voodoo tours new orleans louisiana

The 9 Best Voodoo Tours in New Orleans

If you are visiting New Orleans and want to learn the history and lore behind New Orleans Voodoo, you must take a New Orleans Voodoo Tour.

If you want to explore the history of Voodoo in New Orleans, some tours focus solely on Voodoo, and the tour guides are real Voodoo Priestesses and Priests. Alternatively, a few tours include everything if you want to combine your Voodoo tour with ghosts, vampires and other lore.

So keep reading if you are searching for the best New Orleans Voodoo tours for your visit to the Big Easy.

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The 9 Best New Orleans Voodoo Tours

1. nola voodoo walking tour with high priestess guide in new orleans.

The best Voodoo tour in New Orleans is, hands down, the Nola Voodoo Walking Tour , as a High Priestess of Louisiana Plantation Vodou leads your tour. 

The guides are authentic and respectful of the religion. They provide so much knowledge about Voodoo’s history and roots in New Orleans. 

The guides have traced their lineage and bloodlines back hundreds of years. Their connection to Voodoo in New Orleans is incredible. This is the perfect tour in New Orleans to learn about Voodoo history.

New Orleans has a lot of Voodoo history, and the tour takes you to Congo Square, the French Quarter and Louis Armstrong Park, where you will hear all about the people who helped create New Orleans Voodoo.

The tour explores misinformation about Voodoo. It goes over how to respect and worship deities, why people leave specific offerings and the truth about Voodoo dolls. If you are interested in Voodoo history in New Orleans and only have time for one tour, make it this one.

Book here: Nola Voodoo Walking Tour with High Priestess Guide in New Orleans

2. Adults Only Voodoo History Guided Walking Tour in New Orleans

The Voodoo History Guided Walking Tour by Hottest Hell Tours is the best New Orleans Voodoo Tour for adults.

This tour takes you to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 on Basin Street (there is no cemetery entrance on this tour, but check out the best cemetery tours in New Orleans for entry into the cemetery).

You will hear stories about the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. In addition, you will learn about the history of Voodoo and the difference between Haitian Voodoo, New Orleans Voodoo and Hoodoo.

You will visit several sacred grounds where Voodoo rituals and ceremonies occur. You will also stop by Dauphine Street and learn the truth behind Voodoo dolls.

The tour also stops at Conjure New Orleans, an occult shop dedicated to Voodoo. I also recommend getting a tarot reading here after the tour.

This is by far the best Voodoo Tour in New Orleans

If you want to learn about New Orleans’s Voodoo history, you must take this tour. The tour is well done and well researched, and the Voodoo history is accurate.

You will leave this tour with a better understanding of Voodoo and learn about people like Sanite Dede, who was an essential person in the Voodoo community before Marie Laveau.

Hottest Hell Tours also does a terrifying Adults Only tour called New Orleans: Ghost, Crime, Voodoo & Vampires .   Alternatively, you can check out the best ghost tours in New Orleans if you are into the city’s paranormal sightings.

Book here: Adults Only Voodoo History Guided Walking Tour by Hottest Hell Tours

3. Voodoo Tour in New Orleans

If you are looking for one of the best Voodoo tours for a small group in New Orleans, I recommend checking out the Voodoo Tour in New Orleans with New Orleans Secrets Tours. The maximum number of people on this tour is 9 – so it is excellent if you want a more intimate experience.

The tour takes you around New Orleans, where you will visit authentic Voodoo shrines and altars the Voodoo community uses. Plus, you will learn the history of New Orleans’s most famous Voodoo Priestess – Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.

The Voodoo Tour in New Orleans takes you to explore the traditions, cultural significance and spiritual practices behind Voodoo in the city.

Book here: Voodoo Tour in New Orleans small group of 9

4. New Orleans Voodoo, French Quarter, and Cemetery History Tour

Witches Brew Tours offers some of the best Voodoo Tours in New Orleans. Picking one of Witches Brews’ tours can be difficult as they have several fantastic tours. 

I recommend the New Orleans Voodoo, French Quarter, and Cemetery History Tour . The Voodoo walking tour takes you through the French Quarter, where you will learn about the New Orleans Voodoo practitioner’s traditions and rituals.

The tour also passes by the legendary Voodoo Authentica, known for crafting handmade Voodoo dolls and gris-gris bags since the 1990s. Here, you will hear about how Voodoo came to New Orleans and how it is practiced now.

Book here: New Orleans Voodoo, French Quarter, and Cemetery History Tour

5. New Orleans: Voodoo Queen Tour of the French Quarter

If you want to hear the history of Voodoo and take a cemetery tour, you must go on the Voodoo Queen of the French Quarter Tour .

The guide? A Voodoo historian who will teach you the ins and outs of New Orleans Voodoo. The tour stops by many sites in New Orleans rooted in deep Voodoo history, including St. Louis Cathedral and the French Quarter.

Other places the tour stops at include a Voodoo shop named Voodoo Authentica, the home of the Voodoo Queen Mary Laveau and Congo Square.

You will get to see a Voodoo temple, but you will also learn the real history behind Voodoo and how it is still practiced today. This tour’s history, research and storytelling make it one of the best Voodoo tours in New Orleans.

The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans tour also details the history of enslaved people and how they turned Congo Square into a musical paradise, leading to jazz tradition in New Orleans.

Book here: Voodoo Queen of New Orleans Tour

6. New Orleans French Quarter and Voodoo History Walking Tour

Do you want to visit the original spot where Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, lived? French Quarter Phantom’s New Orleans French Quarter and Voodoo History Walking Tour will teach you about Marie’s legacy in New Orleans Voodoo.

This is a fantastic tour that takes you to Congo Square. Here, you will learn about the early history of Voodoo in New Orleans. You will also stop at the Voodoo Cultural Center and Collection called Voodoo Authentica.

The tour guides are hilarious and wonderful at telling you the real history of New Orleans Voodoo.

Book here: New Orleans French Quarter and Voodoo History Walking Tour

7. New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour

New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour takes you to actual Voodoo altars in New Orleans. The 1 ½ hour tour teaches you about Voodoo culture and practices over 100 years old.

The tour starts at Rev. Zombie’s Voodoo Shop and takes you to Bourbon Street to dispel myths about Voodoo. It also takes you to the Voodoo altars on Royal Street.

While all of the tour guides were fantastic, Brie was my favourite tour guide as she knew her history and had personal stories that she shared during the tour.

The New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour lets you know the truth behind Voodoo in New Orleans versus what Hollywood may have taught you.

If you want to know everything there is to know about Voodoo, the New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour is one of the best Voodoo tours in New Orleans.

Book here: New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour

8. New Orleans Voodoo, Storyville, Treme, Walking Tour

If you are looking for a unique Voodoo Walking Tour that visits sites other Voodoo Tours miss, the New Orleans Treme, Storyville, Cemetery, and Voodoo Walking Tour is for you.

The Tour takes you to various sites around New Orleans and fills you with stories about the reality of Voodoo and Voodoo-related myths. The Voodoo walking tour details how enslaved people created New Orleans Voodoo through ancient West African religious beliefs and Roman Catholicism.

The tour by Historic New Orleans Tours is more than just Voodoo. If you want a black history tour of New Orleans, I highly recommend this tour. You will experience the Treme neighbourhood full of Creole and African-American culture.

The tour includes visiting the Storyville District and Congo Square. This is a gathering place of enslaved people who created jazz and helped make New Orleans culture what it is today.

The tour visits the oldest surviving church in New Orleans – Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Louis Armstrong Park, named after jazz legend Louis Armstrong.

Two other sites in New Orleans that are important to Black history include the St. Augustine Church. This is the oldest Black Catholic Parish in the country. It ends with a stop at the tomb of an unknown enslaved person at the Backstreet Cultural Museum. This memorial is the only one of its kind in the United States.

Book here: New Orleans Treme, Storyville, Cemetery, and Voodoo Walking Tour

9. New Orleans Voodoo and French Quarter Walking Tour

Are you looking for a Voodoo and Cemetery Walking Tour? Then, the New Orleans Voodoo and French Quarter Walking Tour will be right up your alley.

This tour takes you to Jackson Square, Louis Armstrong Park, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and St. Louis Cathedral. You will learn the truth behind the connection between Voodoo and Catholicism and how African Tribal Spirituality blends them.

The New Orleans Voodoo and French Quarter Walking Tour teaches you about Voodoo magic, history, Marie Laveau’s tomb, and life history.

This tour also takes you to Louis Armstrong Park. Here, you will hear about jazz history and how it made New Orleans what it is today.

Book here: New Orleans Voodoo and French Quarter Walking Tour

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New Orleans Voodoo Explained

This article will explain what voodoo is, how it came about, and how to make it a part of your visit to New Orleans.

• What is Voodoo
• Marie Laveau
• How to Experience Voodoo

WHAT IS VOODOO?

Voodoo is a religion with its roots in West Africa. When France and Spain ruled New Orleans, Catholicism was the only legally permitted religion.

But enslaved people had their own religions, which they wanted to preserve and pass on to their children.

So they found ways to hide their real beliefs.

Voodoo is the result: a mix of West African religions infused with deep secrecy and elements of Catholicism.

(You may also see the name of the religion spelled “vodou” or “voudou” – Creole or French spellings – or “vodun” – what the word probably sounded like in the unknown West African language it first came from.)

Many people are surprised to learn that voodoo is a religion, and even in New Orleans, it can be hard to tell.

For as long as it’s existed, voodoo has been portrayed as part occult, part devil worship, or black magic, and because of the tradition of secrecy, few members of the religion speak up against that perception.

Of course, in today’s French Quarter , the idea of magic, black or otherwise, is very much in demand.

So, on a walk through the neighborhood, you’re likely to spot the word “voodoo” on all kinds of things – from genuine religious establishments to shops selling horror-themed souvenirs to slightly spicy bags of chips – and as often as not, the word is just being used to deliver a sense of mystique and local flavor.

VOODOO HISTORY IN NEW ORLEANS

For many centuries up to the present, people in West Africa have practiced a group of related religions.

While their stories vary, they share a belief in a single god who communicates with mortals through spirits.

They also share ceremonies that invite the spirits, through drumming, dancing, prayer, and sacrifice, to borrow the body of a priestess or priest and speak through them, providing messages and guidance.

The slave trade forced members of these religions into places where the open practice of their beliefs was dangerous.

One key to survival was recognizing the similarity between the spirits and Catholic saints.

By matching each spirit with a similar saint, voodooists could pray to a spirit or build an altar for them, as long as they used the name or the image of the corresponding saint.

In this way, they hid their religion in code.

Voodooists in New Orleans also took advantage of a thing few enslaved people had: a small amount of free time.

The same laws that mandated baptism for enslaved people also required that they be allowed to take a day of rest on Sundays.

Mornings were generally spent at mass, but Sunday afternoon was discretionary time.

The law also restricted large gatherings of Africans and their descendants to a single place, just outside the city walls, called Place Congo or Congo Square.

So Sunday afternoons at Congo Square came to be the main setting for voodoo ceremonies – along with others conducted secretly.

Remarkably, these ceremonies were public knowledge, but they were never suppressed completely. This is probably because outside observers didn’t recognize the religious intent behind them.

The outdoor setting, the physical intensity of the drumming and dancing, and the leadership by groups of women all made the ceremonies such a far cry from a Catholic mass that they seem to have passed for secular, athletic events – a way to blow off steam on the weekend.

Outside of ceremonies, voodoo priestesses and priests also became essential as day-to-day advisers and medics.

It was in these roles that they created gris-gris bags, herbal treatments, voodoo dolls, potions, and other items that combine elements of science and prayer.

Life in New Orleans was difficult enough that these services were in demand even among people who weren’t part of the religion, and so the idea of magic – often condemned but sometimes needed – became voodoo’s public face.

(Learn about the day-to-day work of a voodoo priest and with Free Tours by Foot guide Robi here:

While voodoo is popularly associated with New Orleans, it’s by no means the only place where this story happened.

Similar hybrids came about wherever West African religions coexisted with Catholicism.

In Brazil, the result is called candomblé; in the Spanish colonies, santeria. In some places, indigenous people and their religions took on significant roles.

Some variations use Catholic imagery strictly as camouflage, while others incorporate earnest Catholic beliefs.

Versions in rural Louisiana have replaced Catholic elements with Protestant ones.

And different strains have also influenced each other: at the turn of the 19 th century, thousands of Haitians arrived in New Orleans, fleeing the Haitian Revolution and bringing their version of voodoo to mix with the local one.

In New Orleans today, the evolution is ongoing. You might meet born-and-raised voodooists in the city, living examples of an unbroken familial tradition, and you might also meet people who chose to be initiated later in life.

You may also meet Catholics who observe a few African-rooted traditions, like jumping a broom at a wedding or using brick dust to protect a front door.

Among the initiated, the tenet of secrecy is contentious, with some feeling it is still a critical way of paying respect to ancestors, while others see going public as a necessary way to correct perceptions and attract new adherents.

One thing is for sure: interest isn’t going away.

You can see Free Tours by Foot guide Robi, who was born and raised in the religion, share its history in Congo Square here:

MARIE LAVEAU

By far the most famous name in New Orleans voodoo is Marie Laveau. People pile into St. Louis Cemetery #1 to see her tomb.

She’s as much a subject of folklore as of fact, and the latest installment in her ongoing legend comes from Angela Bassett’s performance of her in American Horror Story: Coven.

Marie was born in 1801, on the eve of the Louisiana Purchase, and she would have grown up amid fast change as Haitians and Protestant Anglo-Americans flocked to New Orleans.

Her era would have called her a quadroon – meaning she was of one-quarter African descent.

She was born free, married a mixed-race man who died or disappeared, had a long relationship with a white man she couldn’t marry, and gave birth to children, one of whom would go on to pass for white in her adult life.

And somehow, by the time she died at the age of 80, she had become famous enough to have obituaries in every local newspaper, plus the New York Times – all without ever leaving her hometown or learning to read.

And what earned her all that fame? The answers seem to have been mostly legend even when she was alive – all those obituaries barely agree on a single detail.

We have an article that shares what’s known for sure – read on: Marie Laveau Voodoo Queen of New Orleans

Watch a video of Free Tours by Foot guides Robi and Sandy exploring Marie Laveau’s history:

HOW TO SEE VOODOO IN NEW ORLEANS TODAY

Take a Tour

Free Tours by Foot is proud to offer a pay-what-you-like guided tour focused entirely on the voodoo religion – its history, its ceremonies, and its life in Louisiana today.

When you peruse our calendar ( Book New Orleans Tours ), look for the Voodoo Tour at 3 pm Thursday through Monday or Priest Robi’s Voodoo Tour at 10 am Thursday through Monday. New Orleans Voodoo Tour

Sample Robi’s tour here:

Many other tour companies in town also offer tours with the word “voodoo” in the title.

In some cases, this means the tour will focus on the religion, while in others, you can expect supernatural horror stories.

We’re all about sharing those stories, too, but you’ll find them on our ghost tour ( New Orleans Ghost Tour ) – get a video sample here:

Visit Congo Square

It’s still possible to see the site of all those 18 th - and 19 th -century voodoo rituals by visiting Louis Armstrong Park, just outside the French Quarter.

Armstrong Park commemorates New Orleans’ musical legacy, and Congo Square, the United States’ strongest connection with African music, is just a few steps from the main gate.

The cobblestoned, landscaped area you’ll see today doesn’t bear much resemblance to the gathering place and dancing grounds of old.

But, modern embellishments include helpful historical markers and monuments.

And while the original performance tradition there seems to have died out soon after the Civil War, in recent years it’s seen a revival.

And today you can again count on hearing drums and seeing dancers almost every Sunday afternoon of the year.

Depending on the week, you may also see a market – another callback to Congo Square’s earliest functions – or possibly a full-on music festival.

Apart from a few festival days, Armstrong Park and Congo Square are free to enter. The gates are generally open 8 am to 6 pm.

Visit St. Louis Cemetery #1

New Orleans’s oldest cemetery is located just outside the French Quarter.

It’s a Catholic cemetery, but since it was the city’s main burial site, and since receiving Catholic sacraments was part of voodooists’ exercise of secrecy, it’s safe to say that many are buried inside these walls.

Marie Laveau owned a family tomb that still stands just inside the cemetery’s front gate.

The tomb is covered in the names of her family members, and church records say she is buried there as well, while lore among the voodoo community has her buried elsewhere.

Wherever she is, interested visitors still flock to St. Louis #1, where her tomb is the main attraction.

However, the church has recently opted to close the cemetery to public access and allow entry only through one tour company, and discussion of voodoo is generally minimal.

Check out our article on reasons to visit St. Louis #1: 10 Reasons to Visit St. Louis Cemetery

In their role as spiritual advisors, voodoo priests can perform readings for members and non-members of the religion alike.

What this looks like depends on the tradition a priest belongs to.

Some have adopted tarot cards, playing cards, or other widely used tools of fortune-telling, while others use methods particular to voodoo.

In contrast with many readings, voodoo priests will often ask you to come up with a particular question or problem in mind to focus on.

And fun fact – while New Orleans law prohibits putting a price on fortune telling, there’s an exception when it’s a religious service.

So while most fortune tellers operate on a pay-what-you-like basis ( like our walking tours ), voodoo priests can ask a specific price.

Most voodoo shops offer readings or can connect you with someone who does – see the section on voodoo shops below for more information.

Voodoo Shops

The French Quarter is full of shops that use “voodoo” in their names, and their contents range from religious spaces to African art to souvenirs.

It can be hard to know what to expect from these places. Some are shops, some are temples and worship centers, and some are just about everything.

That's why we have a whole article on the subject, including recommended shops, their locations and hours, and the services each one offers.

Here are a few of the more common items you’ll find in New Orleans voodoo shops:

• Potion Oils
• Tarot cards
• Cleansing Sprays
• Voodoo Dolls

5 Top Voodoo Shops in New Orleans

• Voodoo Spiritual Temple
• Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo
• Voodoo Authentica
• Erzulie’s Authentic Voodoo
• Island of Salvation Botanica

Visit the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum

The French Quarter is also home to the Historic Voodoo Museum. Their small collection of artifacts delivers a heavy ambiance and light storytelling.

They also offer readings and tours. See our full article on the subject here:

The Voodoo Museum in New Orleans

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Nola Voodoo Walking Tour with High Priestess Guide in New Orleans

1 hour and 45 minutes

Voodoo Tour lead by High Priestess Guide

What's included, please note.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller / pram accessible
• Animals or pets allowed
• Public transportation nearby
• Infants must not sit on laps
• Infant seats unavailable
• Check in under the main archway of Armstrong Park entrance.

What to bring

Sunscreen, sun hat and/or umbrella for shade and/or rain, water, comfortable walking shoes, deet bug spray for warmer months.

CONTACT INFO

+1 5045440119, [email protected], useful links.

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Discover the haunting charms around new orleans with our guided walking tours.

Embark on an adventure through the mysterious streets of New Orleans with  French Quarter Phantoms . Our haunted walking tours reveal the city's hidden ghost stories and rich history. Step into the world of the unknown and explore the colorful history of  New Orleans  with French Quarter Phantoms. Our haunted walking tours offer an intimate glimpse into the heart of the French Quarter, where centuries-old stories and legends come to life. With a blend of  history , mystery, and  ghostly tales , we promise an experience that's both enlightening and spine-tingling.

Uncover the City’s Secrets with Our Expert New Orleans Tourguides 

Our  haunted tours  are not just strolls down scenic streets but time travels into a world that still echoes with the tales of the mysterious past. Each step takes you deeper into the narratives of spirits, unexplained occurrences, and the rich tapestry of voodoo lore in the heart of this diverse community. Led by passionate guides, these spooky walking tours are a deep dive into the supernatural elements that give New Orleans its unique character. From the famous  LaLaurie Mansion  to the shadowy alleys where history whispers, our tours are a must-do for any thrill-seeker or history buff.

French Quarter Walking Tours: A Journey Through History

The  French Quarter , with its vibrant streets and colorful buildings, holds stories in every corner. Our walking tours are meticulously designed to guide you through these historical paths. As you stroll past iconic landmarks and hidden gems, our guides will share tales of the past, bringing to life the people and events that shaped this iconic romance neighborhood. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a curious traveler, our tours offer a unique perspective on the cultural richness of the  French Quarter .

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At French Quarter Phantoms, our guides are not just tour leaders; they are storytellers and historians, passionate about bringing New Orleans ' rich history to life. With a flair for drama and a deep knowledge of the local lore, they ensure each tour is both informative and entertaining. We live NOLA every day. 

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Fun French Quarter Walking tours led by Master Storytellers. Choose from our Ghost & Vampire walking tour, Garden District walking tour, Tour Tremé or Saints and Sinners: a Dirty little French Quarter History tour. Who knew history could be so much fun? All tours are about one hour forty-five minutes, walking distance is just under one mile. Bring your camera (and your friends), wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to have fun! Established in 2006. Locally owned and operated. We love entertaining you and it shows. Join us for the best walking tours New Orleans has to offer. Book online for $22 per person and you receive a discount of $3 per ticket! (Regularly $25 per person).

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Madame lalaurie mansion.

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The French Quarter, with its vibrant streets and colorful buildings, holds stories in every corner. Our walking tours are meticulously designed to guide you through these historical paths. As you stroll past iconic landmarks and hidden gems, our guides will share tales of the past, bringing to life the people and events that shaped this iconic romance neighborhood. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a curious traveler, our tours offer a unique perspective on the  cultural richness  of the French Quarter.

Book Your Tour Today and Experience the Mystery and Magic of New Orleans!

Our user-friendly website makes booking your next adventure a breeze. Select your preferred  tour , date, and time, and you're all set for an unforgettable journey. Our mobile-optimized website ensures you can book, browse, and  contact us  easily from your smartphone.

Have questions about setting up something unique for your group? Our dedicated team is here to help. Whether it's tour information, special requests, or assistance with bookings, we're just a call or click away.

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The Voodoo Bone Lady Tours

Review Highlights

“ I really wanted to do the cemetery tour in the morning but bourbon street had other plans the night prior. ” in 55 reviews

“ Brian seemed genuinely concerned that everyone have a good time, be safe and learn some stuff along the way. ” in 73 reviews

“ She was an amazing storyteller and really got us all caught up in every single spooky story she was telling us. ” in 17 reviews

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201 St Charles Ave

New Orleans, LA 70170

Central Business District

Serving New Orleans Area

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About the Business

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The Voodoo Bone Lady X.

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Ghost tours, Cemetery Tours, Vampire Tours, Voodoo Tours, French Quarter Tours, Garden District Tours. We specialize in creating memorable tours that customers LOVE! We employ only the most personable, well-informed and entertaining tour guides in New Orleans! Our most popular tour is The 5-In-1 Ultimate Haunted Tour Experience. It covers 5 things: Ghosts, Voodoo, Vampires, Zombies and Magic Spells! This tour is given at both 5pm and 8pm nightly. Again, this is our most popular tour and it sells out so nightly so book now! Our second most popular tour is our Infamous City Of The Dead Cemetery Tour. On this tour you will get to visit St. Louis #1 Cemetery, the oldest and most famous cemetery in New Orleans. Gaze in awe at the ancient maze of above-ground tombs. Learn about our bizzare and interesting burial practices. Visit the tomb of Marie Laveau, our original Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Her tomb is a shrine that millions of people have travelled from all over the world to see. We also perform a blessing at her tomb for your viewing or participatory pleasure. Also as an added bonus learn a little about food, music, culture, architecture and Hurricane Katrina along the way. In 2015 the owner of the cemetery, New Orleans Catholic Archdiocese, made a rule that the only way to enter the cemetery is with licensed tour guide, so please book your tour ahead of time to guarantee admittance. Take both the 5-In-1 Haunted Tour & our Cemetery Tour for the full effect! …

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Absolutely you should!! These tours book up fast because they're a blast. We had a great time and it's a great tour. Enjoy!

I am trying to call to adjust a tour date we booked? No one answering the phone and email is bouncing back as full! Can someone please get in contact with me?

Their store was being remodeled when I was there at the end of June, so that's probably why they aren't answering phone calls. Good luck!

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379 reviews

Don't know why I never reviewed her but we took her cemeteries tour the first time I went to Nola almost 10 years ago and we loved it! I recommend

I was so scared to go on the 5 in 1 tour but my daughter made me so it.... The Bone Lady is great! She's a wonderful story teller and brought the history of New Orleans to life. Did we see any ghosts? Well not with our eyes but the pictures we took definitely have some orbs in them that we couldn't explain. Naysayers will come up with all the reasons the orbs are in the photos but I know what I see! Don't miss your opportunity to tour with The Bone Lady!

Thought it would be fun to visit a card reader while in NOLA as We've had our cards read from time to time. The woman who read our cards was NOT knowledgeable about interpretation. She kept going on about being from an old line of gypsy readers, but all she could do is say what each card was and not the meaning of the spread. Rip off. Expensive and not remotely accurate.

Lots of evening tours to choose from, but the guide's theatrical story telling, depth of knowledge and more intimate sized group made this the best selection!

We had the Voodoo nine lady herself for the tour and she was a great story teller. Engaging with the audience and had lots of interesting facts to share. We did the 5pm tour. Some good creepy story telling although would have been a bit better if later in the evening. She was very punctual which we appreciate and was very customer focused. The tour ends at her Voodoo shop and her husband brought out some cool "show and tell" while she shared information about voodoo of which she is a 5th generation practitioner. Everything seemed very factual (or at least historical ) which I liked. I would recommend and I would also recommend having voodoo daddy do a bones reading. It isn't cheap but it seems more like the real deal . Check it out

The blacksmith's tavern

Do you like Drunk History? If you do, this is the tour for you! Please note that our guide, Brian, was definitely not intoxicated but his style of story telling was spectacular. There weren't any costumes like the other tours we came across and it wasn't cheesy by any means. He was just the best story teller I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing this tour with. I wouldn't say that it was "family friendly" as there was a lot of F bombs being thrown (which I really enjoyed). Anyways, we did the 5-in-1 tour which included ghosts, zombies, voodoo, vampires, and pirates with a bar break ;) It was extremely fun and two hours seemed to pass super quick. That just shows how much we enjoyed it. If you are going to do a tour in NOLA, this is the one you want. CHEERS!

My girlfriend and I came down here for a ghost tour on 01/25/19. The tour was absolutely incredible!!! We would actually consider booking the same tour again because it was that good!! You meet up at a pre designated spot and leave promptly at the time you're supposed to. They do pickup at local hotels and you can sign in from your phone. The company is very professional /!: have been doing this for some time. There is a a bathroom break midway through and a chance to grab some adult beverages. Our tour guide was Brian and he was GREAT!!! He went out of his way to show up the city, tell us some great stories, and show us some really cool things. He was funny, knowledgeable, and did a really, really good job. I would absolutely want him to be our tour guide again. Do yourself a favor and book this tour!! Get a cocktail, take in some history and learn about the haunted side of NOLA!

I went with a group of 12 for the 1pm cemetery tour. Brie was so fun and knowledgeable. Many of us have lived in New Orleans for a few years now and we learned SO much. A guided tour is the only way to enter St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and I highly recommend the Voodoo Bone Lady Tours! We got to see all the famous sights in the cemetery, including the very popular Nicholas Cage's tomb. It was a beautiful day out but it could definitely get very hot if you go in the summer. The tour took a little over 2 hours with a bathroom break. Definitely wear comfortable shoes and bring sunglasses and any other sun protection equipment.

This was my favorite tour by far in New Orleans. The store is a definite location to check out. But I recommend doing this tour in the evening for the full effect ;)

See all photos from Jeanelle K. for The Voodoo Bone Lady Tours

We had a group of 8 and everyone in the group had a great time. It wasn't as scary but a lot of history. It is rain or shine. Bring walking shoes. Randy was legit. Too legit. Too legit to quit. I appreciated that Randy gave us a safe word. He was looking out for us!

33 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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The VooDoo Bone Lady Tours

Experience The #1 Rated GHOST, VOODOO, VAMPIRE Tour In New Orleans!!!!

Over 5,000 5-Star Reviews On TripAdvisor!

This Is More Than A Tour, It’s An Event!!!

As Seen On:

This is then original 5-in -1 tour. although competitors have tried to copycat. they could never duplicate the amazing experience of outstanding tour., here’s whats included:.

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MAGIC SPELLS

Over 5,000 5-star tripadvisor reviews. show certificate of excellence from two years., check out what people have to say, what you need to know​, limited space.

Tours Tend To Sell Out Daily. Book Now As Space Is Limited.

All Tours Must Be Prepaid And Can Be Purchased One Of Two Ways, Either Through This Website Or By Phone At 504-267-2040. We Do Not Accept Payment On Site.

Be On Time!!

Be On Time!! We Suggest You Arrive 10 Mins Early. Tours Depart On Time And If You’re Late You May Miss The Tour Or Not Know How To Locate The Moving Tour Group. Phone Support Is Not Guaranteed To Help You Locate The Moving Tour Group. Any Missed Tours Will Not Be Refunded. Be On Time And Make It Easier For All Of Us.

Wear Comfy Shoes.

All Tours Are Walking Tours Outdoors With Approx 1 Mile Of Walking. Wear Comfy Shoes.

Bring An Umbrella

Tours Run Rain Or Shine! Bring An Umbrella Or A Poncho.

All Sales Are Final. There Are No Refunds Or Reschedulings Allowed. Our Packed Schedule Simply Won’t Allow It.

Social Distancing

Due to Covid-19 Restrictions You Must Wear A Face Mask For The Duration Of The Tour And Practice Social Distancing From People Not In Your Party. Refusal To Comply With These Rules Is Terms To Be Asked To Leave The Tour Without A Refund. Friends, I Don’t Write These Rules, The City Does. So Let’s Follow Them And Have A Good Time!

All Tours Start At 701 Royal Street In Front Of The “Rouses Market” At That Address. Be Careful Though, Jealous Tour Competitors Meet In The Same Vicinity And Been Known To Steal Our Guests And Take Them On The Wrong Tour. Ensure You Are With A Voodoo Bone Lady Guide Before To Embark On Your Tour!

5 Star Experience

We Want You To Have A Fabulous 5-Star Experience. If At Any Time You Have Any Issue Please Call Our Office At 504-267-2040 And Ask For Laura. We Will Do What Is Fair To Make It Right.

What’s Included?

What’s included is what’s detailed above. This tour does not include entry into homes or the cemetery. The cemetery is only open I’m the daytime. This tour takes place in the evening so it would be impossible to include the cemetery on this tour.

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The ultimate tour of New Orleans Voodoo

Be careful what you wish for...

• New Orleans
• Featured Trip Guides
• Weird Guides

Created by Destination Strange - January 2nd 2017

V oodoo is a phenomenon, a culture that could only have occurred in New Orleans, and there's something about the dark and mysterious beliefs that have stuck around for years, hiding down cobblestoned alleys and in dark corners of historic buildings. French Catholicism, African Vodun, and Spanish flair, all stirred up in the mixing pot that is America created a special New Orleans Voodoo that’s synonymous with the Big Easy. Voodoo queens preside over rituals and ceremonies and create amulets, charms, spells and more, guaranteed to... fix problems. If you need a wish granted, a problem fixed or an enemy destroyed, then behold the Roadtrippers’ guide to a New Orleans voodoo tour:

Voodoo Museum

Step 1: Visit the Historic New Orleans Voodoo Museum

First and foremost, you should learn what you’re getting yourself into. The National Historic Voodoo Museum is the perfect place to start; you can discover the origins of voodoo, learn about important voodoo queens and see some old relics. The museum isn't huge, but it's dense, and each room is crammed with fascinating little tidbits. The atmosphere of the place is a little creepy, which is kind of perfect. They encourage questions, so don’t be afraid to ask!

1 Voodoo Spiritual Temple

Step 2: Stop into the Voodoo Spiritual Temple

Your spell will undoubtedly go a little better if you consult a voodoo priestess on what you want and what you’ll need to do to get it. Priestess Miriam doesn’t focus on “white” or “black” magic, so you don’t need worry about the Shadow Man coming after you. The temple has elements of West African tradition and Catholic tradition, so don’t be surprised to see a statue of a saint next to a voodoo doll!

Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo

New Orleans, LA

Step 3: Stock up at Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo

Named for the most famous voodoo queen in all of New Orleans voodoo history, this shop has all of your voodoo needs covered. From spell kits and mojo bags to gris-gris and talismans, there’s something here to fulfill your every wish and desire.

Known as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, according to many eyewitness accounts, this was a title Marie Laveau not only earned but has not relinquished to this day. Marie Catherine Laveau was born a free woman of color in New Orleans on September 10, 1801. She was the illegitimate daughter of a free man of color and a Creole mother. Historians believe that Marie’s mother and grandmother were voodoo practitioners. In 1819, at the ripe young age of 18, Laveau married Jacques Paris, with whom she had two children, both of which are believed to have died young. Her husband also passed away under mysterious circumstances. By the time she was in her 20s she was known around town as the Widow Paris. This name would also be etched onto her tomb, which has become quite the popular tourist attraction.

After the death of Jacques, Marie became a hairdresser. Most of her clients were wealthy white socialites, which allowed her to be privy to the myriad of rumors and gossip that floated around the French Quarter. Because Laveau had access to a wealth of information from both the elite women she serviced, to their servants and slaves, she was able to convince people that she was a Voodoo priestess with mystical powers. She was basically the 19th century Miss Cleo. Laveau then entered into a common-law marriage with Louis Christophe Dominick Duminy de Glapion (say that five times fast!)

By the 1860s, Marie ceased practicing voodoo in public. However according to folklore she continued to practice Voodoo well into old age. Her daughter, Marie Laveau II, actually picked up the mantle her mother left behind and was known for her "wild rituals in the swamps around New Orleans."

Marie welcomed people into her home, day or night, and provided them food and a warm place to spend the night. She was also a "skilled nurse" and was known for her vast knowledge of herbs and other methods of healing. Marie also made herself available to condemned men, providing them counsel before they were they were executed. In fact, Marie became a folk hero of sorts, fighting on behalf of the helpless.

3 New Orleans Congo Square

Step 4: Immerse yourself in the culture at Congo Square

To further understand the roots of Voodoo, head to Louis Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood of the city to visit Congo Square. Slaves traditionally had Sundays off work, and would often gather at Congo Square to worship, sing, dance, and sell goods to buy their own freedom at an informal market. Their dress, musical rhythms, instruments, and dancing were influenced by African, French, Caribbean cultures. As the Civil War approached, the gatherings at Congo Square began to drop off, but Congo Square drew back Creole musicians in the late 19th century, where the soulful, freestyle music they played evolved into the only truly indigenous art form from America: jazz.

4 The Voodoo Lounge

Step 5: Bolster your spirits with a stiff drink from the Voodoo Lounge.

The Voodoo Lounge isn't fancy, but neither is the ancient art of casting spells, so this divey little joint is the perfect place to hype yourself up to do the deed. The joint is open 24 hours, and although it serves up hurricanes, they also have a massive selection of scotch. Drinks here aren't too fancy, but they're cheap and the bartenders and crowd are always interesting. Plus, a popular New Orleans ghost tour meets up here, so if you're looking for some actual spirits, you can ask about it.

St. Louis Cemetery

Step 4: Hit up St. Louis Cemetery #1 (at night!)

Now you’re ready to perform some voodoo! What better place to cast a spell than a historic, above-ground cemetery? You can sense the history here. Marie Laveau herself is allegedly buried in a crypt on the property. Believe it or not, her grave gets more annual visitors than Elvis’! Pay your respects and then cast your voodoo spell- if you dare*! But be warned: Visitors claim to have seen the ghost of the Voodoo Queen herself, walking around tombs in her trademark turban, while whispering a Santeria Voodoo curse to disrespectful gawkers. If you visit her grave, you'll notice that people still leave offerings, candles, flowers, Voodoo dolls, all in the hopes that Laveau will bestow her supernatural blessings. When people make a wish at her tomb, they return if their wish comes true and leave three X marks as a sign of their gratitude.

*Results not guaranteed, and consequences cannot be ignored

6 Muriel's

Afterwards, grab a bite to eat in the Séance Lounge at Muriel's in Jackson Square. This old restaurant is reminiscent of days when New Orleans was most famous for Storyville, the red light district that was filled with saloons and bordellos. The Lounge's decor speaks to the past, and also happens to be where Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, Muriel's most active resident ghost, prefers to spend his time.

Click to discover a great deal!

The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans

Yeah, it might seem weird to have the... well, ritzy Ritz-Carlton New Orleans as a stop on the voodoo tour, but their spa features a voodoo-inspired massage that's sure to help you decompress after casting your spell. According to them, the full-body massage features a "locally crafted herbal poultice ritual" made with "notes of absinthe, cypress, moss, vetiver, and incense". Sounds quite enchanting!

*Results of a Voodoo spell are not guaranteed, and consequences cannot be ignored. You've been warned!

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Where to Get a Taste of the City

Nola Ghost Riders

Cemetery tours, Drunken History tour, Ghost tour through the quarter, or just a walking tour through the quarter. Learn about New Orleans spookiest sites and why we respect our cemeteries and the dead. Take lots of pictures because you never know what you may catch!

Taste of Nawlins

Get a taste of all the southern cuisine New Orleans has to offer! Get breakfast and tour the quarter or join our culinary history tour- where you can sample most of the cities best southern dishes. Not only will you be drooling, you may be planning your next trip down to the city!

Southern Style

If history and exploration is your go to, Southern Style offers two different plantation homes to visit as well as a city bus tour that takes you all around the city. View the Garden District and some of New Orleans' Katrina sites as well as some filming spots from popular TV shows and movies!

Links to Purchase Tickets

VooDoo Tavern & PoBoys

1140 Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116, United States

(504)766-0143

Copyright © 2023 VooDoo Tavern & PoBoys - All Rights Reserved.

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HOODOO, VOODOO AND A BOTTLE OF RUM

AN EXPERIENCE HOSTED BY JEAN-MARCEL ST. JACQUES

WHAT YOU'LL DO

A walk through Congo Square and the Historic Faubourg Treme culminating in a talk at my studio about Hoodoo, Voodoo, Black Carnival Traditions, the deeds and misdeeds of my own Louisiana Creole ancestors and other lesser known aspects of New Orleans history and culture. In my studio rum bar you will enjoy coffee, rum and a chance to check out my art and black masking Indian attire. My house has long been a place where friends come to ground themselves in the cultural vibration of the city. I am so excited to now share this experience with you!

Other Things To Note

While the majority of my presentation will be at my studio, we will also walk six blocks and stand in one place for long periods. Please wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated because the heat can be oppressive, especially in the summer. BTW - NO PHOTOS of my studio or myself are allowed, thank U.

Jean-Marcel's commitment to safety

This host committed to the City of New Orleans COVID-19-related safety and cleaning guidelines—including adhering to social distancing guidelines, practicing good hygiene, and ensuring that all participants wear a mask.

What's included ​

Hoodoo Voodoo and a Bottle of Rum

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Duration Varies

Hoodoo, Voodoo - The Private Experience

1808 North Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116

[email protected]

Thanks for submitting!

New Orleans Voodoo Tour

New orleans activities.

New Orleans

Thursday, May 9 at 11 am CDT

Entry Options

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New Orleans, Louisiana Family Attractions You Must Experience

D ubbed “The Big Easy” and “The Most Interesting City in America” depending on your viewpoint, New Orleans family attractions will not disappoint. This charming Southern belle boasts a culture that is truly unique. The music is inspiring, the cuisine is to die for. It’s the only place as famous for its Mardi Gras parties and vibrant multi-ethnic culture, as for its jazz and other musial genres. Regardless of what you choose, it is a must-see American city.

For more information on family-friendly attractions in NOLA, visit New Orleans & Company and check out FTF’s review of New Orleans’ top kid-welcoming hotels.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

Louisiana children’s museum, french market, city park conservancy botanical garden, homes in the historic new orleans collection, the national world war ii museum, tips on visiting the wwii museum and engaging kids in the material, confederate memorial hall museum, magazine street, french quarter, louisiana state museum & historic french quarter sites for the family.

• Audubon Park and Zoo

Preservation Hall

Mardi gras world, new orleans jazz national historic park, french quarter walking tour, freewheelin bike tours, guided bus tours of family attractions: katrina and more, new orleans kid-friendly activities: swamp and bayou tours, family day trips from new orleans to the plantations, new orleans family attractions for little kids (to age 8).

1 Canal Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

504/861-2537

The refreshed Audubon Aquarium of the Americas downtown is hailed as one of the top five aquariums in America. More than 3,600 animals from more than 250 species, including African penguins and rare white alligators, are sure to impress all ages. See the 30-foot-long Caribbean reef tunnel and the Amazon Rainforest. Then, say hello to some of the many animals who’ve been rescued by the zoo. This aquarium drills down to marinelife from the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, so you can meet sea turtles like King Mydas, who lives in the Gulf of Mexico tank. The penguin exhibit and IMAX Theatre are very popular too.

City Park New Orleans

15 Henry Thomas Drive

New Orleans, LA 70124

504/523-1357

LCM’s new 8.5-acre campus in City Park has indoor and outdoor exhibits next to a beautiful lagoon. Young children will love the hands-on, educational activities which appear throughout. At the Dig Into Nature space, look closely at the local wetlands. Move with the River and Outdoors Adventures focus on Louisiana’s ecology and eenvironment. Make art, play with baby in a multi-sensory space and find out where food comes from, how it is prepared and where it goes. Admission for tinies under-12-months is free; adults must accompany anyone under 18. There are twice monthly sensory friendly playtimes. Several other programs, including yoga, storytime, fitness, gardening and more take place each week.

1101 N. Peters St.

New Orleans, LA  70116

Originally a Native American trading post dating to 1791, the well-maintained French Market doesn’t much feel like authentic New Orleans. However, the touristy, open-air crafts and goods market is easier to navigate with young children than the surrounding French Quarter. Shop for souvenirs ranging from T-shirts to Mardi Gras beads, African masks to beaded water bottles. Look for snack bars and eateries, from countertops to sit down places. Since 1862, Cafe du Monde has been famous for its beignets and coffee, and operates 24/7 at the corner of Jackson Square. There’s a fun farmers market on Wednesday and Saturday and a daily flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue. Dutch Alley is home to art galleries and the visitors center of the New Orleans Jazz National Park. Kids will enjoy watching sightseeing boats, mega cruise ships, freighters, and riverboats pass by on the Mississippi.

5 Victory Avenue

504/483-9402

Wander the lush gardens and touch the drooping Spanish moss in City Park , then enjoy over 2,000 varieties of plants in the Botanical Gardens. (Closed Monday, kids under 3 free.) Regular events include twilight concerts, educational programs, a big Voodoo Fest Halloween celebration and plant sales. A favorite family space is the New Orleans Historic Train Garden (open Saturday and Sunday) where G-gauge streetcars and freight trains run through a model of the city’s neighborhoods and landmarks. Older kids and families can join their Super Saturdays program (first Saturday of the month) as volunteer gardeners. Families in need of a break will appreciate several cafes, plus City Park’s amusement park, playgrounds, boat rentals, and a storyland. Don’t miss a walk through the New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture’s 12-acre Besthoff Sculpture Garden; kids will enjoy seeing the huge artworks.

New Orleans Family Attractions For Older Kids (8-16)

Among all the New Orleans family sights and activities, kids really respond to the wild street entertainment and intriguing tours of the city’s dark history. This city didn’t earn the nickname “Devil’s Empire” for nothing.

520 Royal Street

504/523-4662

Anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things will love the restored French Quarter’s southern homes in the Historic New Orleans Collection. Visit one of the HNOC buildings on the famous Royal Street to see temporary art, photography and music exhibits in the context of a historically accurate, restored home. The second floor of the Merieult House, ca 1792, houses the Louisiana History Galleries with a world-class collection of maps and documents. Be sure to visit the Williams Residence , an 18th-century home that has been largely untouched since the 1940s, where Tennessee Williams wrote some stories. Download their app for a free walking tour of the French Quarter. Free admission; closed Monday

945 Magazine Street

It may surprise some that this is New Orleans’ most visited site! Designated by Congress as the nation’s official WWII Museum in 2004, it has grown into one of the country’s most impressive museums. Collections of important cultural artifacts of the 1940’s, soldiers’ memorabilia, and some of WWII’s most haunting images tell the personal stories of those who fought. Start at the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion and hear veterans interviewed while watching film footage related to their experiences. The 60-minute introductory film, “Beyond Boundaries,” is a thoughtful look at the causes of WWII and America’s entry into the fight. Proceed through each building.

Don’t miss the powerful European Theater: Road to Berlin Gallery, a multimedia extravaganza brings the Allies’ march from north Africa, through Italy and into France to life with vivid film clips, actual Howitzers and Army Jeeps, and an exhibit that envelops you in desert, snow, forest and mountain as you slog with the troops through changing battlegrounds. The Pacific Theater: Road to Tokyo is just as compelling, but the more violent nature of that conflict is more suitable for older kids. There is a very kid-friendly exhibit of WWII era aircraft in the U.S. Freedom Pavilion: Boeing Center .

• Bring along grandparents to lead your own tour.
• Take advantage of the visiting vets and young docents who run weekend activities to engage children.
• Book a themed guided tour to get the most from each exhibit. Dine at the retro Soda Shop or the Stage Door Canteen (a very fun, free movie plays there about celebrities’ role in the war effort with the USO).

929 Camp Street

504/523-4522

Memorial Hall, located in the Arts District opposite the WWII Museum, has the second largest collection of Confederate memorabilia from the Civil War period in the world. All members of the family are sure to find something that interests them in the thousands of Confederate artifacts. Popular attractions include Confederate soldier uniforms, personal belongings, guns and swords, battle flags, paintings, and photographs. Be sure to see exhibits about Confederate President Jefferson Davis, who was placed at Memorial Hall after his death. During a day and a half, more than 60,000 people came to pay their respects.

Spanning 6 miles east to west, from Canal Street to Audubon Park, Magazine Street is a shopper’s paradise. Stroll past ornate Victorian architecture and one-story brick storefronts to discover the heart of NOLA. Browse unique antique shops and vintage clothing stores. Take a painting class at a gallery. Sample the delicious bakeries, sidewalk cafes, po’boy shops and interesting people.  It’s great for a family stroll (or get a one-day unlimited bus / trolley pass), but make sure mom and dad watch their wallets. Ask around about the best current shops as things change all the time.

New Orleans Fun Attractions For The Whole Family

New Orleans, straddling the mouth of the Mississippi River, can be as tame or as wild as your taste prefers.

The most famous neighborhood in New Orleans, the French Quarter was first settled in 1718.  Now a National Historic Landmark, these 78 square-blocks are a great place to spend the afternoon. Stroll down famous Bourbon Street , named for the French royalty and not the liquor, until saloons began opening up there in the 1870s. This strip, known for its crazy bachelorette parties and drinking establishments, has beautiful architecture that shouldn’t be missed. (May be too raucous at night for some families.) Tour Jackson Square , where you’ll often see live music in the park. The former Jax Brewery is now a shopping complex. Watch pralines being handmade from fresh pecans at Aunt Sally’s Pralines . Finally, stop by Café du Monde (worth mentioning twice!) for some famous tasty beignets. Even though tourists line up, locals know to walk right in, grab a table and ask waiters to bring it on.

Plan on studying French Quarter history with its distinguished past. Drop into the St. Louis Cathedral , the oldest continually open cathedral in the US. The Cabildo , Colonial New Orleans’ old city hall, is the site of the official signing of the Louisiana Purchase. The nearby Presbytere once housed Capuchin monks, became a courthouse, and joined the Louisiana State Museum in 1911. Stop in for a fascinating exhibit about Hurricane Katrina and a fun look at the history of Mardi Gras. (Closed Monday and state holidays; kids 6 and under are free.) By the way, the New Orleans Jazz Museum , a research collection with frequent live performances, is located in the old Mint Building at 400 Esplanade Avenue near Frenchmen’s Street. Music fans will love their deep dive exhibits about the artists, instruments and culture that make jazz the city’s most vibrant musical genre.

Audubon Park and Zo o

6500 Magazine Street

New Orleans, LA 70118

800/774-7394, 504/581-4629

Audubon Park is a peaceful oasis with lagoons, golf and tennis facilities, and a running/walking path. Look for the stables, a public pool, cafe, as well as three large playgrounds where the kids are bound to make new friends. The park is home to one of the top ranked zoos in the U.S, the flagship of the Audubon Nature Institute with animals from all over the world. Within the Audubon Zoo , the whole family can meet an endangered whooping crane and experience other closeup animal encounters (for a fee). Visit unique habitats such as the Louisiana Swamp and the Jaguar Jungle. All ages love Cool Zoo , a separate, kid-focused part of the zoo with a Splash Park with slides and squirters, and Gator Run , a great lazy river and sandy beach play area with chaises, lifeguards and the smell of sunblock. Note that several of the attractions require separate admission.

726 St. Peter Street

New Orleans, LA 70116

504/522-2841

This renowned, multi-faceted music venue is located in the heart of the French Quarter. The building dates to 1750, but was opened as a music venue in 1961 for the purpose of honoring and preserving New Orlean’s jazz heritage. It still operates as a spartan performance center and record label. The Hall’s namesake Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs all around the world, introducing others to the jazz of New Orleans. All ages can enjoy enjoy a casual, 45-minute jazz performance by artists young and old (some into their 70’s and 80’s) at prices from $25. Open seven days a week with three or four shows nightly.

1380 Port of New Orleans Place

866/307-7026

If you thought Mardi Gras was celebrated only in February, experience the fun of Carnival any day of the year at Mardi Gras World. Operated by Blaine Kern Studios, one of the premiere sculpture and float designers for the annual parades down Bourbon Street since 1947, Mardi Gras World invites guests to walk among the glamorous costumes and floats of this cultural event. Kids can watch the masters of sculpture and float design who make the parade a visual masterpiece. Mardi Gras World is open 7 days a week for hour-long tours.

419 Decatur Street

504/589-3882

Jazz, a combination of blues, gospel and ragtime genres mixed with improvisation, was born in New Orleans. And at this National Park’s visitor’s center, families have the perfect home base to explore the art form in its birthplace. There are Ranger-led demonstrations, walks and video documentaries. Groups can even take a self-guided audio tour of the surrounding area to learn more about jazz history. And the best part: free live jazz performances five days a week (check the website for official schedule). Kids will also love the live music workshops. Plus, they even have the opportunity to become JAZZ Junior Rangers during their visit.

Organized Sightseeing Tours Of New Orleans

Almost two decades have passed since Hurricane Katrina, but visitors are still fascinated by the storm which caused legendary flooding. Of course, there are several other aspects of New Orleans and its family attractions that may be more accessible for your clan on a guided tour. If so, read on.

718 N. Rampart Street

504/666-8300

For a fun-filled experience, take a Phantom Tour through historic New Orleans by day or night. Well-trained guides offer themed tours based on crime, music, hauntings, New Orleans scandals, and more. But a visit to New Orleans would not be complete without a true ghost tour. Since its founding, New Orleans has suffered numerous incidents of disease, mayhem, destruction, and death, and it seems that almost every building has its own haunting story. Learn where the expressions “Saved by the bell” and “Dead Ringer” come from! If your family enjoys thrills, take in either the “Ghosts & Vampires” or the “Saints & Sinners” tours (adults only on this one) and see who can spot the living dead. Each tour leaves from a different location, so check the company’s website for details. Reservations are required for all tours.

325 Burgundy Street

New Orleans, LA 70112

504/324-8257

The family-owned and operated FreeWheelin puts on a great ride through a very flat city. New, fat tire bikes and helmets (some smaller bikes available but tours are geared to ages 12+ only) go out in guided groups of 12 to see neighborhoods and life beyond the French Quarter. Our guide, Aunt Laura, was outstanding in her knowledge of the city, her candor about its faults, and her passion for living there. A must with tweens and older family members. Note they also rent bikes by the hour.

Viator offers several options for an up-close look into the destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina, as well as recovery efforts. Learn about and see the Army Corps of Engineers’ work and the ongoing environmental efforts. Most tours stop at a breached levee and several neighborhoods, such as the Ninth Ward. Within the city itself, families can choose bus tours among the stops featured on the Hop On-Hop Off bus tours.

Much of the region’s bayou life shifted in relation to the flood waters stirred by Katrina, which deposited a new mix of salt and fresh water along the canals. See it with Air Boat Tours — so noisy that all the passengers must wear headphones like they do in the Everglades. The warm, moist breeze generated by our 30mph view of the swamps was welcome but we saw little wildlife.

Viator has options for air boat tours as well as quieter, slower swamp tours to look for alligators. Dress the gang up and go out for lunch or dinner Mississippi River cruises on the big paddlewheelers.

Consider a daytrip down River Road to see some one of the top family attractions — the South’s beautiful plantations. Favorites are Oak Alley , where films ranging from Olivia de Havilland’s Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte to Tom Cruise’s Interview with the Vampire were shot. The restaurant and cemetery tour there are highly recommended, but you will probably have to wait in line for admittance.

Nearby is Laura Plantation , close enough to be visited in the same day. This was a Creole Plantation with a fascinating history and intact slave quarters. Its history is well told on guided tours available from 10am to 4pm daily.

Film and Margaret Mitchell buffs will want to drive farther to Nottoway , the lovely plantation where Gone With The Wind was filmed. The South’s largest antebellum mansion, it retains slave quarters and some original out buildings. Beautifully restored luxury rooms with modern amenities are available to rent tithin the main mansion, cottages, garden house and carriage house.

The post New Orleans, Louisiana Family Attractions You Must Experience appeared first on My Family Travels .

Doug Presley is a New Orleans Tour Guide who knows the flow of Marie Laveau Walkin the Crossroads

• Spirituality

Darren Bucare and Firewalker welcome Doug Presley of Hottest Hell Tours in New Orleans. we talk of the City, the Loa and Celtic Gods and Marie Laveau. Darren Bucare has spent all his young life as an empath and a medium. He reached his late teens deciding to immerse himself in the teachings of Edgar Cayce, Richard Webster, Hermes Trismegistrus and many other educators in the art of psychic development and mediumship. He studied metaphysics and attended courses in Ayurvedic Palmistry in Quebec and Vermont. This spring-boarded him into starting his professional career at 22 with Tarot and Ayurvedic Palm Consultations. Darren relocated to Savannah GA, training with Christia Cummings-Slack in Interactive Mediumship.  In 2001 Darren Bucare started Consulting as a reader at Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo on Bourbon St. in New Orleans LA.  After 15 years he became one the most prominent spiritualists and was featured in guide books like “Fear Dat”. Spiritual encounters in NOLA.    Darren’s been Featured on the Ellen Show, Caitilyn Jenner Show, World Scariest Places, Ghost Hunters, TV’s Becoming, Bayou Billionaires, Monday Night RAW, Talk Soup, CNN multiple times, A&E productions as a consultant. Clientele includes world reknown ed celebrities, along with several Hollywood movies and their productions. darrenbucare.com  @lifeasspiritual @darren_bucare @ walkinthecrossroadspod Firewalker is a New Orleans based mystic channeler and spirit teacher. He is a poet and fiction writer, hip hop lyricist and eclectic musician. He is also one of the Guardians of the Temple at Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo.  Follow on IG @firewalkermusic for his musical, mediative and mystical offerings.  He is currently writing and producing a forth coming EP in 2024. Stay tuned.  Intro song: Come with Me by Firewalker. Produced by Firewalker and Nate Fox  Outro: Euphoria (dream rmx) by Firewalker 

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KK'S PRIEST And ACCEPT Announce Summer/Fall 2024 North American Tour

KK'S PRIEST , which features former JUDAS PRIEST members K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals),alongside guitarist A.J. Mills ( HOSTILE ),bassist Tony Newton ( VOODOO SIX ) and drummer Sean Elg ( DEATHRIDERS , CAGE ),and German/American metal legends ACCEPT will join forces this fall 2024 for an unmissable North American tour. Both bands are touring in support of their brand new albums, out now via Napalm Records .

The massive run will begin on August 31 in Los Angeles, California, visiting a slew of major cities in the USA and Canada — such as Toronto, Montreal, New York and Nashville — before coming to an end in San Francisco, California on October 7. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. EDT, so get your tickets quickly before it's too late.

Downing says: "It's time!!! Let the full European metal assault commence, KK'S PRIEST / ACCEPT . Not since 1983 have we shared the same battleground. From Germany, from the U.K., let the Flying Vs clash, let the metal fly! All in the name of defending our beloved heavy metal music, let the people come from all walks of life to witness the battle royal. There is no doubt that we warriors of metal will give every ounce of our energy and our power in order to deliver up our very finest performance. This is a spectacle not to be missed, and this is possibly the one and only time in history for you to witness this iconic duel. Who will be the victor? You will be the judge, let the music begin from early August to early October... The arena awaits!!"

ACCEPT 's Wolf Hoffmann says: "This tour with KK'S PRIEST is a dream come true for ACCEPT and for me personally.

" ACCEPT supported JUDAS PRIEST back in the early '80s — it was our first 'real' international tour and PRIEST had been a huge influence on us.

"I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with K.K. on this very special tour. It's going to be epic! Don't miss it!"

KK'S PRIEST and ACCEPT "Full Metal Assault Tour 2024" dates:

Aug. 31 - Los Angeles, CA - Whisky A Go-Go Sep. 01 - Los Angeles, CA - The Rainbow Backyard Bash 2024 Sep. 03 - Denver, CO - Oriental Theater Sep. 05 - East Moline, IL - The Rust Belt Sep. 06 - Green Bay, WI - Epic Events Center Sep. 07 - Des Plaines, IL - Des Plaines Theater Sep. 08 - Detroit, MI - District 142 Sep. 10 - Toronto, ON - QET Sep. 11 - Montreal, QC - Rialto Theatre Sep. 13 - New York, NY - The Palladium Sep. 14 - Derry, NH - Tupelo Music Hall Sep. 15 - Boston, MA - The Wilbur Theatre Sep. 16 - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse Sep. 18 - Lititz, PA - Mickey's Black Box Sep. 20 - Stroudsburg, PA - Sherman Theater Sep. 21 - Providence, RI - The Strand Ballroom Sep. 22 - Leesburg, VA - Tally Ho Theater Sep. 24 - Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl Sep. 26 - New Orleans, LA - The Fillmore Sep. 27 - Little Rock, AR - The Hall Sep. 28 - Dallas, TX - Tannahill's Sep. 29 - Austin, TX - Paramount Theatre Oct. 01 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre Oct. 02 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre Oct. 04 - Riverside, CA - Fox Performing Arts Center Oct. 05 - San Diego, CA - The Magnolia Oct. 06 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades Oct. 07 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom

KK'S PRIEST 's first-ever U.S. headlining tour, which featured support from L.A. GUNS and BURNING WITCHES , kicked off on March 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and concluded on March 24 at Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

KK'S PRIEST 's sophomore album, "The Sinner Rides Again" , came out in September 2023 via the Austrian label Napalm Records .

KK'S PRIEST made its live debut on July 6, 2023 at Downing's KK's Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

K.K. formed KK'S PRIEST after JUDAS PRIEST turned down his offer to rejoin the band for their 50th-anniversary tour. It followed a couple of celebrated stage appearances, first with former MANOWAR guitarist Ross The Boss in the summer of 2019, then with a one-off lineup that included former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and former PRIEST drummer Les Binks later that year.

KK'S PRIEST released its debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner" , in October 2021 via Explorer1 Music Group / EX1 Records .

Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the 1980s.

Downing was reunited with JUDAS PRIEST for a performance at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in November 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at the event, which honored Eminem , Dolly Parton , DURAN DURAN , Lionel Richie , Pat Benatar , EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner , nearly three decades his junior.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST . The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton 's decision to retire from touring.

Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and recorded two studio albums with the band — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before PRIEST reunited with Rob Halford in 2003.

ACCEPT 's latest album, "Humanoid" , was released on April 26 via Napalm Records . The LP was once again produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by critically acclaimed heavy metal producer Andy Sneap .

ACCEPT recently announced a massive European headline tour, with more than 20 shows across the continent for autumn 2024. This summer, ACCEPT will also return to some of the world’s most important rock and metal festivals, like Wacken Open Air , Hellfest and more, following their South American spring tour.

In the fall of 2022, ACCEPT completed a North American tour with support from NARCOTIC WASTELAND . The band played a career-spanning set of new and classic tracks, including mega-hits "Balls To The Wall" , "Princess Of The Dawn" , "Fast As A Shark" and many more.

In February 2022, it was announced that ACCEPT had inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records .

ACCEPT 's previous album, "Too Mean To Die" , came out in January 2021 via Nuclear Blast . The LP was the group's first without bassist Peter Baltes , who exited ACCEPT in November 2018. He has since been replaced by Martin Motnik . ACCEPT 's lineup has also been expanded with the addition of a third guitarist, the aforementioned Philip Shouse , who originally filled in for Uwe Lulis during 2019's "Symphonic Terror" tour, before being asked to join the band permanently.

Mark Tornillo joined ACCEPT in 2009 as the replacement for the band's original lead singer, Udo Dirkscheider . He can be heard on ACCEPT 's last six studio albums, "Blood Of The Nations" (2010), "Stalingrad" (2012), "Blind Rage" (2014), "The Rise Of Chaos" (2017),2021's "Too Mean To Die" and 2024's "Humanoid" .

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