Mysteries of Voodoo Tour

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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
Meeting Point

We’ll meet at the New Orleans Playing Card Company, 532 Dumaine Streeet #2, in the heart of the French Quarter

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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

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

Things to know

Tour Duration

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Accessibility

Wheelchair-friendly with advance notice!

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.

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.

Tours run rain or shine, so please dress accordingly.

Public Tour Size

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

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.

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

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