New Orleans French Quarter: Voodoo & Marie Laveau Walking Tour

Marie Laveau & the Streets Where New Orleans Voodoo Still Lives

You'll walk the French Quarter with a licensed local guide for two hours, visiting St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, Voodoo Authentica, and Louis Armstrong Park while learning the real history of Marie Laveau and New Orleans voodoo traditions. The leisurely one-mile pace means you absorb the stories without rushing, and the guide handles all the navigation and context so you don't have to research it yourself beforehand.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Runyon Canyon Park1h
2. Jackson Square15m
3. St. Louis Cathedral10m
4. Voodoo Authentica10m
5. Louis Armstrong Park15m
6. Storyville District10m

Explore French Quarter and Voodoo history

• Stroll French Quarter streets
• Learn about shotgun homes and Creole townhouses
• Hear about Marie Laveau and voodoo
• Discover first New Orleans settlements
• See first US apartment buildings
• Visit Jackson Square
• Tour St. Louis Cathedral
• Learn about New Orleans fire history
• Explore Voodoo Authentica
• Hear stories of 1800s voodoo rituals
• Walk Louis Armstrong Park
• Visit former Red Light District

The experience

I didn't expect the guide to stop mid-sentence at Jackson Square and point to a building I'd walked past a hundred times in photos, then explain that what I thought I knew about voodoo was almost entirely wrong. The tour moves at a leisurely pace through the French Quarter for two hours, covering about one mile, and it turns out that distance is exactly right: long enough to let the history settle, short enough that you're not exhausted by the time you reach Louis Armstrong Park. The guide, licensed by the City of New Orleans, walks you past shotgun homes from the 1860s and Creole townhouses while talking about Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen, and how many residents still practice the religion today, not as tourist theater but as a living tradition.

You'll stand in front of St. Louis Cathedral (the one that survived the fire that burned most of the city), and hear about the first apartment buildings in the United States, then move into Voodoo Authentica, where the guide explains the actual practices and beliefs instead of the Hollywood version. The tour also takes you through Storyville District, the former Red Light District just outside the Quarter, and stops at Louis Armstrong Park, where large gatherings and voodoo rituals took place in the 1800s. It's the kind of walking tour where the guide knows which streets to take and which stories matter, so you're not just checking boxes. You're learning why the French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences in New Orleans created something you won't find anywhere else.

Bring a water bottle. The guide will tell you the summer heat here is no joke. Wear comfortable walking shoes because the historic streets are uneven, and show up 30 minutes early for check-in. The tour departs on time, and children under 5 go free.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a guided walking experience with a licensed, 5-star guide who knows the French Quarter's history, architecture, and voodoo traditions. You'll visit St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, Voodoo Authentica, Louis Armstrong Park, and Storyville District. The guide provides all navigation and storytelling.
• you bring water and comfortable shoes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “This tour meets at Witches Brew Gallery at 311 Exchange Place”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Witches Brew Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand New Orleans voodoo and French Quarter history without arranging a guide yourself. The licensed local expert handles the research and pacing, so you just show up and listen.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long is the tour?

Two hours, covering about one mile at a leisurely pace.

What should I bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, bottled water, and weather-appropriate clothing. Summer heat can be intense.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

The historic French Quarter has uneven terrain that presents challenges. Contact the operator before booking if you have mobility concerns.

What if I arrive late?

Check-in begins 30 minutes before departure. The tour departs on time, and late arrivals will not be refunded.

Do I need to be fit?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and operates in all weather conditions. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.