St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Walking Tour: Marie Laveau's Tomb, New Orleans

Walk among the tombs of Marie Laveau and New Orleans' most storied dead

The Official Tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is a guided 55-minute walk through the gates and paths of the oldest cemetery in New Orleans, stopping at the tombs of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, Homer Plessy, and other historical figures who shaped the city. Your guide meets you at the Cemetery Tour Desk inside Basin Street Station and leads you across the street to the front gates, where the in-depth tour of the cemetery begins. A live English-speaking guide is included; gratuity is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided walking tour of cemetery

• Meet guide at Basin St. Station
• Walk to cemetery front gates
• Enter gates for cemetery tour
• Explore tombs of famous figures

The Experience

Your guide meets you at the Cemetery Tour Desk inside Basin Street Station and walks you across the street to the front gates of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Once inside, you move through the paths between the tombs on a route built around the graves that matter most to New Orleans history—Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen whose tomb draws visitors from around the world; Homer Plessy, whose legal case challenged segregation; and the resting places of other figures whose names and stories shaped the city. The guide handles the history and the connections; you walk and listen.

The tour runs 55 minutes from start to finish, which means you move at a pace that lets you stand in front of each tomb without rushing through. The cemetery itself is wheelchair accessible, and strollers work fine if you're traveling with infants or small children. Service animals are welcome. Because the tour desk sits inside Basin Street Station, public transportation gets you there without needing a car or a ride service—the station is built for it.

What’s included

Guided tour through St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 with a live English-speaking guide.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Basin St. Station

Is this one for you?Book the daytime tour if you want the full history and the ability to read the tomb inscriptions and markers in natural light. The After Dark Night Tour is the option if you prefer to explore the cemetery under evening conditions and want a different atmosphere for the same walk.

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Top questions

Who was Marie Laveau and why is her tomb in this cemetery?

Marie Laveau was a Voodoo Queen and one of New Orleans' most famous historical figures. Her tomb is one of the primary stops on the walking tour, and visitors come from around the world to see it. The guide explains her significance and her place in the city's history as part of the tour.

How long does the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 tour take?

The tour lasts 55 minutes from the time your guide greets you at the Cemetery Tour Desk inside Basin Street Station until the tour concludes. That includes the short walk across the street to the cemetery gates and the full walk through the cemetery itself.

Where do I meet my tour guide?

Your guide meets you at the Cemetery Tour Desk inside Basin Street Station. From there, you walk a short distance across the street to the front gates of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where the in-depth tour begins.

Is the cemetery accessible if I use a wheelchair or need to bring a stroller?

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed on the tour.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a guided walk through St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 with a live English-speaking guide who shows you the tombs of Marie Laveau, Homer Plessy, and other historical figures. Gratuity for the guide is not included in the tour price and is optional.