The Official St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Tour:
Walk Among The City’s Historic Tombs
Step beyond the iron gates of New Orleans’ most well-known cemetery and discover the charming and moving stories etched into each stone.
Daytime St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Walking Tour
Take a walk through New Orleans’ past when you visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Discover the tombs of famous residents, get up close and personal with the city’s unique above-ground burial structures, and learn interesting historical facts. With expert storytelling, this guided tour offers a rare glimpse into the city’s fascinating past. Book your tour today!
Every 15 Minutes
20 Guests
*Advanced booking recommended
Nighttime St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Walking Tour
Step into history on an exclusive night tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where the legends of New Orleans come to life. Led by expert guides, this unique experience offers a rare chance to explore the city’s most famous resting place with a beautiful evening ambiance.. This is a limited time offer (Fridays – Saturdays) – book your tour today!
Every 15 Minutes
20 Guests
Daytime St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Walking Tour
Daily
Every 15 Minutes
20 Guests
$29
Nighttime St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Walking tour
Step into history on an exclusive night tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where the legends of New Orleans come to life.
Select Nights
Every 15 Minutes
20 Guests
$49
Unveiling The Lives of New Orleans’ Past Residents
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 operates by the tour schedule and requires reservations. To reserve a spot on one of our daily tours, all guests must book online or in-person. Without prior booking, there is no guarantee of availability for same-day visits.
To reserve a spot on one of our daily tours, all guests must book online or in-person before arriving at the cemetery gates. Guests who haven’t pre-booked or are not properly ticketed for a guided tour will NOT be allowed to enter the cemetery. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 operates with specific time slots for entry, and without prior booking, there is no guarantee of availability for same-day visits.
What To Expect On Your New Orleans Cemetery Tour
With each tour, guests will be led by an experienced local guide who is well-versed in the history of New Orleans and St. Louis Cemetery No 1. Learn fascinating facts and surprising stories about the individuals buried within cemetery walls. Fans of architecture can marvel at the many diverse styles of tombs, including ornate family vaults and society tombs.
Come see New Orleans in a whole new way – Reserve a St. Louis Cemetery tour today!
Check-In is at Basin St. Station to receive your Gate Passes, and Tour Wristbands from the Tour Desk prior to your tour. While you wait to begin, explore the Visitor Center: home to comfortable seating, a break from the weather, pristine restrooms, and the Street Car Gift Shop and Basin St. Cafe.
What To Expect On New Orleans Cemetery Tours
What To Expect On Your New Orleans Cemetery Tour
Why Tour St. Louis Cemetery No. 1?
Small Groups & Dedicated Guides
At St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, we intentionally keep touring groups small for a more intimate exploration of the grave sites. Create a deeper connection with New Orleans and its inhabitants as you ask questions and receive answers directly from your dedicated guide.
Famous and (In)Famous Residents
Get up close and personal with the final resting places of individuals like Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo Queen, and Homer Plessy, the plaintiff who brought the landmark civil rights case Plessy v. Ferguson to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Detailed Historical Commentary
A cemetery tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the past. Get a sense of what life was like for the many generations of people buried in New Orleans. You'll even learn some interesting facts about the cemetery's distinctive above-ground tombs and the reasons that led to this unique regional custom.
Flexible & Easy Booking
Our customer service team prioritizes the positive experiences of all guests who tour with us. Our flexible and convenient online booking system can help you select a tour day and time that works best for you. Please note, that all guests must pre-book tickets and check-in at our cemetery tour desk located at 501 Basin Street before attending the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Occasionally yes, but normally No. Each tour departure is limited to 20 persons. Tour departure times should be reserved in advance to ensure a place on the tour. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for ticketing & greeting!
The cemetery is not open to the public – only for our authorized tours.
Private family visitation is authorized by the Archdiocese of New Orleans with Family Pass, available at the New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries Office.
To inquire, you may email NolaCatholicCem@arch-no.org or call 504-596-3050 for more information.
Comfortable shoes are the most important item – many uneven surfaces exist in the historic site.
Light airy clothing in the hot summer months – jackets and hats in the colder winter months.
Online on this site Book Now -or- at the Cemetery Tour Desk at Basin St. Station (501 Basin St.) just across the street from St. Louis Cemetery #1.
Tours are expected to book up – Don’t wait until the last minute!
The walking tour normally lasts about 55 minutes. However, the tour could finish later depending on weather and other unforeseen events.
A Time Capsule Etched In Stone
Officially founded in 1718 by the French, New Orleans became famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations, distinct cuisine, and lively music. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 effectively functions as a de facto time capsule for the city throughout different periods of its history. From the mysterious life and death of the renowned Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau to the eccentric Nicolas Cage pyramid tomb, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 encapsulates the soul of the Big Easy in all its quirks and glory. In short, no trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to this beautiful historic cemetery.
An Above-Ground Necropolis
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 hosts hundreds of above-ground tombs unlike any others in the United States. Established in 1789, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the oldest extant cemetery in New Orleans. These distinctive above-ground tombs became increasingly popular in the city throughout the late 18th century due to the climate in New Orleans that made traditional underground graves impractical. As time went on, these burial structures evolved into ornate architectural works of art that reflected the social status of the families buried within.
