Metairie Cemetery Tour: Explore Historic Tombs, Untold Stories
5.0
164 Ratings
New Orleans
Join the Metairie Cemetery tour and uncover the secrets of historic tombs, from Popeyes' founder to vampire novelist Anne Rice. Explore untold stories and scandalous narratives of New Orleans!
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Lake Lawn Metairie - Metairie Cemetery (actually located in New Orleans) is home to some of the most elaborate and artistic marble tombs and funerary art in the city. This former racetrack is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is frequently ranked as one of the top cemeteries in the world. Metairie Cemetery has everyone from politicians, to jazz musicians to Storyville madams to mob bosses, to fried-chicken tycoons, to vampire novelists, all nestled together in an 127-acre pastoral setting surrounded by shining pyramids, Greek Temples, Islamic pavilions, crying dogs, and mausoleums with weeping angels. Metairie Cemetery is not a burial place, but a burial destination.
What's Included
  • Admission to Metairie Cemetery
  • Guidance from an expert guide
  • Insider tips for local food, music, and culture
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Bottled water
Additional Information

The Metairie Cemetery holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places and is frequently regarded as a must-visit cemetery globally. As you stroll under the protection of almost a thousand trees, you’ll witness the lavish burial chambers of Al Copeland, the founder of Popeyes, Ruth Fertel, the creator of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and Anne Rice, a renowned vampire literature writer. You’ll encounter a pyramid protected by a sphinx, a tomb with Islamic elements built by a Confederate general for his daughter, the burial site of a solemn gambler shot dead, a notorious madam from Storyville who was forced to abandon her grave, and the well-known weeping angel drenched in blue. Your tour guide, Sally Asher, is fervent about uncovering the unusual, scandalous, and unspoken tales of New Orleans. An applauded author and professional photographer, Asher advocates for the importance of history not only in recording dates and facts but also in capturing the delicate convergence of truth and storytelling, including the untold and scandalous aspects. The tour covers about 2 miles and lasts approximately 2 hours.

Location
5100 Pontchartrain Blvd
Pontchartrain Boulevard
Please meet at least 10 minutes early from the start time at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., at the Law Enforcement Memorial to the right of the funeral home. Any of the entry gates will lead to the memorial. You just need to make a right at the stop sign. If you drive, you can park in the lot.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(164 Ratings)
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Z1273uvrickl
Apr 20, 2024
Great tour interesting stories - Sally knows all you need to know about this and other cemeteries great stories about mentionable people entombed here!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N6143mbruthd
Apr 14, 2024
Excellent and totally worth it! - This was such a great tour. Well worth the price. The cemetery is beautiful and Sally is very knowledgeable, you can tell she's very passionate about what she does and has put a lot of study into the history of the sites that you're visiting. The information she shares is very informative and interesting, in-depth and well researched. Bring some water and wear comfortable shoes because you are walking a lot. Also, if you can, bring an umbrella or parasol to help block the sun because it's not all in the shade. I had forgotten mine but Sally was very thoughtful and had come prepared with some extra umbrellas. I would definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sheilajmcfarland
Apr 7, 2024
Girls trip - This was an Excellent tour with an excellent story telling guide! Sally was spectacular!! Well worth the time for this historic visit!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_r
Mar 30, 2024
Excellent tour - Very knowledgeable guide- I generally like when people are giving you information grounded in fact rather than fiction (i.e. most of the local ghost tours) and she was right on it.
Review provided by Viator
R335tnroses
Mar 29, 2024
Walking with the Dead. - Sally was a wonderful and knowledgeable guide and the pace was excellent. If you’re interested in history, this is a great tour to choose. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robynsayles
Mar 26, 2024
Expert Stories and Insights - Sally was a treasure trove of information. Her enthusiasm for the city and its cemeteries is evident and infectious. Do not hesitate to book this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leah_s
Mar 26, 2024
Excellent tour! - This is one of the best tours I have ever been on and I have been on a LOT! Sally is an extremely knowledgeable and very passionate guide for this cemetery tour. She is willing to “customize” the tour if the group would like to see particular areas of the cemetery. Our group did not have a particular request and Sally’s route was perfect! Sally was very engaging and had a great sense of humor. I highly recommend this tour!!
Review provided by Viator
Heatherld4112uh
Mar 26, 2024
Cemetery tour - Amazing tour! Our tour guide was more than knowledgeable, she was an expert and gave us some really interesting and informative stories and facts. It was a great experience!!! Recommend to anyone interested in the history and cemetery experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leslie_p
Mar 22, 2024
Great tour. Very interesting!! - Great and knowledgeable tour guide Sally! Very informative and interesting Thank You!! Xixizxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Review provided by Viator
Josephc_l
Mar 22, 2024
Great experience! - Sally was a wealth of knowledge. She had many details about the deceased families and the processes and regulations of the cemetery. Loved it!
Review provided by Viator
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1 Adult
May 2024
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