Mysteries of Voodoo Tour

Description

Forget what you think you know about Voodoo. Grossly misrepresented in the movies, this French Quarter Voodoo Tour will help you discover the true history, culture, and beliefs of New Orleans voodoo and how it remains an alternative religion in the city today.

Topics include:

Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau
Slavery in New Orleans
Spells, Voodoo Dolls, and Potions
Voodoo in Hollywood
Zombies
Summoning and Possession by Spirits
Voodoo Rituals
How New Orleans Voodoo is Unique
Space is extremely limited at just 9 guests per tour, so your questions will be welcomed! You’ll see more than a dozen real voodoo shrines and altars at several locations throughout this French Quarter voodoo tour, including those dedicated to Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is NOT a glossed-over, superficial, or highly theatrical approach to voodoo. The content of this tour is real – you will learn about a religion’s history, practitioners, and sacred practices, and those taking this tour should be both respectful of such and seeking knowledge. Voodoo is absolutely fascinating and therefore is very entertaining to learn about; there is no need for cheesy antics or fallacies to enhance this experience.

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.

Tour info

Duration

2 hours

Group Size

Up to 9

Price starts at

$39~~$49~~

Languages

English

Why take this tour?

Discover the true essence of New Orleans Voodoo on this captivating French Quarter Voodoo Tour. Forget the Hollywood stereotypes—this experience delves deep into the real history, culture, and beliefs of a religion that has profoundly influenced the city’s identity and still thrives today. Explore fascinating topics such as the legendary Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, the impact of slavery on Voodoo practices, and the truth behind spells, Voodoo dolls, and potions. Learn about zombies, spirit possession, and how New Orleans Voodoo stands apart as a unique tradition.

This is not a sensationalized or theatrical tour; it’s a respectful, educational journey into a religion's rich history and sacred rituals. You'll visit over a dozen authentic voodoo shrines and altars, including those dedicated to Marie Laveau, all while enjoying a small group setting limited to just 9 guests. Perfect for the curious and respectful, this tour provides an authentic glimpse into one of New Orleans’ most misunderstood traditions. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and the tour runs rain or shine, so come prepared to walk, learn, and be inspired by the powerful legacy of Voodoo in New Orleans.

Included

Guided Tour
Licensed Local Guide

Excluded

Guide Gratuity
Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this be scary?

Not at all. This fascinating tour focuses on the history and present-day reality of this very misunderstood religion. We like to think it is at times funny, but it is always enlightening and educational!

How much walking will there be?

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.

Is this appropriate for children?

Yes! All of the information presented should be appropriate for children. That said, the tour is two hours long and quite information-dense, so young children may not enjoy the tour as much as older kids (you know your child’s attention span better than we do!).

How many people will there be on the tour?

This tour will max out at 9 guests. We pride ourselves on small group sizes so you’ll never be a part of one of those massive tour groups!

What if it’s raining?

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.

Do we go into the cemetery?

Great question! We could, but because there is so much to see and learn in the French Quarter relating to Voodoo (and so much to see in the cemetery!) and they are a bit of a hike from one another, we have created two separate tours, one for each topic. On this French Quarter Voodoo tour, you will get an in-depth experience regarding Voodoo and be taken to an authentic Voodoo shop, which happens to be in the opposite direction of the cemetery. If instead you wish to learn a smaller amount about Voodoo combined with other history and visit Marie Laveau’s tomb, then we suggest the St. Louis Cemetery #1 tour.

Will there be food available during the tour?

There will not be a stop for food, so we suggest eating before the tour as needed.

How is New Orleans Voodoo different from other forms of Voodoo?

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.

How did you learn about New Orleans Voodoo?

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.

I don't see much written on New Orleans Voodoo -- why?

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.

Things to know

Tour Duration

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Accessibility

Wheelchair-friendly with advance notice!

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 72 hours before the tour for a full refund or purchase TripSafe Protection at checkout for maximum flexibility.

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.

30 Reviews Verified

Becky N

18th January 2025

Fantastic Tour Experience with Adelai. We did the food tour, the cocktail tour, the paranormal tour and the voodoo tour. Adelai is very versed in these subjects and had levels of access that were phen...

Fantastic Tour Experience with Adelai. We did the food tour, the cocktail tour, the paranormal tour and the voodoo tour. Adelai is very versed in these subjects and had levels of access that were phenomenal. We do tours whenever we travel and these were by far the best we have experienced.

Lisa Lisa

4th January 2025

We did the Voodoo Tour with a group of 9. Adelai made sure we were always safe throughout the city. We learned a lot through her style of storytelling. We walked past other tour groups and they were h...

We did the Voodoo Tour with a group of 9. Adelai made sure we were always safe throughout the city. We learned a lot through her style of storytelling. We walked past other tour groups and they were huge! This smaller ratio is the better way to tour. The stop for pizza and beer was a perfect pitstop.

Ivey-Elise Ivey

3rd January 2025

We want to thank our guide, Adelaide, so much for a fantastic tour experience! She was super knowledgeable, an entertaining story teller, and most importantly you can tell that she has a deep interest...

We want to thank our guide, Adelaide, so much for a fantastic tour experience! She was super knowledgeable, an entertaining story teller, and most importantly you can tell that she has a deep interest in and appreciation for the traditions of New Orlean’s voodoo. As a native of Louisiana, she also had a lot of additional cultural and historical insight. We came away with a greater understanding of voodoo’s history and practices- in a way that is not sensationalised or painted as “evil” and “spooky”. I highly recommend this tour, and it will definitely be one of the highlights of our time in NOLA. Thank you so much!

Laura Kramer

31st December 2024

We had an amazingly informative Voo doo tour with Anderson. He was so knowledgeable and obviously passionate about the historical aspects of Voodoo and the intersection of various cultures that combin...

We had an amazingly informative Voo doo tour with Anderson. He was so knowledgeable and obviously passionate about the historical aspects of Voodoo and the intersection of various cultures that combined to form this fascinating spiritual culture. Though having lived in Nola -and having an anthropology background- I learned so much. My teen son loved the tour as well and commented on how engaging Anderson’s energy was throughout the tour. We could have stayed hours longer! Definitely take this tour!

Brandon Baca

29th December 2024

Recently went on the Voodoo tour through the French Quarter led by Adelai. Going into the tour I felt very skeptical as I have not had great past experiences with guided tours. What I left with was an...

Recently went on the Voodoo tour through the French Quarter led by Adelai. Going into the tour I felt very skeptical as I have not had great past experiences with guided tours. What I left with was an enlightened understanding and respect for New Orleans Voodoo. Adelai was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also passionate about their tour. The history and commentary was truly special. Even with questions not related to the tour, Adelai answered with great details and advice for travel. Definitely check out the Voodoo Tour!

Lillian Tamberg

28th December 2024

Our guide, Adelai, was incredible! Personable, funny, and very knowledgeable. You could tell she was genuinely passionate about the topic of voodoo and New Orleans folklore—it wasn’t just somethin...

Our guide, Adelai, was incredible! Personable, funny, and very knowledgeable. You could tell she was genuinely passionate about the topic of voodoo and New Orleans folklore—it wasn’t just something she read a script about, it was something prevalent in her life. She answered every question confidently and in detail. My boyfriend and I got everything we wanted from the tour, and got to go to some NOLA stops that we’d never been to before. The stories she told were based in historical fact, not hyperboles for the sake of entertainment. If you like learning about history this is the tour for you, hands down. LOVE the small group size, had a lot of fun getting to know our tour guide and the rest of the people in our group. I’m not necessarily a local (I live on the Northshore), but my whole family is from the city and I could tell that she knew what she was talking about. I actually recommended a tour to my grandmother who’s lived in Metairie for 80 years, lol. Can’t wait to come back and experience another New Orleans secrets tour!

B B

1st December 2024

We did the voodoo tour (with Anderson) and ghost tour (with Barrett). Both were phenomenal! Anderson’s general knowledge of New Orleans coupled with his clear passion for the history and evolution o...

We did the voodoo tour (with Anderson) and ghost tour (with Barrett). Both were phenomenal! Anderson’s general knowledge of New Orleans coupled with his clear passion for the history and evolution of Voodoo was amazing. He also had a personal connection with people we passed, whether they were buskers, practitioners or just folks walking down the street, which really helped us feel part of the story we were learning about. Barrett was fabulous as well. His humor combined with his encyclopedic knowledge of ghost stories and terrible tales of the Quarter made for an amazing evening experience. Can’t recommend New Orleans Secrets Tours enough. We rarely do tours, but when we do, I only hope they’re as good as both of these were. It felt more like a walk through town with incredibly knowledgeable friends than taking a tour. Thx!

Fco F.

28th November 2024

We did the voodoo tour (with Anderson) and ghost tour (with Barrett). Both were phenomenal! Anderson's general knowledge of New Orleans coupled with his clear passion for the history and evolution of ...

We did the voodoo tour (with Anderson) and ghost tour (with Barrett). Both were phenomenal! Anderson's general knowledge of New Orleans coupled with his clear passion for the history and evolution of Voodoo was amazing. We learned so much! Of note was that he also had a personal connection with many people we passed, whether they were buskers, practitioners or just folks walking down the street, which really helped us feel part of the story we were learning about. Barrett was fabulous as well. His humor combined with his encyclopedic knowledge of ghost stories and terrible tales of the Quarter made for an amazing evening experience. Can't recommend New Orleans Secrets Tours enough. We rarely do tours, but when we do, I only hope they're as good as both of these were. It felt more like a walk through town with incredibly knowledgeable friends than taking a tour. Thx!

Dunja Koder

17th November 2024

Love the tour. Our guide was talking enthusiastic. She was full of stories, knowledge and we highly recommended it. Now we know everything about voodoo in New Orleans.

N G

8th November 2024

I had my first NO French Quarter Voodoo Tour with Andersen. He was extremely accommodating as I arrived 15 mins late. The tour was incredibly informative and I was able to learn about all things old N...

I had my first NO French Quarter Voodoo Tour with Andersen. He was extremely accommodating as I arrived 15 mins late. The tour was incredibly informative and I was able to learn about all things old New Orleans, some hidden and not so hidden. I found Andersen to be extremely knowledgeable in the Voodoo history of the city and explained in great detail the accounts related to the city’s past including its indigenous culture, colonialism, piracy and enslavement. No question was unanswered and it was all around a great tour. It’s especially cool if you love all things New Orleans that are related to history and mysticism. This was money well spent.

Description

Tour info

Why take this tour?

Included

Guided Tour

Licensed Local Guide

Excluded

Guide Gratuity

Transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

Things to know

Tour Duration

Accessibility

Cancellation Policy

Weather Considerations

Public Tour Size

Private Tour Pricing

30 Reviews <img style=" width: 18px;" src="https://nosecretstours.com/wp-content/themes/gondola-wp/resources/assets/images/verify.png" alt="verify"> Verified

Becky N

Lisa Lisa

Ivey-Elise Ivey

Laura Kramer

Brandon Baca

Lillian Tamberg

B B

Fco F.

Dunja Koder

N G

Check Availability

Why book with us?

30 Reviews Verified