Metairie Cemetery is where New Orleans turns grief into art. You’ll walk among marble tombs, weeping angels, and Roman-and-Islamic-style monuments under a canopy of trees. Two things I really like are the hands-on story style (you don’t just read plaques) and the chance to see the cemetery as a designed landscape of symbolism, not a sad stop. One thing to keep in mind: you’ll be outdoors for about two hours, so hot sun or rain can change the experience.

For a cemetery tour, this one feels unusually lively. The tour includes entry to Metairie Cemetery and a guide who connects New Orleans history, family burial customs, and architectural details into one clear walk. If you’re sensitive to weather or you need step-free paths, it’s worth planning around the cemetery’s uneven ground and the group pace.

Most tours cap at 18 people, and the whole thing runs from 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd and returns there. That small group size helps the guide keep things moving without rushing past the big monuments—though you may still want to bring water since bottled water isn’t included.

Key points before you go

• Metairie is an art-and-symbols cemetery, not just famous graves
• Admission included means you walk in with fewer hassles
• Small group size (max 18) keeps the pace manageable
• Outdoor timing matters since the tour depends on good weather
• Guide stories can be a big highlight, especially with Sally and her podcast

Metairie Cemetery: millionaires, mausoleums, and real burial symbolism

Metairie Cemetery is often described as elaborate, but the first thing you’ll notice is how intentional it looks. Marble tombs, Greek temple shapes, Islamic pavilion touches, shining pyramids, and sculpted details like crying dogs and weeping angels make it feel closer to an outdoor museum than a quiet field. And the scale is part of the point: this is a 127-acre cemetery, surrounded by trees that cool you down and make the monuments look even more dramatic.

What makes the tour worth your time is that you’re not just collecting names. You’re learning how New Orleans people turned status, faith, family memory, and mourning into stone. That’s why guides talk about burial customs and symbol meaning while you’re standing in front of the monument. You get context in the place where the context was designed to be seen.

Also, the theme of millionaires and mausoleums isn’t just marketing. You’ll encounter a mix of figures tied to politics, music, and the more complicated side of old New Orleans life. The cemetery becomes a map of the city’s past—complete with the contrast between polished wealth and the hard edges of history.

The two-hour walk: how the tour actually feels on the ground

This is a single-stop tour in Metairie Cemetery that lasts about two hours. It’s built for a normal walking day: you meet at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, the guide takes you through the cemetery, and you finish back at the meeting point. It’s long enough to hit the famous areas and enough time for questions, but short enough that you’re not stuck out there for your whole afternoon.

A small-group size—up to 18 travelers—matters more than you might think. In a place like this, there’s a lot to stop and look at: carved angels, unusual architecture, and family monuments with patterns and symbols. A bigger group tends to turn into a slow human conveyor belt. With a smaller group, the guide can pause longer at the sites that need explaining and still keep the walk flowing.

A practical note: expect some walking on cemetery paths. One person mentioned a faster pace and bumpy terrain on side paths, which can be a problem for strollers or mobility devices. That doesn’t mean you can’t go—just that you should consider your comfort with uneven ground. If you need smoother footing, ask how the route is likely to move before you lock in your time.

Sally’s story style: what makes the guide experience stand out

The tour experience depends heavily on the guide, and the best part here is how the guide turns stone and dates into people and choices. Sally comes up repeatedly in the feedback, and she’s described as passionate, personable, and serious about details. One review mentioned her podcast, Eat, Drink, and Be Buried, which fits the tour’s vibe: food, music, and burial culture, all connected.

You’ll also notice how guides use small moments to keep the tour human. There’s a recurring mention of crows—yes, crows—showing up during the walk. It sounds silly, but it actually signals something useful: the guide pays attention and helps you stay present instead of treating this like a checklist.

Another useful detail: guides may help with close-up viewing of major features. One person specifically mentioned access to a weeping angel. Even if you don’t get that exact close-up, the larger point is that you’re not just looking at tombs from far away. You’re learning what to look for and why it’s placed there.

Reading the tombs: symbols, architecture, and burial customs

Metairie Cemetery can be visually loud in the best way. One minute you’re looking at a marble façade that resembles a classical structure; the next you’re noticing a crying dog sculpture or an angel figure. If you go in without context, you might understand the beauty but miss the meaning.

That’s where burial customs and symbology come in. The tour is designed around explaining the “why” behind what’s carved or built. You’ll hear about the way New Orleans funerary traditions express identity—family rank, community ties, faith ideas, and memory—through design choices. It helps the monuments stop feeling random and start feeling like messages.

And since Metairie includes people from politics and jazz to Storyville figures and mob bosses, the stories aren’t clean and simple. The cemetery becomes a place where you see how the city’s contradictions lived side by side—wealth and scandal, respect and menace, art and industry. You don’t need sensationalism to enjoy it. The tension is built into the stones.

Getting the value: $35 for entry, guidance, and local culture pointers

At $35 per person, this tour is priced in the “you’ll feel it was worth it” range when you compare what’s included. You get:

• Entry/admission to Metairie Cemetery
• An expert guide
• Insider tips about local food, music, and culture

Admission matters here. Metairie is a place you might pay to access on your own or piece together with other plans. With the tour, the entry is already handled so your money goes toward what you actually need most: interpretation and timing.

The cultural tips are also a practical bonus. You’re in New Orleans, and Metairie can sharpen how you see the city after the tour. When the guide connects burial customs to the larger culture—how people talk, celebrate, grieve, and remember—it gives you ideas for what to seek later: music venues, neighborhoods, and food spots that match the stories you just heard.

One small downside: bottled water isn’t included. It’s a quick fix—bring a bottle or grab water before you meet.

Meeting point and timing: where to start and how to plan your day

You start at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, and the tour ends back at the same place. That simple loop is helpful if you’re combining this with other activities nearby. It’s also the kind of tour where you’ll appreciate arriving a few minutes early. You want time to settle in before the guide starts the first big stories.

Timing-wise, remember this is outdoors and the experience requires good weather. If weather is poor, the provider offers either a different date or a full refund. That policy is comforting, because Metairie looks great even in overcast light, but sideways rain can make walking uncomfortable.

A tip: plan your day so you’re not rushing to catch another timed ticket right after. Give yourself slack. When the guide is telling you where to look, you’ll want your attention free—not split between the tour and your next reservation.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This is ideal if you want a New Orleans activity that feels distinctive and grounded. If you like history, architecture, or anything symbolic, you’ll be in your element. Couples often enjoy it because it’s a shared experience with lots to talk about. Families can also handle it well, as long as everyone is ready for outdoor walking and some uneven paths.

It may be less ideal if mobility is limited. One caution from the experience is that the pace can be brisk and some terrain on side paths isn’t stroller-friendly. If you or someone in your group needs smooth, flat routes, consider contacting the operator ahead of time and ask what the route generally looks like.

If you’re hoping to only see a single famous grave, you might feel impatient. The tour is structured around the whole “millionaires and mausoleums” concept—meaning you get a guided sweep through monuments and symbolism rather than a one-photo-stop visit.

Quick practical checklist before you book

• Bring water (not provided)
• Wear shoes you trust on outdoor, uneven ground
• Dress for the weather; this is a walk under trees, but still outdoors
• If you’re choosing a time slot, pick one where you can stay flexible if conditions change
• Consider asking about the guide option if Sally is available, based on how often she’s highlighted

Should you book the Metairie millionaires and mausoleums tour?

I’d book it if you want an easy win in New Orleans: a tour that uses a famous site as a story platform, not just a sightseeing stop. For many people, the biggest draw is the combination of admission included plus a guide who makes symbolism and burial customs click fast—so you leave understanding what you saw instead of just remembering how it looked.

I’d pause if your group can’t handle uneven outdoor walking, or if you need long seated breaks. In that case, it might still be possible with the right pace and route, but you’ll want to plan carefully and ask questions first.

Bottom line: Metairie Cemetery is one of the city’s most unusual cultural spaces. This tour turns it into a coherent, two-hour story walk. If that sounds like your kind of New Orleans, you’re likely to have a very satisfying afternoon.

FAQ

How much does the Metairie Cemetery Millionaires and Mausoleums tour cost?

It costs $35.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA.

Is admission to Metairie Cemetery included?

Yes. Entry/Admission to Metairie Cemetery is included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

Is bottled water included?

No. Bottled water is not included.

What’s the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 18 travelers.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.