Metairie Cemetery turns a stroll into a story with teeth. This guided walk through New Orleans’ most eye-catching graveyard culture is led by Sally Asher, and it pairs dramatic monuments with clear explanations you can actually use.

I especially like how the tour focuses on symbolism you’d otherwise miss. You’ll see big names and bigger mausoleums, from Anne Rice’s tomb to the guarded pyramid watched over by a sphinx, with the “why” behind the design spelled out in plain language.

One thing to consider: it’s about 2 miles of walking, and it runs rain or shine, so you’ll want comfy shoes and a plan for the weather.

Key things I’d circle on your must-do list

• Sally Asher’s storytelling makes tomb design and cemetery customs click fast
• Millionaire’s Row shows off extravagant mausoleums and what they symbolize
• Anne Rice’s resting place plus other famous locals tied to the city’s myths and reality
• The sphinx-guarded pyramid and its symbolism, explained as you see it
• A wide cast of inhabitants: mayors, mob bosses, law enforcement, Carnival royalty, and journalists
• Entry to Lake Lawn Metairie so you’re not stuck with just one pocket of the cemetery world

Metairie Cemetery, Millionaire’s Row, and Why This Tour Feels Different

Metairie Cemetery isn’t trying to be spooky for tourists. It’s more interesting than that. It’s a whole outdoor gallery of New Orleans values—status, faith, family pride, and the city’s flair for turning even death into architecture.

The tour I like best is the one that teaches you how to look. You’re not just walking past stones and statues. You learn what the symbols mean, how the tombs are built, and why certain families invested in marble, glass, and elaborate forms. That lens makes everything you see feel sharper and more personal.

Meet Sally Asher: The Guide Who Turns Monuments Into Meaning

This tour’s main strength is the guide. Sally Asher is described as a writer, lecturer, and historian who’s done years of study and preservation work, and you can feel the difference in how she tells the story.

What I like is that the explanations stay practical. She points out architectural details and sculpture choices as you walk, then connects them to the people and the era—so the cemetery stops being a blur of fancy structures. The most praised part is her storytelling style: engaging, inclusive, and grounded in truth rather than vague legend.

That matters for you because cemetery tours can go one of two ways: either the guide rattles off names and dates, or the guide makes you feel like the place is alive. This one is built around making you notice things.

Millionaire’s Row: Where Extravagance Has a Purpose

Millionaire’s Row is the part people talk about for a reason. The tombs here are the kind of serious spending that tells you this wasn’t just about burial. It was about legacy, identity, and being remembered in a way that matched New Orleans’ love of drama.

As you move through, you’ll learn to spot design choices that aren’t random. Many structures use shape, ornament, and placement to signal family standing and beliefs. Once you’re taught that, the walk becomes easier to follow—and more fun—because you’re reading the cemetery like a book.

Al Copeland’s tomb: Popeyes and local power

You’ll stop at Al Copeland’s tomb, tied to the Popeyes founder. This is a smart inclusion because it anchors the tour in a modern New Orleans story. You get to see how wealth and fame show up in burial choices, not just in headlines.

Anne Rice’s resting place

You’ll also visit Anne Rice’s tomb. If you’ve read her work, you’ll likely feel the extra layer here. If you haven’t, it still works because the guide uses her presence to show how the cemetery reflects the city’s cultural magnetism—people drawn to New Orleans, people shaping it, and people still remembered long after they’re gone.

The Sphinx-Guarded Pyramid: Symbolism in Stone

One of the most memorable stops is the pyramid guarded by a sphinx. This is where the tour’s “look closer” approach really pays off, because a pyramid is instantly recognizable—but symbolism is often where people miss the point.

Here, you’re not just seeing an odd feature in an otherwise traditional cemetery setting. You’re learning what the symbolism represents and how it connects to ideas of protection, meaning, and the way different cultures and beliefs influenced monument choices in New Orleans.

This is also a good break in pace. After the big flashy tombs, the pyramid feels like a puzzle. The guide helps you interpret it without making you feel lost.

Learning the People: Mob Bosses, Mayors, Carnival Kings, and More

Metairie is famous for its famous residents, and this tour leans into that. But the best part isn’t the name-dropping. It’s how the guide connects those lives to the city’s larger story.

You’ll hear about a mix of inhabitants, including:

• mayors and governors
• law enforcement
• Kings of Carnival
• mob bosses
• groundbreaking journalists

That range is valuable for you because it shows Metairie as a slice of New Orleans society, not just a cemetery for one kind of person. The city’s power structure, its art culture, its press, and its underworld all leave traces here—sometimes in the same walk.

And since the guide answers questions and adjusts the pace to what your group wants, you can lean into the parts you care about. Want architecture? You’ll get it. Want the human stories? You’ll get those too.

Jewels, Glass, and Limestone: How Religion and Design Meet

This tour doesn’t treat tombs as ornaments only. You’ll also see how materials and style can signal faith and identity.

One stop includes a tomb with jewel-stained-glass windows. Even if you don’t know anything about cemetery symbolism, stained glass is visually loud in the best way. The guide explains what you’re seeing so it becomes more than pretty light and color—it turns into a clue about belief and artistic intent.

Another highlight is an Islamic-inspired limestone tomb built by a Confederate general for his daughter. That specific detail is powerful because it forces you to look at the contradiction and complexity: a family tied to one part of the era’s power, while choosing a style linked to different cultural influences. It’s the kind of nuance a generic tour would skip.

You’ll leave with a better understanding of why New Orleans cemeteries look so different from what many people expect from American burial grounds.

Lake Lawn Metairie Entry: Seeing More Than One Cemetery Mood

The tour includes entry to Lake Lawn Metairie as well, so you’re not limited to one section of the cemetery world. That helps you compare how monuments, landscaping, and design choices shift across space—even when the overall culture of the place feels consistent.

Practically, it also keeps the two-hour format from feeling repetitive. You move through distinct pockets of cemetery atmosphere, which makes the walk feel like a curated route rather than a loop.

What the 2-Mile Walk Feels Like Under Nearly 1,000 Trees

The tour covers about 2 miles of walking. That’s not a distance-killer, but it is long enough that your choices matter: shoes, water, and sun protection.

The cemetery is lined with shade—described as almost 1,000 trees—and that helps, especially during warmer parts of the day. Still, it’s outdoors the whole time. The tour runs in rain or shine, so bring the basics and stay flexible.

What to bring is clearly spelled out: comfortable shoes, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes. One bonus detail from the experience is that the guide has been known to provide things like water or an umbrella when needed—so even if you show up a little underprepared, you’re not guaranteed to get completely stuck.

Tip for you: treat this like a museum walk outdoors. Slow down at the stops. If you’re hurrying, you’ll miss the clues the guide is pointing at.

Price and Value: Is $35 Worth a Two-Hour Cemetery Tour?

At $35 per person for a 2-hour guided experience, this is the kind of price that feels fair when you factor in what’s included.

You’re getting:

• a guided walking tour with a local author and historian
• entry to Metairie Cemetery
• entry to Lake Lawn Metairie
• insider tips for local food, music, and culture

The entry fees matter because cemetery access isn’t always free or flexible on your own. Paying for a guide matters too, because the whole point here is interpretation—knowing what you’re looking at, why it was built, and what the symbolism is doing.

If you already love architecture and New Orleans culture, this price is easier to justify. If you’re only interested in fast scares, you might decide it’s better as a history-minded add-on rather than a top priority.

Where to Start: Law Enforcement Memorial Meeting Point

You’ll meet your guide at the Law Enforcement Memorial, to the right of the funeral home. Take a right at the stop sign, then use any of the entry gates to reach the memorial.

If you’re driving, there’s parking in the lot. I like having a clear meeting point like this because cemetery tours can be easier when you’re not guessing which entrance is correct.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour fits you if:

• you love cemeteries as art and storytelling spaces
• you care about architecture, symbolism, and the meaning behind design
• you’re interested in New Orleans’ full cast, including power, crime, politics, music culture, and journalism
• you want a guide who answers questions and adapts to what your group cares about

You might skip it if:

• you want a mostly casual walk with little explanation
• you can’t comfortably do about 2 miles outdoors
• you’re expecting a quick photo tour with minimal walking and minimal context

Should You Book Millionaire’s Tombs of Metairie Cemetery?

If you’re the type who reads plaques, studies details, and enjoys learning how a place works, I think you’ll be happy you booked. The standout advantage is Sally Asher’s ability to make the cemetery feel understandable and alive, not just impressive.

For me, the decision comes down to this: you’re paying for interpretation, and the tour is built around the kind of guidework that turns “cool monuments” into real understanding. Add the included cemetery entry and that wide range of stories—from mob bosses to mayors—and $35 starts to feel like a smart deal, not a splurge.

If you’re choosing only one cemetery tour in New Orleans, this is a strong contender.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Millionaire’s Tombs of Metairie Cemetery tour?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $35 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at the Law Enforcement Memorial to the right of the funeral home. Take a right at the stop sign and use an entry gate to reach the memorial.

How much walking is involved?

The tour includes about 2 miles of walking.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes, it happens rain or shine.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.