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Mysteries of Voodoo Tour

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Trip Highlights

Hear where Voodoo actually comes from: the history most New Orleans tours skip entirely
Get the real Marie Laveau: who she was, what she built, and why the myths don't do her justice
Learn to read the symbols locals recognize: veves, gris-gris, and sacred altars explained from the inside
Understand the complicated relationship between Voodoo and Catholicism
Find out how Voodoo is practiced in New Orleans today, by real people, in real communities

Description

Most visitors leave New Orleans thinking they understand Voodoo. They don't — because what they saw was the tourist version. The real story is older, more complex, and far more interesting than anything you'll find on a shop shelf on Bourbon Street. Vodun began as a sophisticated West African spiritual tradition, crossed the Atlantic through the slave trade, and put down deep roots in Louisiana. Here it collided with Catholicism, colonial power, and the fierce determination of a community that refused to disappear. On this two hour walking tour, you'll finally hear that story told the way locals tell it.

Tour info

Duration
2 hours
Group Size
Up to 9 people
Price starts at
$39
Languages
English
Pickup Point
We’ll meet at the New Orleans Playing Card Company, 521 Dumaine Street, in the heart of the French Quarter
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Dropoff location
The tour will conclude near Armstrong Park on North Rampart Street.
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Why take this tour?

New Orleans has a version of Voodoo made for movies, television, and tourists — and then it has the real thing. This tour is built around authenticity: the history, the practice, the figures, and the meaning that serious visitors are seeking. Small groups, primary source research, and guides who care more about getting it right than making it spooky. If you want to leave this city understanding something most people miss entirely, this is a great place to start.

Included

  • Guided Tour
  • Licensed Local Guide

Excluded

  • Guide Gratuity
  • Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ll meet at the New Orleans Playing Card Company, 521 Dumaine Street, in the heart of the French Quarter.
We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes before your start time. Late arrivals can't always be accommodated once the tour is underway.
This tour covers approximately 1 mile, with periods of standing for up to 15 minutes; guests will be walking or standing throughout the entire two-hour tour.
Our groups max out at nine guests. That means more conversation, more attention from your guide, and a much more personal experience than you'd get on a larger tour.
Yes. All of the information presented is appropriate for children. That said, the tour is two hours long and quite information-dense, so younger children may not enjoy it as much as older kids. You know your child's attention span better than we do.
No. This tour focuses on the living tradition of New Orleans Voodoo — its history, its practices, and its place in the culture of the city.
Not in the way you might expect. This tour is educational and respectful — we're here to understand Voodoo, not sensationalize it. That said, some of what you'll learn may genuinely surprise you.
Like the rest of our culture, New Orleans Voodoo is unique because it combines many different versions of the religion, brought to New Orleans by people from different countries. For the sake of simplicity, it is largely a result of blending Haitian Voodoo and multiple African Voodoo traditions. The people who practice Voodoo here are also unique because many also practiced Catholicism, and therefore there are elements of the Catholic traditions integrated as well.
Our guides have spent years studying the religion academically. While some are practitioners themselves, they have all attended multiple Voodoo rituals and ceremonies, and have first-hand knowledge of the faith and practices learned from Voodoo priests and priestesses.
Because people of different backgrounds blended their beliefs into the religion, there was no common written language universally used by the practitioners. For this reason, much of the religion has been handed down orally and through the practice of rituals. It’s also important to note that, like the media, many sources online do not accurately portray the religion and definitely don’t provide a full picture of it.
There will not be a stop for food, so we suggest eating before the tour as needed.
Yes, with a little advance planning. Give us a call before your tour and we'll add a note to your booking so your guide can make the appropriate adjustments on the ground.
Our tours run rain or shine; please bring an umbrella or poncho in order to stay dry during the tour. If the weather is severe enough that it poses a danger, we will call you to explain our decision and discuss alternatives (this is why it’s very important to list a good cell phone number when booking online!). If we cancel a tour because of severe weather, all guests will be given a full refund.

Things to know

Tour Duration

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Accessibility

Wheelchair-friendly with advance notice!

Cancellation Policy

We offer two types of tickets: non-refundable and refundable. Refundable tickets allow you to cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour starts. All Private tours have a 72-hour cancellation policy, while Custom and Corporate tours follow the refund policies outlined in the contract.

Weather Considerations

Tours run rain or shine, so please dress accordingly.

Public Tour Size

Limited to just 9 people for an intimate and personalized experience.

Private Tour Pricing

Enjoy an exclusive and personalized experience with a private tour, starting at just $299.

The Fine Print

Tickets must purchased in advance. At least two people are needed to run this tour (may be booked separately). This walking tour is mostly outdoors and will be held rain or shine, so please wear comfortable shoes and bring proper gear for the weather.

Recent Reviews

275 Verified reviews
Cara Larson
Google Reviews

Cara Larson

April 4, 2026

Our Mysteries of Voodoo tour was a great experience. Communication was timely and clear, and our meeting spot was easy to find. Anderson, our guide, was very engaging and full of stories. He was happy to take pictures, answer any questions, and provide food recommendations. Voodo…

frank selden
Google Reviews

frank selden

April 2, 2026

Adelai is an amazing tour guide! Glad I signed up. One of the rare tours I would do again to learn more.

Lindsay High
Google Reviews

Lindsay High

March 23, 2026

Anderson was an absolute gem! Sharing such an authentic appreciation for the practice and caring respect for the history. 10/10!

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From
$39

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Human support:(504) 517-5397

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