New Orleans: Garden District Walking Tour & Cemetery Stories

Summary

Stories of old mansions, quiet streets and cemetery gates in New Orleans

You’ll join a small group in New Orleans’ Garden District, guided by a local who brings history alive with personal stories. Peek through Lafayette Cemetery’s gates while learning burial traditions, stroll past 19th-century mansions shaded by oaks, and catch glimpses of daily life that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the meeting spot—my phone map spun me around twice before I noticed our guide, Simone, waving from under a crepe myrtle. She laughed when I apologized for being late (“happens every day,” she said). Right away, it felt less like a tour and more like tagging along with someone who’s lived here forever. The air was sticky but not too hot, and you could smell gardenias somewhere behind the iron fences.

We wandered through the Garden District’s wide streets, Simone pointing out which houses had survived hurricanes or changed hands since the Civil War. There was one pale blue mansion with shutters half-closed; she told us about the family who used to throw parties big enough to spill onto the sidewalk. I tried to imagine it—music drifting out into the humid night. It’s funny how quiet everything is now except for the cicadas and our little group shuffling along.

When we reached Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, the gates were locked but you could still see inside if you pressed close. The tombs looked older than I’d pictured—some cracked open by tree roots, others with fresh flowers tucked in. Simone explained why they’re built above ground (something about floods and tradition), but honestly I was distracted by the way sunlight hit the stone and made everything look kind of timeless. Someone in our group tried to read an inscription out loud and stumbled over the French; we all laughed, even Simone.

I didn’t expect to feel so at home wandering these streets—maybe it was just how everyone nodded hello as we passed or that Simone seemed to know every neighbor’s dog by name. I still think about that blue house sometimes and wonder what stories those walls would tell if they could talk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Garden District and Cemetery Tour

• View Lafayette Cemetery gates
• Listen to cemetery stories
• Walk through Garden District
• Hear mansion histories

Top questions

Is Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 open during this tour?

No, it’s closed to the public but you can look through the gates while your guide explains its history.

How big is each group on this Garden District walking tour?

The group size is kept under 12 guests for a more personal experience.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible but sidewalks are uneven—sturdy wheelchairs are advised.

Are infants or strollers allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

What should I wear for this New Orleans walking tour?

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for weather; the tour operates rain or shine.

Does this walking tour include public transportation?

No transport is included but public transportation options are available nearby.

Will we go inside any mansions on this Garden District tour?

No, you’ll see historic mansions from outside while your guide shares their stories.

What’s included

Your day includes a small-group walking tour led by a knowledgeable local guide through New Orleans’ Garden District with up-close views of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (from outside), plus plenty of time for questions and photos as you wander shaded streets together.