Welcome to the Big Easy — home to Cajun food, jazz music, and haunted history. The trees burst with brilliant yellows, oranges, and candy-apple-reds. The oldest cemetery in New Orleans, resting peacefully for over 200 years now. Boutique du Vampyre. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum Most people will inevitably be seduced into visiting the Voodoo Museum, which is cool because the place is totally badass, but for a different perspective on voodoo and New Orleans history, you should definitely check out the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. If you want an authentic New Orleans experience more removed from the touristy areas of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, head to the lively Frenchmen Street. New Orleans is perfect for those looking to seek out the haunted, the unique, the creepy, and the amazingly strange. Let’s be super honest here – there’s no shortage of weird things to do in New Orleans. It’s hot and it’s loud. While zombies and dolls do make up part of voodoo beliefs, in reality, voodoo (or “voudon”) is a combination of West African religions brought over by slaves, the Christianity they adopted, and traditions of indigenous people that they blended in. Most of all, bringing my favorite travel buddy for his inaugural “pilgrimage” to Salem made it super fun this go around. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. New Orleans has amazing opportunities to add to your tool kit. New Orleans, LA 70116 ; 400 Royal St. New Orleans, LA 70116 ; Visit Website; Neighborhood: French Quarter; hours (More Info) Hours of Operation: More Details: Daily 9am-10pm. Voodoo is as big a part of New Orleans’ history, although it is vastly different from the pop-culture perception. Are you someone who loves to visit cemeteries? 10 New Orleans. Winner will be selected at random on 02/01/2021. Get to know the art, history, and dynamic culture of New Orleans—and the people who bring it to life. Parking in New Orleans … depending on where you’re going in the city, parking is going to either be no big deal (the outskirts of the city) or a huge headache (think: French Quarter) If you’re brave (or crazy) enough to drive into the quarter go slow. Like much of the other businesses in the area, there is a certain degree of commercialization involved, but she says, “The Voodoo Museum is pretty cool – you can tell that a lot of the items there are authentic voodoo fetishes with their roots in West African and Caribbean traditions. by Michele Bird. The final resting place of New Orleans' most famous voodoo priestess. As such, NOLA has a pretty big GLBT population, and has been voted one of the country’s most gay-friendly cities. But way before that, New Orleans was always a hot spot for occult religions, including Witchcraft, Voodoo, and Hoodoo. © 2021 Atlas Obscura. The thing I love about New Orleans most is that it’s so unapologetically itself. I’m one of them. No purchase necessary. There are a lot of things to do in New Orleans. This French Creole Christmas Eve tradition takes midnight munchies to a whole new level. So, here are some Originals-y things to do in New Orleans: Explore the French Quarter. New Orleans Spirit Tours offers a variety of tours of the city, and one of the most popular is the Cemetery & Voodoo Tour. There is a grove of oak trees that are some six hundred years old, winding trails, and the Botanical Gardens. All rights reserved. “You ride the river and just hope you’re in the right spot when you need to be.”. A theme park that suffered massive flooding during Katrina, abandoned and proving irresistible to trespassing explorers. Covid-19 Reopening Information. Reader Enchante’ recommends visiting the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. Courtesy of St. Roch Market. Checking out this iconic neighborhood — especially Bourbon Street — is a … Here are the best things to do in New Orleans—a little bit of the old, a little bit of the young, and a lot of good times ahead. All Regions Asia Australia & South Pacific Caribbean & Atlantic Central & South America Europe. City Park. 1, and Metairie Cemetery. We will have disposable masks available for purchase at the door for one dollar. In addition to being a shop full of handmade items such as poppets and mojo bags, there’s also a lot of history and culture on display. A museum and shop on Bourbon Street located in the former home of the second Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Tales of magic in this city stretch back over decades. Just … I have over 20 years of experience, have been featured in a best-selling book and on the Travel Channel; (I was also pitched for my own show to Discovery and Lifetime). But these are unusual times, so please check that events are still happening. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. BuzzFeed Staff 1. A snapshot of the city's fascinating voodoo culture. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. For three generations, the Hansens have made summer sno-ball season in New Orleans. A Witch in New Orleans beside Houdini’s Seance Mirror. She will captivate you and help you understand a bygone way of life that lives on today. Hex Salem and Hex New Orleans are open for in-person business! Many of the streets in the quarter are narrow (they were originally designed for horse-drawn carriages!) Carolina House with a Natural Cavern underneath. A museum and shop on Bourbon Street located in the former home of the second Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. New Orleans French Quarter, Voodoo and Cemetery … If you’re a foodie, you’re going to love visiting New Orleans. Actual practitioners of magic will find all kinds of useful items there, and it’s worth it to take some time to talk to the staff about Voodoo practices.”. New Orleans is infamous for its spooky past, filled with tales of voodoo, vampires, ghosts, and witches. New Orleans is all about color and flamboyancy, and has never been a city that shied away from enjoying itself. Haunted; Cemetery; Tour Company; Tours. Ardenth, a witch who lives in nearby Biloxi, recommends visiting Voodoo Authentica on any visit to New Orleans. Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar: My favorite place to brunch, Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar is an eclectic, funky café with locations in the Lower Garden District (the original) and Uptown. What is it: Covering 1,300 verdant acres, City … Guests are led through the city’s famous St. Louis Cemetery, and then learn about the history and modern-day practice of Voodoo, from its West African origins to contemporary practitioners. Walking. Best Places to Go in 2020. Mixing soy sauce, Creole spices, and spaghetti, this hybrid soup is the embodiment of New Orleans' melting pot. From herbs and gris-gris to crystals and candles and beautiful tarot cards. Your first time in New Orleans and you want a tarot reading? Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to. Planning a trip to New Orleans? You can tell they enjoy the tourist trade, but there’s plenty that goes on behind closed doors as well. See. Plus, a centrally located meeting point makes for a hassle-free, fun evening. New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. • Phil Roeder/Flickr. Although much of the Gardens’ collection was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina, the city was able to reopen a significant portion of the Gardens just six months later, thanks to donations from around the world. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Get New Orleans pralines, Jersey Shore sea salt, and other iconic treats delivered to your door. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. Depending on the ghosts, it might fetch a premium. This New Orleans tree is filled with hidden chimes that produce a carefully tuned melody. I asked some of our Pagan readers in the New Orleans area for suggestions on some great things to do and see if you're a Pagan visiting New Orleans. We're working hard to be accurate. Categories. As you walk through the museum, you see a sort of evolution of the city itself, from its beginnings as a slave center up through the New Orleans of today, post-Katrina.”. Not the least of which is eating, drinking and enjoying “all that jazz” but if you really want to experience the true flavor of the original New Orleans French Quarter, visit Marie Laveau’s grave. Feast on Traditional Food. See our Visit Hex page for hours and locations. It is currently a private residence, but there have been reports for many years of paranormal activity on the property. Marvel at the Mississippi. Off the beaten path / hidden gems near Nashville? 10 Celebrities Associated With Witchcraft or the Occult, How to Use Grave Dirt in Pagan Magic and Rituals, Voodoo Authentica of New Orleans Cultural Center & Collection, New Orleans Online’s guide to GLBT New Orleans. Awesome! Unique tombs and graveyards to visit in the Big Easy. You will find various types of artwork including acrylic paintings, digital artwork, wooden carvings, and lots more being sold here. Halloween/Samhain is to Salem what Mardi Gras is to New Orleans. Find great things to do St. Joseph protects communities during times of sickness and famine. The schedule for Hex Fest is jam-packed with witchy workshops, psychic pow-wows, and rad rituals. The New Orleans Lakefront Airport dates to 1929, when construction began, and opened in 1934. He says, “It sounds kind of lame, but visiting the museum you can get an idea of what it was like for early apothecaries, who worked in cities like New Orleans. Offer subject to change without notice. A collection of oddities including Dr. Kevorkian's suicide device, the Thanatron. They were baked into cakes and dropped into baths. Face coverings are required to enter the shops. The most unusual final resting places in the Big Easy’s “Cities of the Dead.”, Including Marie Laveau’s Tomb, Saint Louis Cemetery No. I bought a gris-gris bag, and they took the time to customize it so that it fit my personal needs, instead of just selling me something off a shelf.”, Marie Laveau was known for years as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and she maintains that title even after her death. Anyone who is unable to wear face coverings will be provided with curbside service. New Orleans is full of vampires, at least it has been since Anne Rice set some … This is where Marie Laveau is buried, and she is the most well-known person associated with voodoo. This spot is also popular with temporary tattoo artists, palmists, jugglers, musicians, and magicians. 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By now you would have figured that Jean Lafitte is a pretty famous guy in … Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. There was a blend of science mixed in with traditional folk remedies, and you can see that reflected in the museum’s collection. Sports and fitness Exercise classes Navarre. New Orleans has more than you can shake a stick at, and the website New Orleans Cemeteries has a comprehensive list of the dozens of graveyards that you can visit. ABOUT: Our paranormal professionals guide you through New Orleans' most … Best Seller. Our ThoughtCo Guide to New Orleans Travel, Sharon Keating, says of LaLaurie House, “Of all the haunted houses, in America's most haunted city, the LaLaurie House has surely endured the most gruesome history, and its reputation for otherworldly visitations is well-deserved and well-documented.”. There are the three Saint Louis Cemeteries with their vaults. Delphine and Louis escaped before they could be brought to justice, but their house remains as one of New Orleans’ landmarks. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. A 200-year-old bar in the historic French Quarter refuses to give up its place in history, nor its role in securing ours. The House of Voodoo Shop is run by Marie’s family members, and their website proclaims, “We offer a wide variety of items to help in both learning and practicing spiritual and religious ceremony, tribal masks and statues from around the world symbolizing our ancestors’ connection with the spirit and earth, talismans and charms directed towards many different supplications.”, Shopper Trista L. says, “The store is a bit campy at times, but the staff is very knowledgeable. Nashville Music Shops — seeking recommendations. Getting In. The New Orleans City Park is a 1300-acre spread dedicated to preserving art, culture, and the natural beauty of New Orleans. New Orleans is known for many things, and its haunted history is certainly part of the city’s heart and soul. Modes of Transportation. There is a grove of oak trees that are some six hundred years old, winding trails, and the Botanical Gardens. Open for Phase 2 . It operated as the city’s main airport until 1946 when the Louis Armstrong International Airport opened. Botanica Mi Angel de la Guarda: Located at # 2, 400 S Broad, Suite C this Honduran-owned botanica is the best bargain spot for glass candles. Check out what some of our readers recommend as things for witches to do in New Orleans! Recycling comes to dessert, with delicious outcomes. Popular in New Orleans right now. But in all of it’s unrefined glory, it gives off a kind of charm that you really can’t find any place else. Top Picks Paris Washington, D.C. Rome San Francisco Miami. Destinations . Louisiana reader DoctorWhoDoo recommends visiting the Pharmacy Museum if you get a chance. 49 Things Everyone Should Do In New Orleans, Louisiana, Before They Die. More information Witchy Things to Do in New Orleans - Places for Pagans to Visit in New Orleans - … Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Also, there’s a really cool exhibit of embalming tools and equipment.”. Popular in New Orleans right now. Snack . Ardenth says, “Although the shop is fairly commercialized, like a lot of stores in the area, you can tell the employees really know what they’re doing. The website also has a helpful list of funerary symbols, many of which are found on the headstones and grave markers throughout the city. In a city surrounded by water -- the Great River, Lake Pontchartrain, the … Check out some of their suggestions for some witchy things to do while visiting New Orleans! During this walking tour, save time with a guide who knows the quickest routes around the Big Easy and brings the folklore and history of the city to life, all during the creepiest time of day—the night. New Orleans isn’t always pretty. The New Orleans City Park is a 1300-acre spread dedicated to preserving art, culture, and the natural beauty of New Orleans. In the 1960s, a poorly thought out renovation concealed not only some of the building’s Art Deco architectural features but also murals by Spanish-born American artist Xavier … This century-old New Orleans treat is still sold from a mule-drawn cart. Best Seller. Honestly, you … The home of Dr. Louis and Delphine LaLaurie, the house was known as the site of several brutal acts, many of which were perpetrated upon the family’s slaves. If only Jennie Wilde could have transformed society too. Middle East & Africa North America Mexico USA Canada. Friendly warning! New Orleans has a rich history in voodoo, with a couple of attractions to see based around it. What would you do on a time crunch in DC? Haunting and strangely beautiful, wandering between the cracking concrete monuments felt like drifting through an earthly purgatory. Another favorite of things for teenagers to do in New Orleans is the open-air artist colony in the square. New York City Las Vegas Los Angeles Hong Kong London. New Orleans, Louisiana, has a long magical history, with its culture of Vodoun and folk magic. There’s an infinite amount of history here – some fascinating, some disturbing, but all important and worthy of attention. Some of the best psychics in the country are in the French Quarter. The Louisiana mirliton has survived revolution, industrial competition, and floods. New Orleans Bucket List: 10 Things You Must See & Do New Orleans is a city quite unlike any other, with so much to see and do! When a fire broke out in 1834, firemen who responded found slaves chained to attic walls, and many of them had been beaten and mutilated. From the Voodoo Shops of the French Quarter to the historical museums and cemeteries, there's pretty much something for everyone in New Orleans. Including Marie Laveau’s Tomb, Nicolas Cage’s Pyramid Tomb, and Holt Cemetery. Finally, the eerie splendor of New Orleans’ crumbling, historic cemeteries provides a transcendent place to contemplate otherworldly matters. New Orleans French Quarter, Voodoo and Cemetery … A number of companies offer tours with various themes, but one in particular seems to get rave reviews from the Pagans who have visited. Communities during times of sickness and famine museums of its kind on the.. Felt like drifting through an earthly purgatory to do in New Orleans schedule for Fest... S an infinite amount of history here – there ’ s hot and it ’ s Tomb, and is... 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