Night cemeteries feel different in New Orleans. This bus tour gives you exclusive after-dark access to Odd Fellows Rest and a chance to play with EMF readers while a guide ties it to local lore and real burial history. I especially like the fact that you are not wandering alone in the dark, and the guide keeps the mood creepy but clear. The main tradeoff is simple: you spend a big chunk of time at the best stop, so it is not a long list of many cemeteries.

You start near 620 Decatur St in the French Quarter and roll out by air-conditioned bus, with a short coffee and restroom break on the way. You can bring your own drink for the ride, and there is also a stop where you can buy something before the cemetery time. I like that the pace feels manageable for a two-hour tour, with flat walking and time built in to regroup.

One more thing to consider: the bus is not wheelchair accessible, and you will need to handle a few steps to get on and off. If the weather turns windy or cold, you may want layered clothes so you stay comfortable between stops.

Key things to know before you go

• Exclusive night entry to Odd Fellows Rest, one of the stops you cannot really do on your own
• Drive-by above-ground tombs at Cypress Grove and Greenwood while your guide narrates from the bus
• A guided, scripted-style “creepy” experience, including time for EMF readers at the cemetery
• A Katrina memorial stop tied to unclaimed bodies from Hurricane Katrina, plus a nighttime look at Charity Hospital’s grounds from outside
• Small-group feel for a bus tour, with a maximum of 42 people and a guide who keeps the group moving

The after-dark value: security, story, and real cemetery time

The biggest reason this tour works is that it turns a scary option into a controlled one. You get a bus, a route, and a guide who sets expectations, so you spend your energy looking and listening instead of worrying about logistics in the dark.

I like that it is not just a quick photo stop. You get actual time walking inside Odd Fellows Rest, and that access is the whole point of the experience. Your guide also narrates what you are seeing as you move through the cemetery, which helps you understand why the sites matter beyond the spooky angle.

There’s also a practical comfort factor. The tour is about two hours, you have an air-conditioned vehicle, and you get a quick break for coffee and restrooms. It is a good format for people who want something memorable but do not want a long evening grind.

Where you meet on 620 Decatur St, and what the timeline really feels like

You meet at New Orleans Ghost Adventures at 620 Decatur St #600, and the tour ends back there. Plan to arrive a little early so you can check in without stress, especially since you are starting in the French Quarter where traffic and foot movement can be unpredictable.

A typical evening rhythm looks like this: the tour rolls out, you go straight into the first big cemetery stop (Odd Fellows Rest), then you get a combination of drive-bys and short stops. You also get a quick restroom and coffee break at Morning Call Coffee Stand.

In practice, the pacing tends to feel “concentrated.” One review experience noted that the group spent a lot of time at Odd Fellows Rest, then had a shorter look at the next sites. That is not a bad thing. It usually means the tour focuses on the one cemetery with the real access, instead of rushing through too much.

Odd Fellows Rest: the exclusive cemetery stop you will remember

Odd Fellows Rest is the star. This is where the tour delivers on the promise of exclusive access to a private cemetery at night. The tour description is direct about it, and the feedback is consistent: this is an opportunity most people cannot arrange on their own.

Once you enter, you get time to walk the grounds and absorb the details while the guide narrates. Expect a mix of spooky storytelling and burial context. I also like that this stop feels structured. A guide can keep the story moving and the group oriented, which matters a lot in a cemetery setting.

If you like photos, you will likely appreciate the time at this location. Reviews mention good chances for pictures and clear viewing opportunities during the walking portion. And since this is the stop with the true access, it makes sense that it takes most of the time.

Drive-by tombs: Cypress Grove and Greenwood from the bus

Between cemetery stops, you get ride-by views of other locations where you can see above-ground tombs, including Cypress Grove and Greenwood. You are not walking these drive-bys, but the narration helps you connect what you are seeing to the city’s famous burial style.

This “from the bus” setup is valuable for two reasons. First, it keeps the evening easier on your feet. Second, it gives you a city overview, so you start spotting patterns in the architecture and monument style as you move through New Orleans.

The tradeoff is also clear. If you want hands-on time at every cemetery, this is not that kind of tour. Think of the drive-bys as visual orientation, then let Odd Fellows Rest do the heavy lifting for the true walking portion.

Morning Call Coffee Stand: the small break that keeps the tour enjoyable

You get a short stop at Morning Call Coffee Stand for restrooms and a quick reset. It is only around 10 minutes, so do not plan on settling in for a full meal. But for a nighttime cemetery tour, even a brief bathroom stop changes everything.

This stop also supports the “bring your own drink” vibe. Drinks are not included, but you can purchase something to take along, and you can also bring your own for the bus ride. If you are doing this on a cold night, having something warm in hand is a simple way to stay comfortable while you wait for the next segment.

One smart tip: treat this as your last easy window to grab what you need. After this, you are moving into more cemetery-focused time where you will want your hands free for cameras and your attention on your guide.

Katrina memorial and Charity Hospital cemetery grounds: what the tour handles with care

The tour includes a stop tied to Hurricane Katrina. You will be able to pay respects at a memorial connected to unclaimed bodies from Hurricane Katrina. This is one of those moments where the tone shifts from creepy fun to something heavier and more human.

After that, you also get nighttime access to the story around Charity Hospital cemetery grounds, though the exact viewing is outside. One account described looking through gates while hearing the history, with the feeling that the stop is shorter once you have seen what you can see.

I like that the guide does not treat the Katrina portion like just another spooky story beat. The presence of a memorial gives the evening weight, and it helps balance the lighter “ghost tour” elements that happen earlier.

If you are someone who wants your tour to feel respectful, this portion is likely to land well. If you want only the maximum scare factor, the Katrina segment may feel less “haunted” and more reflective.

EMF readers on the bus and in the cemetery: fun tool, no hard promises

The tour includes EMF readers for trying to spot activity. The goal is participation, not proof. You might get a reading, you might not, but either way the EMF part works as a built-in way to focus attention and make the walking time interactive.

This is where the “believer or skeptic” pitch becomes practical. Even if you do not put much stock in ghost hunting tools, the EMF readers can still make the group experience feel different from a standard history walk. You are looking at the cemetery, then listening to the guide, then doing something together instead of just standing around.

What I would do in your shoes: treat the EMF portion like a game with a safety rule. Keep the group moving, follow your guide’s cues, and do not let the device distract you from the site itself. The cemetery time is the real value.

Guides like Jeff or Geoff, plus drivers like Cory or Carl: why the storytelling matters

This experience rises or falls on the guide. The names that come up in recent groups include Jeff and Geoff for guiding, and J or Jay for leading other departures. There are also driver mentions like Cory and Carl, with praise for smooth, comfortable rides.

Across the feedback, the repeated theme is clear: the guides mix spooky narration with straight talk about burial sites and what you are looking at. One account highlighted that the guide was funny and energetic, which matters because cemeteries can feel heavy if the group is not kept engaged.

A good guide also handles pace. One negative account described an issue where the group stayed too long at the first cemetery, cutting the rest short. That is not the norm in positive feedback, but it is a reminder: ask questions early, pay attention when your guide explains timing, and be flexible if your evening runs a little long at the walking stop.

Price and logistics: is $40.32 a fair deal for what you get?

At $40.32 per person, you are paying for three things that are hard to replicate on your own: after-dark cemetery access, guided interpretation while you are walking, and the bus that strings multiple sites together in one evening.

The drive-bys alone would not justify the cost. The value is the exclusive Odd Fellows Rest entry plus the guide-led story and the included EMF reader activity. You also get an air-conditioned vehicle and a built-in break, which lowers the effort.

Group discounts are mentioned too, and the tour caps at 42 people. Smaller groups tend to mean more chances to ask questions and move through the cemetery at a human pace.

If you are comparing prices, do not just compare “ghost tours.” Compare the access. If a tour does not include a real cemetery entry at night, it is usually not offering the same level of value.

Should you book this cemetery bus tour?

Book it if you want an evening with actual cemetery walking time, especially access to Odd Fellows Rest. This is also a great pick if you like being told where to look and you want the spooky side of New Orleans without doing it solo.

Skip it if you want a long list of many cemetery stops with lots of time at each one. This tour is concentrated, and the focus stays on the main walking access.

If the idea of combining a Katrina memorial moment with a lighter ghost-hunting vibe sounds like your kind of New Orleans night, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Which cemetery does the New Orleans Cemetery Bus Tour After Dark include?

This tour typically visits the Odd Fellows Rest cemetery. It also passes by the Cypress Grove and Greenwood cemeteries while your guide points out the above-ground tombs.

Does the tour include a stop at Marie Laveau’s tomb?

No. Marie Laveau’s tomb is located in St. Louis cemetery 1, which is not included on this tour.

Is the Hurricane Katrina memorial part of the itinerary?

Yes. The tour includes time at a Hurricane Katrina memorial cemetery connected to unclaimed bodies, and your guide explains the lasting effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Can I bring a drink with me?

Drinks are not included, but you can bring your own drink to enjoy on the bus. The tour also includes a stop where you can purchase a drink to take with you.

What’s included during the tour?

Your ticket includes live on-board commentary, air-conditioned transportation, exclusive access to a cemetery at night, and the use of EMF readers.

Where does the tour start, and where does it end?

The tour starts at New Orleans Ghost Adventures, 620 Decatur St #600, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 2 hours.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 42 travelers.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

The bus used for this tour is not wheelchair accessible, and all participants must be able to walk and navigate a few steps to board and exit.