There’s nowhere else in the world like New Orleans with its incredible mélange of residents, both past and present, storied musical heritage, celebrated cuisine, and flair for the unconventional.
Whether you are heading to the French Quarter for a weekend or going to the biggest party in the world during Mardi Gras, there is something about the city to enjoy for everyone. There are certainly plenty of things to do in the Big Easy, but the following 35 are some of my favorite attractions and activities to add to your New Orleans itinerary!
Stop for a Beignet at Café du Monde
The menu at Café du Monde is short and to the point: beignets (warm squares of fried dough topped with powdered sugar) and café au lait. As a nod to variety, it’s also possible to order your café au lait iced or frozen or have your coffee black.
Why is this a must-do? Well, they’ve perfected these two menu items over the years. Nowhere else in the world serves beignets as well, and the original Jackson Square location is unsurpassed for people watching.
See Why Bourbon Street is Famous
Either you love the raunchy slogans on T-shirts sold in Bourbon Street’s souvenir shops, the hawkers drumming up strip club business, the 20 flavor options of to-go daiquiris, the lively music spilling out of clubs, and the masses of people in the street having a raucous good time… or you don’t.
Either way, this is New Orleans’ most famous street, and you should experience it, even if you see it on a quick morning walk before the crowds truly gather.
Try Creole and Cajun Cuisine
Because New Orleans was settled by a mix of people, including those of French, Spanish, African, and Native American heritage, the city’s food developed distinctive flavors. There’s debate as to what exactly is the difference between Cajun and Creole food, but generally, Cajun food is spicier and uses more pork and crawfish, whereas Creole cuisine often features tomatoes and refined sauces as well as shrimp, crab, and other seafood.
For Creole, you can’t go wrong with old-school restaurants like Galatoire’s, Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, and Commander’s Palace; for Cajun, try Cochon, the Gumbo Shop, or Dooky Chase.
Try not to leave the city without sampling shrimp étouffée, redfish, gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice.
Go Window Shopping on Royal Street
Parallel to Bourbon Street — the next street downriver — but miles apart in aesthetic, Royal Street is lined with elegant antique stores, art galleries, and jewelry shops.
Take your time strolling down this upscale street, popping in to get a closer look at a unique piece of furniture or bold painting, and speaking with proprietors to get insights into the local marketplace.
Soak in the Atmosphere at the Napoleon House
If you have a picture of a New Orleans café in your head, it’s probably the Napoleon House. There’s a reason why so many movie scenes have been filmed in the front room of this atmospheric spot with peeling paint, framed newspaper clippings, and a bust of Napoleon behind the bar.
Built in 1797 and a restaurant since 1914, the Napoleon House is so named because the owner (the mayor of New Orleans) offered Napoleon refuge there in 1821. However, the French emperor died in exile before he could accept the invitation.
To soak in the atmosphere at a languid pace, it’s ideal to take a seat here and sip the beverage of your choice (we suggest a Pimm’s Cup, which was invented here) during off-hours, not during mealtime.
If there’s no table available in the front room, the courtyard is very nice, although it lacks the patina of the front room.
Have a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s
Pat O’Brien’s is legendary for inventing the Hurricane, the iconic red, fruit-punch-like rum beverage served in a signature tall, curved glass.
It has been a French Quarter gathering place since 1931, and it’s not unusual to wait in line to get in. Three areas have different vibes: there’s the main bar, a piano bar, and a beautiful courtyard with a central flaming fountain. In good weather, the courtyard is the place to be.
Hear a Set at Preservation Hall
There’s no better place to hear traditional New Orleans jazz than Preservation Hall. Small and bare bones, it’s a historic spot where music lovers gather to experience this living art.
Born in New Orleans from the mix of musical styles brought from the West Indies and Africa in the 1800s, jazz here features parade-time drumbeats, lively horns, and percussive piano. This city boasts some of the world’s finest jazz musicians, and Preservation Hall showcases the best of the best.
Eat Breakfast at Brennan’s
A New Orleans institution for breakfast lovers, Brennan’s is a beautiful restaurant that serves lunch and dinner, although it’s best known for its outstanding brunch. You might cringe at the suggestion of milk in an alcoholic beverage, but try a Brandy Milk Punch anyway.
If you can’t decide what to order from the long brunch menu, go with their version of eggs Benedict, eggs Hussarde, which was created here. For dessert, order bananas Foster — another dish that was invented here — and get your camera ready for the tableside flambé.
If the weather cooperates, sit in the courtyard; if not, request a table on the second floor overlooking its flickering gas lamps and lush tropical foliage.
Ride the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
A National Historic Landmark, the New Orleans streetcar is part of the fabric of the city: the rumbling of the moving car, the distinctive sound of its brakes, and the open windows that let in a sweet, musky breeze.
Riding the streetcar is an experience in itself; it becomes a necessary thing to do in New Orleans because St. Charles Avenue passes through one of the country’s most attractive metropolitan neighborhoods.
Gorgeous mansions line this wide thoroughfare that’s dotted with live oaks. These are grand, historic homes, all with different architecture and personalities of their own. Sightseeing in such a casual way with no agenda is a relaxing way to spend an hour.
Get Out on the Mississippi River on a Steamboat
Integral to the forming of New Orleans as a port capital and to the identity of the city today, Old Muddy is the stuff of legends, from pirates to Tom Sawyer.
A ride on Steamboat Natchez — the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi — takes you back in time to the heyday of 19th-century river travel, complete with a calliope. As you languidly follow the curves of the river, you’ll pass communities, industry, and the tankers and barges that still ply these waters that spill into the Gulf of Mexico 100 miles beyond the city.
Learn About World War II
One of a kind, the National World War II Museum is a comprehensive experience that tells the stories of the war in a variety of immersive ways.
You can pick up a dog tag and follow a servicemember’s story, feel what it was like to be aboard a submarine, watch a 4D movie, and see restored World War II aircraft, weapons, uniforms, and other artifacts.
Let Your Hair Down at a Special Event
Mardi Gras is the most famous annual New Orleans event, and rightly so, as it’s a singular cultural expression with incredible floats, spectacular costumes, and exciting musical performances that people travel from all over the world to experience.
Although perhaps not as renowned as Mardi Gras, there are literally always special events happening in New Orleans. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival takes place over two weekends in the spring and attracts major non-jazz headliners as well as top local performers. You can tour private homes during Spring Fiesta, hear your favorite authors interviewed during the New Orleans Book Festival, screen movies during the New Orleans Film Festival, and celebrate African American music and culture at the Essence Festival.
Explore the Garden District
The elegant mansions on St. Charles Avenue are visible from the streetcar, but to truly explore the Garden District, take a walking tour.
You’ll learn about the movie stars, musicians, best-selling authors, and others in the public eye who have chosen to call this lovely tree-shaded neighborhood home. You’ll see homes that do not face this grand avenue and learn about the area’s intriguing history and graceful architecture.
Take a Specialty Tour
There are many ways to enrich your experience in New Orleans by embarking on an exploration that follows your interests.
Because of the low water level, people in New Orleans are entombed above ground; their marble markers are works of art that you can see on a cemetery tour. The dead who are not resting peacefully are said to haunt certain buildings; you can learn their stories on a ghost tour. Among other topics, there are tours focused on the city’s LGBTQ+ history, music heritage, and relationship with voodoo. Check out the options and book a tour that will deepen your understanding of this intriguing city.
Step into History at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
There are other places to go in the city if you want to dress up and have a quiet drink in a beautiful space. However, Lafitte’s is a dark dive bar 350 years in the making.
In a building that dates to the early 1700s, on the quiet end of Bourbon Street, Lafitte’s is one of the oldest bars in the world. It looks it, but that’s its charm. Named after pirate brothers who might have sold their goods here in the 1800s, Lafitte’s is the only in New Orleans spot full of character and characters.
Try the Burger and a Monsoon at Port of Call
If you’re always on the hunt for a great burger, seek out Port of Call, a casual restaurant serving outstanding burgers, steaks, and baked potatoes.
Whether or not you eat here, stop in for a Monsoon, which is lighter in color and less sweet than a Hurricane. Made with a blend of rums and fruit juices, Neptune’s Monsoon is “an old recipe used frequently as a last request by pirates condemned to walk the plank,” according to the restaurant’s website.
Check Out Frenchmen Street
Just across Esplanade from the French Quarter in a neighborhood called the Faubourg Marigny, Frenchmen Street is less touristy and more low-key than Bourbon Street.
Here, you’ll find a mix of cafes, coffee shops, tattoo parlors, record stores, restaurants, and bars. The street is known for music venues, including Snug Harbor, the Spotted Cat, and the Blue Nile.
See Mardi Gras Floats Up Close at Mardi Gras World
If you’re interested in the artistic process of creating Mardi Gras floats and you’d like to walk among them in a big warehouse, head to Mardi Gras World.
Near the convention center on the Mississippi River, this is a 400,000-square-foot space where floats are made and stored. Watch an introductory film (and try a slice of king cake), see artists at work, and wander through the warehouse to see the floats up close. Characters depicted on the hundreds of floats include the cast of The Wizard of Oz, Buzz Lightyear, the band Kiss, King Kong, Marilyn Monroe, Shrek, and Tiana.
Bite into a Po’ Boy at Mother’s
A New Orleans staple food, a po’ boy is a French bread sandwich. Many places make them, and there’s an almost limitless number of possible fillings, but one spot on the edge of the Quarter has stood the test of time.
Established in 1938, Mother’s is particularly known for its debris po-boy, which features roast beef with pan drippings. Other specialties include baked ham, fried chicken, and crawfish etouffée. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and serving breakfast all day, Mother’s is a local institution.
Root for the Saints
Don black and gold, wear something with a fleur-de-lis, or if you’re really committed, rent a clergy costume and head to Caesar’s Superdome to root for the Saints. This NFL team has only appeared and won one Superbowl (in 2009), but their fans are committed.
Chanting “Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?” with 75,000 others is definitely a way to feel more connected to the city.
Seek Out Seafood
Louisiana’s waters produce more than 850 million pounds of seafood every year, so there’s no shortage of fresh fish, crawfish, crabs, shrimp, and oysters in New Orleans.
Most restaurants serve seafood, but some specialize in it. Try the oysters at Felix’s or Casamento’s, the crawfish at Superior Seafood, and the redfish at Redfish Grill or Trenasse.
Eat seafood in season for the best taste, price, and sustainability. Generally, crawfish are in season January through June; shrimp April through August; soft shell crabs May through September, and oysters year round (but they’re plumper September through April).
Try a Central Grocery Muffuletta
A Central Grocery invention, the muffuletta sandwich is the New Orleans take on an Italian hero. Salami, ham, and provolone are layered on a big, round, seeded roll and topped with olive salad made from both green and black minced olives. Other restaurants also make muffulettas, but if you want to try the original, pick up one made by Central Grocery.
Wander Through the Voodoo Museum
Although it’s not the most high-tech museum, the Voodoo Museum is conveniently located in the French Quarter and serves as a window into a world most people know little about.
Voodoo is a part of the city’s cultural history, and approximately 15 percent of New Orleans residents practice voodoo today. Also, the museum’s shop is a great place to pick up unusual gifts for friends back home.
Take Your Time at the New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden
Brilliantly landscaped, the free sculpture garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park is a joy to explore. This is a great attraction to add to your itinerary if you’ve decided to visit this lovely city on a budget.
Walk on a boardwalk over a pond past a giant skull, sit on a bench next to human forms, and stand before a giant spider or LOVE sculpture. The museum itself is wonderful, too.
See a White Alligator at the Audubon Zoo
By the river in beautiful Audubon Park, the Audubon Zoo is invitingly landscaped with features including live oaks, fountains, and a human-crafted hill that at 28 feet is the highest point in this flat city.
White alligators in a recreated swamp habitat are a highlight of the zoo’s 58 acres. A white tiger, Komodo dragon, and elephants are other visitor favorites.
It’s possible to take a riverboat from in front of the aquarium to the zoo and return the same way or walk through the park to the streetcar.
Stroll Under the Oaks in Audubon Park
With paths lined by majestic live oak trees, lagoons, bridges, and a nearly two-mile paved path, Audubon Park is a lovely place for a stroll or a jog.
There’s also a golf course here, and the zoo is at the far end. The park is accessible via the St. Charles Avenue streetcar and is located across the street from Tulane and Loyola universities.
Learn About Regional Aquatic Ecosystems at the Aquarium
On the river next to the French Quarter, the Audubon Aquarium is home to 3,600 animals from 250 species. Touch a shark or stingray and watch cute little African penguins zip by, a giant sea turtle glide past, and a white Louisiana alligator peer out of the water.
Regions represented include the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, the Amazon rainforest, and the Caribbean. The Audubon Insectarium, which has a Butterfly Garden, is in the same building.
Boogie While You Bowl at the Rock ‘n’ Bowl
Mid-City Bowling Lanes, also known as the Rock ‘n’ Bowl, is a New Orleans mainstay a few minutes drive from the French Quarter.
There’s nightly live music featuring a range of genres from zydeco to blues, plus a bar and lanes where you can boogie while you’re bowling.
Take a Spin at the Carousel Bar
Rotating at a slower rate than a conventional carousel, the Carousel Bar & Lounge in the French Quarter’s Hotel Monteleone makes a complete turn every 15 minutes.
If you are prone to motion sickness, don’t sit at the bar since only the 25 bar seats rotate, not the whole room. Opened in 1949, it’s the city’s only rotating bar and features live entertainment every Wednesday through Saturday.
Take a Turn Around the French Market
A site that originated as a Native American trading post in 1791, the French Market is now a popular destination to grab a drink, enjoy a snack, pick up a souvenir, and listen to live music.
Covering five blocks by the river in the French Quarter, this open-air market features local food and beverages from a variety of stands, handmade art, and wares from regional artists and craftspeople, a flea market, and local musicians.
Catch a Show at Tipitina’s
A legendary Uptown music venue, Tipitina’s has two levels, no seats, and no bad views.
Holding around 800 people, it’s worth the trip to experience great music in a small-ish, non-touristy space. Artists as diverse as Ludacris, Wilco, Fats Domino, the Black Crowes, Radiohead, and Nine Inch Nails have graced the stage.
Walk Down Magazine Street
Stretching six miles from the Central Business District to Uptown, Magazine Street is lined with locally owned stores, restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Part residential, part commercial, it has a neighborhood vibe. Browse art galleries, vintage stores, and costume shops. Sample Senegalese or Chinese cuisine, kick back in a garden bar, or catch a live band.