Epic Places In New Orleans Every Local Is Proud Of

New Orleans is full of attractions that delight both tourists and visitors, whether it’s a historic neighborhood, museum or outdoor gathering space. Below is a list of some of the top places locals are proud to show off to visitors.

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The French Quarter

Sometimes referred to by its French moniker, the “Vieux Carré” (which means “The Old Square”), the French Quarter is one of the most famous and recognizable neighborhoods in the United States. Known for its brightly colored colonial-European architecture and breathtaking ironwork balconies, bustling nightlife, art galleries and street performers, it’s a neighborhood that can make you feel like you have taken a step back in time, especially if you’re visiting from a more modern city.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

St. Charles Avenue

It’s a coveted space on the board for Monopoly players, but a drive (or walk, jog or streetcar ride) on the real-life St. Charles Avenue is a must-see and do if you’re in the Crescent City. It’s not the most efficient thoroughfare to get from one end of town to the other, but it is beautiful and interesting, lined with magnificent oak trees, ornate mansions, two of the city’s private universities (Tulane and Loyola), Audubon Park and a number of commercially used buildings that have been around for centuries. It’s also the avenue where all of the Uptown parades roll (and other motor traffic is forbidden) during select dates in the Carnival season, and year-round you can see all the colorful beads hanging from the trees that were caught in branches after float-riders missed their reveling targets.

French Market – New Orleans

Market

The bustling French Market dates back to 1791, when it started out as a Native American trading outpost. Renovated and repurposed multiple times over the years, it now stands out as a popular tourist attraction. It’s a great spot to catch live jazz while chowing down on muffuletta sandwiches, pralines and more local goodies, and it’s a prime spot for people-watching along the Mississippi River. Creole spices and ingredients, meals, international styles of clothing, home decor, artwork and other accessories are just some of the items available for purchase from its variety of vendors.

Tipitina's

Bar, Cocktails

Not much has changed since the 1970s at New Orleans famed Tipitina’s music venue, which continues to draw in iconic local and national acts who have been known to jam well into the wee hours. Its name is a tribute to iconic musician Professor “Fess” Longhair, who regularly performed there until his death in 1980. It’s a place that draws in a diverse crowd, including students and aging hippies, who converge over their love of live New Orleans music in a no-frills atmosphere.

Preservation Hall

Music Venue

Encompassing traditional New Orleans jazz, Preservation Hall is a cornerstone of music and culture. It was established in 1961 to honor traditional New Orleans jazz. Every night, patrons can witness the wonderful musical evolution of jazz culture. The popular bar hosts a variety of musical performances, including gospel, hip-hop, bluegrass and rock. The best aspect of Preservation Hall is its non-profit affiliation. This is more than a music hall; it is a place for the community. It engages with the local community, helping with education and social programs.

New Orleans Museum of Art

Museum

The city’s largest – and oldest – collection of art is the New Orleans Museum of Art, established in 1911, emphasizing and preserving a vast collection of fine art. The collection ranges from French and American works to African and Japanese works, with a strong collection of photography. And as a big plus, NOMA offers free admission on Wednesdays. While much of the gems are within its doors, there’s also a sculpture garden outside, and the museum itself is situated in the middle of New Orleans City Park, surrounded by lush beauty and picturesque waterways.

Louis Armstrong Park

Park

Once a place where slaves gathered to sing, beat drums and sell meals to “earn” their way to freedom, this park in the musical neighborhood of Treme, adjacent to the city’s French Quarter, is now named for Louis Armstrong in honor of his contributions to jazz. Since the park is a historical site, the National Park Service has a notable presence in the activities organized. NPS allows Louis Armstrong Park to host annual Martin Luther King Day celebrations, weddings, festivals and concerts. Within the park is the famous and stately Mahalia Jackson Theater, and it also hosts a free weekly concert series in the springtime, as well as other festivals and music performances put on by the nearby New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

Prytania Theatre

Cinema, Theater

Built in 1914, the Prytania is the only single-screen cinema in Louisiana and is the oldest operating theater in the New Orleans metro area. Standing at the corner or Prytania and Leontine streets, this vintage movie joint was the first theater in NOLA to convert to digital cinema, and now features an eccentric variety of films to satisfy any type of audience, including cult classics and current blockbusters. Movie-lovers can enjoy everything from featured old films and horror movie festivals to influential documentaries and popular national shows, such as the Oscars, inside this 100-year-old theater legacy.

Morning Call

Cafe, American, French

While beignet snobs will tell you there’s nowhere in the city to get the tasty treats besides Cafe Du Monde, we’re here to tell you they’re wrong. You can also find a plate of hot, fried beignets with powdered sugar at Morning Call in City Park. So if your next visit to the Crescent City includes a trip to Storyland, Carousel Gardens or NOMA, make sure to make a detour for some café au lait and beignets at Morning Call, which is open 24 hours a day and offers a vintage, timeless aesthetic of bygone eras.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.