Metairie Cemetery

Ok I fully admit I'm a bit weird and I like old cemetaries .. I don't find them creepy or scary. I think it's a peaceful place with interesting and beautiful art. The stained glass, ironwork, statuary, flowers, trees. some bird watching. I find the above ground Cemetaries very interesting. For me a pleasurable place to walk about and maybe take pics of what I find. I was so glad to see the confederate statues still by the road. Not that I'm pro confiderate or I think that part of our history isn't shameful. But I feel judging the past by our current standard is sad. We need to learn from history not try to destroy it. personal opinion don't send me hate. Plus these statues are landmarks for rediscovering the statue I was seeking. Id say one of the most "popular" parts of the cemetery is the weeping angel statue. This is a huge cemetery and I saw several walking all over looking for it. First of all, it's not out in open its in a building .. I guess it's called a mausoleum. There's blue stained-glass window from the back and big roman Columns in front. It's one of the larger ones. Within sight of the civil war statues by the road. Its pretty much the opposite side from the entrance. The front doors have glass but over the years the glass has gotten really dirty, and I couldn't get a decent pic this time .. maybe it was the rainy day lighting. I kept getting reflections of me. The side window with a piece of glass broken out. I'm afraid it likely wasn't an accident which isn't cool but glad no one has repaired it over the years. love the effect of the blue stained-glass windows give to the statue. There was a new addition ... a large buffalo statue and we met the artist who made it. He happened to be there, and we had a nice chat with him. I will have to look up his work and see what else he did. I believe his name is Russel Whiting, I seem to remember he explained the man buried there was owner of a whiskey company called buffalo trace when we inquired about the buffalo. I totally get this is the final resting place of humans that had lives and loved one and I hope no one finds what I do here disrespectful. You can tell when people are at a cemetery to visit a loved one and when I see that situation I got elsewhere to give them privacy.

One of the most peaceful, architecturally beautiful, magnificent cemeteries in Louisiana. There's a lot of history here, so my suggestion would be to plan for a very long afternoon to even put a dent in covering this massive cemetery. During business hours, the office does have a sheet with a map to all the "famous" or notable tombs and mausoleums. So long as everyone shows respect, this cemetery is open to the public and very worthy of a visit for historical reasons alone. It's not too far from central NOLA (search Metairie Cemetery for directions). But it is definitely a must-see if you are visiting, but again, please be respectful.

I'm updating my review, after my second visit. I was in from out of town for Halloween weekend. We took the Canal St/Cemeteries streetcar all the way down Canal. I knew we had a short walk to the Cemetery, when we got to the corner of Pontchartrain and Metairie Rd, there is an entrance to the cemetery, which was chained up and locked. So, we decided to take the sidewalk down Metairie Rd, there were no entrances at all, then it just dead ends into a neighborhood. The other option is to go down Pontchartrain Blvd (which is more like a Freeway off ramp), there are no sidewalks and a sign that reads "no pedestrians". NOT AT ALL WELCOMING! Obviously, people not in cars want to visit the Cemetery, in fact the streetcar is marked "Cemeteries". Where should a pedestrian go to get in? Along a dangerous road with lots of traffic, and a steep hill to get over and you have to duck under a sign. So frustrating! I wish I had taken a photo of the locked gate and the treacherous path we took to get to the Cemetery. The cemetery itself is beautiful and well kept. We saw Louis Prima's and Anne Rice's burial spots. We also saw the weeping angel inside the Chapman Hyams Mausoleum.

Lake lawn if first class great service and people really nice experience. just a unhappy time burying a friend.

The Metairie Cemetery was one of the rare places open on Christmas Day. We decided to make the short drive from the Marigny area to see it. So glad we did. What an amazing place. Lovely and peaceful. It also covers a lot of ground, so allow some time to explore and enjoy. The size and opulence of many of the tombs will make your jaw drop... at least, mine did. We drove up to the arraignment center and asked for a map. The lady at the front desk was so helpful and friendly ("well, we like to have you with us but not to stay") and gave us two beautifully printed maps. She suggested we just drive around, park anywhere and get out and walk if we wanted to see any tombs up close. And so we did. It was indeed a serenely beautiful place. One of the most poignant tombs was the one with the weeping angel statue. The sun shone brightly on the exterior blue stain glass window, so the entire statue was bathed in a surreal blue light, making it seem otherworldly. I couldn't stop looking at it.

Metairie Cemetery is one of my favorite places on earth. That might seem kind of odd to someone who hasn't been before. Heck, it might even seem odd to someone who has visited before. The cemetery is divided into multiple different sections. You don't need to know all of them. What you do need to know is that if you're standing at the entrance facing the cemetery, the older, and cooler, section is on the left. That's where I like to spend time and where every visitor to this city needs to see. The tombs of MC range from small family plots to the most expensive and ornate pieces of property in Louisiana. There are many well known people buried here, but it is so much more than that. I've been here probably a hundred times and see something new on every visit. This is unlike any cemetery you've ever seen. I have my favorites that I visit on each trip here, but want you to explore it on your own rather than listen to me. That may seem odd since I am one who likes to give my own opinion, but trust me on this. Just wander the grounds. Don't take a tour. Do it yourself.

If you are into statues and unique buildings and experiences this is a great place to visit. The staff was very helpful with providing maps and informative about which graves to visit. From pyramids to simple graves to statues and angels, there is a wide breadth of architecture and history to appreciate.

Well if you want a huge status symbol for the afterlife... this is where you are going to find it! Leave money to your kids?? Donate to a charity?? Suport a great cause??... naaaawww, let's blow it all on a monstrous above ground tomb with perpetual care for all eternity. This is the Beverly Hills of cemeteries! Lush lawns, beautiful ponds and fountains, old growth trees, stained glass, touching statutes. This place is beautiful! So much history here! Dates dating back to the Civil War. Whole families buried through the generations in one tomb. I would never even known all the history had we not taken a city tour. Next time I want to do an actual cemetery tour. I highly recommend seeing as many cemeteries as you can when in the NOLA area... and definitely take a tour!

This place is absolutely beautiful. Very well manicured and clean. It was such a sight to see that it didn't look run down and/or overcrowded. It is not something that you're used to seeing --especially in NYC. All the tombstones are squished together, no grass, no land and overcrowding. Many high profiled business people and their families are laid to rest in this cemetery. The tour I took was very educational and I appreciate the history of this place. I recommend making time to come see this cemetery. You can appreciate the sites and history just as much as I did.

For you tourists coming into the Quarter/CBD from the airport, this is the HUGE cemetery on your right as you are in the car on I-10 that catches your eyes. Some YELP-ers say this is the cemetery you should come to, I do agree with them, but I also like some of the smaller ones that may not be as well maintained, but while you are at this cemetery, you should visit the Potters Field nearby. Please check out my list I have for that (https://www.yelp.com/list/cemetaries-new-orleans). Anyway. This cemetery can be difficult to find the entrance on if you are not with someone who knows the way. When you are on Metairie Ave/City Park Drive under the I-10 overpass, take the street leading to the I-10 West exit ramp, but make a left before the exit, then make a right. Stop to allow the traffic coming from I-10 east taking the exit, then zag to the left. The entrance to the cemetery will be on the left. I know it is strange to review a cemetery, let alone take pictures, but things are different here in New Orleans and Louisiana. It is HUGE, and magnificent. All of it is fairly well maintained. Just take the time to look at everything. You will not be disappointed.

I like Metairie Cemetery so much that I did my 6th grade social studies project on it. There was a time where I could tell you about the specific types of tombs throughout the cemetery and some of the more notable people buried therein. Alas, that was a long time ago, so now I can only wax poetic about the beauty in the design of these gorgeous resting places. I've been a regular visitor to Metairie Cemetery throughout my life. We have family buried here and my parents knew and worked with quite a few people who ended up here. The graves are gorgeous and beautifully designed and it seems that each one holds a different story. I think a few of my favorites are the one that is shaped like a pyramid complete with sphinx, the Angel of Grief which is in a locked enclosure, but can be viewed through a window and the grave with the statue of the woman knocking on the door with flowers in her hand. Some of the more notable folks buried here include local legends Mel Ott and Louis Prima. If I'm being honest, there is something slightly creepy, if not beautiful, about this cemetery. If you are here around sunset you definitely get some chills, especially if you are near the graves with the statues with faces somewhat worn off due to time or other where the heads have been knocked off. It's always pretty quiet here and if you visit, remember that it is a cemetery so be respectful. The style of Metairie Cemetery is something that makes New Orleans unique. I'm glad that it is looked after and taken care of.

We went in search of Lucy Parlange, the folk inside helped us find her family grave, it took a little while but they did not give up. Close to Miss Lucy we found Ann and Stan Rice and PT Beauregard. This is a fantastic cemetery, it is hard to find the way in and took some perseverance. You can walk around and marvel at the statues and tombs and wonder if you can secure a plot for yourself.

Metairie cemetery is very well kept and a beautiful place to explore. So many old New Orleans' families have plots there. It's completely free and you could spend a few hours there enjoying the mausoleums and monuments.

It's a cemetery. Very huge and lots of unique tombs to view. The area is kept clean and some plots even have lawn service. Easy walk ways and trees for shade.

Amazing and peaceful! Away from the hussle and bussle of downtown. Well kept and beautifully manicured this is a must see for anyone who loves cemeteries and statues. Highly recommend but please if you go be respectful this is a beautiful place that unlike others, does not require a guide not cost anything. Hopefully it will stay this way.

I'm not one to visit cemeteries often, however, I did willingly visit this one. My visit wasn't to attend a service or to visit a family member's grave. I visited to admire the history and the beauty. The grounds are clean and clear. You can walk through and read names and dates and some of the tombs are absolutely breathtaking. I felt like I was walking within an outdoor museum. It was eerie or uncomfortable. Instead, there was a steady peace amongst us. Definitely a must-see if you're in NOLA!

This is the best cemetery in NOLA if you want to take photos. You can also drive in a car and there are no tour buses. Everything is green and a good mix of new with 200 year plus spots. We went to this spot to see the angel in Hawes mosoleum that hosts a blue stain glass window and weeping angel is what drew us in. It is in South East corner close too freeway.

Very nice cemetary. We visited the grave of an iww member named covington hall. It was raining and there were crows perched throughout the cemetary.