The Best Things to Do in New Orleans
The Big Easy, they call it – and getting into the southern swing of New Orleans is a piece of cake. Louisiana’s most famous city, hunkered beside the lazily flowing Mississippi River, loves its food, its drink and its carousing, partying around the clock with loud, loud music. So where do you start? How about right here – with our guide to the best things to do in New Orleans.
If you’re looking for the full package, you can now book and travel with Culture Trip to New Orleans on this action-packed four-day tour.
1. Bourbon Street
Architectural Landmark
Ferns overflow from hanging baskets, dangling from intricate wrought-iron balconies; buskers blast trumpets and play electric violins; and drinkers weave along this elegant avenue of mansions, built in the tiered Creole townhouse style. This is the main artery of New Orleans’ history-steeped district, the French Quarter. It’s party central during the yearly Mardi Gras festivities, but buzzing with locals and visitors all year round. Stroll down it to soak up the atmosphere of the city, stopping in at century-old restaurant Galatoire’s or the Old Absinthe House for a taste of the past.
2. St Louis Cathedral
Cathedral
A great reason to explore New Orleans is to gain an understanding of its long and colorful history. This dainty, twin-spired white cathedral, facing a pin-neat square in the French Quarter, looks like something out of the Magic Kingdom, but it’s the oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral in America, built in 1727. It’s not just a pretty façade, either: you should take a peek inside to see the perfectly polished checkerboard flooring and high, curved ceilings with rich depictions of Jesus and the disciples.
3. Steamboat tour
Music Venue, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark
4. Jackson Square
Park
5. The National WWII Museum
Museum, Theater
6. City Park
Amusement Park, Park
7. New Orleans Museum of Art
Museum
8. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Cemetery
9. Frenchmen Street
Architectural Landmark
Along with history, voodoo and cocktails, NOLA’s music scene is one of its biggest attractions – jazz music, to be exact, blasted from every street corner as well as from stages and bars across town. Hear the best of it along this brightly painted street in the French Quarter, where neon signs and bohemian murals indicate basement clubs and packed watering holes soundtracked by trumpeters and double bassists. Squeeze into legendary spots such as Snug Harbour or The Spotted Cat or just follow your ears to anything you like the sound of.
10. Garden District
Architectural Landmark
A great pleasure in this town is simply wandering its uniformly pretty, period-perfect neighborhoods – the loveliest of which has to be the Garden District. Ride the nearly 200-year-old St Charles Streetcar there from the French Quarter for a thoroughly vintage experience, taking to Prytania and Jackson streets by foot to see its towering 19th-century mansions set in tropical-feeling gardens, all flamingo-pink façades, lacy balconies and fairytale turrets. For lunch, stop by Magazine Street, lined with characterful seafood, Creole and hot dog joints.
This is an updated version of an article originally by Ildiko Hetesi.
Why not make a weekend of it? Book a stay with Culture Trip at one of these quirky boutique hotels in the French Quarter or stick to a tighter budget at one of these budget hotels and hostels in Mid-City. There’s plenty to keep you busy too, from exploring the best museums around to eating fresh and delicious seafood at these top restaurants or trying local specialties such as a po’ boy at these top spots.