This post lists the top five voodoo shops in New Orleans. We go over what makes them unique, what they specialize in, and what you can buy at them.
We make sure to know this information because, as local walking tour guides, we’re asked all the time by our tour guests where they can go for voodoo souvenirs, gifts and even spiritual readings.
Below we tell you what we tell them our guests: check out these five best voodoo shops in NOLA!
- What is a Voodoo Shop?
- What Can You Buy?
- Top 5 Voodoo Shops
- The Voodoo Museum
- Free Voodoo Walking Tour
- Marie Laveau: Voodoo Queen
What is a Voodoo Shop?
New Orleans has always had a very close relationship with voodoo, and even today there are a lot of people in NOLA who practice the religion.
To understand this connection, look at our post about New Orleans' relationship with the religion of Voodoo.
As a result, there are still plenty of voodoo shops in the city that sell a lot of important items to help people continue their practices.
Although these locations are also called occult shops and witch shops (or witchcraft shops), voodoo in New Orleans isn’t tied to witchcraft, magic, or the occult in the way that popular culture often presents it.
Source: Pixabay user bluesjane.
Louisiana voodoo is a combination of the traditional religions from West Africa, Roman Catholicism, and Haitian Vodou.
The practices of this form of voodoo are directly tied to the history of New Orleans and were brought here by enslaved Africans.
Furthermore, actual witchcraft shops are more common in states like California and Massachusetts (specifically in Salem, just north of Boston).
The types of items you’ll see in these stores are often very different from what you’ll find in New Orleans voodoo shops.
If you’re still confused about what to expect from these locations, fear not!
Most voodoo shop owners in New Orleans will be happy to teach tourists a few things about the practices and history of this religion.
And check the video from Tour Guide Robi, a practicing voodoo priest, who goes through the day in the life of a voodoo priest.
Some voodoo stores even have museums to help you learn more. If you want to dig in even deeper, we recommend checking out the Voodoo Museum as well.
We also offer a free walking tour covering New Orleans' voodoo history.
What Can You Buy at Voodoo Shops?
There are a lot of interesting items you can pick up at New Orleans voodoo shops.
Some of them are intended more for people who practice the religion, but there are quite a few items that anyone can feel comfortable purchasing.
If you’re looking for something you can buy as a souvenir, we recommend asking the shop owner or an employee for some ideas on what to get.
They will typically lead you to some of the most respectable and interesting items, and some of them are quite affordable!
Here are a few of the more common items you’ll find in New Orleans voodoo shops:
- Gris Gris
- Charms
- Spells
- Candles
- Potion Oils
- Tarot cards
- Cleansing Sprays
- Voodoo Dolls
- And more!
In recent years, it has also become more common to find educational materials for sale in voodoo shops.
These items might be a good idea if you’re interested in learning more about Louisiana voodoo.
Be sure to also read our post on ideas for souvenirs in New Orleans.
Top 5 Voodoo Shops in New Orleans
This section will provide information about some of the best voodoo shops in New Orleans, including when they are open, the services they offer, where they are located, and more.
Marie Laveau House of Voodoo
This is one of the most noteworthy voodoo shops in NOLA, and it’s named after the famed Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau.
Priestess Laveau is arguably the most famous New Orleans Voodoo practitioner. She is buried in St. Louis Cemetery #1.
Marie Laveau's does not have an onsite shop but is connected to Reverend Zombie’s Voodoo Shop.
In addition to offering several voodoo ritual items such as gris gris bags, voodoo dolls, and mojo bags, they also provide information about the religion to newcomers.
You’ll see tribal masks and statues from around the world, and there are several traditional souvenirs such as shot glasses, mugs, t-shirts, magnets, and more.
You can also get a psychic or spiritual reading while you’re here!
Reverend Zombie’s Voodoo Shop is at 713 Royal Street and is open daily from 10 am - 8 pm.
TIP: You should stop by Marie Laveau House of Voodoo, especially if you want a reading. No trip to New Orleans would be complete otherwise.
The House of Voodoo is at 628 Bourbon Street. It is open Sunday through Thursday 10 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday 10 am to Midnight.
Voodoo Authentica
If you want to learn a few things about voodoo before you shop, this location is both a cultural center and a voodoo shop.
What better place to start your journey into this unique cultural phenomenon?
As with most other New Orleans voodoo stores, you’ll find many popular items here including potion oils, voodoo dolls, gris gris, and much more.
They also offer rituals, readings, and spiritual consultations.
Voodoo Authentica is also the site of Voodoo Fest each Halloween.
This is a celebration of New Orleans voodoo culture, and it typically includes a lot of great music and activities for free!
Voodoo Authentica is at 612 Dumaine Street in the French Quarter, just one block from Jackson Square.
This voodoo shop is open daily from 11 am - 7 pm, so it’s not going to be the best option for anyone who wants to visit later at night.
Voodoo Spiritual Temple
This is a proper temple dedicated to the religious and spiritual practice of voodoo, and it is operated by Priestess Miriam Chamani and her husband Priest Oswan Chamani.
Although their focus is on traditional West African spiritual healing, they also have a shop that sells a lot of authentic potion oils, incense, candles, and other items necessary for practicing voodoo.
This is a great option for anyone who either already knows a lot about this religion or wants to experience an actual voodoo temple.
In addition to all the items they sell, they also provide a lot of services such as weddings, baptisms, private lessons, and spiritual guidance.
This voodoo shop is at 1428 N. Rampart Street and is open Monday-Saturday 10:30 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Its location is also near Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, so you could visit these places as well.
Island of Salvation Botanica
While this is a great New Orleans voodoo shop, it’s also a healing center that offers a variety of items intended to help visitors heal.
The shop owner is Sallie Ann Glassman, an initiated Voodoo Priestess. Believe it or not, she’s one of just a few Americans ordained into traditional Haitian Vodou.
This location specializes in incense, herbs, soaps, candles, and essential oils.
If you’re looking for healing supplies, this is one of the best voodoo shops to visit in New Orleans.
As with all the other popular shops, Island of Salvation Botanica also offers psychic readings and they hold special prayer events during which you might be asked to provide an offering.
The Island of Salvation Botanica is at 2372 St. Claude Avenue in Suite #100.
They are open Monday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am - 5 pm.
Erzulie’s Authentic Voodoo
NOTE: Currently, their retail sales are online only and the shop is used as an event space.
Like many other New Orleans voodoo shops, this one offers a variety of items and services for sale, and they’re ready to help with any problems you might have.
As with pretty much every other voodoo shop, they sell items such as voodoo dolls, perfumes, soaps, gris gris, and more.
They specialize in voodoo spells, love spells, and Wanga dolls. If you are looking for these, this is a great shop to find them.
Erzulie’s also offers psychic readings and spiritual consultations for anyone who needs them.
Erzulie’s Authentic Voodoo is at 1000 Bourbon Street, Suite #361 and is open Thursday - Monday from 11 am - 7 pm.
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