The Experience
Experience
The Journey Beyond the Gates
Your journey begins across the street from the cemetery at Basin St. Station Visitor Information Center (501 Basin St) at the Cemetery Tour Desk. Tour Agents and Tour Hosts await you there - please arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. On the 45 minute walking tour, you will learn the fascinating history of New Orleans' unique burial customs and walk up-close among the amazing above-ground crypts and below-ground sites. Photography along the way is encouraged. Cemetery Tour Hosts are locally licensed and specially trained to offer the most accurate and complete tours of the cemetery on behalf of New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries. Walking along a meandering path, you will see the tombs of Voodoo Queen Mariel Laveau, historic figure Homer Plessy, former Mayors of the City of New Orleans, and many other notable characters in New Orleans' marvelous history.
Tours depart Daily every 15 minutes from 9 am - 3:45 pm
$25/adult $18/child
A Tour to Another World
As you meander among the tombs in what is widely known as the City of the Dead, hear about the storied pasts of those residing here. Join our licensed and passionate tour guides on a journey through St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Enter the cemetery and quickly become immersed in the charm, beauty and intrigue of New Orleans' oldest extant cemetery.
What You Should Know
Patrons for Preservations - Code of Conduct
Remember, the cemetery is sacred hallowed ground, the final resting place of thousands of New Orleanians for over two centuries. It is also a very rare and fragile architectural site, still actively used for burials. Therefore, managed visitation is required to insure the sustainability of this treasure for generations to come. Cemetery Tour staff members will enforce the following Policies: · No touching, sitting or leaning on tombs, fences, or other structures · Marking or rubbing on tombs is prohibited. · Vandalism and theft are illegal and will be prosecuted. · Deposit of any items on tombs or in the cemetery is prohibited (such as candles, beans, coins, shells, rocks, figures, pictures, images, etc.). · No eating in the cemetery - water bottles with lids are encouraged.
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.
Occasionally yes, but normally No. Each tour departure is limited to 20 persons. Tour departure times should be reserved in advance to insure a place on the tour. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for ticketing & greeting!
Online on this site (Book Now button) -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 waking tour normally lasts about 45 minutes. However, the tour could finish later depending on weather and other unforeseen events.
A maximum of 20 persons is allowed for each tour departure. That’s why it’s so important to purchase tickets in advance. Infants 0-2yrs do not require a ticket or reservation, and may accompany adults for Free.
No, pets are not allowed in the cemetery, with the exception of service animals.
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.
Tips are not required but are always appreciated. We hope you’ll also consider leaving your Tour Guide a great review!
Adult Tickets are available for those 13 years and older for $25. Tickets for children from 3 – 12 years old are available for $18 and children two and under may enter for free.
Yes! This is the only tour to enter St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and we are thrilled to escort you inside!
Reserve your Tour Date and Tour Time in advance, and Arrive 15 minutes early to get prepared for your Tour Departure.
Yes, strollers are allowed in the cemetery. The pathway in the cemetery will be easy to maneuver.
Yes, wheelchairs and scooters are allowed in the cemetery. The pathway in the cemetery will be easy to maneuver.
Chance of Rain? Please come prepared. There is no protection from rain inside of the Cemetery. The Tours will continue as scheduled rain or shine. In the event of Unsafe Weather Conditions, departures may be cancelled and rescheduled.
Park First Parking Lot is a public lot adjacent to Basin St. Station and adjacent to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, offering very reasonable rates ($5-$10 for 10hrs) year-round.
Park First
Pay the at Kiosk
Place the Receipt on Vehicle’s Dashboard
Enjoy your Tour and your Day!
Please note, Basin St. Station Visitor Parking Lot is reserved for temporary 20-minute visitor parking. Do not park here for your tour.
Basin St. Station is Stop 5 along the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Route. Double-Decker Buses are a great way to get around! Hop-Off at Stop 5 and come inside. We’ll see you at the Cemetery Tour Desk!
Maximum Group size is strictly enforced and set to 20 Patrons. Count includes Adults, Children; Infants 0-2 are not counted.
If you are traveling with a party larger than 20, then the group must plan to split up and reserve different Tour Times.