Cemetery No. 1, 45 Minutes

New Orleans: Walking Tour Inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 runs through New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off. Rated 4.6 across 1,865 reviews. Runs 45 minutes. From $25.

Overview

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 does not admit walk-in visitors, so a guided tour like this one is the practical way to get inside the gates. The walk itself runs 45 minutes, led in English by a guide who covers the cemetery's history and the city's unusual burial customs. You check in at the Basin St. Station Visitor Center on 501 Basin St, collect a tour sticker, and set off on time from there.

Inside, the route passes the famous above-ground tombs and below-ground sites, with stops at the resting places of notable figures from the city's past. The best known is Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen, and the tour also points out the pyramid-shaped tomb the actor Nicolas Cage has erected on the grounds. Along the way the guide explains why New Orleans buries its dead above ground and shares stories about the people interred there.

The tour suits travellers who want a short, information-dense visit rather than a long wander.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Basin St. StationMeet at 501 Basin St, New Orleans, at the Basin St. Station Visitor Center, which has exhibits, a café, restrooms, and a gift shop. Collect a tour sticker and depart on time.
2. Walk to the cemetery gatesThe group heads to the front gates of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where the guide introduces the story of the cemetery before entering.
3. Guided tour, 45 minutesWalk among the above-ground crypts and below-ground sites for 45 minutes, with stops at the tomb of Marie Laveau, the pyramid-shaped tomb erected by Nicolas Cage, and other notable tombs.
4. Return to 501 Basin StThe tour ends back at the starting location on 501 Basin St.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the visit smoother, especially given the heat inside the cemetery walls.

• Heat and sun. Several travellers said the cemetery is noticeably hotter than the street outside. Misting stations and canopies are set up on site, and reviewers described them as a major help. Bring water; one reviewer suggested grabbing a drink from the gas station across the street before entering.
• Pace and timing. The walk inside lasts 45 minutes, so the tour moves at a steady clip. Some travellers have wished for more time at each stop for photos and questions. Arriving on time for check-in matters, since the group departs on schedule.
• What to wear. Comfortable walking shoes help for the tour. The listing does not specify a dress code or anything to bring, so plan around the heat reviewers describe and come prepared for warm conditions.
• Guide quality. Reviewers consistently praise the guides as knowledgeable, engaging, and entertaining. Several described the history as coming to life through the guide's presentation.
• Facilities before and after. The meeting point at Basin St. Station has restrooms, a café, and a gift shop, so it is easy to use facilities and buy a drink before the walk. There is no pickup or hotel transport; everyone makes their own way to 501 Basin St.
• Photos. The tour passes the most famous tombs up close, including the tomb of Marie Laveau. Given the short duration, be ready to shoot quickly rather than lingering.

Common issues. The pace is the main complaint: some travellers felt rushed and wanted more time at each stop. Heat is a real factor, with reviewers reporting it can feel far hotter inside the walls than outside, though misting stations and shade tents help. Tips for the guide are not included in the ticket. The cemetery is only accessible through authorized tours, so independent entry is not possible.

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