THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board a dusk bus from Decatur Street and walk under oak alleés into the compact, above-ground tombs of Masonic Cemetery No.1. This 2-hour narrated tour blends Masonic and local burial history with practical guidance for an after-dark visit.
Board a dusk bus from Decatur Street and walk under oak alleés into the compact, above-ground tombs of Masonic Cemetery No.1. This 2-hour narrated tour blends Masonic and local burial history with practical guidance for an after-dark visit.
At dusk the French Quarter loosens its daytime clamor and the city’s old stones take on new voices. You board a coach at VooDoo Tavern & Poboys and the streets of Decatur slip past as your guide warms the group with measured stories. The bus parks curbside and you step into a garden of cast-iron fences and compact, above-ground tombs — the Masonic Cemetery No. 1 — where oak alleés lean like quiet witnesses.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by NOLA GhostRiders · New Orleans, Louisiana
At dusk the French Quarter loosens its daytime clamor and the city’s old stones take on new voices. You board a coach at VooDoo Tavern & Poboys and the streets of Decatur slip past as your guide warms the group with measured stories. The bus parks curbside and you step into a garden of cast-iron fences and compact, above-ground tombs — the Masonic Cemetery No. 1 — where oak alleés lean like quiet witnesses.
Founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, Masonic Cemetery No. 1 contrasts with the city’s Catholic burial grounds: communal lodge vaults, angular walkways and a triangular plan that reflects Masonic geometry. The cemetery’s compact tomb rows and paved promenade tell practical stories of space, faith and social structure in a city built on soft ground. At night the stonework throws hard shadows, and the guide threads cultural context — burial customs, the role of fraternal organizations, and how New Orleans manages memory in above-ground form.
Practically, this is a 2-hour narrated bus tour with a roughly 40-minute on-foot stop inside the cemetery. Expect uneven walkways, occasional steps and low lighting; wear steady shoes and bring a small flashlight. The route is suitable for most fitness levels and is family-friendly; strollers are possible though parts can be tight. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in, carry water in humid months, and keep voices low out of respect. Photography is allowed but be mindful of private plots and guided stop times. This tour mixes local history, architectural detail and that small thrill that comes when the past seems to shift just out of reach.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; expect short periods of standing and walking on uneven surfaces
Meet at VooDoo Tavern & Poboys, 1140 Decatur St; arrive about 30 minutes before departure for check-in.
Yes—infants may sit on laps and strollers are accommodated, though sections of the cemetery can be narrow.
Photography is allowed; please avoid flash when others are present and do not trespass on private plots.
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund; tours may cancel in bad weather.
Masonic Cemetery No. 1 was established in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana; its communal lodge tombs reflect fraternal pooling of resources and 19th-century burial practices in low-lying New Orleans.
Cemetery preservation depends on respectful visitation and ongoing maintenance; avoid leaving trash, and follow local guidance to protect historic masonry and plantings.
NOLA GhostRiders operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
At dusk the French Quarter loosens its daytime clamor and the city’s old stones take on new voices. You board a coach at VooDoo Tavern & Poboys and the streets of Decatur slip past as your guide warms the group with measured stories. The bus parks curbside and you step into a garden of cast-iron fences and compact, above-ground tombs — the Masonic Cemetery No. 1 — where oak alleés lean like quiet witnesses.
At dusk the French Quarter loosens its daytime clamor and the city’s old stones take on new voices. You board a coach at VooDoo Tavern & Poboys and the streets of Decatur slip past as your guide warms the group with measured stories. The bus parks curbside and you step into a garden of cast-iron fences and compact, above-ground tombs — the Masonic Cemetery No. 1 — where oak alleés lean like quiet witnesses.
Founded in 1865 by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, Masonic Cemetery No. 1 contrasts with the city’s Catholic burial grounds: communal lodge vaults, angular walkways and a triangular plan that reflects Masonic geometry. The cemetery’s compact tomb rows and paved promenade tell practical stories of space, faith and social structure in a city built on soft ground. At night the stonework throws hard shadows, and the guide threads cultural context — burial customs, the role of fraternal organizations, and how New Orleans manages memory in above-ground form.
Practically, this is a 2-hour narrated bus tour with a roughly 40-minute on-foot stop inside the cemetery. Expect uneven walkways, occasional steps and low lighting; wear steady shoes and bring a small flashlight. The route is suitable for most fitness levels and is family-friendly; strollers are possible though parts can be tight. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in, carry water in humid months, and keep voices low out of respect. Photography is allowed but be mindful of private plots and guided stop times. This tour mixes local history, architectural detail and that small thrill that comes when the past seems to shift just out of reach.