Conference schedules have a way of opening up when you least expect them. When that happens in New Orleans, most nearby options either take too long, require too much planning, or leave you feeling like you never actually left the hotel district. The Official Guided Tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is different. It runs exactly 55 minutes, departs every 15 minutes from Basin St. Station at 501 Basin Street, and takes you inside the oldest cemetery in New Orleans — a site that is closed to the public and accessible no other way. It is guided, predictable in length, and easy to fit into a conference break without any of the logistics that usually derail an afternoon outing.
How to Get There From the Convention Center
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center sits at one end of the Warehouse District, and Basin St. Station is not a short walk from it. The most direct solution is the New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off bus. The Convention Center is Stop 16 on the route; Basin St. Station is Stop 5. Board at the Convention Center, ride to Stop 5, and you arrive directly across the street from the cemetery entrance. We recommend checking current departure times and frequency before heading out, as schedules vary throughout the day.
For additional routing guidance from other starting points in the city, the Directions page has specific options laid out.
What to Expect on the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Tour
The tour moves through the main pathways of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 with a licensed local historian, in a group of no more than 20 guests. That size matters — your guide can slow down at the stops that warrant it, take questions mid-route, and give real context rather than just pointing at names on stone.
One of the most significant stops is the tomb of Homer Plessy, the New Orleans resident whose act of defiance on a segregated train car in 1892 became the landmark civil rights case Plessy v. Ferguson. Standing at his tomb makes that chapter of history feel less like a textbook entry and more like something that happened to a real person, in a real city, on real streets you walked to get here.
The Musicians Tomb of the Barbarin family tells a different kind of story — one about community. The Barbarins helped shape the sound of New Orleans jazz and donated their burial space so that local musicians who could not afford a resting place would have one. The oven vaults and society tombs surrounding it reflect the same values: mutual aid, cultural preservation, and the kind of deep community ties that built this city.
The tour also includes the tomb of Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo Queen, and the distinctive pyramid-shaped tomb of Nicolas Cage — two stops that tend to generate the most questions and make for the most memorable moments of the hour.
For colleagues who have a Friday or Saturday evening free, the Nighttime Walking Tour offers a separate after-dark experience — worth planning independently if your schedule allows.
Built for a Tight Schedule
Where the official tour earns its place on a conference itinerary is in the details. Tours depart every 15 minutes throughout the day, so you are not locked into a rigid start time that may or may not align with a break between sessions. The experience is exactly 55 minutes — long enough to be genuinely worthwhile, short enough to fit between a lunch break and an afternoon keynote. And because your guide leads the group, there is no wandering, no getting turned around, and no risk of running over time.
Book your slot online at cemeterytourneworleans.com before you go, check in at the Cemetery Tour Desk when you arrive, and your guide handles the rest. Basin St. Station also has restrooms, comfortable seating, and the Basin St. Cafe for a coffee or cold drink while you wait for your departure.
Day tour tickets start from $29 per person. For colleagues traveling as a larger group, the Groups and Private Tours page outlines available options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from the Convention Center to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1?
Board the New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off bus at Stop 16 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and ride to Stop 5, directly across from Basin St. Station at 501 Basin Street, where tour check-in takes place. Check current bus schedules before heading out, as frequency varies throughout the day.
How long is the guided tour?
Approximately 55 minutes.
Do I need to book in advance?
Tickets can be purchased online in advance or in person at the Cemetery Tour Desk at Basin St. Station on the day of your visit. Each departure is capped at 20 guests and tours fill up — same-day availability is not guaranteed. Booking online ahead of time is the safest way to secure your spot.
Can I visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 without a guide?
No. The cemetery has been closed to unguided visitors since 2015. Entry is only available through the official guided tour.
What should I wear to the tour?
Comfortable closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended — the cemetery’s pathways include uneven surfaces. Light breathable clothing works well as temperatures begin to moderate from the summer peak.
Is the cemetery tour appropriate for a solo visitor?
Yes. The small group format, capped at 20 guests per departure, works well for solo travelers. Tours depart every 15 minutes, so you can check in at the Cemetery Tour Desk at Basin St. Station and join the next available group without any waiting around.
