If you're only going to do one tour in New Orleans: Do a Cemetary Tour
St. Patrick's Cemetary In September 2023
New Orleans has 42 cemeteries that are historically and culturally significant. The cemeteries reflect the ethnic (French, Spanish, and Caribbean), religious, and socio-economic heritages of the city. The cemeteries are predominantly above-ground tombs and typically laid out in regular patterns.
You can't enter most cemeteries in New Orleans without a tour guide. But the tours are worth it to learn about why there are so many cemeteries in New Orleans, the 1788 yellow fever epidemic, burial practices, tomb designs, and more.
Tour recommendations:
Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans
The bus allows you to cover more cemeteries than a normal walking tour
If you believe in ghosts or the paranormal, this is your tour.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Official Walking Tour - Enters the Cemetery
This tour is only 1 hour and visits the most famous cemetery in New Orleans. It's perfect if you're not sure how you feel about visiting a cemetery.
New Orleans City and Cemetery Tour + Garden District Stroll
Great way to spend 3 hours.
The Garden District is full of great architecture and history. It also is a nice contrast to visiting the cemeteries.
Classic New Orleans history: Voodoo
Voodoo first came to Louisiana with enslaved West Africans, who merged their religious rituals and practices with the local Catholic practices in the early 1700s. Today there are Voodoo shops, palm readers, and festivals honoring the spirit of Voodoo. Want to experience spirits and mystery? A tour is the best option:
New Orleans Ghost, Voodoo,& Vampire Tour W/Haunted Bldg Access
Tours are offered day and night. The night tours are a fun evening activity!
There is a 21+ R-rated version offered in the evenings if you're into that.
Adults Only Ghost, Voodoo, Vampire & Horror Walking Tour
Adults only and only in the evening
Stops at Lalaurie Mansion, Royal Street, Jackson Square, and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
TIP: For those who want to shop for Vodoo products, check out Marie Laveau House of Voodoo. Marie Laveau (1801-1881) is known as the Queen of New Orleans Voodoo.
ANOTHER TIP: Don't want to commit to a tour? Visit the Voodoo Spiritual Temple which is New Orleans' only formally established voodoo temple.
For those who are in New Orleans to booze: Sazarac House
Sazarac House in September 2023
TIP: Tickets to do a normal visit are completely free and at your own pace. You can easily do this experience within 45 minutes if you don't stop and read every exhibition. I recommend reserving ahead, especially if you're traveling in a group.
The Sazarac House opened in 2019 offering an experience that will take you through the history of cocktail culture in New Orleans. In 2008, the Louisiana legislature voted the Sazerac Cocktail, the official cocktail of New Orleans- so you know they take this seriously!
Learn the methods of distilling whiskey, taste some bitters, tour their distillery, and more. While the experience itself is new, the building is an original Sazerac “Coffee” House that dates back to 1850. Designating their many saloons as “coffee houses” was a charming New Orleans tradition that kept the city’s streets looking a bit more upstanding.
Laissez les bon temps rouler in New Orleans!
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