Step into Metairie with an audio guide that moves with you. This self-guided experience uses VoiceMap GPS so the stories line up with where you are in the cemetery, plus it plays offline once you download. I like that it is set up for a private visit for your party, not a mixed group shuffle. One thing to watch is that the setup depends on app downloads and redemption, and a few people found the instructions confusing.

The other big win is the pace. You can pause, take your time, and keep going when the route makes sense for your comfort level, rain or shine. The narration is designed to be easy to follow, and the geolocation feature helps you feel oriented as you move through the grounds. Still, if you want a very specific grave, you may want extra time and a backup plan, since not every important-looking spot will match your wish list.

Key Highlights Worth Your Time

• Offline audio and maps mean no data panic once you are on-site
• Geolocation routing helps you find each story stop without a paper map
• Private for your party keeps the visit calm and flexible
• Lifetime access so you can revisit the same stories later
• Short runtime (about 35 minutes) fits into a day that already has a lot going on

Washington Artillery Park Start: A Simple Way to Begin

This tour starts at 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, with the route built to return you back to the meeting point when you finish. The big practical value is that it does not require you to meet a person at a specific minute, or join a schedule-based group. You start when you are ready, and the audio cues are designed to guide you through the cemetery experience.

The starting area is near Washington Artillery Park, so you can also use it as a mental reset point. If you are combining this with other New Orleans sights, this format is easy to slot in. You are not committing to an hour-plus of strict pacing.

One more detail that matters: the tour is private, meaning only your group participates. That is a real comfort factor in a cemetery setting where silence and spacing matter.

Price and Timing: Why $8.99 Can Be Good Value

At $8.99 per person, this is priced like an add-on, not a big-ticket guided excursion. The value comes from what you get beyond the audio itself: lifetime access to the Faith and Courage: Metairie Cemetery Stories tour, plus the VoiceMap app, offline access to audio, maps, and geodata, and self-guided navigation.

A rough runtime of about 35 minutes makes it a sensible “slice” of time. You can do it as your cemetery orientation, then extend your visit on foot or by car if you want to linger longer. If you are trying to cover New Orleans without over-structuring the day, this fits the sweet spot.

Booking is typically done around a week in advance on average. That suggests it is not usually a last-minute-only product. If you are traveling during a busy period, I would still plan ahead so the timing does not become an afterthought.

VoiceMap Setup: The Part to Handle Carefully

This experience runs through the VoiceMap Audio Tours system and the VoiceMap app. The key steps are: download the app, redeem your purchased tour code, and then download the tour for offline use.

Here is the practical warning that you should take seriously. A couple of people had major trouble with redemption and starting the tour, including getting stuck in a looping flow or being unclear about where the story actually begins on the cemetery grounds. Another person ran into a “multiple app” feeling, with confusion about what needed to be installed and where the tour code needed to go.

So, do yourself a favor:

• Do the app work before you arrive, ideally on Wi-Fi.
• Make sure the tour is fully downloaded for offline playback.
• Have your email and code ready, so you are not searching for them on your phone in the parking lot.

If anything goes wrong, VoiceMap support is reachable by email or telephone, and the provider specifically encourages contacting support when technical issues show up. If you are the kind of traveler who hates tech surprises, schedule a little buffer time before you start the audio.

Offline Playback and Rain-Proof Flexibility

One of the best features here is that the tour plays offline, and that is not just marketing. When your phone does not need to stream, you avoid data drain, weak-signal frustration, and most “stopped mid-story” moments.

This matters in New Orleans because weather can turn fast. One review highlighted that even when it rained, they could still drive the route and complete the tour. Another mentioned the experience staying enjoyable because the route is self-paced and you can stop anytime and start again.

Also, you are not locked into a rigid walking cadence. You can take time at the moments that feel right, then continue when you are ready. In a cemetery, that freedom is a big deal.

How GPS Geolocation Guides You Through the Stories

The “self-guided GPS tour” piece is the heart of why this works better than a random audio file. Geolocation is meant to trigger the correct narration as you reach each story point.

In real-world terms, this reduces stress:

• You do not need to read a dense map.
• You are less likely to miss the intended story markers.
• You can follow the route at your comfort level.

A common compliment in feedback is that the app is easy to follow, and that the narration quality feels right for the setting. People also liked the geolocation feature because it helps you stay oriented instead of wandering and guessing.

That said, there is one drawback worth planning around. Some people felt the tour did not point out certain key graves close to the start and stop area. In other words, the tour is guided by what the audio designers selected, not by every significant grave you might personally care about. If you have a specific person you want to find, plan extra time and use your own method for locating that person separately.

The Route Experience: Drive, Walk, and Pause On Your Terms

The tour is built around a starting point and ends back there. In practice, you can follow the suggested route and spend extra time where the stories make you slow down. One of the most consistent themes is that you can stop whenever you need to, with the tour continuing when you are ready.

You should also expect the cemetery environment itself to shape your pace. This is not a museum hallway. It is a large outdoor space where footing, privacy, and respect matter. The “pause whenever” approach makes it much easier to keep the visit comfortable.

Also, the tour is in English only, so it is straightforward if that is your language. If you are traveling with a group, it keeps communication simple because everyone hears the same narrated storyline.

Practical Logistics You Should Know Before You Go

A few details from the tour info are worth highlighting because they affect how smooth the visit feels.

Smartphone: you need to bring it. A smartphone is not included, and you will need it for the VoiceMap app. The tour itself is designed around that phone interface.

Transportation: the experience does not include transportation. That means you decide how you want to get there, whether you drive or use nearby public transit.

Timing: opening hours show it as available 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM for the listed date range. So you are not forced into a narrow window. Still, nighttime lighting and personal comfort are real factors for an outdoor cemetery.

Service animals: service animals are allowed.

Most travelers can participate, so it is not restricted to a narrow physical profile based on the provided information. If you have mobility concerns, keep in mind you are moving through outdoor paths and potentially across uneven surfaces.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This is a strong fit if you want a self-guided cemetery visit that still feels structured. You get story guidance without the pressure of a live group tour.

It also suits you if:

• You like learning at your own pace.
• You want offline audio for peace of mind.
• You enjoy GPS guidance more than paper navigation.
• You are visiting New Orleans and want a focused, short addition (about 35 minutes).

It may be less ideal if:

• You get easily frustrated by app setup and codes.
• You need the tour to mention very specific graves tied to your personal research.
• You want a live guide answering questions on the spot.

If you fall into the first category, do the download and redemption ahead of time, and test starting the tour once before leaving your home or hotel.

Should You Book Metairie Cemetery Stories for Faith and Courage?

Yes, you should book it if you value offline audio, GPS guidance, and a self-paced format that works on your schedule. At $8.99, the lifetime access turns it into a low-risk purchase, especially if you think you might revisit the same stories later.

I would not treat it as a substitute for cemetery research. If your goal is locating a specific grave by name, the audio tour can still help with orientation, but you should plan extra time or use other tools for that key search. And if you are sensitive to tech friction, build in a little buffer for app setup so your first minute on-site is calm, not stressful.

If you do those two things, you will likely get what people love most here: clear narration, a route that feels guided, and the freedom to pause and take the cemetery in at your own pace.

FAQ

How much does Metairie Cemetery Stories cost?

It costs $8.99 per person.

How long is the self-guided audio tour?

It takes about 35 minutes on average.

Do I need internet while playing the tour?

No. The tour plays offline, so you do not have to worry about using data once it is downloaded.

Is it a private tour for my group only?

Yes. It is private, so only your group participates.

Where does the tour start?

The starting point is 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA.

Does it end at the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is a smartphone included?

No. A smartphone is not included.

Is cancellation free if I change my plans?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.