New Orleans: Cemetery Bus Tour At Dark with Exclusive Access

I like this tour because it mixes haunted history with real New Orleans cemetery culture, and it does it at a time when the city feels extra atmospheric. You’ll start in the French Quarter area, ride through key neighborhoods, and then step into multiple cemeteries as your guide tells both documented history and ghost stories.

What I like most is the people running it. You’ll hear nonstop, well-organized storytelling from guides such as Jeff/Geoff, J, Jai, and Carlos, and you get hands-on EMF moments with an expert explaining how to use the readers. The other big win is access: you get exclusive entry to a private above-ground cemetery run by a centuries-old secret society.

One thing to consider: a night tour doesn’t guarantee paranormal results. Several guests say the EMF readings didn’t show anything clear, and even if you do get activity, it’s not the kind of thing you can verify like a science experiment. In other words, come for the setting, the stories, and the history first.

Key things to know before you go

• Exclusive access to a private above-ground cemetery tied to a secret society
• EMF readers included, plus an expert who explains how to use them
• Stops with real context, including the Hurricane Katrina Memorial and Charity Hospital Cemetery
• Nighttime walking is short, with brief cemetery strolls and bus travel between sites
• Food and drinks are available at check-in, with a break at Morning Call Coffee Stand
• Guides run the show, and many guests mention humor, warmth, and lots of Q&A

You can check availability for your dates here:

Why a cemetery bus tour at night makes sense in New Orleans

New Orleans has a different relationship with death than most places. You see it in the architecture, the neighborhoods, and the way cemeteries sit above ground like part of the streetscape. Doing it at dark doesn’t just feel spooky. It also makes the stories easier to hear. Lights are lower. Sounds carry differently. And you’re already in the mood when your guide starts connecting burial customs to the city’s big tragedies.

This tour is built for that mood. You’re not just hopping out for photos and sprinting back to the bus. You’re guided through multiple locations, with time to slow down and look closely at the cemetery spaces your guide is talking about.

Price and value for $36 in a 2-hour tour

At $36 for a 2-hour experience, the value is mostly about what’s included. You get a professional local guide, EMF readers, and visits to 2–3 cemeteries, including an exclusive-access above-ground cemetery. That’s the difference between a quick walk-and-run and something you can actually feel like you got your money’s worth from.

It also helps that the tour has a strong track record. The overall rating is 4.6 with lots of recent feedback, and repeatedly guests mention that the guides give them enough detail to feel satisfied even if they’re not hardcore paranormal believers.

Where you meet: flagship bus and the red door booth

Plan to arrive early. You’re asked to show up 30 minutes before tour time.

Your meeting point is the New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tours area, where you should look for the flagship bus outside the red door tour booth and Bon’s New Orleans Street Food. That matters because this is a nighttime tour, and it’s easier if you’re settled before roll-out.

If you’re meeting friends, give yourselves a little extra cushion for parking and foot traffic in the French Quarter.

Before the bus leaves: French Quarter food and drinks

Right before departing, you’ll have a chance to grab something. The tour notes that you can get a beer or cocktail, or food at check-in. The vibe here is practical: eat something small, sip a drink if you want one, and get your energy up for cemetery walking in the dark.

A number of guests also mention that the tour keeps the group engaged, partly because the guide has a good pace right from the start. If you tend to get impatient on tours, that early energy helps.

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The bus ride through the city: seeing landmarks without rushing

Between cemetery stops, you’ll be on the bus. That’s not a waste of time here. The drive gives you context for why these cemeteries matter to the city as a whole.

Your itinerary includes pass-by or touring moments around:

• the French Quarter
• Mid-City, New Orleans
• St. Louis Cathedral (pass by)

So even if you’re focused on the ghost side, you still get a guided picture of New Orleans geography and the spots your guide is linking to burial history.

Odd Fellows Rest: the exclusive above-ground cemetery moment

One of the main reasons to book is the exclusive access to a private cemetery owned by a centuries-old secret society, with the note that this company is the only one allowed in. On your route, that’s centered on Odd Fellows Rest.

This stop is the tour’s “main scene.” You’ll walk, your guide will set up the cemetery culture behind the stories, and you’ll get time to look around rather than just glance and move on. Many guests specifically call out how informative this visit was, and that they felt they were seeing something they couldn’t easily access on their own.

What to watch for here

Above-ground burial spaces can look surprising at first, especially if you’re used to traditional cemetery layouts. Your guide will help connect the structure to why New Orleans buried the dead the way it did, and then the ghost stories land on top of that foundation.

EMF readers: fun tools, not guaranteed proof

This is a key part of the tour, and it’s also the part where expectations matter most.

You’ll use EMF readers to try to find paranormal phenomena, guided by an expert who explains how to use the devices properly. During the experience, the group gets opportunities to look at documented evidence of the unexplained captured on tour.

Here’s the balanced reality from what travelers have shared: some people come away saying the experience felt cool and active. Others say they didn’t notice anything clear on the EMF reader. One guest even mentions EMF devices didn’t seem reliable for them personally.

So go in with the right mindset:

• treat the EMF moment as an activity that adds to the night’s energy
• let the guide’s explanations set the framework
• enjoy the walking, the atmosphere, and the stories either way

Hurricane Katrina Memorial: remembrance in the dark

You’ll also stop at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial with a short walk. This is where the tour’s tone shifts from “spooky stories” toward something heavier.

The tour information specifically frames this as remembering people lost during Katrina. In a cemetery setting, at night, that’s not just background. It’s a reminder that New Orleans paranormal folklore exists alongside real-world grief and survival.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes your tours to respect the places they’re visiting, this stop is a good sign. The history isn’t only about ghosts; it’s about the city’s pain and resilience.

Charity Hospital Cemetery: yellow fever burial history you can feel

Another high-impact stop is Charity Hospital Cemetery. The description notes that you’re looking at one of the largest cemeteries of the yellow fever pandemic in the country.

You get a guided look with a short walk time on the schedule. Even if you keep your expectations grounded about what ghosts you’ll see, this stop is still worth it for the way the guide connects burial practices to public health and tragedy in New Orleans.

It’s the kind of location where the stories feel less like horror movie lines and more like historical explanation with chills layered on top.

St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1 and other pass-bys

Your route also includes St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1 as a pass-by moment, plus Mid-City and St. Louis Cathedral. These are “see it while you’re there” stops rather than long cemetery visits.

Why this works: the guided bus segments keep the itinerary moving while still giving you a sense of the larger New Orleans picture. If you want to go deep into the cemetery culture, the time is concentrated where you actually get access and guided walking.

Break time at Morning Call Coffee Stand

About halfway through the moving day, you get a 15-minute break at Morning Call Coffee Stand.

This is useful for two reasons:

• it helps you reset before another cemetery stop
• it gives you a chance to grab a quick snack or drink if you didn’t eat earlier

Short tours can feel exhausting, especially at night. This break is a small detail, but it makes the full 2-hour experience feel more comfortable.

How long the walking really is

The walking isn’t huge, but it is in dark, outdoor spaces, so it still counts. Your itinerary includes short walks at:

• Odd Fellows Rest (included as a visit and guided walk time)
• Hurricane Katrina Memorial (about 15 minutes walk time listed)
• Charity Hospital Cemetery (listed as about 5 minutes walk time)
  Plus pass-by segments from the bus.

If you’re generally fine walking a city block or two, you should be comfortable. If you’re mobility-limited, you’ll want to consider that you are stepping out in cemetery areas rather than staying completely on the bus the whole time.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This one is not suitable for children under 10, so it’s aimed at adults and older kids who can handle cemetery settings at night.

It’s a great fit if you:

• want a guided story-driven tour rather than a self-guided ghost hunt
• enjoy the history side of cemeteries and burial customs
• like a bit of audience participation, since many guides are described as keeping the whole group involved

It might not be your best pick if you:

• want a guaranteed paranormal sighting (nobody can promise that)
• dislike walking in dark outdoor areas, even for short stretches

Guides make or break the experience

This is where the tour gets consistently praised: the guides sound like they truly love New Orleans and love teaching it.

Names that show up repeatedly include Jeff/Geoff, J, Jai, Carlos, David, and John. Guests mention humor, enthusiasm, and an ability to explain burial customs clearly without preaching. A few people also highlight that guides answer questions and keep the group engaged instead of just reading a script.

Even if you’re skeptical about the paranormal angle, a strong guide can turn this into a high-quality history tour with spooky flavor.

Comfort, safety, and practical tips for a night cemetery tour

Night tours are fun, but you want to keep them easy.

A few practical tips based on how these tours usually run and what guests experienced:

• Wear closed-toe shoes with grip. Cemetery ground can be uneven.
• Bring a light layer. Night air in New Orleans can feel cooler than you expect.
• If you plan to drink, keep it light. You’re still walking and paying attention to your guide.
• Come ready to look closely. The “exclusive access” moments reward people who slow down.

Also, note that there’s an EMF component. If you feel awkward holding a device at first, don’t worry. The tour states the expert teaches how to use it.

Should you book this tour or not?

I’d book it if you want a guided, time-efficient way to experience New Orleans cemetery culture at night, with exclusive access and an EMF activity that adds to the atmosphere. The price is reasonable for what you get: multiple stops, short walks in key places, and guides who consistently earn praise for knowledge and storytelling.

I’d think twice if your main goal is a guaranteed paranormal event. This tour is more about the experience, the history, and the night setting than about proving something scientific. If you can accept that, you’ll probably have a memorable evening.

FAQ

What is the duration of this New Orleans cemetery bus tour at dark?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $36 per person.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tours, looking for the flagship bus outside the red door tour booth and Bon’s New Orleans Street Food.

Are EMF readers included and will someone teach us how to use them?

Yes. EMF readers are included, and an expert explains how to properly use the devices during the tour.

Which cemeteries are visited?

You visit 2–3 cemeteries, including Odd Fellows Rest and Charity Hospital Cemetery, and you also stop at Hurricane Katrina Memorial.

Is alcohol included?

Alcoholic drinks are not included, but you can buy drinks at check-in and there’s mention of grabbing a beer or cocktail before departure.

Is the tour appropriate for children?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10.

You can check availability for your dates here: