Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery

The basics

Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery was founded in the 19th century, and many of those interred at the property were members of the New Orleans upper class (hence the prevalence of opulent gravesites). Consider visiting the cemetery with a guide who can provide commentary and show you tombs that you might not find on your own. Tours typically meet at the cemetery, so you should be prepared to sort out your own transportation.

Things to know before you go

Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery is a must for fans of the arts, even those who aren’t fond of graveyards. The cemetery is still in use, and burials may be taking place during your visit. The main roads in the cemetery are wheelchair accessible, but accessing some of the tombs requires going over grass.

How to get there

Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery is just west of Pontchartrain Boulevard, in the main cemetery district of New Orleans. If you're coming from the French Quarter or the Central Business District, you can take Streetcar 47 all the way to the Cemeteries Transit Terminal and then walk for 15 minutes to the entrance. You can also take Bus 91 from Louis Armstrong Park straight to the transit terminal.

When to get there

The cemetery is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. The best time to visit is first thing in the morning, when temperatures are cooler. This is particularly crucial in the summertime, when afternoon rain and thunder are common.

The Hurricane Katrina Memorial

While you're in the area, it's worth visiting the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, about a 15-minute walk south of Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery. This memorial honors the people who died during Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed parts of the city in 2005. While the structure’s design is not as ornate as the tombs in the cemetery, it’s still of human and artistic interest, with a form resembling the swirl of a hurricane when viewed from above.