New Orleans is full of famous cemeteries. And some require reservations before you can walk around, a tour guide leading the way and pointing out the various famous occupants and sharing local history. When we were there in June we toured St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed getting to learn more about the burial traditions in New Orleans but I love the quiet of cemeteries, the peacefulness, and wandering around with a group of people isn't exactly quiet. Not to mention being stuck at someone else's pace.

Metairie Cemetery was our last cemetery stop on our trip and it turned out to be my favorite. We arrived about thirty minutes before they closed the gates for the night and it was everything I'd ever hoped a New Orleans Cemetery would be. Epic and Gothic and Opulent and Beautiful and Interesting. All in capital letters. This is the New Orleans Cemetery I want to go back to and the one I'd recommend seeing if you've only got time in your schedule for one.