New Orleans: City & Cemetery Bus Tour with Beignets

Summary

French Quarter streets, St. Louis Cemetery stories, beignets in City Park

You’ll ride through New Orleans’ French Quarter and historic neighborhoods with a local guide who brings each stop to life—from quiet moments among tombs at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 to sticky-fingered beignets in City Park’s sculpture garden. Expect laughter, stories you’ll want to remember, and a few surprises tucked between old stones and new friends.

What’s the experience like?

I stepped off the bus in New Orleans and immediately caught that mix of sweet magnolia and something older—maybe it was the rain-soaked bricks or just my nerves. Our guide, Marcus, had this way of talking like he’d lived every story himself. We rolled through the French Quarter first—balconies draped in green ferns, someone playing trumpet somewhere out of sight. I tried to catch every detail but there’s just too much color and sound here to hold onto all at once.

The real heart-thumper was St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. The air changed as soon as we walked in—cooler, quieter, even though the city buzzed just outside those gates. Marcus pointed out names I’d seen on street signs and told us how families still come to clean the tombs before All Saints’ Day. I ran my fingers over one of the marble slabs (probably not supposed to, sorry) and felt how time smooths everything down eventually. Ten minutes alone there went fast—I kept thinking about who used to walk these paths.

We stopped next at City Park for beignets at Morning Call Café. Powdered sugar everywhere—on my shirt, in my hair somehow—and nobody seemed to mind. There was a breeze through the oaks and kids laughing near some wild sculpture that looked like it might topple over if you stared too hard. I wandered through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden for a bit; some pieces made sense, others didn’t, but that’s kind of how New Orleans feels anyway.

The whole day trip around New Orleans from the comfort of that little bus felt both easy and packed with stories I’ll probably never shake loose. Hotel pickup made it simple (no hunting for parking), and our group was small enough that Marcus remembered everyone’s name by the end—which is more than I can say for myself most days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — New Orleans city and cemetery tour

• Hotel pick-up in French Quarter
• Relax on bus through historic neighborhoods
• Pass by St. Louis Cathedral
• Stop at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3
• Guided tour of cemetery
• Explore cemetery on your own
• Stop at City Park sculpture garden
• Enjoy beignets at Morning Call Cafe
• Explore sculpture garden
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long is the New Orleans city & cemetery bus tour?

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours from start to finish.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup is offered within the French Quarter and Business District areas.

Are there stops where you can get out during the tour?

Yes, there are two main stops: one at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 for a guided walk and another at City Park for beignets and exploring the sculpture garden.

Is food included on this tour?

No full meal is included but you have time to buy beignets at Morning Call Café during the City Park stop.

How big are the groups on this bus tour?

Groups are typically under 15 people and never more than 25.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

Yes, infants can join if seated on an adult’s lap or stroller; service animals are allowed; suitable for all fitness levels.

What neighborhoods does this city tour pass through?

You’ll see the French Quarter, Treme, Faubourg St. John & Marigny, Garden District, Warehouse District plus City Park.

Who leads the tours?

A licensed local guide leads each group and shares history along the way.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from central New Orleans hotels, a small group ride through historic neighborhoods with a licensed local guide sharing stories along every block, guided entry into St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 with time to wander on your own, plus a stop at City Park’s sculpture garden where you can grab fresh beignets before heading back downtown.