Metairie Cemetery Tour: Historic Tombs and Tales

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: 24 hours
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…
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

Metairie Cemetery is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and is often highlighted as one of the world’s must-visit cemeteries. As visitors stroll under the canopy of nearly 1,000 trees, they can admire the lavish tombs of notable figures such as Al Copeland, founder of Popeyes, Ruth Fertel, founder of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and the…

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
(276 Ratings)
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M6357hbsaraha
Jul 2, 2025
Knowledgeable and fun - Amazing tour. It was just 3 of us that day and she gave us a personalized tour based on our needs. She even helped us find a family member's grave site. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about her work. It was such a fun experience and she even brought umbrellas to shade us on a hot day. I'd take any tour she gave. So many fun stories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W4169dasarahk
Jun 26, 2025
Excellent way to check the "New Orleans cemetery" box - Our tour guide, Sally Asher, was really great. She clearly knows a lot about this cemetery and was able to tell us story after story about the various people buried and the history of Metairie. After the tour, we had the opportunity to keep on walking around the cemetery and I feel like we could have walked for hours and not seen every grave, so while it says it's a 2-hour tour, plan to keep walking after it's over. It was a very hot day when we were there but there are lots of trees that provide shade.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Smoothsweetsexy
Jun 24, 2025
Perfection - Sally was so knowledgeable, passionate and kept things interesting. I would do tours with her over and over again! She even had an extra umbrella to keep us out the sun. She loves what she does and I love that she’s a writer and look forward to reading many of her books about New Orleans.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Madison_p
Jun 22, 2025
Sally is a Gem! - Sally was phenomenal and had great insight. I’ve taken many tours in other countries and cities, and Sally was the first guide who is genuinely a subject matter expert. She even allowed us access to the weeping angel.
Review provided by Viator
Lori_s
Jun 15, 2025
Amazing tour guide. Very... - Amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable and passionate about the topic! I loved the additional nuggets she provided!!
Review provided by Viator
Dreamer668514
Jun 7, 2025
Very Informative and Entertaining Tour of One of New Orleans Private Cemeteries - We enjoyed the very informative tour with Sally. She was very knowledgeable about New Orleans history, especially when it comes to the cemeteries of New Orleans. As the description states on the webpage, we visited graves of famous residents of New Orleans and learned about their storied past.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heather_l
Jun 2, 2025
Great tour!! - Was easy to keep up with. Went at great pace! Great info! Got to ask lots of questions! She had umbrellas! You can tell she loves her job!
Review provided by Viator
Ashby_b
Jun 2, 2025
Amazing Tour - Sally is GREAT. So knowledgeable (I don’t think you could get a tour guide with more knowledge on these cemeteries). Sally is kind and takes time to answer all questions. She brought umbrellas and made sure everyone was doing well thought the tour. I HIGHLY recommend this tour when you visit. I can’t say enough good about the tour and about Sally! (The crows were a highlight).
Review provided by Viator
Jeanlx786up
May 29, 2025
A great cemetery tour - We had a great time! Sally was had lots of information about the cemetery. She even helped us find a family grave. I was there with my daughter and grandson and we all enjoyed it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ryanhh6412nq
May 13, 2025
Sallie is a wealth of knowledge - This tour was outstanding! Sallie knows her history, and makes the tour interesting and she is able to answer pretty much every question you have. I would highly recommend for anybody who’s looking for an educational and interesting tour. I would agree with the review below….. this is not for toddlers….a two-year-old, obviously, would not enjoy a cemetery tour. I’m not sure who bases their review on whether a two year-old is pleased or not. 🙄 I would highly recommend Sallie and this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $35
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).