The Large Straightforward, the Crescent Metropolis, NOLA. No matter you determine to name it, there’s no denying that New Orleans is without doubt one of the coolest cities in the US! With a vibrant tradition, fascinating historical past, and world-class culinary, music, and nightlife scenes, New Orleans is a implausible journey vacation spot.
Whereas New Orleans is legendary for its epic festivals (Mardi Gras!), there’s far more to town than its yearly carnival. On this information, we’ll check out a number of the greatest issues to do in New Orleans that will help you plan an unforgettable journey there.
The town’s motto is “let the great instances roll,” and that’s exactly what you’ll do on a visit to New Orleans.
Whether or not you’re catching some stay music on Frenchmen Avenue, feasting on gumbo and jambalaya, or simply wandering the streets with a large to-go cocktail, you’re just about assured an excellent time.
I’ve been to the Large Straightforward a couple of instances now, and each time I am going I discover one thing new to like concerning the metropolis — even simply on a weekend journey.
There’s simply one thing concerning the power of New Orleans that’s exhausting to place into phrases, however I’ll do my greatest.
Replace 2023: This publish has been up to date with new sights and issues to do in New Orleans for 2023.
For those who’re questioning what to do in New Orleans, this text offers you an excellent begin!
1. Go to an Escape Room
We’ve solely lately checked out our first escape room and it’s shortly turn out to be one of many important issues we search for to do in a brand new metropolis. Escape rooms are enjoyable, and their usually themed with the historical past or folklore of the city your in.
New Orleans is not any completely different. The Escape Recreation has 4 of the perfect escape rooms in New Orleans, starting from Jail Escapes to Artwork Gallery Heists.
Costs begin at below $40 they usually have 8 time slots per day, per room to select from. You may as well contact them to ebook instances exterior of their common time slots together with some enjoyable “after-midnight” escape rooms.
Be taught Extra about The Escape Rooms in New Orleans Right here.
2. Get Misplaced within the French Quarter
For many guests to NOLA, their journey is centered across the French Quarter. This is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most historic neighborhoods, and is commonly referred to as the Crown Jewel of New Orleans.
The easiest way to go to the French Quarter is by becoming a member of a strolling tour. This French Quarter Strolling Tour is the highest-rated strolling tour within the French Quarter. There’s additionally this enjoyable tour that features humorous tales whereas strolling by means of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Greatest Guided Excursions of The French Quarter in New Orleans
Identified domestically because the Vieux Carré, this space was based by the French again in 1718 alongside the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.
Sadly, many of the French colonial buildings have been destroyed by hearth. Many of the buildings you see as we speak have been truly constructed throughout a time of Spanish rule, though French tastes remained.
Today, the French Quarter is the vacationer heart of New Orleans. Right here you’ll discover numerous motels, eating places, retailers, cafes, and bars.
There’s additionally loads of sightseeing to be performed right here, with well-known landmarks corresponding to Jackson Sq. and the St. Louis Cathedral in addition to most of the metropolis’s greatest museums.
Among the finest issues to do in New Orleans is solely getting misplaced within the French Quarter. It’s a comparatively compact space and there’s one thing fascinating round each nook, so go forward and simply wander. Remember to carry your digicam, as there are many superb photograph ops on this historic neighborhood.
For those who’d want a little bit of steering in your exploration of the French Quarter, you possibly can all the time join a free strolling tour. Free Excursions By Foot gives excursions at 10AM Thursday-Tuesday and likewise at 2PM on Thursday-Monday.
In search of the greatest motels on Bourbon Avenue? Try our epic publish on the place to remain in New Orleans to study extra concerning the French Quarter and the highest lodging choices. Additionally, try our final checklist of 101 must-see locations within the US.
3. See Reside Music on Frenchmen Avenue
New Orleans is named the birthplace of jazz, which is claimed to have developed from drumming and voodoo rituals right here earlier than the Civil Conflict. Music has been an integral a part of the tradition of town ever since.
Enjoyable Music Excursions in New Orleans Frenchmen Avenue:
Whereas there’s stay music in every single place you go within the Large Straightforward, the most effective locations to jam out is Frenchmen Avenue. A 3-block part of the road within the metropolis’s Faubourg Marigny neighborhood is dwelling to dozens of stay music venues, that are rocking each night time of the week. It’s positively one of many high New Orleans sights.
Some bars on Frenchmen Avenue have a canopy cost, however a lot of them don’t. This lets you bounce round and catch a number of completely different bands in a single night time.
In your manner in between bars, you’ll probably discover marching bands jamming out on the street. I advised you music is in every single place in New Orleans!
4. All Issues Mardi Gras
We are able to’t speak about the perfect issues to do in New Orleans and never point out Mardi Gras. The primary Mardi Gras parade occurred in New Orleans again within the 1830s, and the get together hasn’t stopped since.
Mardi Gras Excursions in New Orleans:
Mardi Gras is without doubt one of the most well-known events on this planet, and rightfully so. It’s an extremely festive time stuffed with music, parades, costumes, and naturally loads of colourful beads.
Whereas the preferred time to go to NOLA throughout Mardi Gras is the prolonged weekend earlier than Ash Wednesday, there are occasions happening for a number of weeks main as much as it.
Remember to test the parade schedule to see what’s occurring, and positively ebook your lodging properly upfront.
Even should you don’t make it to New Orleans for the precise Mardi Gras celebrations, you possibly can nonetheless expertise this world-famous vacation.
Head to Mardi Gras World to see the place the floats are made and saved. It’s open 7 days every week from 9-5:30 with tickets costing $22 for adults, $17 for seniors and college students, and $14 for kids. E book your tickets right here and make the most of the free shuttle from downtown.
Mardi Gras could also be the preferred occasion in New Orleans, however the metropolis has quite a few different superior festivals that you simply received’t wish to miss. Be taught extra in our checklist of the Prime 10 New Orleans Festivals!
5. Strolling Tour of the Backyard District
Once you want a break from the busy French Quarter, an excellent place to go is town’s Backyard District. Right here you’ll discover loads of historic buildings and stately mansions, a lot of which at the moment are dwelling to superstar actors and athletes.
Undoubtedly, one of the simplest ways to correctly see the Backyard District of New Orleans and perceive the historical past and structure right here is to affix a guided tour with a knowledgable native information.
Greatest Strolling Excursions in New Orleans Backyard District
To get there, you possibly can take pleasure in one other quintessential NOLA expertise by using the streetcar. Get on at Canal and trip the St. Charles line to Washington Avenue. A trip on the streetcar prices $1.25 per individual, so attempt to have precise change.
After we explored the Backyard District on our first go to to New Orleans, we simply adopted this glorious self guided tour. It has a map with a route you possibly can simply comply with, detailed descriptions, and even an audio information. For those who’d somewhat expertise the Backyard District with others, there are many choices for guided excursions of the world.
The Backyard District is a ravishing place to probe for a couple of hours. For those who want a break, you could have numerous decisions for locations to seize a drink, do a little bit of window purchasing, or sit down for a meal. It’s positively one of many high New Orleans sights.
6. Feast on Conventional Meals
For those who’re a foodie, you’re going to like visiting New Orleans. Truthfully, you could possibly spend your whole journey right here simply consuming your manner throughout town and there could be completely nothing improper with that.
New Orleans meals is a mix of Cajun, Creole, and soul meals, with seafood that includes prominently. For those who’re ever uncertain of what to do in New Orleans, simply sit down and eat once more! The easiest way to study concerning the meals is to affix a tour with an area chef or foodie.
Greatest Meals Excursions in New Orleans:
There are too many must-eat dishes to checklist all of them, however listed below are a couple of you possibly can’t miss out on: gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, crimson beans & rice, and po’ boy sandwiches. That can preserve you busy for not less than a couple of days.
Critically, my mouth is watering simply writing concerning the meals! Your style buds are in for an actual deal with once you come right here, so get excited. Sampling the entire scrumptious native dishes is certainly one of many high issues to do in New Orleans.
One of many enjoyable actions in New Orleans for {couples} or teams of mates is this cocktail and meals historical past tour.
You’ll go to award-winning eating places, whereas sampling 10 dishes, sipping on 4 cocktails, and studying concerning the locations and the delicacies out of your information. For those who’re 21+, this is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in New Orleans! Be taught extra about this enjoyable tour right here.
7. Attend Native Festivals
Mardi Gras could get all the eye, however there are tons of different superior festivals happening in New Orleans. The town has festivals devoted to music, artwork, movie, meals & drink, literature, and a lot extra.
In the case of music festivals, it’s exhausting to high the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Pageant. This legendary pageant is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months by bringing in icons like Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Diana Ross, Buddy Man, and tons of of different acts. Along with the pageant itself, there are late night time reveals galore.
One other glorious selection is the French Quarter Pageant. This 4-day music and meals pageant is held each April and is tons of enjoyable. The French Quarter is stuffed with over 100 levels taking part in every kind of genres of music and there’s superb meals on each nook. Better of all, it’s completely free!
8. Go to a Few Museums
Once you encounter an excellent sizzling or wet day in New Orleans, you possibly can head inside to take a look at a number of the metropolis’s many implausible museums. Whether or not you’re excited by studying about historical past, artwork, music, and even voodoo, there’s a museum for you.
Among the finest museums to go to right here is the Nationwide World Conflict II Museum. This spectacular museum tells the story of the American expertise within the struggle that modified the world. It’s open each day from 9-5 with tickets costing $28 for adults, $24 for seniors, and $18 for college kids. You will get instructions to the museum right here.
The easiest way to take advantage of out of any museum go to and get a full rundown of the historical past and reveals is by becoming a member of a tour with an area information.
Greatest Guided Museum Excursions in New Orleans:
For those who’re on the lookout for another museum expertise, you may wish to go to the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.
Take a tour of their two rooms full of voodoo-related artifacts to study extra about its historical past within the space. It’s open each day from 10-6 with tickets costing simply $7 for adults. It’s positioned within the French Quarter and you may get instructions right here.
9. Take a Swamp Tour
Whereas there are many issues to do in New Orleans to maintain you busy, it’s value it to go out of town on a swamp tour. Because of its location within the Mississippi Delta, there’s loads of swamp simply exterior of New Orleans.
On a typical tour, you’ll cruise by means of the swamp on a small boat as you study concerning the setting and its many inhabitants. Alongside the best way, you may even see wild boards, egrets, snakes, and possibly even alligators.
One firm that comes really useful is Cajun Delight. They’ve a couple of completely different choices, together with their in style sundown swamp tour. You’ll have to affix a tour to do a swamp tour in New Orleans, so we’ve listed a number of the highest-rated and most-recommended excursions under.
Greatest New Orleans Swamp Excursions:
Whichever you select, a swamp tour is certainly one of many high New Orleans actions.
There are quite a few corporations you possibly can be part of for a tour of the swamp. Try our checklist of the greatest 7 Swamp Excursions in New Orleans.
10. Eat Beignets at Cafe du Monde
That is most positively one of the vital touristy issues to do in New Orleans, however we simply can’t go away it out. Cafe du Monde is an establishment within the metropolis — it’s been round since 1862.
Greatest Excursions That Embody a Beignet in New Orleans
Be a part of the gang and get in line for a plate of beignets and a cup of espresso. In case you’re questioning, beignets are tasty little morsels of fried dough lined in powdered sugar.
Amazingly, Cafe du Monde is open 24/7. The one time it closes is on Christmas Day or “when an occasional hurricane passes too near New Orleans.” You’ll find Cafe du Monde on the map right here.
11. Stroll Alongside the Riverfront
With a pleasant sugar excessive and caffeine buzz out of your journey to Cafe du Monde, you’ll have loads of power to burn. Fortunately you’ll be proper subsequent to the scenic Moonwalk Riverfront Park.
This lengthy stretch of park alongside the Mississippi River is a superb place for an off-the-cuff stroll. Watch steamboats as they transfer alongside the river and take a look at the numerous sculptures and monuments alongside the best way, together with the Holocaust Memorial.
Everytime you don’t know what to do in New Orleans, you possibly can simply head right down to the riverfront and take within the surroundings alongside the river. Go forward and convey a beer or a to-go cocktail with you should you like. It’s all good right here in NOLA!
12. Go On a River Cruise
Talking of the Mississippi, taking a river cruise is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do in New Orleans. There are fairly a couple of choices for a NOLA river cruise relying in your tastes and price range.
For a basic expertise, head out for a river cruise with Steamboat Natchez. There’s a whole lot of historical past behind this title, as they’re at present on the ninth Steamboat Natchez. Right here’s an fascinating piece of historical past for you — Natchez VI truly beat Robert E. Lee in a race alongside the Mississippi.
Greatest Steamboat Excursions in New Orleans:
They’ve a couple of choices for 2-hour cruises across the river and all of them embrace stay jazz.
You’ll be able to select between their afternoon cruises with lunch, dinner cruises within the night, or their well-known Sunday brunch cruise.
For those who’re touring to New Orleans on a price range however nonetheless wish to expertise being on a ship within the Mississippi, simply take the native Algiers ferry for under $2.
13. Drink: New Orleans Fashion
New Orleans is one in all only a few locations within the US the place you possibly can legally eat alcohol in public. There are even bars right here which can be open 24/7. No surprise that is such a preferred place to get together.
When you’re out partying within the Large Straightforward, you’ll positively wish to attempt some native drinks. The easiest way to take action is with an skilled native information who can introduce you to some enjoyable bars, cocktails and native brews.
Greatest Booze-Associated Excursions in New Orleans:
Probably the most well-known New Orleans cocktail is the Hurricane, which is made with mild and darkish rum. It additionally has ardour fruit, orange, and lime juice together with easy syrup and grenadine.
One other native basic is a Ramos Gin Fizz. This gin-based cocktail additionally has lemon & lime juice, orange flower water, egg white, powdered sugar, and milk. It takes a whole lot of time to make this frothy cocktail, however little or no to place one down.
For a novel New Orleans bar expertise, hit up a drive-thru daiquiri place. That’s proper, you didn’t misinterpret. You will get frozen daiquiris from a drive-thru right here. They simply should provide the straw on the facet and also you technically can’t drink it till you get out of the automobile.
☞ SEE ALSO: New Orleans Cocktails – 7 Should-Attempt Drinks In The Large Straightforward
14. Discover the Bywater District
For those who’re into quirky retailers, colourful road artwork, and rowdy dive bars, head to the Bywater space of New Orleans. Since Hurricane Katrina, this neighborhood has skilled a renaissance because of a thriving artwork and music group.
When costs rose dramatically within the French Quarter, many artists and musicians moved over to Bywater. This bohemian/hipster hood is now dwelling to some superb file retailers, artwork galleries, eating places, music venues, and bars.
The Bywater is positioned only a 10-minute trip east from the French Quarter, and is a fast bus or Uber trip away. For these on the lookout for a extra native expertise than the touristy French Quarter, make sure you add a visit to Bywater to your checklist of issues to do in New Orleans.
15. Attempt Your Luck on the On line casino or Observe
For those who’re feeling fortunate in New Orleans (or simply tipsy), you possibly can head into Harrah’s On line casino. They’ve obtained tons of machine and desk video games, in addition to loads of bars. You’ll be able to even order your drinks straight from the slot machines right here.
Another choice for making an attempt to win some chilly exhausting money is heading to the Honest Grounds Race Course & Slots. That is the third-oldest racetrack in your complete nation, courting again to 1872.
The racing season on the Honest Grounds begins on Thanksgiving Day and runs till the top of March. Their greatest race is the annual Louisiana Derby, which takes place in late March. You’ll find the Honest Grounds on the map and get instructions right here.
16. Go to a Nationwide Historic Park
One of many high New Orleans sights is the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park & Protect. This park seeks to guard the pure and cultural heritage of the Mississippi River Delta area of Louisiana.
There’s loads to see and do right here, together with boat and canoe excursions, mountain climbing trails, and a battlefield. For those who’re hoping to see a gator out within the wild, that is one in all your greatest possibilities!
The park is positioned a couple of 30-minute drive exterior of downtown New Orleans. For those who don’t have your personal wheels, there are many choices for excursions that go to the park. You will get instructions and discover it on the map right here.
17. Cheer on the Native Groups
Because it’s dwelling to 2 skilled sports activities franchises, cheering on the native groups has to make our checklist of the perfect issues to do in New Orleans. The Large Straightforward is dwelling to the Saints (NFL) and the Pelicans (NBA).
Get Your Tickets:
Going to a Saints sport is kind of the expertise, as they’ve a number of the most passionate followers within the nation. For those who’re going to a sport, make sure you study the mantra first:
“Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?”
The Saints play on the Mercedez-Benz Superdome downtown. They play eight dwelling video games all through the common season, which lasts from early September to late December.
For these basketball followers on the market, the Pelicans play subsequent door on the Smoothie King Middle. The NBA common season lasts from mid-October to early April, so there are many possibilities to catch a house sport.
18. NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Artwork)
Artwork lovers will wish to make sure you embrace a go to to NOMA – the New Orleans Museum of Artwork. Dwelling to over 40,000 items, this can be a huge and spectacular assortment of artwork from around the globe.
Along with all of the superb artwork contained in the museum, there’s additionally a ravishing sculpture backyard exterior. With a lot unbelievable paintings to see right here, it’s no surprise the NOMA is without doubt one of the high New Orleans sights.
The museum is positioned in Metropolis Park (test the map right here) and is open from Tuesday-Sunday. Remember to test their hours as they range from day-to-day. Tickets vary from $6 (kids) to $15 (adults). Because it’s a part of the park, the sculpture backyard is free to go to.
19. Chill Out in Metropolis Park
For those who got here all the best way to Metropolis Park to take a look at the artwork museum, you may as properly hang around for some time. It’s an enormous park — about 50% bigger than New York’s Central Park, to be precise — so there’s lots to see and do right here.
Probably the most in style sights within the park is the New Orleans Botanical Backyard.
That includes greater than 2,000 vegetation from around the globe, it’s a ravishing place for a leisurely stroll. The backyard is open day by day from 10-5 and admission prices $8 for adults or $4 for kids.
The park can also be dwelling to a number of athletic fields, an amusement park, a golf course, and a lot extra.
It’s a large park, so that you may wish to think about renting a motorbike to correctly discover it. Or you could possibly simply calm down and lease a paddleboat to cruise across the lake. The choices are almost countless right here.
20. Day Journey to a Plantation
It’s nonetheless doable to journey to the Antebellum south, and also you don’t even want a time machine. Simply head out on a tour to one of many many historic plantations that’s inside a brief drive from New Orleans.
On a typical tour, you’ll get to go to one of many very well-preserved stately mansions and study all about their historical past. It’s a window into the agrarian previous of the world and a darkish time in American historical past.
Greatest New Orleans Plantation Excursions:
You’ll see examples of the ability and wealth that the plantation house owners loved, whereas additionally seeing the brutal circumstances that slaves lived and labored below.
Among the hottest plantations to go to close to New Orleans embrace Laura, Whitney, and Oak Alley.
You will get your self there and be part of a guided tour on the property or join an organized tour that features transportation. It’s doable to see all three in at some point as they’re all so shut collectively.
This tour contains Oak Alley plantation and an Airboat journey within the swamp. Irrespective of which tour you be part of, or the way you get there, simply make sure that visiting a plantation and studying concerning the historical past is in your checklist of issues to see in New Orleans.
21. See a Present at Preservation Corridor
There are many superior locations to see stay music in New Orleans. One venue that you simply positively received’t wish to miss within the Large Straightforward is Preservation Corridor.
This historic venue was based in 1961 to “shield, protect, and perpetuate conventional New Orleans jazz.”
Preservation Corridor is way over only a venue, although. It’s additionally a non-profit group, file label, and home band. You might have loads of possibilities to catch a present at Preservation Corridor, as there are performances nightly at 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10PM.
You’ll be able to ebook reserved “Large Shot” seats on-line upfront for $35-40, however these are likely to promote out properly upfront. There are many common admission tickets for $20 (money solely), and it’s really useful that you simply arrive not less than 30-45 minutes earlier than the present begins.
Preservation Corridor is positioned within the French Quarter, so it’s proper within the thick of all of the motion. You’ll find it on the map and get instructions right here.
Bonus Issues To Do in New Orleans
We simply couldn’t cease at 21. Having spent a lot time in New Orleans, narrowing this checklist right down to 21 is unimaginable. There are just too many issues to do in New Orleans!
22. Get together on Bourbon Avenue
You knew this was coming finally, didn’t you? Like it or hate it, partying on Bourbon Avenue is undoubtedly one of the vital in style issues to do in New Orleans. For guests, that’s. You received’t discover too many locals out on Bourbon Avenue.
Regardless that it’s noisy, chaotic, and sure, extremely touristy, it’s nonetheless a enjoyable place to take a look at not less than as soon as. Order up a “enormous ass beer” or a large Hurricane to-go and be part of within the insanity as you bounce across the many alternative bars.
Greatest Excursions Together with Burboun Avenue Nighlife:
In my humble opinion, it’s value going to Bourbon Avenue only for the prospect to go to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Store Bar. Constructed someday within the 1700s, it’s stated to be the oldest bar within the US.
It’s straightforward to really feel such as you’ve stepped right into a time machine right here, because the bar is lit solely with candles. Seize a drink and head to the again to take heed to the piano participant. On a road stuffed with so many horrible bars, this can be a diamond within the tough.
23. Be a part of a Ghost Tour
For those who dare! This creepy ghost tour is without doubt one of the extra distinctive issues to do in New Orleans. In contrast to different strolling excursions, this one showcases town’s vampire theories, voodoo rituals, and witchcraft.
Greatest Ghost Excursions in New Orleans:
Meet up together with your energetic information and wander by means of the French Quarter on a two-hour strolling tour whereas studying concerning the spooky facet of New Orleans. Discover out extra about this highly-rated tour right here.
Extra Enjoyable Excursions in New Orleans
We already listed fairly a couple of superior excursions and sights in New Orleans, however listed below are a couple of that you may additionally wish to try:
Now You Know What To Do in New Orleans
Are you able to see why New Orleans is my favourite American metropolis to go to? With so many desirable cultural and historic websites, a world-class music scene, most likely the perfect regional delicacies within the nation, and a wild get together each night time of the week, what’s to not love?
I really like New Orleans a lot that it was one in all twelve stops on our “year-long get together” in 2018, as we attended WrestleMania on the Superdome.
Whereas I lined a number of the greatest issues to do in New Orleans, there’s a lot extra to see and do on this unbelievable metropolis. Do your self a favor and get there before later. It’ll be the most effective journey selections you ever make.
Photographs on this article courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
