REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans: Cemetery Bus Tour At Dark with Exclusive Access
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Tour Orleans · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Cemeteries feel different at night. This New Orleans Ghost Adventures tour turns the clock to dark hours for a guided bus ride and nighttime cemetery walks, plus EMF readers used with an expert. I especially like the combination of story-driven local history (many guides hit this style hard, including names like J and Geoff) and the exclusive access to an above-ground cemetery tied to a private, secret society. The one thing to keep in mind: the EMF gear is fun to try, but it’s not a guarantee of paranormal proof.
Plan on a good dose of atmosphere rather than a Hollywood outcome. If you’re hoping for a sure-fire manifestation, you may feel slightly underwhelmed when the night stays quiet. Still, even when the readings don’t turn into a scene, the tour’s burial customs, cemetery history, and the access you get make it a strong value for a compact 2-hour outing.
EMF readers with real instruction, not just gadgets. You’ll get guidance on how to use the readers as you walk and listen.
Exclusive entry to an above-ground Odd Fellows cemetery. It’s private, centuries-old, and the tour company is the only one with permission.
Two-hour format that actually fits a busy night. You get bus time, short cemetery walks, and a break without eating your whole evening.
Ghost stories grounded in New Orleans burial history. Expect chilling tales mixed with practical details about how people were laid to rest.
Guides with strong presence and group energy. Names that pop up again and again: J, Jai, Geoff/Geff/Jeff, and drivers like Corey, Bruce, Kory, Stephen, and Carlos.
In This Review
- Nighttime French Quarter Meet-Up Before the Cemeteries Start Talking
- The 2-Hour Bus + Walk Structure That Keeps the Night Moving
- Odd Fellows Rest: The Above-Ground Cemetery Stop With Exclusive Access
- Morning Call Break and Why That Short Pause Matters
- Hurricane Katrina Memorial: Remembering the Losses in a Place of Stories
- Charity Hospital Cemetery: Yellow Fever, Burial Customs, and a Short Walk That Counts
- St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1, Mid-City, and St. Louis Cathedral Pass-By Stops
- EMF Readers at Dark: How to Use Them Without Turning It Into a Test
- Guides, Storytelling Style, and the Group Energy Factor
- Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Want Something Else)
- Value Check: Is $36 Worth It for a Night Cemetery Tour?
- Should You Book This New Orleans Cemetery Bus Tour at Dark?
- FAQ
- How long is the New Orleans cemetery bus tour at dark?
- How many cemeteries do you visit, and do you get exclusive access?
- Are EMF readers included, and is someone teaching you how to use them?
- Is alcohol included in the tour price?
- Where do I meet, and how early should I arrive?
- Is this tour suitable for children?
Nighttime French Quarter Meet-Up Before the Cemeteries Start Talking
You start right in the French Quarter, where the night vibe is already doing half the work. The meeting point is outside the red door tour booth near Bon’s New Orleans Street Food, and you’ll find the flagship bus staged there. The tour experience begins earlier than you might expect: before departure, you can grab a beer, cocktail, or food at the check-in area.
That matters because this is a cemetery tour, not a quick photo stop. A pre-tour drink and a moment to settle in helps you shift gears from street-level New Orleans to the slower, heavier mood of the cemeteries. It also gives you a chance to watch how the group is forming, which can affect how comfortable you feel during the walking parts.
One more practical note: plan to arrive 30 minutes early. This tour runs like a schedule-driven operation, and getting there on time means you’re not rushing when it’s already dark and your brain is trying to switch modes.
The 2-Hour Bus + Walk Structure That Keeps the Night Moving
This is a 2-hour evening tour, so the pace is controlled: most of the time you’re on the bus, then you get shorter walks when you arrive at specific cemetery sites. You’ll visit about 2 to 3 cemeteries total, with additional stops where you pass by famous locations. That compact format is ideal if you want spooky energy but still want time afterward for live music, food, or a second activity.
On the bus, your guide doesn’t just read names off a list. They connect the cemetery layout and burial practice to the city’s bigger stories—disease outbreaks, disasters like Hurricane Katrina, and the cultural rules around death in New Orleans. The best guides keep the group engaged, often using humor and asking questions, so you’re not stuck listening in silence while the city slips by outside.
For your comfort, expect that you’ll be walking on cemetery grounds at night, then transitioning back to the bus between stops. The walking time at each site can be brief, so wear shoes you trust on uneven ground and bring layers. Night air down here can cool off faster than you expect once you’re standing still.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in New Orleans.
Odd Fellows Rest: The Above-Ground Cemetery Stop With Exclusive Access
The standout moment is the exclusive cemetery visit—an above-ground burial area connected to a centuries-old secret society. The key detail for your planning: this is a private cemetery, and this tour company is described as the only one allowed in.
That access changes the feel of the tour. It’s not just “look from the gate” sightseeing. You get a real guided walk where your guide can point out what you’re seeing and why it’s there, and you’ll have time for the group to slow down enough to take it in. For people who love history, this is the stop that turns the tour from a spooky story hour into something more grounded.
It’s also the moment where the tour’s paranormal angle gets most physical. You’ll use EMF readers here, and the guide will explain how to handle the devices while you’re standing and moving around the cemetery. In real life, this isn’t a guarantee of dramatic results, but it’s still a fun way to give your brain a job for the night. One review even noted that their first-time EMF attempt didn’t lead to any clear manifestations—and that’s useful information for your expectations.
If you’re the type who likes “one great stop” over five average ones, this is the tour’s best argument.
Morning Call Break and Why That Short Pause Matters
Midway through the route there’s a break stop at Morning Call Coffee Stand, listed as about 15 minutes. On paper, that sounds like a small detail. In practice, it helps you make it to the last cemetery walk with energy.
Night tours can mess with timing because your body doesn’t know you’re on a schedule. A quick break means you can use the bathroom, reset your senses, and grab a snack or drink if you want one. It’s especially helpful if your tour starts feeling “long” after you’ve been listening to stories through multiple stops.
Also, this break keeps the tour manageable for people who want spooky fun without feeling wrecked afterward. Two hours is short, but cemeteries are emotionally intense for some folks, and a breather keeps you from getting overwhelmed.
Hurricane Katrina Memorial: Remembering the Losses in a Place of Stories
One of the cemetery walks is at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial area, with a listed walk time of about 15 minutes. This is the stop where the tour’s tone feels heavier. Your guide will connect the site to the losses of Hurricane Katrina, and the memorial setting adds weight to the ghost-story style that dominates the tour.
Even if you’re not chasing paranormal answers, this is one of the most meaningful parts of the night. New Orleans has a way of turning disasters into part of the city’s ongoing story—what happened, what changed, and what people did to keep going. A memorial stop reminds you this isn’t only about chills and legends. It’s also about people who were lost and the city’s effort to remember.
If you’re someone who likes your tours to have heart underneath the creepiness, this is a good match.
Charity Hospital Cemetery: Yellow Fever, Burial Customs, and a Short Walk That Counts
Next comes Charity Hospital Cemetery, with a very short on-site walk listed at about 5 minutes. You’ll still get guided context, and the tour frames this cemetery as one of the largest burial grounds connected to the yellow fever pandemic in the country.
Because the walking time is brief, you might not feel like you’re fully roaming the place. But that short stop can actually work in your favor if you treat it like a focused introduction—your guide gives the meaning, and you get a quick view that sticks. The trade-off is obvious: you’ll likely want more time if you’re the type who likes to linger and read every marker.
If you’re deciding between this tour and something that includes longer cemetery time, this is the detail that can influence your choice. For most people, though, the compact schedule keeps the night fun rather than exhausting.
St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1, Mid-City, and St. Louis Cathedral Pass-By Stops
Not every stop is a walk. You’ll also do several bus pass-bys, including St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1, Mid-City, and St. Louis Cathedral. The value here is context. Your guide points your attention toward places that matter in the broader New Orleans cemetery story and urban history.
The pass-by stops are great if you want the city connection without committing extra time to every location. But if you’re expecting full access at each named site, this is where expectations need to stay realistic. The tour focuses your time on the higher-access cemetery moment and the main guided walks.
For best results, use the bus segments to ask questions and check what you should photograph once you’re outside.
EMF Readers at Dark: How to Use Them Without Turning It Into a Test
Let’s talk about the EMF readers, because this is why some people book the tour. The tour includes EMF readers and pairs them with guidance from an expert in the paranormal on how to use them properly. You’ll also be shown documented evidence captured during tour time—so the tour isn’t just handing out devices and sending you off.
Still, I recommend you treat EMF results as an experiment, not proof of anything. One review described first-time EMF use with no clear manifestations, and another mentioned being unconvinced the devices did anything. That’s exactly why the tour’s storytelling matters: even if the readings stay calm, you’re still learning how New Orleans burial customs and local legends created the conditions for modern paranormal claims.
Here’s how to get more enjoyment out of the EMF portion:
- Pay attention to where your guide directs you to stand, and follow instructions closely.
- Keep your expectations flexible. The most fun nights are the ones where you participate in the ritual, not where you demand certainty.
- Ask questions while the group is gathered. The guide can translate what you’re seeing—or not seeing—into a better understanding of what the tool can and can’t do.
If you go in expecting an interactive ghost movie, you might leave annoyed. If you go in expecting a guided experiment layered over history, you’ll likely have a better time.
Guides, Storytelling Style, and the Group Energy Factor
A lot of the praise centers on the guides. Names that repeatedly show up include J, Jai, Jeff, Geff/Geoff, and Carlos among others. The consistent thread: guides are funny, warm, and willing to keep people involved. Some reviews mention the guide constantly checking in, others highlight how the stories are entertaining without being preachy.
This matters more than it sounds. Cemetery tours can feel awkward if the guide talks like a lecturer. The best versions of this experience use personality—timing questions, creating movement during walks, and making sure the group stays together as the night gets longer.
Drivers also get credit in reviews, including Corey, Bruce, Kory, Stephen, and Carl/Carlos. That’s not small. Night driving in a busy city adds one more reason to value a well-run operation.
Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Want Something Else)
This tour is a strong pick if you want:
- a nighttime New Orleans activity that’s short and schedule-friendly
- cemetery history mixed with ghost stories
- a guided EMF experience that comes with explanation
- exclusive access to an above-ground cemetery tied to a private group
It’s not a great fit for kids under 10. The tour specifically notes it’s not suitable for children under 10, and the night setting plus cemetery atmosphere is the likely reason.
If you’re traveling as a couple, you’ll probably enjoy the guided pacing and shared spooky stories. If you’re solo, a group tour keeps you from feeling self-conscious on dark walks. If your group includes someone who wants history more than scares, this still works—because even the paranormal angle is attached to burial culture and the city’s specific events.
Value Check: Is $36 Worth It for a Night Cemetery Tour?
At $36 per person for a 2-hour tour, the value comes from what’s included: a professional local guide, bus transportation, visits to 2–3 cemeteries, EMF readers, and the big-ticket item of exclusive access to a private above-ground cemetery.
You’re also getting something that’s hard to replicate on your own: permission. Many cemetery experiences in New Orleans are either timed, limited, or require specific entry rules. When your tour includes access to a private secret society cemetery, that single benefit can justify the price more than the bus ride ever could.
Alcohol isn’t included. You can buy drinks at check-in, so factor that into your personal budget if you’re planning to sip. But even with that, $36 for a guided, structured night visit with gear is a reasonable deal.
The overall review rating is strong (4.6 from over 1,600 reviews) and the transport quality is also frequently praised—around 90% of reviewers gave a perfect score for the trip logistics. For most people, that’s a good sign that the experience runs smoothly.
Should You Book This New Orleans Cemetery Bus Tour at Dark?
If you want a compact, guided night experience in New Orleans that combines burial history with spooky storytelling—and you care about getting into a private above-ground cemetery—then yes, I’d book it. The exclusive access plus the EMF component with real instructions makes it more than a basic ghost tour.
I’d think twice only if your main goal is guaranteed paranormal activity. The EMF readings may not produce dramatic results, and the tour is ultimately about atmosphere, history, and guided interpretation. If that fits your expectations, you’ll likely come away thinking it was a smart use of an evening.
FAQ
How long is the New Orleans cemetery bus tour at dark?
The tour runs about 2 hours.
How many cemeteries do you visit, and do you get exclusive access?
You visit about 2 to 3 cemeteries. The tour also includes exclusive access to a private above-ground cemetery connected to a secret society.
Are EMF readers included, and is someone teaching you how to use them?
Yes. EMF readers are included, and the tour includes instruction on using them properly during the cemetery walk.
Is alcohol included in the tour price?
Alcoholic drinks are not included. You can buy drinks at check-in before the tour departs.
Where do I meet, and how early should I arrive?
Meet outside the red door tour booth and Bon’s New Orleans Street Food area, at the flagship bus. Arrive 30 minutes before tour time.
Is this tour suitable for children?
No, the tour is not suitable for children under 10.
