Nothing says New Orleans like a night cemetery walk. This BYOB bus tour takes you past the French Quarter and into the City of the Dead, where above-ground tombs and chilling stories share the same dark streets. I love the after-dark cemetery access and the way the Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 feels totally different from the Catholic cemeteries most visitors see.

The ride is led by a lively crew (guides like Henry, Roy, and Ray pop up often), and they tend to mix history, humor, and interactive ghost-hunting vibes. One thing to consider: the BYOB party spirit can mean loud music on the bus and a less purely scary mood than some people expect, so you’ll want to choose your pace and your expectations.

Key things I’d watch for on this tour

• Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 after dark: unusual tomb design, compact rows, and a central promenade that’s fun to explore slowly.
• Ride beyond the French Quarter: you’ll get brief scenery and neighborhood context without a full-day drive around town.
• A real break at City Park: you pause at Morning Call Cafe for coffee and beignets to reset your night.
• Ghost-hunting add-ons: the tour includes an EMF reader and a guide can help you use it in the cemetery setting.
• A sober ending at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial: you close with a reflective stop tied to 2005.
• BYOB rules and bus volume: bring drinks if you want the vibe, but keep it respectful and be ready for music.

Getting picked up at the French Quarter and riding out to quieter streets

The tour starts at the Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys on Decatur Street (1140 Decatur St). Plan to arrive 30 minutes early, since pickup is staged before departure, and the area can be busy even when you’re not doing anything wrong.

Then it’s on the bus and out of the immediate French Quarter bubble. One of the best practical parts is that you don’t have to navigate the logistics of multiple stops after dark; you just show up, listen, and let the route carry you to quieter neighborhoods. With a maximum group size of 56, it’s large enough to feel like a party but small enough that your guide can still keep momentum.

You’ll also want to dress for a night walk and a bus ride. The guide calls for smart casual, and you’ll be doing some walking on flat surfaces, including a few steps to board and exit the bus.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2: what makes it special, and what to look for

Your first major stop is the Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. This cemetery has a character that feels distinct from the Catholic cemeteries that dominate so much of New Orleans sightseeing, and that difference is exactly why this tour is worth your time.

Here’s what you can notice on-site. The cemetery’s footprint is triangular, with Conti Street bisecting it, and the internal walkways follow the same angular feel. You’ll see cast-iron picket fences dividing sections, and oak alleys lining the northern and western edges. In the center, there’s a wide paved promenade running through the cemetery that gives you a solid walkway between rows, so you’re not stuck crowding the edges.

Why this matters for you: when a cemetery is designed with clear internal routes, you can actually wander. And at night, that becomes the whole point. Instead of a quick drive-by, you get time to look at tombs up close and hear what your guide says about burial traditions and family structures.

One practical caution: the level of “spooky” can depend on lighting and how the guide paces the stop. If you’re expecting constant chills, aim for a broader goal: history plus eerie vibes. That combo tends to land better.

The City Park intermission at Morning Call Cafe (and why it’s a smart move)

Between cemetery time, you pass through City Park, one of the oldest urban parks in the U.S. It’s also a useful pause in the night, not just a scenic backdrop.

The tour breaks at Morning Call Cafe, where you can purchase coffee and beignets. This is a good moment to reset your energy before the next darker stretch, especially if you’re the type who needs a snack to stay patient during any bus-and-walk pacing.

It’s also where you can quietly manage the small stuff that makes or breaks night tours: hydration, a quick bite, and a chance to slow down your senses before you head back into the cemetery mood.

Using the EMF reader and turning ghost stories into an activity

This tour is built around the idea that you’re not only listening. The tour data notes that you’ll have access to an EMF reader, and your guide can help you use it in the cemetery setting. If you’re curious about ghost-chasing tech, that single detail can make the night feel more like a shared mission than a lecture.

In practice, you’ll get the best experience if you treat it like a game with rules. I’d focus on small moments: stand still, watch what changes, and listen for how your guide frames what you’re seeing. Even if you don’t take the paranormal angle literally, the activity keeps you engaged and helps you look longer at the tombs instead of rushing past them.

Also, the guides listed in the experience feedback tend to be lively and interactive. People often single out guides such as Henry, Roy, and Ray for being entertaining and informative, which is the sweet spot on this kind of tour.

Hurricane Katrina Memorial: the reflective stop that changes the tone

The itinerary ends with a visit to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial. The details are clear and sobering: it honors 85 unclaimed victims from the 2005 levee failures.

This portion is important because it shifts the tone from ghost-hunting drama to real-world memory. If you’re doing a cemetery tour mainly for scares, this is still the part that tends to linger after the bus ride ends. It’s a reminder that New Orleans history isn’t just old tombs and ghost stories; it’s also trauma and public remembrance.

If you want to be respectful and present, bring your normal “quiet mode” mindset for this stop. The night will make more sense once you connect the city’s spooky mythology to its real grief and resilience.

BYOB rules and the bus-party factor you should plan for

This is a BYOB tour, but not a free-for-all. The tour encourages responsible drinking and asks you to be respectful—disruption can get you asked to leave. That means you should treat the BYOB as part of the experience vibe, not an excuse to turn the tour into a rowdy event.

What I like about the BYOB structure is that it can make the bus feel social without forcing you to pay for bar tabs during the ride. What you should consider is that some nights lean louder, and music on the bus can get turned up enough to feel like a party bus rather than a low-key ghost crawl.

So, here’s my straightforward advice:

• Bring what you’ll actually drink responsibly.
• Keep volume low if you’re chatting with people nearby.
• If you’re sensitive to loud audio, sit where the sound is less intense when possible, and have a plan (like noise reduction) before departure.

Price, time, and value: is $30 worth it for your kind of night?

At $30 per person for around 2 hours, you’re paying for four things: transportation, a guide with live commentary, pickup and drop-off, and entry/ticketing for the cemetery stop. For a cemetery-after-dark experience, that pricing can be fair value, especially if you don’t want to manage finding locations, walking routes, and late-night timing yourself.

Where the value equation can wobble is time on foot. Night tours live or die by pacing. Some people come away wishing they had more time to wander or more storytelling between stops. Others feel the opposite, that the guide’s jokes, songs, and interactive style hit the right rhythm.

If your priority is lots of roaming time in one cemetery, you should go in ready for a structured tour format. If your priority is a guided blend of history and spooky atmosphere, you’re likely to feel like the price makes sense.

Group size also plays a role. With a max of 56, you’re not in a tiny private car, but it’s not so massive that you feel lost.

Who this tour fits best (and who might prefer a different option)

This works best if you want a night event that feels like New Orleans: part history lesson, part ghost-hunting game, part neighborhood ride. It’s also geared toward families aged 6 and above, though the stories can be morbid, so use your judgment for younger kids.

It may be less ideal if you need a purely terrifying haunted-tour vibe all night. If your goal is maximum jump-scare energy, this tour can feel more like “spooky history with a lively guide” than a straight horror experience.

Accessibility is another key factor. The bus used for this tour is not wheelchair accessible, and the tour requires guests to walk and navigate a few steps to board and exit.

And one more clarity point: you shouldn’t expect the Marie Laveau tomb. The FAQ specifically notes her tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery 1, which is not included.

Should you book the Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans?

Book it if you want after-dark cemetery access, a guide-led story style that tends to be funny and engaging, and a route that takes you past the French Quarter into the City of the Dead. The Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 stop is the kind of change-of-pace that keeps the night from feeling like yet another postcard run.

Skip it or choose carefully if you’re very sensitive to loud bus music, or if you only enjoy tours that deliver nonstop fear with lots of time to linger. Also, if you’re expecting wheelchair access, this isn’t the right format.

If you’re flexible, you’ll likely have a good night: the tour’s value comes from mixing guided cemetery exploration with the fun of a BYOB vibe and a reflective Katrina memorial ending. Just show up early, wear comfy shoes, and remember to keep the group experience respectful.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Is parking available near the meeting point?

There is limited parking near the departure location, and parking rates apply and may vary. Because it’s in the French Quarter, walking or using public transportation is recommended.

How early should I arrive?

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Which cemetery do you start at?

The tour starts at Masonic Temple Cemetery #2.

Does the tour visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

Yes. You’ll visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial as part of the tour.

Does the tour include Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery 1, and it is not included on this tour.

Can I bring drinks, and are drinks included?

Drinks are not included. You may bring your own drinks (BYOB), and the tour asks you to drink responsibly and be respectful.