Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Some cemeteries reward a slower look. This 35-minute self-guided tour takes you through Metairie Cemetery with GPS-triggered audio, giving you the freedom to pause, stop, and continue at your own pace. I like the lifetime access and the fact that the tour works offline, so you do not need a constant data connection.

I also like that the experience is private by design. Your group uses the VoiceMap app without a guide setting the pace. The main drawback is the technology: most of the experience depends on downloading, redeeming, and starting the tour correctly, and a few people have struggled with those steps.

Key points to know before you go

• A 35-minute route with room to linger: The stated audio route is short, but you can pause whenever you want and spend extra time looking around.
• Offline playback saves mobile data: Download the audio, map, and location data before starting.
• Private for your group: You do not share the tour with strangers or follow a fixed group schedule.
• Driving is possible: The route has been completed by car, which may help if walking is difficult or rain arrives.
• The app is the main weak spot: Clear instructions and a little preparation matter because the tour will not help much if it fails to start.
• At $8.99, flexibility is the value: The price is modest for lifetime access, especially if you may use it more than once.

A short audio tour with a lot of control

The Metairie Cemetery Stories tour is built for people who prefer to explore without a guide. You download the free VoiceMap app, load the tour, and use your phone’s location to move through the route. As you reach the right places, the narration begins automatically.

That setup gives you control that a standard walking tour cannot. You can stop for a photograph, pause the narration, replay a section, or take extra time at a grave or mausoleum. You are not trying to keep up with a group, and there is no need to finish in one continuous push.

The advertised duration is about 35 minutes. Think of that as the running time of the route, not a strict appointment. If you stop often, read names, look inside permitted structures, or drive slowly, you will need more time.

The tour is offered in English only. That is important if you are choosing it for a mixed-language group. It is also a private activity, so only your party takes part.

Starting at 5510 Pontchartrain Boulevard

The listed starting point is 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124. The tour ends back at the meeting point, making the route easier to plan than an activity that leaves you on the other side of the city.

There is one detail worth checking carefully. The itinerary information also names Washington Artillery Park as a stop, while the meeting information gives the Metairie Cemetery address. Those details do not line up neatly, so I would rely on the in-app directions and the stated address rather than guessing from a general map pin.

Download the tour before you arrive. Then open the route and confirm that the starting point appears correctly. This small check could save you from standing near the wrong entrance or walking to an unrelated pin.

The published hours cover every day, all day, from midnight to 11:59 p.m. That gives you plenty of scheduling freedom. Still, your visit should fit the actual access conditions at the cemetery, and the audio route itself may be easier to follow in daylight. The supplied information does not promise lighting, staff support, or a particular entrance arrangement, so do not treat the 24-hour booking window as a guarantee of every on-site condition.

What the GPS narration adds

The most useful feature is the geolocation system. Instead of staring at a written map, you can let the app guide you as you move. When you reach the correct area, the audio should begin with the relevant story.

That approach works especially well in a cemetery, where a casual walk can turn into a hunt for names and locations. The narration gives your visit a thread to follow. You are not simply wandering among monuments without context, and you can still stop when something catches your eye.

The audio has received strong praise for its storytelling and historical information. One person called the narration perfect, while another enjoyed the mix of education and entertainment. Another especially liked being able to read the narration later to catch anything missed during the visit.

I would treat the audio as a guide to selected stories, not as a complete account of every grave. A lower-rated experience came from someone who felt the tour did not highlight the right places in enough detail. Another person noted that an important grave was only a few feet from the start and finish but was not pointed out.

That is a fair limitation of any short GPS tour. You get a planned selection, not an expert escort who can answer every question or notice what interests you most.

Exploring at your own pace

This is the tour’s best quality. You can listen while walking, pause beside a particular grave, or stop the audio when you need quiet. If one story grabs your attention, you can give it more time without holding up anyone else.

The pace also suits different energy levels. You may complete the route in the stated 35 minutes, or you may turn it into a longer visit by stopping frequently. Since the tour is private, your group can decide how much time to spend at each point.

The flexible format worked even in rain for one person who completed the route by car. That is a useful detail, though I would not assume every part of the experience is equally pleasant in poor weather. Rain may make walking, reading names, or using a phone screen harder. Driving can help, but you still need to operate the app safely and avoid handling your phone while moving.

The tour can also work for people who dislike large group activities. You do not have to listen to a guide speak over other voices, wait for late arrivals, or match a preset walking speed. Your only company is the group you bring.

Walking or driving the cemetery route

The experience is designed as a GPS tour, and the available information does not require you to walk the entire route. One person completed it by car, which suggests that driving can be a practical option for some groups.

A car may help if your party includes someone who tires easily or if the weather turns wet. It also lets you move between points more quickly, though that can make it easier to miss smaller details. If you drive, set up the tour before moving and pull over whenever you need to listen carefully or check the map.

Walking gives you more time to look around and notice nearby graves. It also makes it easier to pause naturally when the audio ends. The tradeoff is that you may need more time than the listed duration, especially if you stop often.

The experience does not include transportation, food, drinks, or personal expenses. There is no separate admission fee identified in the provided information, but any expense not included in the tour price remains your responsibility.

The cemetery itself is part of the value

Even without the audio working, Metairie Cemetery may be worth visiting for its appearance. One person who had trouble with the app still described the cemetery as gorgeous and worth a visit. That does not replace the tour, but it does soften the risk of making the trip.

The setting also gives the narration more weight. You are not hearing stories in a room and then trying to picture the place later. You are standing near the subjects as the audio plays, with the ability to look closely at the surrounding memorials.

The experience includes the chance to look inside several structures, according to one account. The exact access conditions are not spelled out, so you should follow any signs and on-site rules. Do not assume every mausoleum or building is open at every time.

I would also keep your expectations focused. This is not advertised as a full cemetery survey or a long expert-led history program. It offers selected stories over a short route. If you want a broad explanation of every notable grave, this may feel thin. If you want a compact introduction with the freedom to explore afterward, the format makes more sense.

The VoiceMap setup deserves preparation

The technology has earned both strong praise and serious criticism. Several people found downloading and starting the tour easy. One person described the app as simple to follow, while another liked the automatic location feature.

Two people had a very different experience. One struggled with downloading the audio, using two apps, finding the correct location, and understanding where to begin. Another spent about 45 minutes creating an account, entering the emailed code, downloading the tour, and trying to stop the audio from looping.

That split is the most important practical warning. The tour may work smoothly, but the process is not guaranteed to feel obvious on the first attempt. You need a smartphone, a working connection for the initial download, and enough battery for the visit. The phone itself is not included.

Here is how I would prepare:

• Download the free VoiceMap app before heading to the cemetery.
• Complete the account and redemption steps while you still have a reliable connection.
• Download the audio, map, and geodata for offline use.
• Open the tour and confirm that the starting point is recognized.
• Test the first audio segment before you begin moving.
• Bring headphones only if you can still hear your surroundings safely.

The tour provider offers support by email and telephone for technical problems. That help is useful, but it is still better to test the tour before you arrive. If the app fails, you want time to contact support rather than discover the problem at the starting point.

Is $8.99 a good deal?

At $8.99 per person, the tour is priced below many live guided activities. The strongest value comes from lifetime access. You are not limited to one attempt on one day, so you can return to the tour later or replay sections you rushed through.

The price also covers the VoiceMap application, offline audio, maps, and location data. You are paying for the prepared route and narration, not for transportation, food, or a person walking beside you.

I see three good reasons to buy it at this price:

• You want a private experience without paying for a private guide.
• You like stopping, driving, or changing pace.
• You may want to repeat the route or listen again later.

The value drops if you are uncomfortable with phone apps or expect a guide to point out every important grave. You may also feel disappointed if you want a longer, more detailed history program. The 35-minute duration keeps the price reasonable, but it also limits how much the tour can cover.

An average booking lead time of about seven days suggests that planning ahead is common. Since the experience is available every day, you may not need to reserve far in advance, but early booking can make sense if it is part of a fixed New Orleans itinerary.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would choose this for independent visitors who like a little structure but dislike fixed schedules. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want to share an activity without joining strangers.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy audio storytelling, cemetery architecture, or local history presented in short sections. The ability to pause and replay makes it easier to match the experience to your own attention span.

People with service animals can participate. The activity is near public transportation, and the information says most people can take part. That does not provide detailed mobility information, so anyone with specific access needs should confirm the route directly before booking.

I would be more cautious if you have little patience for setup problems. The app is not a minor extra here. It is the tour. If you do not want to create an account, enter a code, download content, or troubleshoot a phone, a live tour may be a better match.

Cancellation and planning details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Since the tour has lifetime access and plays offline, you have useful flexibility after purchase, but you still need to handle the initial download and activation.

Bring your own smartphone. Transportation, food, drinks, and personal expenses are not included. The tour is offered in English, and the activity returns to its starting point.

FAQ

How long does the Metairie Cemetery audio tour take?

The tour lasts approximately 35 minutes. You can pause the audio and explore at your own pace, so your full visit may take longer.

What is the price?

The price is $8.99 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting address is 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need a smartphone?

Yes. A smartphone is not included, and you need one to use the VoiceMap application and play the tour.

Does the tour work without mobile data?

Yes. You can download the audio, maps, and geodata for offline use before starting.

Is this a group tour?

No. It is a private activity for your party only.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Should you book Metairie Cemetery Stories?

Book it if you want a low-cost, private way to add structure to a cemetery visit. The offline access, lifetime use, and pause-anytime format make it flexible, and the storytelling has been praised as informative and easy to follow when the app works properly.

Skip it if app setup frustrates you or if you want a guide who can answer questions and point out every notable grave. My practical advice is simple: download and test the tour before you arrive. With that one step, this $8.99 experience offers a relaxed way to explore at your own speed, with the cemetery itself providing a worthwhile backup if you choose to linger.