St. Louis Cemetery No. 3
3421 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70119
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 is a fine example of the signature New Orleans cemetery architecture: Cemeteries here are built above ground, consisting of tombs and mausoleums, thanks to the city’s high water table. Established in the 1850s, the cemetery site continued to expand well into the 20th century. It’s one of the most accessible historic cemeteries in the city, thanks to its location close to the enormous New Orleans City Park.
The basics
While some New Orleans cemeteries are closed to the public or only accessible on guided tours, St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 welcomes all, and you can easily explore some of the tombs on your own with a map to guide you. Join a guided tour if you’d like to learn more about the site, as a guide will provide commentary and point out things you might miss if visiting independently. Options include walking tours of only the cemetery or multi-cemetery tours that cover more ground.
Things to know before you go
There is no fee to visit the cemetery.
Bikes and pets are not allowed inside the cemetery, but service animals are welcome.
The cemetery is wheelchair-accessible, with pathways and accessible parking, though there are areas that wheelchair users may need assistance to access.
You cannot eat food or drink within the cemetery.
How to get there
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 is located southwest of the New Orleans City Park on the opposite side of Bayou St. John. To get there from the French Quarter or the Central Business District (CBD), take Streetcar 48 from the Canal at Carondelet stop to the Museum of Art stop, a 5-minute walk from the cemetery.
When to get there
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 is open daily from morning until late afternoon, with slightly shorter hours on Sundays and holidays. It's closed on Mardi Gras Day, shuts early on the Saturday before Mardi Gras, and tourists are not allowed inside the cemetery on All Saints Day (November 1).
Must-See Cemeteries in New Orleans
New Orleans is full of fantastic cemeteries, but the oldest and most famous is St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, partially because it's the final resting place of "Voodoo Queen" Marie Laveau. Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery is another must-see for its grand tombs, including one shaped like an Egyptian pyramid.
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