NOLA Voodoo Tour with High Priestess — Authentic Vodou Walking Experience in New Orleans
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5–2 hours
Fitness Level
Light walking ability required; suitable for most fitness levels and accessible to wheelchair users with assistance in spots
Overview
Join an initiated High Priestess for a 105-minute walking tour that separates myth from practice and brings Louisiana Vodou into context. Move through historic sites—Congo Square, the Egun tree, and Marie Laveau’s home—while learning rituals, lineage, and the truth behind popular myths.
NOLA Voodoo Tour with High Priestess — Authentic Vodou Walking Experience in New Orleans
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You step beneath the brick archway at Armstrong Park and feel the city tilt—humid air thick with the scent of magnolia and old wood, streetcars clacking in the distance. A High Priestess in plain clothes greets the group, and the ordinary streets of the French Quarter resolve into a map of memory, migration, and ritual. On this tour, New Orleans stops being just a postcard and becomes a living, complicated story you move through on foot.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Check in at Armstrong Park archway
Arrive 10 minutes early and meet under the main entrance archway—this is the official check-in point and easy to find from Rampart Street.
Hydrate and dress for humidity
Carry a refillable water bottle and wear breathable clothing; New Orleans heat can make the 105-minute walk much harder than the distance suggests.
Respect active shrines
Do not touch offerings or ritual objects; ask your guide before photographing private altars or people engaged in rites.
Bring small cash for offerings and tip
If you choose to leave an offering, bring small bills or coins; tipping the guide is customary for the depth of knowledge shared.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Great egret along the nearby reservoirs and parks
- Raccoons in urban green spaces at dusk
History
Louisiana Vodou grew from West African spiritual systems, Gullah-Geechee influence, and Catholic practices, evolving in the port and plantation economy of the South.
Conservation
Respect for shrines and public spaces is emphasized; avoid leaving harmful materials as offerings and follow local guidelines to minimize impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in New Orleans
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive shoes for sidewalks and occasional uneven pavement make the tour more comfortable.
Refillable water bottle
Staying hydrated is crucial in New Orleans heat and humidity.
summer specific
Light rain jacket or poncho
Afternoon showers are common; pack a compact layer for sudden rain.
spring specific
Small notebook and pen
Useful for jotting down names, rituals, or book and music recommendations from the guide.