Night time cemetery tours

Question

I’d be interested in touring some of the cemeteries at night…… mainly because I think it would be more atmospheric! The only outfit I found offering this type of tour is called Nola Ghost Riders.

Are any of you NOLA experts aware of any others, or have you heard good things about GR?

If not, can you recommend an overall excellent cemetery tour? The options are somewhat overwhelming.

Thanks all!

Answer

New Orleans is known for its fascinating history, and a nighttime cemetery tour can definitely offer a unique, atmospheric experience. The city’s cemeteries, especially the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, are rich with history, mystery, and folklore, and visiting them after dark adds an eerie charm. Here’s what you should know about night tours and some options to consider:

Nola Ghost Riders

Nola Ghost Riders is one of the more popular tour companies offering night-time cemetery tours. They are known for their spooky, fun, and informative tours that blend history, local legends, and ghost stories. The company has good reviews for providing an engaging experience, with their guides often sharing personal experiences and anecdotes that add to the atmosphere. If you’re specifically looking for a nighttime cemetery tour, Nola Ghost Riders is a solid option.

Pros: The guides are knowledgeable, and the tours focus on both the history and supernatural aspects of the cemeteries. This tour gives a good balance of eerie atmosphere and educational value.
Cons: If you're specifically looking for a more historical-focused tour without the ghost stories, this may not be your best option.

Other Cemetery Tour Options

If you’re interested in other options for cemetery tours (even if they don’t focus exclusively on night tours), there are several great companies to consider:

Save Our Cemeteries: This organization offers daytime and evening tours of New Orleans' historic cemeteries. While their focus is more on the history and preservation of the cemeteries, the evening tours can still be quite atmospheric, especially as the sun sets. Save Our Cemeteries offers tours of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, both of which are excellent for exploring the city’s unique burial traditions.
New Orleans Cemetery Tours: Offering both daytime and evening options, this company offers a more traditional historical focus. Their evening tours also take place at some of the more famous cemeteries, and they can provide a deeper look into the local history, the people buried there, and the distinct above-ground tombs that are a hallmark of New Orleans' cemeteries. These tours are less about ghost stories and more about the cultural significance of the cemeteries.
The Haunted History Tour Company: This company offers a variety of tours, including a nighttime cemetery tour, which focuses on New Orleans' supernatural lore and haunted locations. Their cemetery tour covers some of the same grounds as Nola Ghost Riders, but with a greater emphasis on New Orleans’ haunted history and local legends. If you’re looking for more of a ghostly experience rather than a purely historical one, this could be a good fit.

Other Notable Cemeteries to Visit

If you're looking to explore New Orleans' cemeteries outside of the more popular St. Louis No. 1, consider visiting:

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1: One of the oldest and most picturesque cemeteries in the city, Lafayette Cemetery is located in the Garden District. While it’s typically not as heavily visited as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, it offers a fascinating look at New Orleans' burial traditions and is often included in some of the historical cemetery tours.
St. Roch Cemetery: Known for its unique history and connection to the local Catholic faith, St. Roch Cemetery is one of the lesser-known cemeteries but offers a unique experience, particularly if you're interested in the religious aspects of New Orleans’ cemeteries.
Metairie Cemetery: This is one of the largest cemeteries in New Orleans and is known for its elaborate above-ground tombs, mausoleums, and statuary. It’s not as “spooky” as some of the others but offers a more peaceful and majestic experience.

Summary

If you’re looking for an atmospheric night-time cemetery tour, Nola Ghost Riders is a great option, with its blend of history, ghost stories, and local lore. However, if you're seeking something more historical and less focused on the supernatural, consider Save Our Cemeteries or New Orleans Cemetery Tours for a more educational experience. Both companies also offer evening tours, but with a more historical perspective.

Ultimately, it depends on whether you’re more interested in the ghostly and eerie aspects of New Orleans or a deeper historical and cultural understanding of its burial practices. Either way, a nighttime cemetery tour is sure to be a memorable experience!