New Orleans Ghost Tour Bus: Cemetery Access with EMF Readers

Want to hunt for ghosts inside a cemetery at night? Use EMF readers on this bus tour

You'll hunt for paranormal activity in New Orleans' above-ground cemeteries using EMF readers, guided by someone who knows the real history behind the tombs. The tour includes exclusive after-dark access to Odd Fellows Rest, a ride in an air-conditioned bus, and stops at several historic burial sites. Expect two to three hours starting from the French Quarter, with time to explore the tombs on foot and a restroom break built in.

Step-by-step itinerary

New Orleans haunted cemetery bus tour

• Start in French Quarter with a drink
• Bus stop at Odd Fellows Rest cemetery
• Drive by cemeteries with above ground tombs
• Explore an above-ground cemetery at night
• Take a quick restroom break
• Visit outside gates of Hurricane Katrina memorial
• Walk by additional cemetery sites

The experience

There's something about a cemetery at night that makes you want to know what's really there. New Orleans has that pull: the tombs rise pale and strange under moonlight, and the stories behind them are stranger still. This tour starts in the French Quarter (grab a drink first if you want), then loads you onto an air-conditioned bus with a licensed guide who actually knows the history, not just the spooky bits. You'll pull up to Odd Fellows Rest, one of the few cemeteries that lets visitors in after sunset, and step out into the dark with an EMF reader in your hand: the kind ghost hunters use to detect electromagnetic fields. It feels ridiculous until you're standing between the above-ground tombs and the needle twitches.

The bus moves between a few cemeteries, each one different. You'll see the spectacular tombs (the ones that look like little houses stacked on top of each other), and the guide talks through the history while you're moving, which is good because it keeps the pace steady and your mind occupied. There's a quick restroom break somewhere in the middle. Then you drive past the memorial for Hurricane Katrina's unclaimed bodies, which shifts the mood entirely. It's not all ghost-hunting theater. There's real loss in these cemeteries, and the guide doesn't skip over that. The whole thing runs about two to three hours, and you're back in the Quarter before the night gets too late.

The EMF readers are the thing that makes this feel different from a standard cemetery tour. You're not just listening. You're holding equipment, watching for activity, taking photos if something moves the needle. It's participatory in a way that keeps you alert and a little on edge, which is exactly what you came for. The bus is air-conditioned, so if the New Orleans heat is still hanging around, you get a break from it. Routes can shift if there's a parade or festival in town, so the guide will let you know what's possible that night.

What’s included

• Your tour includes exclusive after-dark access to Odd Fellows Rest cemetery, EMF readers to hunt for paranormal activity, an air-conditioned bus with live commentary from a licensed guide, and stops at multiple above-ground cemeteries.
• A restroom break is built into the itinerary.
• You'll start in the French Quarter and explore the cities of the dead under moonlight.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 19:00 and 21:30, from US$ 44.80 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 19:00 and 21:30

GroupUp to 42

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by New Orleans Ghost Adventures

Is this one for you?Right for travelers curious about New Orleans' real history and willing to spend an evening hunting for spirits with actual ghost-hunting equipment. The pace is steady (you're on a bus between stops and walking through cemeteries on foot), so it suits most fitness levels, though it's not recommended if you have cardiovascular concerns.

Traveler reviews

4.71★★★★★★★★★★

1,912 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,637

4 ★124

3 ★62

2 ★42

1 ★47

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can you actually go inside the cemetery at night?

Yes. Odd Fellows Rest is one of the few New Orleans cemeteries that allows visitors after sunset, and this tour has exclusive access.

What are EMF readers and how do they work?

EMF (electromagnetic field) readers detect changes in electromagnetic energy. On this tour, you'll use them to search for paranormal activity in the cemeteries.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs approximately two to three hours, starting in the French Quarter.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. The bus is air-conditioned and there are restroom breaks included.

What if there's a parade or festival that night?

Routes may change due to parades, festivals, construction, or other reasons. Your guide will confirm the itinerary when you board.

Can I bring children or infants?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

Do I need to bring my own camera?

You're encouraged to bring a camera to capture any paranormal activity you detect, but it's not required.

Is there time to grab a drink before the tour starts?

Yes. The tour begins in the French Quarter, which gives you time to grab a drink at a nearby bar before boarding the bus.