New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour

New Orleans’ rich voodoo heritage comes alive on the Voodoo History Walking Tour. Visitors explore authentic altars, learn about iconic figures, and uncover the dark past of Bourbon Street. While the tour’s academic tone provides a balanced perspective, engaging storytelling from knowledgeable guides ensures a captivating experience. From the influential Rev. Zombies Voodoo Shop to the haunting legacy of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, this tour offers a unique window into the spiritual practices and cultural significance of voodoo in the Big Easy.

Good To Know

• The 1.5-hour New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour explores the city’s voodoo heritage and African-based spiritual practices through visits to real voodoo altars and historical sites.
• The tour provides a balanced and nuanced understanding of voodoo, covering its origins, practices, and cultural role with an academic focus and engaging delivery by knowledgeable guides.
• The first stop at Rev. Zombies Voodoo Shop introduces voodoo’s African origins and evolution in New Orleans, featuring authentic altars, dolls, and ritual objects.
• The Bourbon Street exploration highlights voodoo-inspired businesses, psychic reader parlors, and the street’s history as a red-light district, with stories of past voodoo rituals, spells, and curses.
• The tour has generally positive reviews, with some common critiques about its overly academic nature and lack of excitement, which tour operators aim to address through clarification and complimentary materials.

Overview of the New Orleans Voodoo Tour

The New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour offers participants an immersive experience into the city’s rich voodoo heritage.

This 1.5-hour tour explores real voodoo altars and historical sites, providing insights into African-based spiritual practices dating back over a century.

Attendees can expect to learn about spells, rituals, and folklore associated with voodoo.

The tour covers key locations like the Rev. Zombies Voodoo Shop, Bourbon Street, and the Bourbon Orleans Hotel.

While the content is academic in nature, the knowledgeable guides aim to deliver an entertaining and engaging experience.

The tour is wheelchair accessible and accommodates up to 28 travelers.

Exploring Voodoo Culture and Spiritual Practices

At the heart of the New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour lies an immersive exploration of the city’s rich, African-based spiritual traditions.

Guests learn about the origins and practices of voodoo, an amalgamation of beliefs and rituals from West Africa. The tour covers voodoo altars, spells, and rituals, tracing their evolution over 100 years.

Guides share stories of the occult, offering insights into voodoo’s role in New Orleans’ culture and history. While the tour has an academic focus, it give you a balanced, nuanced understanding of this complex, misunderstood belief system.

Visiting the Rev. Zombies Voodoo Shop

Participants begin the New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour at the Rev. Zombies Voodoo Shop. This iconic store on St. Peter Street serves as the first stop.

Here, the guide leads the group through:

1. An introduction to voodoo’s African origins and evolution in New Orleans.
2. A peek at authentic voodoo altars, dolls, and ritual objects.
3. Stories of infamous voodoo practitioners and their practices.
4. Tips on selecting voodoo-themed souvenirs and learning more about the religion.

The shop visit lays the foundation for understanding voodoo’s enduring presence in the city’s culture and history.

Strolling Through Bourbon Street

Next, the group ventures down the iconic Bourbon Street. The tour guide points out voodoo-inspired businesses, including a hoodoo shop and a psychic reader’s parlor.

Participants learn about the street’s history as a red-light district, home to brothels, bars, and gambling. The guide shares stories of voodoo rituals, spells, and curses that were once practiced here.

Bourbon Street’s neon lights and bustling nightlife provide a lively backdrop as the group listens intently. The tour moves quickly, covering the key voodoo landmarks in just 15 minutes before heading to the next stop on the itinerary.

Discovering the Secrets of Royal Street

The group then heads down the cobblestone streets of Royal Street, a picturesque thoroughfare known for its art galleries, antique shops, and historic architecture.

The guide highlights several key stops along the way:

1. Voodoo Museum: Visitors learn about the origins and practices of Louisiana’s voodoo traditions.
2. Voodoo Spiritual Temple: An active voodoo temple where practitioners perform rituals and consultations.
3. Marie Laveau’s House: The former home of the legendary "Voodoo Queen of New Orleans."
4. Bourbon Orleans Hotel: Rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl who died in a fire.

The tour concludes with a deeper understanding of New Orleans’ enduring voodoo culture.

Uncovering the Bourbon Orleans Hotel’s Voodoo Legacy

As the group approaches the stately Bourbon Orleans Hotel, the guide recounts the building’s long and storied history with voodoo.

The hotel stands on the site of a former convent, which was a hub for voodoo practitioners in the 19th century. Guests learn about infamous occult rituals and séances that took place here.

The guide points out architectural features associated with voodoo symbolism. Visitors are captivated by tales of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena that have been reported over the decades.

The tour’s exploration of the hotel’s voodoo legacy leaves a lasting impression on the group.

Experiencing the Significance of Congo Square

After passing by the historic Congo Square, the tour guide explains the profound significance of this site to the group.

As a central gathering place for enslaved Africans in the 1800s, Congo Square hosted vibrant cultural traditions, including:

1. Drumming and dancing rituals that preserved West African spiritual practices.
2. A marketplace where slaves could sell handmade goods and food.
3. A rare public space where Africans could freely express their heritage.
4. An influential hub that inspired the development of jazz music and Creole culture in New Orleans.

The group nods solemnly, gaining a deeper appreciation for this sacred ground.

Understanding the Tour’s Feedback and Response

Although the New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour has received generally positive reviews, there are some common complaints from participants that the tour operators have addressed. The tour’s academic nature and lack of excitement or exploration of historic voodoo spots have disappointed some. Unclear information and fast-talking guides have also been issues. In response, the tour operator offers clarification on the academic focus and provides complimentary materials for dissatisfied customers.

Positive Feedback	Negative Feedback
Knowledgeable and entertaining guides	Too academic
Learning about voodoo	Lacking excitement or exploration
	Unclear information
	Fast-talking guides
	Disappointment in content versus expectations

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Exact Tour Duration?

The tour duration is 1.5 hours. According to the tour overview, the "New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour" lasts for an hour and a half.

Can I Cancel or Reschedule the Tour?

Travelers can typically cancel or reschedule the tour, though policies may vary. It’s best to check with the tour provider directly for their specific cancellation and rescheduling procedures and any associated fees.

Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?

Photography is generally allowed during the tour, but participants are advised to be respectful and avoid disrupting the guide or other guests. Check with the tour operator for any specific photography guidelines or restrictions.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

The tour is not recommended for young children, as it covers mature topics related to voodoo culture and practices. Participants must be at least 12 years old to join the 1.5-hour walking tour.

What Should I Bring or Wear for the Tour?

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring any medications you might need. The tour involves moderate walking, so dress for the weather. No special items are required, but be prepared to do some light exercise during the 1.5-hour experience.

The Sum Up

The New Orleans Voodoo History Walking Tour provides an immersive experience into the city’s rich spiritual heritage. Participants explore authentic voodoo altars, learn about historical figures, and uncover the dark past of Bourbon Street. While the tour has an academic tone, the knowledgeable guides balance it with engaging storytelling, offering visitors a balanced understanding of voodoo culture and its African roots.