New Orleans: Secrets and Societies Cemetery Experience

New Orleans is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, and the Secrets and Societies Cemetery Experience offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s captivating history. This guided walking tour takes visitors through the iconic St. Patrick Cemeteries, unveiling the intricate symbolism behind the ornate tombs and connecting them to the stories of Irish immigrants who shaped the region. With passionate guides sharing personal anecdotes, this 1.5-hour exploration promises an engaging and educational experience that will leave you eager to uncover more of New Orleans’ fascinating past.

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Key Points

Guided walking tour through three historic cemeteries in New Orleans, exploring unique burial customs and Irish immigrant connections.
Focus on maze-like tombs, significant memorials like the Katrina Memorial, and the symbolic meanings behind cemetery architecture and iconography.
Opportunity to learn about New Orleans’ rich cultural heritage and gain a deep understanding of the city’s burial practices.
Passionate and knowledgeable guides enhance the tour experience with personal stories and engaging activities like "family bingo" using tombstone information.
Overall tour rating of 4.7/5 from 26 reviews for its educational and entertaining delivery.

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Tour Overview and Pricing

The "New Orleans: Secrets and Societies Cemetery Experience" is a 1.5-hour guided walking tour that takes visitors through three historical cemeteries in New Orleans.

Priced from $34.99 per person, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later.

Highlights include unique burial customs, the Katrina Memorial, and the Masonic Cemetery #1.

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels, though pets and video recording are prohibited.

Customers can expect a charismatic, knowledgeable guide who provides personal stories and interactive elements like tombstone bingo.

Looking for more options in New Orleans? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Itinerary and Locations

The tour begins at Gs Pizza on Bienville Street and takes visitors on a guided exploration through three historical cemeteries in New Orleans.

The first stop is St. Patrick Cemetery #1, where the guide provides a 30-minute tour. Next, the group moves to St. Patrick Cemetery #2 for another 30-minute guided walkthrough.

Optionally, the tour may include a visit to the Charity Hospital Cemetery. The highlights include unique burial customs, the Katrina Memorial, and the Masonic Cemetery #1.

The tour covers the Irish immigrant connections and the maze-like tombs in these significant New Orleans landmarks.

Experience and Learning

During the New Orleans: Secrets and Societies Cemetery Experience, visitors embark on a guided walking tour through three historic cemeteries.

They’ll learn about the city’s unique burial customs and the connections to Irish immigrant communities. The tour explores the maze-like tombs and significant memorials, including the Katrina Memorial.

Highlights include insights into the symbolic meanings behind the cemetery architecture and iconography.

Visitors come away with a deeper understanding of New Orleans’ rich cultural heritage and the important role cemeteries play in the local community.

Guide and Customer Reviews

Bringing the New Orleans cemetery tour experience to life are the passionate and knowledgeable guides who lead the excursions.

According to reviews, the guides are:

Charismatic and add personal stories that enhance the experience.
Informative and fun, engaging guests with unique activities like a "family bingo" using tombstone information.
Highly knowledgeable about New Orleans’ burial customs and the historical significance of the cemeteries.

With an overall rating of 4.7/5 from 26 reviews, the tour guides receive praise for their ability to bring the city’s macabre history to life in an educational and entertaining manner.

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Important Information and Requirements

Guests meet at Gs Pizza on Bienville Street to begin the cemetery tour. Comfortable shoes and water are recommended, as the tour involves walking through maze-like tombs and significant memorials.

The tour runs rain or shine, but may be canceled due to weather or minimum numbers. Pets and video recording are prohibited. The tour isn’t suitable for people with low fitness levels, as the walking can be strenuous. Guests are advised to prepare accordingly.

There's plenty more to explore in New Orleans

Unique Burial Customs of New Orleans

The New Orleans cemetery tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the unique burial customs of the city.

Visitors will discover:

Above-ground tombs, a maze-like landscape of ornate mausoleums, a result of the high water table in New Orleans.

Above-ground tombs: Due to the high water table, New Orleans residents bury their dead in above-ground tombs, creating a maze-like landscape of ornate mausoleums.
Voodoo influences: New Orleans’ diverse cultural heritage is reflected in the cemetery, where Voodoo symbols and rituals can be observed, blending African, European, and Native American traditions.
Eternal homes: Families often personalize their tombs, treating them as eternal homes for the deceased, with decorations, photographs, and personal mementos adorning the structures.

Connections to Irish Immigrant History

As visitors explore the cemetery grounds, they’ll uncover the deep connections between New Orleans’ rich Irish immigrant history and the unique burial practices found within these hallowed spaces. Many of the tombstones and mausoleums reflect the Catholic faith and cultural traditions brought by the Irish who settled in the city. The tour highlights several key aspects of this legacy:

| Tradition | Significance |

| — | — |

| Above-ground tombs | Prevent flooding in low-lying areas |

| Elaborate crypts | Display wealth and status of Irish families |

| Masonic symbols | Illustrate the influential role of Irish immigrants |

| Katrina memorial | Honors those lost in the devastating hurricane |

Exploring Maze-like Tombs and Significant Memorials

What awaits visitors as they explore the maze-like tombs and significant memorials within the cemeteries? A captivating journey through New Orleans’ rich history unfolds.

Visitors can:

Examine the intricate above-ground tombs, each with its own unique design and symbolism, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the city.
Discover the Katrina Memorial, a solemn tribute to the victims of the devastating hurricane, its stark beauty serving as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the local community.
Venture into the Masonic Cemetery #1, where the secrets of the Freemasons are subtly woven into the architectural elements, inviting visitors to unravel the mysteries of this ancient society.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Photos During the Tour?

The tour allows visitors to take photos during the experience, except for video recording. However, it’s important to check the tour conditions as the organizers may restrict photography in certain areas or due to weather conditions.

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible. The itinerary includes walking through maze-like tombs and uneven terrain, which may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Guests with disabilities should contact the tour operator to discuss accommodations.

Do You Offer Group Discounts for This Experience?

Yes, the tour company offers group discounts for this experience. Customers can save on the per-person price when booking for groups of 4 or more. The discounted rate is not specified in the provided information.

How Much Time Do We Spend at Each Cemetery?

The tour spends 30 minutes at each of the two main cemeteries, St. Patrick Cemetery #1 and St. Patrick Cemetery #2, during the 1.5-hour experience. There’s an optional stop at the Charity Hospital Cemetery as well.

What Happens if the Tour Is Cancelled Due to Weather?

If the tour is cancelled due to weather, customers will receive a full refund. The tour conditions state that the experience may be cancelled due to weather or minimum numbers required for the tour to run.

The Sum Up

The "New Orleans: Secrets and Societies Cemetery Experience" offers a captivating 1.5-hour guided tour that delves into the city’s unique burial customs and rich cultural heritage. Participants will explore historic cemeteries, uncovering the fascinating connections to Irish immigrants and the symbolic meanings behind the intricate tomb designs. With passionate guides sharing personal stories, this tour promises an engaging and educational experience for history enthusiasts.