Nightfall turns New Orleans graves into stories. This is one of the only cemetery ghost tours with after-dark access, and it adds a fun BYOB bus vibe while you walk among above-ground tombs and listen for paranormal hints. I especially love the shift away from the busy French Quarter focus and toward quieter neighborhoods, plus the way the tour blends spooky atmosphere with real burial traditions. The main catch: if you expect nonstop scary moments, this is more eerie folklore and guided history than guaranteed jump-scares.

The ride starts with pickup at the Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys on Decatur Street, about 30 minutes before departure, then you’re out for a roughly 2-hour outing. You’ll spend time at Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, roll through City Park, pause at Morning Call Cafe for coffee and beignets, and end with a respectful stop at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial. It’s also a smaller-group experience, with a stated maximum of 56 people, which helps the night feel less crowded.

Key things to know before you go

• After-dark cemetery access gives you the right lighting for a more eerie, atmospheric walk.
• Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 is famous for above-ground tombs and a distinct Masonic layout.
• BYOB on the bus makes the mood feel like a party-night, but you still need to be respectful.
• City Park + Morning Call Cafe adds a breather with historic oaks and a coffee-and-beignet stop.
• EMF reader and photo tips are built into the ghost-hunting angle for people who want to participate.
• Hurricane Katrina Memorial stop brings the night back to what this city has lived through.

Starting at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys: where the night kicks off

The meeting point is simple: Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys at 1140 Decatur St. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early, since pickup happens before the scheduled departure. With limited parking in the French Quarter, I’d treat walking, rideshare, or public transit as your default plan.

Dress code is smart casual, and comfortable shoes matter because you’ll do real walking on cemetery paths and through outdoor areas. The tour requires good weather, so if rain or storms roll in, your tour can be canceled and rescheduled or refunded.

This is also an English-language tour with live commentary on board, and you get a mobile ticket. If you’re the type who likes to start the night ready, grabbing a drink at the meeting spot helps, since the BYOB portion is meant for what you bring with you rather than something provided on the bus.

One more practical point: the bus isn’t wheelchair accessible, and you’ll need to manage the steps to board and exit. If someone in your group has mobility limits, it’s worth checking this early so you’re not stuck with a frustrating workaround.

The Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 walk: above-ground tombs and Masonic design

Your night’s anchor stop is Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. This cemetery is different from the Catholic cemeteries most people picture in New Orleans, mainly because the burial style here includes lots of elaborate above-ground tombs.

It’s also laid out in a way that feels intentionally geometric. The cemetery occupies two oddly shaped city blocks and forms a triangular footprint, with Conti Street bisecting it. The cast-iron picket fences split the space into two distinct sections, while oak alleés line the northern and western edges.

When you walk through the grounds, you’re not just seeing tombs—you’re seeing a plan. Rows of tombs sit compactly in parallel lines along Bienville Street, and there’s a wide paved promenade cutting through the center to connect to smaller walkways. Even if you’re not a math person, it helps your brain feel oriented, which is useful when you’re walking in the dark and trying to keep track of stories and locations.

Time is planned with a real pace. The cemetery stop includes an admission ticket and is set at about 30 minutes, so don’t expect a long, slow wander. I recommend using that half hour to pick one or two sections to focus on, then take photos and listen closely instead of trying to do everything at once.

The ghost-hunting angle fits this place especially well. Above-ground tombs and wrought-iron boundaries look dramatically different at night, and the tour’s guide style typically builds atmosphere while explaining why these memorials look the way they do. If you love New Orleans for its odd mix of faith, family, and symbolism, this is the stop that delivers.

Rolling through City Park and Morning Call Cafe: a real break in the middle

After the cemetery, the bus route passes through City Park, one of the nation’s oldest urban parks. It’s a huge outdoor space—1,300 acres—and the tour leans on its classic New Orleans feel with historic oak shade and moss canopies that have been part of the city since 1854.

You’ll get a break at Morning Call Cafe, where you can buy coffee and beignets. This is the moment I’d use strategically. If you’re bringing BYOB, this is also a great time to refuel responsibly—coffee, sugar, and a snack are a smart combo when you’re out for a couple hours after dark.

City Park can be a mental reset for the night. You’re moving away from tomb-heavy surroundings and shifting toward a more open, airier vibe. For me, that kind of contrast is part of why the tour feels like more than just a cemetery walk.

Just note the practical rhythm: this is still a scheduled bus tour, so you won’t have unlimited roaming time at the park. Think of Morning Call as a reset button, not an open-ended stroll.

If the weather is mild, this is also the part where pictures can come out well—historic oaks and the park setting give you something beyond just monuments.

BYOB ghost-hunting mode: camera checks and the EMF reader

The tour is BYOB, but the rules are clear: bring your drinks, yet drink responsibly and be respectful. If you cause problems, you can be asked to leave the tour, so keep the energy fun rather than messy.

What I like about this ghost-hunting twist is that it gives you a role. It’s not only listen-and-look. The guide helps you use an included EMF reader to look for signs of activity in the cemetery.

You’re also encouraged to bring a camera to check photos for orbs and other signs people associate with paranormal activity. It’s not a lab experiment, but it’s entertaining. Even if you stay skeptical, it’s still a fun way to turn your time in the dark into something interactive instead of passive.

A quick reality check: this tour is still centered on history and burial traditions, not on theatrical jump-scares. If your idea of a ghost tour is constant fright, you might find the spookiness more subtle and atmosphere-based. The best results usually come from leaning into the stories and the setting—let the shadows do some of the work.

Also, the bus ride itself sets the mood. Some guides are praised for humor and audience interaction, while music volume and vibe can vary depending on the group and guide. If you’re sensitive to loud sound, I’d plan to sit where it’s not blasting your ears and have earplugs if you’re the type who needs them.

What else is on the route: Katrina memorial and other burial sites

The tour ends with a visit to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, a reflective stop tied to the 2005 levee failures. The memorial honors 85 unclaimed victims, and the guide’s storytelling is meant to slow the mood down from haunted-fun into remembrance.

This matters because it keeps the tour grounded in why cemeteries in New Orleans aren’t just old and eerie. They’re part of living memory. Even if you book for ghosts, you leave with a clearer sense that these sites carry real loss and real history.

The tour may also include other burial-related stops. The tour details you have indicate that it typically visits Masonic Temple Cemetery #2 and may also include areas such as Charity Hospital pauper’s field, plus other sites. Depending on the route for your date, you could also encounter additional cemetery locations tied to different communities and stories.

There’s also mention of Odd Fellows Rest during the Katrina memorial segment. That’s a reserved area connected to the Odd Fellows members, which adds another layer to the theme of New Orleans burial traditions: many groups, many customs, one city’s way of honoring the dead.

If you want your night to feel respectful as much as spooky, the Katrina memorial stop is a built-in reset. It’s one of the parts that will likely stick with you after the ride is over.

Bus ride vibe and guide styles: why your experience may vary

This is a bus tour, and your enjoyment will depend a lot on the guide’s personality and the group energy. Some guide names come up repeatedly with praise for being funny, interactive, and strong on cemetery history. Names you might hear in the tour ecosystem include Roy, Ray, Henry, and Marcus, each described with different strengths—some leaning toward entertainment, others toward a stronger history-meets-ghosts approach.

I’d treat the guide as part of the value you’re paying for. The tour includes driver/guide and live commentary, and that live narration is what turns the route from a scenic ride into a story you can follow.

At the same time, not every tour night will match your exact expectations. There are accounts of tours feeling a bit short on narrative momentum, with time spent more on bus atmosphere or extra stops than on cemetery storytelling. There are also accounts of pickup or timing issues, including instances where people felt rushed or left behind, which is rare but worth keeping in mind.

My practical takeaway: arrive early, stay attentive at each stop, and don’t assume you’ll have long free time. If you show up calm, ready, and engaged, the chances are much better that you’ll get the full benefit of the cemetery setting and guide-led ghost hunting.

Price and value: is $30 a fair deal for a night this themed?

At $30 per person for a roughly 2-hour experience, this tour can be a solid value if you like guided cemetery time plus the BYOB-night vibe. You’re not just paying for transportation. The tour includes a driver/guide, live commentary, pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, and admission ticket inclusion for the main cemetery stop.

The cost also makes sense because cemetery access after dark isn’t something most self-guided plans can replicate safely or easily. You’re also getting a packaged route that includes City Park and a meaningful end point at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, which gives the night weight.

Where the value can feel uneven is if you expected nonstop ghost drama. If you want intense paranormal action on demand, you may feel like the tour is more history and atmosphere than a full scare show. If you’re more interested in New Orleans burial traditions and want a fun way to see them at night, the pricing matches the experience much better.

One more value angle: the group size cap of 56 helps keep things from turning into a chaotic crowd-control situation. That matters when you’re walking in the dark and trying to hear stories while people check photos and move between locations.

Who should book this cemetery ghost BYOB bus tour (and who should skip it)

This tour is a great fit for you if you want New Orleans cemeteries after dark and you like the idea of above-ground tombs, Masonic architecture, and photo-style ghost hunting with an EMF reader. It’s also a fun choice for couples and families where everyone is comfortable with morbid stories and walking on flat surfaces with some steps to board and exit the bus.

It’s family friendly for ages 6 and up, but discretion is advised because the tales can be scary for younger kids. If you’re traveling with teens, this often hits the sweet spot of spooky curiosity plus local culture.

Skip it if your top priority is serious wheelchair-friendly access. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and there are steps involved. Also skip if you hate BYOB-style group energy—this tour encourages bringing drinks, and while responsible behavior is required, the atmosphere may feel party-ish to some people.

If you’re doing New Orleans for the first time, this tour also works well as a change of pace from the usual French Quarter-only route. You get cemetery focus, but you also get City Park and a Katrina memorial stop, so the night feels broader than just one neighborhood.

Should you book this NOLA GhostRiders cemetery and ghost BYOB bus tour?

I’d book it if you want a guided night walk through Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, enjoy atmospheric storytelling, and like the interactive ghost-hunting add-ons like the EMF reader and camera-orb game. The route offers enough variety—cemetery, City Park, beignets, and the Katrina memorial—to feel worth the money for most people.

I wouldn’t book it if you need guaranteed jump-scares or if you’re very sensitive to loud music on the bus. Plan to arrive early, wear comfy shoes, and treat the time at each stop as limited so you don’t feel rushed.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes New Orleans weirdness with a side of real respect, this one is likely to feel like a memorable night out.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point, and how early should I arrive?

The tour meets at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How much does the tour cost, and what’s included?

The price is $30.00 per person for an approximately 2-hour tour. It includes the driver/guide, live commentary on board, pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, and an admission ticket for the main cemetery stop.

Is drinks included, and do I need to bring my own?

Drinks are not included. The tour is BYOB, so you can bring your own, and you’re encouraged to drink responsibly and be respectful of others.

Which cemeteries or locations does the tour visit?

The tour starts at Masonic Temple Cemetery #2. It also typically visits other burial-related stops such as Charity Hospital pauper’s field and others, and it includes the Hurricane Katrina Memorial.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis cemetery 1, which is not included on this tour.

Does the tour visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial?

Yes. You’ll visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial and pay respects at the site of 85 unclaimed victims.

Is this tour family friendly, and what’s the age limit?

It’s limited to guests age 6 and above. The tour includes morbid tales that can be scary for younger guests, so discretion is advised.