Plan your visit
Plan your visit
Prepare for unpredictable weather and extensive walking. Learn the best transit routes from downtown New Orleans.
Metairie Cemetery
5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124
GPS 29.9858, -90.1178
Open directionsGetting there
Getting to the cemetery is easiest by streetcar or car.
| How | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streetcar: Take the Canal Streetcar line (Cemeteries route #47) to the Cemeteries Transit Center, then walk under the I-10 overpass. | 30-40 minutes from downtown New Orleans | $1.25 one-way or $3 for a 1-day Jazzy Pass | Make sure the streetcar says 'Cemeteries' and not 'City Park/Museum'. |
| Car: Drive via I-10 W to the Pontchartrain Blvd exit. | 15 minutes from the French Quarter | Free parking | Ample free parking is available on-site at the Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home lot. |
| Bus: RTA Bus #91 (Jackson-Esplanade) or #27 (Louisiana) drop off a short walk from the cemetery gates. | 35 minutes from downtown | $1.25 one-way | Can be tracked using the Le Pass transit app. |
When to go
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QuietModerateBusyPeak
October through May offers the best weather. Summer months are extremely hot and humid. Shade is intermittent along the walking paths.
What to bring
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The cemetery streets still follow the concentric oval layout of the original race track.
Use a digital map to avoid getting turned around.
How the day runs
Suggested ways to spend your time.
Join a local historian for a structured walk through the highlights.
- Arrive via Streetcar
Take the Canal Streetcar to the Cemeteries Transit Center.
- Start Tour
Meet your guide for a comprehensive 2-hour walking tour.
- Independent Photos
Revisit the Brunswig Pyramid or Moriarty Monument for photos.
Explore at your own pace if you prefer quiet observation.
- Enter Gates
Arrive when the cemetery opens to avoid the midday heat.
- Millionaire's Row
Walk the main oval to see the grandest mausoleums.
- Anne Rice Tomb
Locate the famous author's resting place near Avenue Bell.
- Cultural Memorials
Visit the graves of Louis Prima and General Beauregard.
Practical Advice
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for covering the 127-acre site. Bring bottled water, as facilities are limited once you enter the gates. Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended during warmer months.
Keep a respectful demeanor and do not touch or climb on the historic tombs. Leashed dogs are permitted, but you must clean up after them. Commercial photography requires advance permission from the cemetery office.
Easiest way to do it
Historic Metairie Cemetery Walking Tour by Save Our Cemeteries
2 h 5.0 (113)
- 2 hour guided cemetery tour
From$35per person
Cancellation terms differ by platform and listing. Check them before you pay.
Planning questions
How do I get to Metairie Cemetery by streetcar?
Take the Canal Streetcar line (Cemeteries route #47) from downtown. Ensure the streetcar says 'Cemeteries', not 'City Park/Museum'. Ride to the Cemeteries Transit Center, then walk under the I-10 overpass.
Can you drive through Metairie Cemetery?
Yes. Ample free parking is available on-site at the Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home lot. You can also drive to the location in about 15 minutes from the French Quarter.
What should I wear?
Wear lightweight, breathable clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket, as New Orleans weather changes quickly.