New Orleans Metairie Cemetery Tour: Millionaires and Mausoleums
Description
Metairie Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is frequently listed as one of the must-see cemeteries in the world. While walking beneath the shade of almost a 1,000 trees, you'll see the extravagant tombs of Popeyes’ founder Al Copeland, Ruth’s Chris Steak House founder Ruth Fertel, and vampire-novelist Anne Rice. You'll see the pyramid guarded by a sphinx, the Islamic-inspired tomb that a Confederate general built for his daughter, the grave of the gunned-down gambler who never smiled, the Storyville madam who was ousted from her tomb, and the famous weeping angel bathed in blue. Your guide Sally Asher is passionate about revealing the unusual, outrageous and untold stories of New Orleans. An award-winning writer and professional photographer, Asher believes history isn’t about merely listing dates and facts, but the gentle collision of truth and narrative – scandals and all! This tour is approximately 2 miles long and takes 2 hours.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Metairie Cemetery (actually located in New Orleans) is home to some of the most elaborate and artistic marble tombs and funerary art in the city. This former racetrack is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is frequently ranked as one of the top cemeteries in the world. Metairie Cemetery has everyone from politicians, to jazz musicians to Storyville madams to mob bosses, to fried-chicken tycoons, to vampire novelists, all nestled together in an 127-acre pastoral setting surrounded by shining pyramids, Greek Temples, Islamic pavilions, crying dogs, and mausoleums with weeping angels. Metairie Cemetery is not a burial place, but a burial destination.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(324)
This was literally the best tour of our trip. It is a must if you’re visiting New Orleans.
Sally was very informative and had interesting stories regarding Metairie as well as the other New Orlean's cemeteries. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven surfaces, grassy walking and no real seating for at least two hours. It was very hot the day we went but Sally brought umbrellas to use if needed.
Sally is an incredible wealth of information about cemeteries, burial, specific monuments, and more! We have been visiting New Orleans for years and learned SO much about this city we loved already. I would highly recommend for first time or seasoned visitors! We highly enjoyed seeing famous tombs as well as hearing about others new to us.
Bring an umbrella for shade ad wear sunblock bring water We did this in May it was hot. Ourtour guide also text us ahead of time and.provided information so helpful.
Sally is very knowledgeable and clearly loves what she does! She is interesting, engaging, and comfortable following the groups interests and questions wherever they lead instead of sticking to a script. She’s always incorporating new info from her research and interviews so I’d even go again in a few years.
Thank you so much - I do love it! I am so happy you enjoyed your tour.
Very knowledgeable tour guide. Great group. Local on a tour with a visiting friend - exceeded expectations.
Thank you so much. I love having locals on the tour. I am so happy y'all enjoyed your tour!
Red Sash Tours was absolutely fantastic. Sally was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about the history she shares. Her storytelling kept everyone interested from start to finish, and she answered every question with confidence and detail. One of the highlights was the crow feeding, which was such a unique experience. We also had the unexpected opportunity to enter a mausoleum using keys Sally had access to, which made the tour feel even more special and immersive. What really stood out was how much personal research and effort Sally has put into her work. She studies the stories herself and has interviewed many people to ensure accuracy and authenticity. You can genuinely feel her passion throughout the entire tour. I would highly recommend Red Sash Tours to anyone looking for a more thoughtful, authentic, and memorable experience over the standard tourist tours.
Thank you so much for the amazing review! I really appreciate the time and effort you put into it and I am so happy that you enjoyed your tour of Metairie Cemetery - and the crows!
When you choose a guide like Sally, you have learnt and benefited from New Orleans best. You owe it to yourself. Then buy her book. !
Thank you so much for your review! I am so happy you enjoyed your tour!
Every good cemetery review I read about before visiting NOLA said "Sally was amazing". Then during a food and history tour with Dr. Gumbo, I asked which cemetery tour he recommended. He too said 'Sally Asher'. So to Sally we went! And she did not disappoint. Sally is a wealth of knowledge on New Orleans history and customs. We really knew nothing before we came in and came out fascinated and ready to learn more! Wish we had more time to tour the other cemeteries. Thank you Sally!
I am so happy you enjoyed your tour. Dr. Gumbo food & cocktail tours are the best! Thank you so much for your kind review.
Sally is incredible! I so enjoyed our tour of the Metairie Cemetery. Sally is an extremely knowledgeable researcher and a charismatic and engaging guide. I can’t wait to come back and take another tour with her!
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed your tour - and look forward to seeing you next time you are in New Orleans!
