Cemeteries, but make it fun. This New Orleans cemetery and paranormal bus tour pairs nighttime graveyard walking with on-board storytelling and a Katrina memorial stop, all for about two hours. You’ll roll through parts of the city that locals treat with respect, then use tools meant for ghost hunting.

My favorite part is the nighttime access to the cemeteries—seeing the same old stonework under streetlights changes the whole mood. I also like the live commentary on the bus, since the guide connects Catholic and Masonic burial traditions to the city’s culture (and not just jump-scare myths).

One thing to consider: the pacing can feel a bit stop-and-go. If you’re hoping for lots of deep dives into specific people’s biographies at multiple graveyards, you might wish the tour lingered longer than it does.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel on This Tour

• Night ghost tools (EMF + communication gear): You’ll be given tools to try during the cemetery portion.
• Two burial worlds: Masonic vs Catholic: The Masonic Cemetery has a layout and tomb style that feels distinct from the Catholic cemeteries.
• Katrina memorial time: You’ll hear about the hurricane’s lasting effects and pay respects at the memorial cemetery.
• Small-group feel (up to 24): It’s big enough for a lively bus, but small enough to stay mostly together.
• Creepy-calm City Park pause: You stop at the 1,300-acre City Park area, famous for old oaks and moss-covered shade.

Night Bus Ride: What the $30 “Cemetery and Paranormal” Format Delivers

For $30 per person and about two hours, you’re buying a specific combo: transportation, guided narration, and an organized way to see New Orleans cemeteries after dark. The bus part matters here. You get the logistics handled, so you’re not bouncing between locations on your own while it’s dark and crowded.

This tour is run by NOLA GhostRiders and includes live commentary on board plus pickup and drop-off from a designated meeting point near the French Quarter. You also get tools to communicate during the investigation, with an EMF reader mentioned in the tour details.

Meeting at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys: Timing and Setup Tips That Help

The tour starts at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys, 1140 Decatur St and ends back at the same place. Plan to arrive early, because you want your group checked in, and you’ll likely need a quick moment to understand how the ghost-hunting tools work before you step into the cemetery.

A few practical notes that can save your evening: wear comfortable shoes, bring layers (night air can shift fast), and expect some walking even if the surfaces are mostly flat. The bus isn’t wheelchair accessible, and boarding can involve a few steps, so plan accordingly.

If you’re sensitive to noise, consider that the bus can be louder than you expect. Some people have said they had trouble hearing parts of the narration, so it’s not a bad idea to pack simple earplugs.

City Park Stop: Why This “Quiet Break” Works Before the Graves

Your first listed stop is City Park, a 1,300-acre outdoor space that New Orleanians have enjoyed since 1854. The big draw is the park’s historic canopy—old oaks wrapped in moss—and the general sense that this is a living backdrop to city life, not a stage set.

This stop is more than scenery. It helps you adjust from street-level chaos into the slower rhythm of cemetery culture. If you’re the type who likes atmosphere, City Park is a good tonal warm-up before the more intense stops.

Masonic Temple Cemetery #2: The Tombs and Layout Are the Real Story

Next up is Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, with admission included and about 30 minutes on-site. Founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana’s Free and Accepted Masons, this cemetery gives you a different visual language than the Catholic cemeteries most visitors picture first.

Here’s what to look for. The tombs are arranged in compact rows, but the cemetery’s shape and internal pathways reflect Masonic symbolism—think square-and-compass geometry and the way the streets and walkways line up. You’ll also notice the cast-iron picket fencing and the way oak allées frame parts of the grounds.

What this stop does well is show you how New Orleans burial culture wasn’t one-size-fits-all. A Masonic cemetery feels communal, too. Lodges pooled resources for large group tombs, and that shared approach shows up in the architecture and how the space is organized.

Other Stops You Should Expect: Pauper’s Field, St. Louis #3, and Holt

Your tour isn’t limited to one cemetery stop. The tour details specifically mention additional locations such as Charity Hospital’s pauper’s field, St. Louis Cemetery #3, and Holt Cemetery, along with other cemetery-related stops depending on the route.

This is where your expectations matter. If you want variety, this structure works: you’ll see different burial traditions and different physical styles of tombs. If you want long, slow time at one site, you may feel rushed, since the whole experience is designed to fit into roughly two hours with driving between locations.

Still, the value is in comparison. You start to see patterns: how communities marked the dead, how spaces were managed, and why different cemeteries carry different “voices” within the same city.

Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery: The Part That Feels Heavier

The tour includes time for the Hurricane Katrina memorial. You’ll hear about the lasting effects of Katrina, and you’ll be able to pay respects at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery.

This segment is the heart-check moment of the whole evening. Ghost hunting is fun, but this stop asks you to slow down and treat history with care. If you’re going with kids or anyone who gets uncomfortable with heavy topics, this is the part where you’ll want to gauge how the group handles solemn content.

There’s also mention of Odd Fellows Rest, reserved for members of a little-known society. That adds another layer to the “who built and how they organized” theme you’ll see across cemeteries.

The Paranormal Portion: EMF Reader Tools and How to Get Something Out of the Dark

The tour supplies tools to try for paranormal communication, and an EMF reader is specifically referenced in the tour information. You’ll also hear about an investigation process that’s meant to be interactive, not just sightseeing.

To get the most from it, come ready to participate lightly. In a cemetery, you’re working with limited context—temperature shifts, moving air, and lots of environmental noise—so treat your findings as part of the experience rather than proof of anything.

One helpful tip: if you’re asked to use an app or device, don’t wait until the cemetery to figure it out. Ask early how it’s meant to work. A couple of people have said they were told to download an app but weren’t guided through using it, and that can kill the fun when the lights are low.

If you’re the photo type, this tour’s also good for that. People have said they caught surprising images on camera during the cemetery portion, and even skeptics tend to enjoy the process of trying.

Guide Energy Matters: Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish

With a tour like this, the guide is the engine. Many people highlighted guides by name—Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish—for a reason: they bring the right balance of spooky and grounded.

What I’d take from those positive mentions is the mix of tones. When the guide is great, you get:

• city context that makes the cemeteries feel real
• light humor that keeps the mood from getting too dark
• a clear, friendly way to handle the investigation portion without making it stressful

If you want the evening to feel more like a history-and-culture tour with paranormal flavor, lean toward guides praised for both historical detail and story flow. If you want pure scare-fun, you’ll still enjoy it when the guide keeps it playful.

Walking Comfort, Night Weather, and Why Two Hours Feels Short

This is not a strenuous hike, but it does include walking and some steps for boarding and exiting the bus. If anyone in your group has mobility limits, plan around that.

Weather is also a factor. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a refund.

As for length: two hours goes fast, especially when you include driving between sites. Some people have felt the tour was too short for the number of locations they expected, and they compared it to other cemetery tours in town. So if you’re cemetery-obsessed, read the itinerary expectations carefully and arrive knowing you’re buying a curated route, not an all-night haunting.

Value Check: Is It Worth $30?

At $30 per person, the value mostly comes from what’s included: pickup and drop-off from the meeting point, live commentary on board, cemetery admission at least for the Masonic stop, and paranormal communication tools. You’d usually spend time and money figuring out transportation and timing on your own, especially for night cemetery access.

You should also know what you might not get. If you’re expecting deep, name-by-name biography tours for every tomb, this format may feel too quick. The paranormal side also means some time gets spent on the experience mechanics (tools, rules, dark waiting), not just historical facts.

For the right person, this price feels fair: you want a guided route, a night atmosphere, and a fun attempt at ghost hunting without the hassle. For the person who wants only history, you may find you want more time per cemetery.

Who Should Book This Tour—and Who Might Skip It

This tour is a strong fit if:

• you want to see New Orleans cemeteries at night without planning all the routes
• you’re open to both Catholic and Masonic burial traditions
• you like the idea of trying tools like an EMF reader in real cemetery settings
• you want a family-friendly approach with discretion (it’s noted as ages 6 and up, with morbid tales that may not suit every child)

You may want to skip or compare options if:

• you want multiple cemeteries with long stops at each
• you expect nonstop, perfectly audible narration throughout the bus ride
• you strongly prefer history-only (with minimal paranormal “investigation mechanics”)

Should You Book This New Orleans Cemetery and Paranormal Bus Tour?

I think it’s worth booking if your goal is an organized night experience: haunted-adjacent fun, guided city context, and real time at the Katrina memorial. The best version of this tour is when your guide keeps the stories moving and the group stays together—people like Roy, Kendall, Henry, and Trish got named for that reason.

Book it with the right expectations. You’re going to get a curated route and a set amount of investigation time, not an all-day cemetery seminar. If you’re comfortable with that structure, you’ll likely leave with photos, goosebumps, and a better sense of how New Orleans organizes memory in stone.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the New Orleans Cemetery and Paranormal Investigation Bus Tour start and end?

It starts at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys at 1140 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The tour is approximately 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $30.00 per person.

What is included with the tour?

It includes live commentary on board, pickup and drop-off from the designated meeting point, and tools to communicate with the paranormal.

Do I need a ticket, and is it mobile?

Yes. You’ll have a mobile ticket.

Which cemeteries are typically visited?

The tour details say it typically visits Charity Hospital pauper’s field as well as Masonic Temple Cemetery #2, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Holt Cemetery, and others.

Does the tour visit Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery 1, which is not included. The tour includes other prominent tombs and resting places.

Is Hurricane Katrina part of the tour?

Yes. Your guide explains the lasting effects of Hurricane Katrina and you can pay respects at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery, plus visit Odd Fellows Rest.

Can I use public transportation to get to the meeting point?

Yes. Public transportation is available with stops near the departure location.

What are the age and walking requirements?

The tour is appropriate for ages 6 and above, and it includes a fair amount of walking mostly on flat surfaces. It is not considered strenuous, but you must be able to walk and navigate a few steps to board and exit the bus.

Is it free to cancel?

Cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and within 24 hours there is no refund.