-hop or party music, limited explanation, and stories that wander away from the cemetery theme. One account found the music loud enough to aggravate tinnitus, especially from the back of the vehicle. If you are sensitive to sound, consider sitting toward the front and telling the guide early that you need the volume kept reasonable.

The group can hold up to 56 people, though some outings may feel smaller. A full bus can make cemetery walks less personal and boarding slower. Stay with your group at each stop, especially if you wander to take photographs, and do not assume the bus will immediately notice if you are missing.

What $30 buys you

At $30 per person, this is a reasonably priced evening outing if you value transportation, cemetery access, and a guide who can hold a group’s attention. You are paying for about two hours, a driver-guide, live commentary, pickup and return to the French Quarter, and access to a cemetery after dark.

The value drops if you are buying it mainly for polished historical interpretation or a strong scare. Some versions have offered only a few formal stories and more time to explore independently. The BYOB element also means part of the entertainment comes from the group’s own drinks and mood, not from elaborate production.

Compared with a basic French Quarter ghost walk, this tour gives you a different setting and saves you the trouble of arranging transport to cemeteries outside the Quarter. Compared with a serious cemetery history tour, it is looser and more social. I would call it good value for couples, families with older children, and friends who want an easy night with some local history and a little ghost hunting.

Children must be at least six years old. The route is mostly flat and not considered strenuous, but you need to walk through cemeteries and manage a few steps on and off the bus. Wear comfortable shoes and bring layers. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and the bus cannot accommodate wheelchairs.

Who will enjoy this New Orleans ghost tour

This is a good match for you if you want:

• A cemetery visit after dark rather than another French Quarter walking tour
• A relaxed mix of local history, ghost stories, music, and social time
• A chance to see Masonic burial traditions and unusual communal tombs
• A BYOB outing where you can bring a drink and meet other people
• A short evening activity that returns to the French Quarter

It is less suitable if you want a tightly scripted paranormal investigation, long time at several cemeteries, or quiet transport. It is also not the best pick if loud music bothers you, if you need frequent bathroom access, or if visiting Marie Laveau’s tomb is your top priority.

The tour’s average rating is 4.5 from 2,685 ratings, but the spread of experiences tells you something useful: the guide is a major part of the value. Henry and Roy have received particularly strong praise, while other outings have felt short on information. You cannot always choose your guide, so book this for the overall format rather than a guaranteed performance by one person.

Should you book the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour?

Book it if you want after-dark access to a real New Orleans cemetery, enjoy a loose social atmosphere, and are happy with a blend of history and ghost lore. The Masonic tombs, City Park oaks, Morning Call break, and Katrina Memorial give the night more range than a standard haunted bar crawl.

Skip it if you expect a carefully paced history seminar or a frightening paranormal show. For the best chance at a good outing, arrive 30 minutes early, use the bathroom before departure, bring a modest drink, sit away from the loudest speakers, and stay with the group at every stop. At $30, it is a fair buy when you treat it as a guided cemetery-and-city evening, not a guaranteed encounter with the supernatural.

FAQ

Is parking available near the meeting point?

Limited parking is available near Voodoo Tavern and Poboys, and parking rates can vary. Because the meeting point is in the French Quarter, walking, public transportation, or a rideshare is recommended.

How early should I arrive?

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. This gives you time to find the meeting point, handle parking or traffic, and prepare for the bus ride.

Which cemeteries does the tour visit?

The tour typically visits Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 and may also include Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, Odd Fellows Rest, and other cemeteries. The exact stops can 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. The tour does visit other notable tombs and resting places.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Yes. Drinks are not included, but you may bring your own libations. You must drink responsibly and avoid disruptive behavior.

Is the tour suitable for children and wheelchair users?

The tour is limited to ages six and above, though some stories may be too morbid for younger children. The route is mostly flat, but the bus is not wheelchair accessible, and everyone must be able to walk and manage steps to board and exit.