I mean, why would you visit Nola, if you're not going to creep around old cemeteries like a ghoul?…read moreTo me, these old places are peaceful and so beautiful. You take take a bus from Rampart to the St. Roch stop, but know that it's a stop just like any other, so look out. You won't be able to see the cemetery from the bus route, it's a walk a few blocks up. Be mindful of where you are, since I lost some of the party on the way. Enjoy the residential neighborhood facing the park, and if the church is open (Star of the Sea), you might peek in. It's notable for the black and Latina angels painted inside the church. In the cemetary proper, there are chapels, and also stations of the cross.

If cemeteries are your thing then here is a small local cemetery you can check out. Just a few…read moreblocks from the St. Roch market you can follow the path behind the market to this little local cemetery and meander around. It's not a tourist attraction like many of the cemeteries in the city so you won't see yourself buses meandering around either.

St. Louis Cemetery is located at 3421 Esplanade Ave. and runs parallel to Bayou St. John. It was…read moreestablished in 1854. Burials began in 1855 but the actual construction did not begin until 1856. As most of New Orleans' tombs are above ground, it is a very popular tourists' attraction, as there are often tour busses parked outside the gate. Before buying a plot here, I'd consider the hours of operation as the gates are "only" open from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM on Sundays and holidays. These hours can be a little constraining if you work past 4:30 PM. Prior to my dad's passing in Spring 2025, he told us that he wanted to be buried in St. Louis Cemetery 3, as he wanted to close to Bayou St. John, as it brought back fond childhood memories going fishing there. He chose to be cremated, as will my mom one day. They chose a side by side niche for their ashes in the St. Michael the Archangel Cremation Garden, which is a fairly "new" addition to the cemetery. Mrs. Mel Byrd helped us with all the details regarding his final resting place and plaque. There are 2 or 3 mausoleums here as well as countless vaults and above ground gravesites. Even though it's a tourist attraction, most tourists are very respectful when I have been there. Often times, there are no tourists there and it can be very serene. If you are not from New Orleans, this is a good/informative tour outside of the French Quarter.

While still daylight we decided to do some exploring. Years ago hubs and I took a vampire as well…read moreas voodoo tour here. Later Doc and I spent a day while on a road trip. I have watched Double Jeopardy many times and wanted Doc to see the graveyards. This afternoon we visited 3 cemeteries before dinner. We could not enter, just observed from outside the gates. Remarkable how costly their immortal houses must have been. Very unique, many angels. Befitting of what we saw, Doc put Coco on the tv.

This past weekend my husband and I along with some friends visited New Orleans, to celebrate two of…read moretheir birthdays. I have never been to New Orleans so everything was new! One of the most iconic things you must do, is tour a cemetery! We decided on Lafayette Cemetery No 1, as it was featured in movies and the one that one of the birthday girls had to see! It has been closed for many years, I believe they said 7 years, and has recently opened to tours only a few weeks ago! We prebooked the tour, which I would recommend as this was a highly anticipated tour that again has been closed for years. Our tour was scheduled at 11:30 am, and we got there about a half hour early. They tell you to get there early but you cannot check in until about 15 minutes before. There is a local coffee shop directly across, so I wuld recommend stopping in for a snack or breakfast or drink. You are able to bring drinks on the tour. Our tour guide was Cassandra and she was great! She was super knowledgeable, and made it very informing and fun. As fun as you will have in a cemetery. I actually learned so much and as someone who does not love history, I really enjoyed this tour! The cemetery was founded in 1833 as the municipal cemetery for the suburb of Lafayette, which once comprised the neighborhoods of Irish Channel, Garden District, and Central City. The cemetery and suburb became part of the City of New Orleans in 1853. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark. She gave us the history, pointed out some of the people buried here as well as how the vaults work. I never knew some of these facts! The cemetery is very famous for its very well-known above-ground architecture. Almost everyone had an above ground vault with some of the tombs having many family members inside. Obviously you cannot see inside the tomb. The cemetery features over 1,100 family tombs and 500 wall vaults and most of the people were middle working class. We did learn that most of the people passed away from yellow fever. Since New Orleans sits below sea level they went with the above ground tombs. It has also been in many movies and vampire lore, including Interview with a Vampire, Double Jeopardy, The Pelican Brief, Déjà vu , Dracula 2000, The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, just to name a few. All in all this was a fabulous experience. Our tour guide Cassandra was really great and I would take another tour with her! It was about an hour and a half, all walking, no sitting. There are no benches and you cannot sit on the tombs. This was a great tour and I highly recommend checking it out!

This past weekend my wife and I went to New Orleans, to celebrate two of our friend's 40th…read morebirthdays. During our trip we made our way to the Lafayette Cemetery No 1. I've always wanted to do a cemetery tour in New Orleans for a many years. Needless to say I was eagerly anticipating this. Our tour was scheduled at 11:30 am, we arrived a half hour early. As time passed by we got waters and snacks across the street at a local coffee shop. I didn't check or take pictures because I was too excited for our tour... apologies. 11:30 am hits and we checked in with our tour guide, Cassandra. During the tour we learned that Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, just reopened on October 1. They were closed nearly seven-years for repairs, safety upgrades, and infrastructure restoration. The cemetery was founded in 1833 as the municipal cemetery for the suburb of Lafayette, which once comprised the neighborhoods of Irish Channel, Garden District, and Central City. The cemetery and suburb became part of the City of New Orleans in 1853. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark. The cemetery is famous for its distinct above-ground architecture. The cemetery features over 1,100 family tombs and 500 wall vaults crammed into a single city block. Because New Orleans sits below sea level with a high water table, traditional underground burials were impractical. Its design inspired more than 30 other above-ground cemeteries across the city. The cemetery also has frequent appearances in movies and vampire lore. Movies and tv shows that include Interview with a Vampire, Double Jeopardy, The Pelican Brief, Déjà vu , Dracula 2000, Hard Target, Jonah Hex, Black and Blue, The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. All in all this was a fabulous experience. Our tour guide Cassandra was fantastic. The quality of the tour was 10 out of 10. This is tour is something I'd highly recommend.

Ok so here's what you're gonna do, you're gonna check the hours online, you're gonna go down to…read moreCanal and get on the streetcar called Cemetaries. (Sorry theatre buffs, there's no longer a streetcar named Desire in Nola, but the Cemetaries car remains). Enjoy the ride out, and at the end of the line, there's a bunch of cemetaries showcasing some beautiful masonry. These old above ground cemetaries are something that makes Nola special and really should be seen in person. And the vintage streetcar ride is something fun to do anyways. At the end stop there's a coffee shop for refreshing, if you need it. Oddfellows is always closed, the others you can walk around in. (It's a lot of ground to cover and I might say, none of the group that went was up for traversing the entire area). Imho, you can't leave Nola without paying your respects to the unidentified victims of Hurricaine Katrina. The nameless black granite pillars were placed in the shape of a hurricaine swirling and the plaque explains further. These people were never identified, but the city would not allow them to be forgotten. A class act by the city to make sure all had a final, respectful resting place. Nearby is an area dedicated to those who donated their bodies to science for learning at LSU.

At the dogleg of Canal BLVD where it intersects with City Park Avenue, the St Patrick's cemeteries…read moreare not the absolute most popular ones to visit, but these peaceful places are still a sight to behold. They are well maintained and look great. If you are coming at the end of the day, please be aware that they lock the gates promptly at closing times. The few employees I have encountered were friendly and informative. I am so sure that to outsiders, reviewing of a cemetery is odd, but this is New Orleans, and the cemeteries have to be above ground because of our being so close to the water tables and sea level. There are larger cemeteries in this area and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial as well, so it is just so easy to hit a couple to appreciate the beauty. I am not sure why there are separate listings for all of the cemeteries, but here they all are. Cemetery number 2 is listed here. https://www.yelp.com/biz/st-patrick-cemetery-no-2-new-orleans Cemetery number 3 is listed here https://www.yelp.com/biz/st-patricks-cemetery-no-3-new-Orleans The cemeteries all together is listed here https://www.yelp.com/biz/st-patrick-cemeteries-and-mausoleum-new-orleans?osq=st+patricks+cemetery https://nolacatholiccemeteries.org/our-history http://gonola.com/2014/11/03/nola-history-the-irish-cemeteries.html

Located at Canal and Canal, the three St. Patrick Cemeteries were established in 1841 by Catholic…read moreIrish immigrants who formed the parish in 1833. Initially, traditional in-ground burials were the preferred type due to cultural preferences and cost. However, the Yellow Fever Epidemics of 1847 and 1853 and water table in New Orleans changed the landscape of the cemetery. In August of 1853, 1,300 people died of yellow fever each week. The Irish and German immigrants were especially hard hit by the epidemic. In the month of just August 1853, over a thousand yellow fever victims were laid to rest in St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1. The massive numbers of interments within such a short period of time led to St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1 being less organized in distinct rows than St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 and 3. St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 and 3 follow a more formal layout in organized rows. The tombs reflect the changing demographics of the St. Patrick congregation over time as many English, French, and Italian surnames are represented. The beautiful Pietà in St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 was erected by Father Raymond Carra pastor of St. Patrick's Church, during the 1910s or early 1920s. It is a peaceful cemetery to visit on a visit to New Orleans.

Not quite sure how to rate a cemetary. I think they're interesting for various reasons, and in New…read moreOrleans particularly because the plots are all above ground and have so much character. I'm intrigued by the ornate designs of some of the headstones and the grand stature of the mausoleums. I wonder what it all means; why a family chooses something very simple and another chooses something so grand. Is it to flaunt wealth and status even after death? Do people just buy what they can afford? Why are there fences/chains around some and not others? Do people get buried with their parents and siblings anymore, leaving their spouses and children to be buried elsewhere? And for those who have been deceased since or before the early 1900s...do they still get visitors? In New Orleans there are cemeteries all around so finding one to visit should be easy, but check the internet because some have restricted hours and charge a fee.

I had heard so much about St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 but didn't get a chance to visit during my…read moreprevious trip to NOLA so this time, I made sure not to miss it and its dating back to 1789, this is one oldest and most fascinating cemeteries in neighborhood...Having traveled throughout Europe and visited many historic cemeteries, I found the architecture here truly unique. The narrow pathways, beautiful above-ground tombs, and elaborate family mausoleums reminded me of some historic cemeteries I visited in Italy. The French and Spanish architectural influences are especially interesting. One of the most surprising things I learned was that a single family tomb could hold multiple generations, sometimes dozens of people over the years! All in One! Our guide explained how the burial spaces were reused and how these traditions developed. The cemetery reflects NOLA's diverse cultural heritage(French, Spanish, Italian, African, and Caribbean influences). I also found the stories about the city's different religious communities and burial traditions fascinating. My main reason for visiting was to see the famous tomb traditionally associated with Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and Nicolas Cage's unusual pyramid-shaped future tomb. The history, legends, and mysterious stories surrounding these places make the cemetery even more intriguing. It definitely has a spooky atmosphere, especially when you imagine how many generations of people are buried there.... Our tour guide was absolutely fantastic! Knowledgeable, hilarious, and full of interesting and scary stories. He kept us laughing throughout the tour while explaining the history, architecture, burial customs, and local legends. Honestly, he made the experience even better!Although I had considered taking a nighttime ghost tour, I preferred visiting in the morning. You know why! LOL...But also I wanted to appreciate the architecture and historical details in daylight, and I'm glad I did! My advice: Read about the cemetery's history before visiting, especially Marie Laveau, the unique burial traditions, and Nicolas Cage's pyramid tomb. Knowing some of these stories beforehand makes the experience much more meaningful. Also, PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS in advance, confirm the cemetery is OPEN, and check tour availability. You cannot enter independently; an authorized guided tour is required. At around $29 per person, I found the tour well worth the price.definitely money well spent! A fascinating combination of history, architecture, culture, and a little mystery! Definitely one of the most memorable and unique places I visited in New Orleans. Don't miss it! Highly recommend!

Let me just begin with my new friend BUDDYYYY!!!!!…read more Buddy is the heart and excitement behind the tours of this cemetery. Buddy kept the quest enticing, spoke the history and stories of each stop with dignity and respect. Buddy was very kind and made sure each patron upheld their personal dignity to the cemetery to make sure integrity was kept for every guest included, along with the residents resting inside. I would HIGHLY recommend Buddy for the cemetery journey because my friend did not treat it as a tourist attraction, buddy treated it how it should be. Learning the culture, traditions and curiosities that lay behind the cemetery walls. Buddy, thank you for this immaculate experience and thank you for becoming a welcoming friend! See you again in the future! - YOUR DETROIT GIRLS

A great old crumbling cemetery. The cemetery was made possible in 1838 by New Orleans…read morephilanthropist Stephen Henderson whose estate left property to the Firemen's Charitable & Benevolent Association. The charitable association sold this property to fund the purchase of the cemetery site at the very end of the Canal Streetcar Line. Crowning this imposing entrance was the motto: "Here to their bosom mother earth, take back in peace what thou has given, and, all that is of heavenly birth, God in peace recall to heaven." Shortly after opening the cemetery, the remains of volunteer firemen entombed elsewhere were moved to Cypress Grove. Tombs at Cypress Grove are among the nation's leading examples of memorial architecture. Its located a few minutes walk from the Katrina Memorial so a good little twofer.

This is an active cemetery, meaning that people are laying their loved ones to rest here-it's not…read morejust old graves. So when walking through, please be sensitive and respectful of that. It's absolutely fascinating to me how the burial process works here. I'm used to attending funerals where the person is laid to rest in a casket six feet under the earth. Here, it's different. Because you'll hit water after digging two feet (remember, New Orleans is built on top of a swamp), it's not practical to bury people this way. Instead, there are these beautiful and eerie above-ground tombs that people are placed in. I learned that the deceased person is put in a pine box, then put onto a shelf inside the tomb. 366 days later (a year and one day), the person's remains (usually just bones and dust by that point), are pushed to the back of the shelf, falling down to the open ground below (still inside the tomb). This is how the family burial tomb works. It's shared amongst multiple people; often many generations. I also learned that it's not uncommon for a family to have a note ("mortgage") on their tomb. Not surprised, since those things are massive, I'm sure they cost a pretty penny. It was one of the highlights of our trip-visiting the cemetery and learning about how culture, environment and tradition play a role in this process. I'd strongly encourage anyone with a hint of curiosity to take the time to visit.

Great way to invest back into the city as part of the funds from your tickets go back to preserving…read moresome of the tombs there. Buddy our tour guide lead with humor and his heart. He clearly loves this city and this space. Great value.

Truly an enjoyable experience. Had a great tour guide and learned some uncanny interesting facts!read more