A cemetery tour with a phone guide is a different kind of New Orleans walk. Metairie Cemetery Stories blends GPS self-guiding with short, story-focused narration so you can move at your own speed. The whole experience is built to run on your schedule, not someone else’s.

What I like most is the offline setup. Once it’s downloaded in the VoiceMap app, you’re not stuck burning data while you’re trying to find your way. I also like that you get lifetime access, so you can come back later if you want a second pass (or want to show it to a friend).

One thing to consider: this tour is only as smooth as your phone setup. If you don’t test the app and start process before you arrive, you can waste time at the worst possible moment.

Key things to know before you go

• Offline audio on VoiceMap means fewer worries about signal in the cemetery area
• Lifetime access to the tour file so you can replay it later
• Self-paced, private route designed for your group only
• Starts at 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd with directions that trigger the experience when you’re in the right place
• Simple timing at about 35 minutes, which works well as a focused add-on
• Rain-friendly format since you can keep going by car or on foot depending on how you set up your route

Metairie Cemetery Stories: a simple self-guided plan that still feels personal

This is a short, audio-led cemetery experience in New Orleans, paced to take about 35 minutes. The idea is not to sprint. It’s to let the stories land while you stand in place and let the narration cue itself as you move.

You’ll be using the VoiceMap app, which handles the GPS matching so the tour becomes more of a guided stroll than a random audio file. The tour language is English, so you’ll get the full narration without needing subtitles or a second translation app.

And because it’s private for your party only, it’s less awkward than group tours. You can pause, back up, or linger without feeling like you’re holding anyone else up.

Price and value: $8.99 for a reusable guide to Metairie Cemetery

At $8.99 per person, this sits in the budget-friendly zone for New Orleans attractions. What makes it feel like better value than it sounds is the lifetime access. You’re not paying for one moment. You’re paying for a repeatable audio tour you can reuse on another day.

That reuse matters in cemeteries. If you rush through the first time, you’ll likely miss details. If you come back when you’re calmer, the same route can feel fresh because you’re hearing it again with a better sense of where you are.

Duration also helps the value. At roughly 35 minutes, you can fit this in without turning your day into a full-day logistical project. It’s the kind of activity you can do even if you’re already juggling other plans.

Where it starts: Washington Artillery Park and the 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd handoff

Your experience begins at 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 and wraps back at that same meeting point. The tour start location is listed as Washington Artillery Park, so plan to build your navigation around that area.

Here’s a practical point: the tour is designed to start when you’re in the right place. You’ll get directions, and the app should kick in as you line up with the correct position. That means you don’t want to treat the meeting point like a vague suggestion. Give yourself a little buffer to confirm you’re at the actual starting spot before you hit play.

The good news is the tour runs basically all day. It lists 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM, Monday through Sunday, covering the full week during the listed operating dates. So if your day in New Orleans slips a bit, you’re still likely able to make it work.

Using VoiceMap: offline audio, GPS cues, and what to do before you arrive

This tour’s main tool is the VoiceMap application. The tour also includes offline access to audio, maps, and geodata, which is a big deal in cemeteries where cell service can be unpredictable.

What I recommend you do before you leave home:

• Install the VoiceMap app and log in ahead of time
• Download the purchased tour while you have reliable Wi‑Fi
• Test starting the tour once, ideally before you head out for the day

Some people run into problems when the setup is attempted for the first time at the starting point. That’s when directions get stressful and phone batteries start to feel dramatic. If you can, get the technical part handled early, then enjoy the walk when you’re actually outside.

Also note what’s required: you need a smartphone. The tour doesn’t include one, and there’s no transportation provided. Think of this as a “you bring the device, we provide the audio guidance” experience.

The route feel: self-guided GPS means you can drive or walk your own way

A cemetery tour works best when it matches your pace. This one is built for that. You use GPS to follow the route, and you can explore at your own speed. If it rains, you’re not stuck sitting through an unchangeable itinerary. You can continue in a way that fits your plan, including driving parts of the route if that’s how you prefer to move.

I like that the tour is described as flexible. In practice, that matters because cemeteries can be visually impressive in ways that make you slow down, even if you didn’t plan to. With a self-guided system, you’re not punished for stopping to read, look longer, or step back for a better angle.

One more detail: it’s a private activity, so you and your group are the only participants. That usually makes a cemetery tour more relaxed. You’re not sharing quiet space with strangers who might rush ahead or talk over the narration.

What you’ll hear: Faith & Courage in Metairie Cemetery

The tour name is Faith & Courage: Metairie Cemetery Stories, and the narration is designed to turn what looks like stone-and-scroll into story you can follow. The experience is built around the idea that the cemetery holds meaningful lives and meaning that becomes clearer with a guided audio thread.

From the way the narration is described, you should expect:

• Storytelling that’s easy to follow while you’re outside
• A format where the audio and your position work together (so you’re not just listening to random facts)
• Clear guidance that helps you connect what you see to what you’re hearing

I also like that the tour is short enough to stay focused. About 35 minutes isn’t long, so you can finish while your attention is still sharp.

That said, one caution if you’re expecting a perfectly exhaustive list of major graves: the coverage may focus on selected stops rather than every standout marker you might hope to see. If your goal is to catch every key name, you might want a little extra time afterward to browse on your own.

Stop timing and pacing: how to keep from missing important sections

This tour is designed around an audio sequence that triggers as you move. So the biggest mistake is moving too quickly before a segment starts or ending the tour early because you think you’re done.

Here are my practical pacing tips:

• Start the tour only after you’re sure you’re at the correct starting position
• Don’t rush the first minutes; that’s often where the structure gets established
• If you pause, pause where you can still keep your position aligned with the GPS routing

If you notice the tour starting to feel off—like the narration isn’t matching what you’re looking at—don’t just power through. Stop, re-check your position, and make sure the app is still actively guiding you.

Rain, comfort, and seeing more with less stress

One of the nicest things about an audio tour is that it scales to weather. The app format means you can keep going even if the day gets wet, as long as you can keep your phone safe. For New Orleans, that matters.

Comfort-wise, you’ll likely want:

• Closed-toe shoes (cemetery ground can be uneven)
• A phone grip or small way to carry your device securely
• A plan for battery life if you’re listening outdoors for the full duration

If you decide to drive part of the route, think about where you can safely park and where you can walk short stretches. The tour is GPS-based, so you’re still following the route, not just driving toward the next landmark on a schedule.

Common friction points: when the tech is the problem, not the tour

Let’s talk about the reality: some self-guided audio tours fail at the setup stage. This one uses the VoiceMap platform, and setup includes downloading the app, creating an account, and redeeming your purchased tour access code.

If you run into trouble, don’t assume you must suffer quietly. VoiceMap offers support by telephone and email, and the fastest path to help is contacting them with details about what the app did (especially if it loops or won’t start).

A few specific issues to watch for:

• Confusing instructions about where the first tour area begins
• Mismatched map pins or walking distance compared to what the GPS expects
• An experience that keeps looping instead of moving forward

My advice is simple: arrive with time in hand. If you’re doing this as a timed part of your day, build in a cushion so technical problems don’t blow up your schedule.

Who this tour fits best in New Orleans

This experience is best if you want a focused, self-paced way to experience a cemetery story. It’s also a smart pick if you dislike rigid group pacing or you want control over how long you stand and read.

You’ll probably enjoy it most if you:

• Like audio narration paired with GPS direction
• Want a 35-minute activity that doesn’t swallow your whole day
• Prefer replayable experiences thanks to lifetime access

And it can work well for many visitors since it lists that most travelers can participate. Service animals are allowed, which helps make it more flexible for a wider range of visitors.

If you’re traveling as a group, the private format means your party stays together without strangers joining your audio flow.

Small practical notes: transportation, confirmation, and cancellation

The tour doesn’t include transportation, so you’ll want to handle your own way to the start point at 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd. It also says it’s near public transportation, so you can build your day around that if you prefer.

You should receive confirmation at booking time, and there’s free cancellation. If you’re deciding late, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, but after that point you won’t get your money back.

Quick verdict: should you book Metairie Cemetery Stories?

Yes, if you’re comfortable using a smartphone and you can spare time to set up the VoiceMap tour before you’re standing in the cemetery. The combination of offline playback, GPS geolocation, and lifetime access makes it a strong value for $8.99.

I’d think twice if your phone setup is spotty, you hate app-based itineraries, or you’re the kind of traveler who needs everything to work instantly with no troubleshooting. In those cases, the technical step can become the whole trip.

If you’re the typical calm, curious visitor who likes to read and wander at a steady pace, this is a solid way to experience Metairie Cemetery with a story thread that stays with you.

FAQ

Is the Metairie Cemetery Stories tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

How much does Metairie Cemetery Stories cost?

It costs $8.99 per person.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 35 minutes (approx.).

What language is the audio tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I need mobile data during the tour?

No. The tour includes offline access to audio, maps, and geodata, and the tour plays offline.

Where does the tour start and end?

The start is 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, and it ends back at the meeting point.

Is there a cancellation option?

Yes. There is free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.