New Orleans: Metairie Cemetery Audio Tour & Carnival Stories

Summary

Metairie Cemetery’s carnival kings, mausoleums and whispered stories

You’ll wander Metairie Cemetery at your own pace with a GPS audio tour, hearing tales of Carnival royalty, military heroes, and secret symbols as you walk beneath live oaks and marble angels. Includes lifetime access so you can return or pause whenever you want—expect moments that surprise you and stories that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to laugh in a cemetery. But there I was, earbuds in, standing by a marble angel with moss on her toes, listening to a story about a Mardi Gras king who apparently threw beads even from his tomb. The Metairie Cemetery audio tour started right at the old racecourse gates — you can still kind of feel that restless energy under all the quiet. My phone buzzed softly as the GPS kicked in; it’s funny how technology just knows where you are now. Anyway, first thing I noticed was the smell — sweet olive trees mixed with that damp stone scent you only get after rain.

There’s something about walking alone among these huge mausoleums, some taller than my apartment back home. The audio guide kept surprising me — like when it pointed out the pyramid-shaped tomb and explained its weird connection to Egyptian symbolism in New Orleans (who knew?). At one point, an older couple strolled past me arguing gently over which Carnival queen had the flashiest memorial. A local jogger waved as he passed; not sure if he thought I was lost or just another “tourist with headphones.” I liked that nobody hurried here. The tour mentioned soldiers and saints buried close together — it made me pause for a minute. There’s a heaviness but also this odd sense of celebration everywhere.

I fumbled with my phone once (classic me) and accidentally replayed the part about spiritual victories twice — maybe I needed to hear it again. Sometimes the sun hit those stained glass windows just right and everything glowed blue-green for a second. It’s hard to explain, but I left thinking about how people try so hard to be remembered here, with angels and obelisks and names carved deep enough to last centuries. It felt both grand and strangely intimate — like you’re eavesdropping on New Orleans’ private stories.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Metairie Cemetery and landmarks

• Enter former Metairie Race Course
• Walk past society tombs and mausolea
• Observe obelisks, pyramids, and memorials
• Visit Washington Artillery Park
• Listen to audio tour via VoiceMap app

Top questions

Is Metairie Cemetery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the cemetery is wheelchair accessible according to the tour details.

Does this audio tour include entry fees?

No entry fee is required for Metairie Cemetery; your purchase covers lifetime access to the audio tour only.

Can I take children on this self-guided cemetery tour?

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

How do I start the Metairie Cemetery audio tour?

You’ll receive directions to the starting point; once there, use your smartphone and VoiceMap app to begin automatically via GPS.

Do I need internet access during the tour?

No—after downloading in advance, offline access is available for audio, maps, and geodata via VoiceMap.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to Metairie Cemetery.

Are service animals allowed on this cemetery walk?

Yes, service animals are permitted during your visit.

What’s included

Your day includes lifetime access to the Faith & Courage: Metairie Cemetery Stories GPS audio tour via VoiceMap, offline use of maps and narration on your smartphone (no data needed during your walk), plus clear directions right to where it all begins so you can explore whenever suits you best—at any pace you want.