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St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Explore New Orleans’ oldest burial ground and hear tales of the famous – and infamous residents – at rest in this ancient maze of above-ground tombs.

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1: Our most recommended tours and activities

New Orleans: Walking Tour Inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

1. New Orleans: Walking Tour Inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Uncover the history of one of America's oldest and most famous cemeteries that is not open to the general public on this walking tour of the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 cemetery. View interesting burial customs and stroll past facinating above ground tombs.  Check in and meet your guide at the Basin St. Station Visitor Center where you can find an array of exhibits about New Orleans, an interactive map of the Hurricane Katrina floodwaters, a café, restrooms, and a gift shop. Get your tour stickers and depart on time for your adventure into the macabre. Head to the the front gates of the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and listen as you guide takes you back in time with the story of the cemetery. Make your way through New Orleans' most famous tombs and hear about the city's unique burial customs. Get up close to the elaborate above-ground crypts and below-ground sites. Meander among the and find out about the storied pasts of those residing here, including Voodoo Queen Mariel Laveau, the former mayor Homer Plessy and other notable figures from the city's history.

New Orleans: French Quarter, Voodoo & Cemetery History Tour

2. New Orleans: French Quarter, Voodoo & Cemetery History Tour

Immerse yourself in New Orleans’ mysterious history on a guided city walking tour. Wander through the historical neighborhood of Tremé / Lafitte — the home of jazz — as you hear about local culture, burial rites, and voodoo practices. Meet your guide and start your tour with a stroll through the lively French Quarter. Learn about the neighborhood’s history and local African American culture as you make your way to Louis Armstrong Park.  Follows the paths through the park to the area formerly known as Congo Square. Discover the history of this place, where enslaved people would meet to socialize and dance on their days off. Continue onto the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 — the oldest of the city’s cemeteries. Learn why the dead are buried above ground, and how the vaults are built. Hear the history of a voodoo practitioner called Marie Laveau and other important residents and stories from your expert guide.

New Orleans: Cemetery Tour

3. New Orleans: Cemetery Tour

This 2-hour walking tour takes you inside the walls of New Orleans’ oldest and most interesting burial grounds. In the company of a local guide, you’ll explore the ancient maze of above-ground tombs and learn about fascinating local burial practices. After meeting your guide at the Morning Call Coffee Shop, you’ll walk to the cemetery to explore curiosities and hear tales of some of the city’s personalities. You’ll see the final resting place of many of New Orleans’ most notable celebrities. On this tour that’s been recommended by the Travel Channel, A&E, and the History Channel, you’ll learn the history of voodoo and its connection to the French Quarter on a journey back through time.

New Orleans: Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

4. New Orleans: Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

No other New Orleans sightseeing package can compare to the incredible choice, convenience, and value of a Go City All-Inclusive Pass. Your New Orleans pass includes admission to a variety of the most popular things to do in New Orleans, including French Quarter attractions, as well as surrounding Louisiana attractions. When you visit each location with your All-Inclusive Pass, the admission has already been taken care of. You simply follow the instructions in the guide and present your pass to enter. You don’t have to wait and pay over and over again. The low price of the New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass includes savings off of the admission fees you’d pay if you purchased your New Orleans attraction tickets individually at each location. Activities, attractions, and tours included with the New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass: Tours and Cruises • Paddlewheeler Creole Queen • Adventures in New Orleans Bus Tour • Ghost & Vampire Combo Tour by French Quarter Phantoms • French Quarter Ghosts & Legends Tour by Haunted History Tour • Ultimate Swamp Adventures • Saints and Sinners by French Quarter Phantoms • Cajun Pride Swamp Tour by Boat • Garden District Tour by French Quarter Phantoms • Tremé Tour by French Quarter Phantoms • Cities of the Dead Cemetery History Tour by Haunted History Tour • French Quarter History / Voodoo Tour • Walking Scavenger Hunt Museums and Places of Interest • The National WWII Museum • Mardi Gras World (with transportation) • Cooking Demonstration Class/New Orleans School of Cooking • Longue Vue House and Gardens • Edgar Degas House • Southern Food and Beverage Museum • The New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old US Mint • 1850 House / The Louisiana State Museum • Cabildo / The Louisiana State Museum • New Orleans Pharmacy Museum • Presbytère/The Louisiana State Museum Attractions and tours are subject to change. Check your included digital guide for an up-to-date attraction information including opening times and instructions on how to access each attraction with your pass before you go. *Savings based on itineraries on Go City website.

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Other Sightseeing Options in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

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What people are saying about St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,325 reviews

Always wanted to visit Marie Laveau’s grave. In addition are Homer Plessy, Nicholas Cage’s future resting spot, plus the location of that psychedelic scene from Easy Rider. It’s apparent that our tour guide Charles loves his job and anything to do with New Orleans. He makes this otherwise 45 minute somber tour really fun & interesting. Excellent way to start your trip to New Orleans, before the party begins.

This was a wonderful historical and entertaining tour through the most famous cemetery in New Orleans. My friends and I greatly enjoyed it. Carl was a wonderful tour guide who had all the facts. He kept the tour fun by keeping us all engaged with the information he provided. Would do it again if I ever go back to New Orleans.

Our guide, Mary is a native of New Orleans is a wealth of information. She made the visit really fun by telling us interesting and historical stories. She did a nice job answering our questions as well. We would highly recommend this tour and especially this tour guide.

It was very informative and exciting. The history is amazing and the guide was very personable and informative. I will be recommending this tour to any one that will head your way.

I've been meaning to do this the last few visits to New Orleans, and I'm so glad I did this time. Our guide was very nice and informative. A must do for everyone.