Night Bus Tour, Exclusive Access

New Orleans: Cemetery Bus Tour At Dark with Exclusive Access runs through Tour Orleans. Rated 4.5 across 1,774 reviews. Runs 2 hours. From $36.

Overview

This two-hour after-dark outing pairs a bus ride through New Orleans with something most cemetery tours cannot offer: entry into an above ground tomb site that a centuries old burial society controls, with this operator holding the only access. You meet in the French Quarter, ride past some of the city's best known landmarks and burial grounds, then walk inside the cemetery with EMF detectors in hand while a guide explains how to hunt for unexplained readings.

The route is built around the darker chapters of local history. The bus passes Charity Hospital Cemetery, one of the largest yellow fever pandemic cemeteries in the country, and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery, where the guide pauses to remember those lost in the storm. Along the way you hear ghost stories and personal accounts of the paranormal, and guides can show photos of unexplained figures reportedly captured on past tours. Two travellers reported finding odd shapes in their own pictures afterwards.

It suits anyone curious about why New Orleans buries its dead above ground, and those who want a paranormal angle to their sightseeing rather than a straight history walk. Arrive early: the operator asks guests to check in 30 minutes before departure, and the meeting spot at 620 Decatur St sits among bars and food stands where you can grab a drink beforehand.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet on Decatur StreetCheck in at 620 Decatur St, in the heart of the French Quarter, 30 minutes before tour time. Nearby establishments sell drinks and food if you arrive early.
2. French Quarter driveBoard the bus for a guided sightseeing pass through the French Quarter as the guide begins the stories.
3. Odd Fellows Rest visitStop at Odd Fellows Rest for a guided walk through this above ground cemetery, using EMF detectors to search for paranormal activity. This is the exclusive access portion of the tour.
4. Morning Call breakA 15-minute break at Morning Call Coffee Stand.
5. Katrina Memorial driveThe bus passes the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Cemetery over 15 minutes, with the guide remembering those lost in the storm.
6. Charity Hospital CemeteryA 5-minute pass by Charity Hospital Cemetery, one of the largest yellow fever pandemic cemeteries in the country.
7. Cemetery drive and returnThe bus continues past St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1, through Mid-City, and by St. Louis Cathedral before returning to the starting point on Decatur St.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of the evening, from check-in timing to what the EMF detectors actually do.

• Arrive early. The operator asks guests to arrive 30 minutes before tour time. Since the meeting point is at 620 Decatur St, surrounded by bars and food spots, the buffer is easy to fill with a drink before boarding.
• Bring a camera. Several travellers reported finding unexplained figures in photos taken during the tour, including one who said a picture from Odd Fellows Rest convinced a skeptical family. The listing also notes guides can share pictures of the unexplained captured on past tours, so have your phone or camera ready.
• Guides carry the tour. Reviewer after reviewer praised the guide's knowledge of New Orleans burial history and haunted lore, and several said the storytelling kept the whole group engaged on both the bus and the cemetery walk. Guide quality comes up in almost every review of this tour.
• Mostly seated. The bulk of the tour happens on the bus, with a guided walk inside the cemetery and a 15-minute coffee stand break. The itinerary lists several pass-by stops that stay drive-through, so the walking is concentrated in the cemetery visit.
• Drinks cost extra. Alcoholic drinks are not included but can be bought at establishments near check-in. Tips for the guide are also not included.
• Manage EMF hopes. The guide teaches you how to use an EMF detector to search for paranormal phenomena, but not everyone gets a reading. One reviewer wished they had gotten a paranormal ding, so treat the detectors as part of the fun rather than a guarantee.

Common issues. The main gripe in the review summary is that some travellers wanted clearer information up front about which cemeteries are actually entered versus passed by, and how much time is spent inside the one you visit. One reviewer wished they had gotten a paranormal ding on the night. Pickup is not included, meaning everyone must make their own way to the Decatur Street meeting point.

Before You Book Anything