THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Step into St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 with Save Our Cemeteries for a revealing walk through New Orleans' rich burial heritage. Learn the real stories behind the city's famed residents on this accessible 1.5-hour tour.
Step into St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 with Save Our Cemeteries for a revealing walk through New Orleans' rich burial heritage. Learn the real stories behind the city's famed residents on this accessible 1.5-hour tour.
Book with Save Our Cemeteries
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Save Our Cemeteries · New Orleans, Louisiana
Located just off Esplanade Avenue near the serene waters of Bayou St. John, St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 in New Orleans offers a distinctly immersive glimpse into the city’s layered history and burial traditions. Operated by Save Our Cemeteries, this 1.5-hour walking experience moves beyond the typical tour, inviting visitors to connect with local culture through the final resting places of fascinating historical figures.
This Catholic cemetery is a unique outdoor space where above-ground tombs, wrought-iron fencing, and weathered stonework mark the landscape. Visitors tread easy, accessible paths that wind through rows of elaborately sculpted vaults and mausoleums. The site holds the remains of notable personalities such as James Gallier, the architect behind many landmark structures; E.J. Bellocq, the evocative photographer famed for his Storyville portraits; and culinary legends Leah Chase and Paul Prudhomme, whose influence continues to flavor New Orleans cuisine.
Save Our Cemeteries champions preservation and educates about local customs, making this tour a vital link between the city’s vibrant past and its present-day identity. This isn’t just a stroll through a cemetery; it’s a thoughtful journey into the stories that shape New Orleans’ distinct soul.
The atmosphere here is calm yet evocative, with moss-hung trees flanking historic paths, and the nearby bayou’s gentle ripples adding ambient sound. The narrative you’ll hear highlights everyday lives and extraordinary tales alike—turning gravestones into windows on a city that honors its heritage openly.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a cultural traveler, or someone seeking reflective outdoor moments, this accessible cemetery experience near City Park offers an offbeat adventure with deep local roots. Save Our Cemeteries helps ensure these stories remain visible and respected for generations to come.
easy.
1.5 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels, including wheelchair users; mostly flat terrain.
Yes, the cemetery paths are flat and wheelchair accessible to accommodate all visitors.
Yes, booking at least 12 hours in advance is required, with a minimum of 4 guests per tour.
Yes, guides are well-versed in cemetery history and share detailed stories about notable figures.
Photography is encouraged; please be respectful and avoid using flash near sensitive monuments.
Yes, the tour is family-friendly and suitable for all ages.
Tips are appreciated but not required; they support the hard work of the guides.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 was established in the mid-19th century and reflects New Orleans’ tradition of above-ground burial to manage its swampy soil.
Save Our Cemeteries focuses on preserving these historic sites by educating visitors about respectful practices and supporting ongoing maintenance.
Save Our Cemeteries is an organization based in New Orleans, Louisiana, dedicated to preserving, documenting, and promoting the city's historic burial grounds. The organization offers guided tours and educational experiences that highlight the architecture, cultural traditions, and stories embedded in local cemeteries. Notable guided experiences include visits to St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 near City Park, a combined Tour of the Historic Pitot House and St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, the monthly St. Roch Cemetery tour with its chapel of local offerings, and a guided exploration of Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery, known for its sculptures and notable interments. Tours balance historical context with on-site interpretation, helping visitors understand cemetery design, funerary art, and community heritage. In addition to public tours, the organization engages in cemetery documentation and community outreach to support ongoing care and awareness. Tour schedules and special events are announced by the organization; some tours operate on set dates such as the first Friday of the month for St. Roch Cemetery. Save Our Cemeteries works with local stakeholders, volunteers, and preservation professionals to maintain respectful access to sensitive sites while sharing accurate historical information. For visitors seeking thoughtful, place-based learning about New Orleans history, these guided experiences provide a structured way to explore cemeteries, learn about prominent local figures, and witness distinctive funerary art. The organization documents funerary markers, provides interpretive materials for visitors, coordinates volunteer days, and collaborates with municipal partners to ensure site stewardship. Visitors should check schedules and respect site rules during visits and traditions.
Book with Save Our Cemeteries