New Orleans, LA

Jean, I've done both and enjoyed both but whatever you choose, I'd do it with a tour. In fact, St. Louis Cemetery #1 (on Basin) only allows visits accompanied by a licensed guide.

https://www.neworleansonline.com/directory/location.php?locationID=1945

I did Lafayette on my own but had already done a #1 tour so had some good info on the history/customs of the cemeteries under my belt, and I did it in the morning when there were some other tour groups/visitors around so I felt pretty safe. Really, if this is your first time, I'd do a St Louis #1 (or Lafayette, for that matter) with a tour so you get the background.

https://www.neworleansonline.com/directory/location.php?locationID=1948

If a tour isn't your thing, then just do some advance reading and go to Lafayette. What I liked about that one is that it has some green foliage, a bit more of a park-like feel, that #1 doesn't have.

Hi Kathy; think we'll walk to the St. Louis #1 then two days later when we'll have a car we can do the Lafayette one!

Thanks,

Jean

Jean, I took the St. Charles streetcar out to the Garden District and walked to Lafayette from a jump-off stop.

https://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/transportation/gettingaround/streetcars.html

We did what Kathy did. Streetcar to the Garden District. And then walk. I grew up in Louisiana and had been to the cemetery before, but the friend that was with me had never been to New Orleans before. She really enjoyed walking around the Garden District, also. We took a bus tour to "Oak Alley Plantation" which was a highlight for her, also. We both enjoyed the WWII museum a lot.

Have a Great Trip!
Mimi

For either cemetery, I do not think there are safety issues any more. For St. Louis #1, as was mentioned, you need a guide, I would book something online, typically you meet somewhere in the French Quarter and walk there with the group, getting some other history along the way. I think most tours are close to the same, but our guide added quite a bit of complaining and bashing of the Army Corp of Engineers and Katrina that turned us off.

For Lafayette, a car works, so does the Streetcar, you could combine it with Dinner or Lunch at Commanders Palace, which is just across the street from the cemetery. Probably less of a need for a guide, this one would be my second choice.

Jean. I live in New Orleans. Unless the rules have changed over the past year (and maybe they have; google it to make sure), you can ONLY go to St. Louis #1 WITH a guide. It's a matter of safety. Truly. However, Lafayette Cemetery on Washington Ave is open for the general public to stroll through (though it seems to close rather early, in mid/late afternoon). It is very easily accessible from the St. Charles streetcar, which is a wonderful experience in itself. Get off at Washington Ave; ask anyone that looks local on the streetcar; we're very happy to point tourists in the right direction.! Go one block toward the river and there it is. It is also across the street from one of the BEST restaurants in the country: Commander's Palace. You'll need a reservation, but lunches are quite reasonably priced (at least compared to some over-priced but not-as-good restaurants in the French Quarter). Ask to sit in the "Garden Room". I drive that way often and frequently see clumps of tourists strolling out of Commander's and then over to the cemetery. Makes for a lovely afternoon!

jmauldinuu, the Tourist Info center used to have a self-walking tour brochure for the Garden District (I used one) but I'm unsure if they still carry it. Would you know? It was helpful to have when exploring the neighborhood: might be nice for our OP if she heads that way.

If not, some digging around turned up some similar self tours online, like this one:
It also includes a link to a separate piece about Lafayette, although don't use it for hours.

https://hellolittlehome.com/garden-district-walking-tour/

Others:
http://www.scsh.com/pdfs/Garden-Dist-tour-2.pdf
https://freetoursbyfoot.com/self-guided-garden-district/
https://www.bigboytravel.com/louisiana/neworleans/gardendistrictwalkingtour/

You guys are great!

Many thanks,

Jean

hi jean
also try tripshock.com
aloha

Just IMHO, I'd use the official tourism site for NOLA if looking for info/tours:

https://www.neworleans.com

"Save our Cemeteries" is supposed to be especially good and sees consistently excellent ratings on TA. That one is also a non-profit conservation effort so all the more reason. :O)

https://www.saveourcemeteries.org

Kathy: Great links! Those Save Our Cemeteries folks really know what they are doing. Jean: If you decide to take a tour of either cemetery (and there are several times for tours almost every day) Kathy's links are the way to go.