In the event that you’ve had enough of dealing with the boisterous souls of the living down on Bourbon St, considering taking a stroll with the dead. Touring the cemeteries of New Orleans is just as popular as visiting the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. (there’s even a Yelp review!). New Orleans’ oldest cemetery, St. Louis Cemetery Number 1, is located in the Treme neighborhood on the corner of Basin and St. Louis St. My mother and I chose to freesplore (explore for free) instead of researching a tour company, but in order to fully appreciate the history, culture and folklore, one should definitely hop on board with a tour guide. If you’re looking for more history than entertainment from a tour company consider using Save Our Cemeteries Inc. a non-profit dedicated to restoring and preserving the historical cemeteries of NOLA. First come first served, $12 Adults and FREE for those under 12 years.
The maze of aboveground tombs is dotted with peculiar sites that are defaced and littered with random offerings. The magic of voodoo still manages to pull at our imagination and curiosity compelling visitors to leave objects on and around burial sites like that of Marie Laveau and others associated with supernatural power.
Quick Tips:
- The cemetery is registered as a historical site and marking or stealing from the tombs is considered a criminal act.
- There is no available shade in the cemetery so take the necessary precautions (sunscreen, hat, lots o’ water, comfy shoes)
- Eavesdrop on a tour if you’re freesploring it.
- It is not advised to tour the cemetery alone or after dark.
Touring cemeteries might be a morbid concept to some, but in order to understand the living one should study the dead.
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