Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Metairie Cemetery is a quiet place with big New Orleans stories, and this GPS-guided audio tour gives you a structured way to find them. For about 35 minutes, you follow narrated stops at your own speed rather than keeping up with a guide or a group.

I like the lifetime access and the fact that the audio, map, and directions work offline after downloading. I also like the private format: it is just your party, with no fixed departure time and no need to share a guide. The weak spot is the technology. A few users had trouble creating accounts, redeeming the tour, or getting the audio to start, so install and test the app before you reach the cemetery.

Key points at a glance

• Metairie Cemetery stories in about 35 minutes: A short route gives you an introduction without taking over your whole day.
• Private by design: You explore with only your own party, using your phone instead of meeting a live guide.
• Offline audio and maps: Download the tour in advance so poor reception does not eat up your data.
• Drive or move at your own pace: You can pause the narration, stop when you wish, and repeat sections.
• $8.99 buys lifetime access: The low price becomes better value if you want to replay the tour or return to New Orleans.
• Prepare for app trouble: The VoiceMap setup is usually quick, but the instructions have not worked smoothly for everyone.

Why Metairie Cemetery deserves a guided route

New Orleans cemeteries are not ordinary burial grounds. Above-ground tombs, family vaults, elaborate monuments, and the city’s distinctive funeral traditions give them a visual character you will not get from a standard city walk.

Metairie Cemetery can be easy to wander without a plan. You may notice impressive stonework but miss the people, events, and local customs connected with it. An audio route gives you a thread to follow, which matters here because the setting can feel like a collection of separate monuments rather than one organized attraction.

I like this format for a cemetery because you can stop looking at the screen and pay attention to the site. The narration can play while you walk or ride through the route, then you can pause it when something catches your eye. One person completed the experience by car, and another was able to continue during rain, which shows how much freedom the format offers.

The tour is called Faith & Courage: Metairie Cemetery Stories. The title suggests a focus on the people and events behind the monuments rather than only on architecture. The available information does not provide a full list of every grave or story, so I would treat this as an introduction rather than a complete cemetery guide.

Starting at 5510 Pontchartrain Boulevard

The published meeting point is 5510 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124, and the activity ends back at that meeting point. The listed itinerary also names Washington Artillery Park as a stop, which does not match the cemetery address. That detail is important. Before setting out, check the VoiceMap map and the directions supplied with your booking so you know exactly where the route begins.

This is not a live tour with a person waiting for you. You need your own smartphone, the free VoiceMap app, and the purchased tour loaded onto the device. Transportation is not included, and no food or drink is provided.

The activity is listed as available every day at all hours. That gives you useful freedom, but it does not mean every time will feel equally comfortable. A daylight visit is the sensible choice for seeing monuments and finding your bearings. The exact opening conditions of the cemetery itself are not explained in the supplied information, so you should confirm access when planning an especially early or late visit.

The route is private, which works well for couples, families, or a small group with different interests. You do not have to worry about slowing down a larger party. If you want to stop for a photograph, replay a section, or spend extra time at a tomb, you can do so without asking permission.

How the VoiceMap experience works

The basic process is simple in theory. Download VoiceMap, create or access your account, enter the code connected with your purchase, and download the tour. Once the audio and map are stored on your phone, the GPS system guides you through the route without using mobile data.

That offline feature is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Cemetery routes can be frustrating when a phone loses signal or a map takes too long to load. With the download complete, you can listen without worrying about reception or data charges.

The setup is also the main risk. One person spent roughly 45 minutes trying to make the tour work, while another found the instructions unclear and could not tell where to begin. Those problems are not minor if you have limited time in New Orleans.

My advice is practical: download the app before leaving your hotel, redeem the tour while you have reliable Wi-Fi, and play a short section before heading out. Confirm that the map appears, the narration starts, and the route recognizes your location. If something fails, VoiceMap provides support by email and telephone. Do not wait until you are standing at the cemetery entrance to solve an account problem.

Following the 35-minute route

The advertised duration is about 35 minutes. Think of that as listening time, not the total time you will necessarily spend on site. You may pause the recording, walk around a monument, take photographs, or replay a story.

The route uses GPS triggers, so the narration should begin as you reach the correct points. That is more useful than a simple downloadable recording because you can concentrate on the cemetery instead of constantly checking a written list of directions.

At the same time, GPS tours work best when you follow the route carefully. If you drive past a point, arrive from a different direction, or stop far from the location, the audio may not behave as expected. One person found that an audio section looped instead of advancing. That appears to have been a technical fault, but it is another reason to keep the phone charged and the app updated.

The route can be taken at a relaxed pace. You can stop the audio at any time and restart it when ready. That makes it more flexible than a scheduled walking tour, especially if rain arrives or your group wants to spend longer at a particular monument.

What the cemetery stop offers

The supplied itinerary identifies Washington Artillery Park as the named stop, while the start and end point is given as the Metairie Cemetery address. Because the information does not list separate named cemetery stops, I would not expect a long sequence of individually described locations in the booking details.

What you can expect is a GPS-led visit focused on selected stories within the cemetery. The value lies in having context attached to the places in front of you. The audio may point out a grave or monument that you would otherwise pass without noticing.

One useful caution comes from a person who completed the route by car: the narration did not point out some key graves, including one only a short distance from the start and finish. That means you should not assume the tour covers every major memorial. Keep your eyes open, and if a map or monument interests you, pause the route rather than rushing to the next GPS point.

A second person felt the tour did not provide as much detail as expected. I would set expectations accordingly. This is a short, affordable audio introduction, not a specialist cemetery seminar. If you want a focused overview with stories and directions, it can work well. If you want extensive biographical detail on every important person buried there, you may find it too brief.

The storytelling and the best reasons to book

The most praised part of the experience is the narration. Several ratings describe the storytelling as clear, informative, entertaining, and easy to follow. That is exactly what you want from an audio tour. A recording that sounds like a list of dates would make a cemetery visit feel flat, while good pacing can help you notice the human details behind the stones.

The GPS feature also receives strong praise. It lets you keep your attention on the surroundings instead of reading directions every few minutes. You can stop whenever you want, which gives the experience a more personal rhythm than a group tour.

I especially like the ability to replay the narration later. Your first visit may involve rain, traffic inside the grounds, a low phone battery, or simply too many things to look at at once. Since access lasts for life, you can listen again at home or return to the route on another New Orleans visit.

Rain does not automatically ruin the outing. One person completed it in wet weather by car, and another still found it worthwhile while it was raining. Even so, weather can affect how much you enjoy walking between points, so a car may be useful if conditions turn poor. The tour itself does not include transportation, and you must arrange that separately.

Is $8.99 good value?

At $8.99 per person, the tour is inexpensive compared with a private live guide. The price makes sense if you want a short introduction and prefer the freedom to choose your own timing.

The value is stronger because the purchase includes lifetime access rather than a single use. You could listen once during your visit, review the narration later, or use it again on a return trip. That is unusual for a tour lasting only about 35 minutes.

The value is weaker if the app does not work on your phone or if you dislike setting up digital tours. You are paying for the audio experience, but you also have to provide the smartphone, download the application, create an account, and enter the access code. The app is free, but the phone and transportation are not included.

For two people, $17.98 is still a modest cost for a private experience. For a larger family, the per-person price adds up, so consider how many people will actually listen and whether everyone is comfortable using a phone-based guide.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you like independent sightseeing, want a little structure, and do not need a live guide beside you. It suits people who prefer to pause often, take photographs, or adjust the pace to suit children and older relatives.

It is also a good fit for visitors who have already seen the main New Orleans sights and want a quieter stop with local stories. The short length makes it easy to add to a day of sightseeing, provided you allow extra time for the route itself and for getting oriented.

You should think twice if technology frustrates you, your phone is unreliable, or you want a detailed account of every important grave. The short running time means the narration has to choose what to cover. That keeps the tour manageable, but it also leaves some people wanting more detail.

Service animals are allowed, the tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Since accessibility details are limited, anyone with specific mobility needs should confirm the route conditions before booking.

Booking, cancellation, and useful preparation

Confirmation is provided when you book. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refunded.

Before the visit, take these steps:

• Download VoiceMap and redeem the tour in advance.
• Download the audio, map, and geographic data for offline use.
• Check the starting address carefully because Washington Artillery Park and the Metairie Cemetery meeting point are both named in the supplied details.
• Bring a charged smartphone.
• Test the first audio section before leaving Wi-Fi.
• Allow time to pause the recording and inspect places the route may not highlight.

These small checks protect the best feature of the tour, its freedom. You do not want to spend your cemetery visit troubleshooting an account.

Should you book Metairie Cemetery Stories?

Book it if you want an affordable, private introduction to Metairie Cemetery and like exploring without a fixed schedule. The clear narration, GPS directions, offline access, and lifetime use give the $8.99 price real value.

Skip it if you expect a live expert, a complete list of notable graves, or a trouble-free setup without any preparation. The mixed experience with the app is the biggest concern, and the route may not cover every key memorial.

My call: book it for flexibility, but prepare the app before you go. That one step makes the difference between a relaxed cemetery visit and 45 frustrating minutes staring at a phone.

FAQ

How long does the Metairie Cemetery audio tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 35 minutes. You can make the visit longer by pausing the narration, stopping at monuments, or replaying sections.

What app is required?

You need the free VoiceMap app. The purchase includes access to the audio tour, maps, and geographic data through the application.

Can I use the tour without mobile data?

Yes. The tour includes offline access to the audio, maps, and geodata. Download the material before arriving.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed meeting point is 5510 Pontchartrain Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Washington Artillery Park is also named as a stop, so check the in-app directions carefully.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your party participates. There is no shared group or live guide.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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