New Orleans: Garden District Walk & Lafayette Cemetery Gates Tour

Summary

Walk shaded streets past mansions and pause at lafayette cemetery gates for stories of old new orleans

You’ll stroll shaded avenues past grand homes in New Orleans’ Garden District, hear quirky tales from your local guide, and pause at Lafayette Cemetery’s gates to learn why tombs rise above ground here. Expect movie locations, celebrity houses you might not notice alone, and small details that stick with you long after—like jasmine on the breeze or laughter over local street names.

What’s the experience like?

I thought I knew what to expect from the Garden District — big porches, dripping Spanish moss, that kind of thing. But stepping off the St. Charles streetcar into those quiet, wide streets felt different. Our guide, Marcus, waved us over by a cornstalk fence (yes, it really looks like corn) and started pointing out who lived where — Anne Rice’s old place across from someone’s “haunted” house. The air smelled like wet leaves and jasmine, even though it was barely spring.

We reached Lafayette Cemetery #1 sooner than I expected. The city’s closed it for repairs (which Marcus said happens more often than you’d think), so we stood at the gates with our faces pressed to the ironwork. He told us about the aboveground tombs — why they’re stacked up like that, how families reuse them — and honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so curious about burial practices. There was this moment where he pointed out a faded name on one of the crypts just visible through the gate; he paused and let us listen to the cicadas buzzing in the heat. It made everything feel slower.

After that we wandered past houses that looked straight out of movies (because some actually are — Marcus showed us where they filmed “Benjamin Button”). He had stories about every porch swing and every famous name: Peyton Manning’s childhood home, John Goodman’s place with Mardi Gras beads still tangled in the trees. At one point I tried to pronounce “Tchoupitoulas” street and totally mangled it; Marcus laughed but then told me how locals say it. That stuck with me more than any fact about architecture.

I still think about those quiet blocks lined with live oaks and all those stories layered into brick and marble. The tour wasn’t flashy or dramatic — just real people, real history, a little bit of weirdness (in a good way). If you want to see New Orleans beyond Bourbon Street, this day trip through the Garden District with a local guide is probably for you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Garden District and Lafayette Cemetery Tour

• Walk Garden District streets
• See antebellum homes
• Learn Creole and American history
• Visit Lafayette Cemetery gates
• View aboveground tombs
• Hear burial customs stories
• Explore film sites at cemetery

Top questions

Is Lafayette Cemetery #1 open during this tour?

No, Lafayette Cemetery #1 is closed for repairs but you can view it from the gates during the tour.

How long is the Garden District walking tour?

The walking tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Are there famous homes included on this tour?

Yes, you'll see homes linked to Anne Rice, Peyton Manning, John Goodman, Sandra Bullock and others.

Is transportation included in this tour?

No transportation is included but public transit options are nearby; most guests arrive via St. Charles Avenue streetcar.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible including sidewalks along the route.

Will we go inside Lafayette Cemetery #1?

No entry inside; all cemetery stories are shared from outside the gates due to city closure.

Does this tour include film locations?

Yes, your guide points out movie sites such as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Are children or strollers allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join in prams or strollers.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through New Orleans’ Garden District with stops at celebrity homes and historic sites; stories shared at Lafayette Cemetery #1’s gates; plus all guidance from a knowledgeable local—no extra fees needed along the way.