Tour St. Roch Cemetery and learn its neighborhood history
1.5 Hours
Guided tour, Cemetery visit
Walk through St. Roch Cemetery with a guide and explore its 1874 origins and community traditions. See the Stations of the Cross statuary and hear the story behind the shrine and chapel.
The chapel is only open on the first Friday of each month from 11:00 am to noon. Tips for the guide are appreciated.
Cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. No refund for cancellations made within 24 hours or less. If Save Our Cemeteries cancels a tour due to weather or any other reason, you will receive a full refund or the opportunity to reschedule.
Plan for possible cancellation if fewer than 4 guests are signed up 12 hours before the departure time.
Bring an umbrella (for sun or rain), bottled water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes. Expect limited shade and heat in the cemetery.
Expect an easy walk, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.
1725 St Roch Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 • (504) 596-3050
Walking through St. Roch Cemetery No. 1, you feel the weight of generations of faith and grief in every carved stone. Sunlight filters through moss and iron, casting long shadows across the above-ground tombs that line the narrow paths. The votive chapel at the heart of Campo Santo draws the eye immediately, its interior walls lined with offerings left by those who believed healing had come to them here.
This nonprofit organization runs exceptional cemetery tours led by passionate, knowledgeable guides who clearly love what they do. Glenn gets mentioned repeatedly for his wealth of historical knowledge, personal stories as a New Orleans native, and thoughtful touches like keeping groups in the shade and bringing water. Dana, Liz, Jamie, and Gary also receive glowing praise for their expertise and engaging storytelling. Tours typically last around two hours and cover far more than just famous residents—expect to learn about architectural styles, burial traditions, New Orleans history, and the fascinating personalities who shaped the city. The tours support actual cemetery preservation work, which many visitors specifically appreciate. Groups visit various locations including St. Louis #3 and the sprawling 127-acre Metairie Cemetery, where having a guide helps you navigate the highlights rather than wandering lost. Most reviewers describe the experience as informative, fun, and easy walking with shade considerations. One guest felt the tour ran a bit long with less room for interaction, but this seems to be an outlier. Private tours are available and reasonably priced for small groups, with guides accommodating mobility needs and scheduling requests.