New Orleans: Voodoo Walking Tour with High Priestess Guide

Summary

Walk Congo Square, meet a Vodou Priestess, uncover real New Orleans stories

You’ll walk New Orleans’ streets with a real Vodou High Priestess as your guide—hearing stories in Congo Square, learning ancestor rituals by the Egun tree, and visiting Marie Laveau’s site. Expect honest answers to every question and sensory moments that stay with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I was already trailing behind the group when Malika—our guide, but really more of a force—paused under the old oaks in Congo Square. She just stood there for a second, eyes closed, like she was listening to something we couldn’t hear. The air felt thick and sweet, like rain had just missed us. She started talking about how this spot was where enslaved people gathered to worship and drum and dance—how Vodou began here, not in some Hollywood backlot. It’s strange, but you could almost feel the ground humming if you stopped shuffling your feet long enough.

We moved through Louis Armstrong Park next, past kids chasing each other around the Egun tree. Malika explained how ancestors are honored in Vodou—she showed us faded bits of cloth and coins left at the roots. Someone asked about offerings and she laughed, said there’s no one-size-fits-all answer (I think I expected something more mystical, but it was just…honest). The smell of grass and incense hung together in the air; I kept thinking how much history gets lost when you only read plaques.

The last stop was Marie Laveau’s old place—or what’s left of it. Malika told stories about her that didn’t sound like any movie I’d seen. She answered every question we threw at her—even the awkward ones about voodoo dolls—with this kind of calm authority that made me trust her instantly. At one point she said something about spirits lingering in laughter; I still think about that when I remember New Orleans at night. The tour ended without fanfare, just us standing on a street corner blinking in the heat, kind of changed somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Voodoo history and sites

• Hear origins of Vodou at Congo Square
• Visit Egun tree at Louis Armstrong Park
• Learn about Marie Laveau's site

Top questions

Is this Voodoo walking tour led by an actual High Priestess?

Yes, your guide is Malika/Osheyo Amanzi—a High Priestess of Louisiana Plantation Vodou with deep family lineage.

What places do we visit on this New Orleans Voodoo tour?

You’ll walk through Congo Square, Louis Armstrong Park (including the Egun tree), and see where Marie Laveau lived and practiced.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes—all areas and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Are children or infants allowed on this walking tour?

Yes—infants and small children can join in strollers or prams.

Will I learn about real Vodou history or just legends?

The tour focuses on accurate Vodou history from an initiated priestess—not Hollywood myths or stereotypes.

How long is the walk between stops?

The distances are short; all locations are within easy walking distance in central New Orleans.

Are service animals permitted on this tour?

Yes—service animals are allowed throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your time includes a guided walk led by a Vodou High Priestess through Congo Square, Louis Armstrong Park (with ancestor rituals at the Egun tree), and Marie Laveau’s historic site—all fully accessible for wheelchairs or strollers, so everyone can join comfortably from start to finish.