The Huge Straightforward, the Crescent Metropolis, NOLA. No matter you determine to name it, there’s no denying that New Orleans is likely 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 incredible journey vacation spot.
Whereas New Orleans is known for its epic festivals (Mardi Gras!), there’s way more to town than its yearly carnival. On this information, we’ll check out among the finest issues to do in New Orleans that will help you plan an unforgettable journey there.
The town’s motto is “let the nice occasions roll,” and that’s exactly what you’ll do on a visit to New Orleans.
Whether or not you’re catching some reside music on Frenchmen Road, feasting on gumbo and jambalaya, or simply wandering the streets with an enormous to-go cocktail, you’re just about assured time.
I’ve been to the Huge Straightforward a number of occasions 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 vitality of New Orleans that’s arduous to place into phrases, however I’ll do my finest.
Replace 2023: This publish has been up to date with new sights and issues to do in New Orleans for 2023.
When you’re questioning what to do in New Orleans, this text will provide you with begin!
1. Go to an Escape Room
We’ve solely just lately checked out our first escape room and it’s rapidly turn into one of many most important issues we search for to do in a brand new metropolis. Escape rooms are enjoyable, and their typically themed with the historical past or folklore of the city your in.
New Orleans isn’t any completely different. The Escape Recreation has 4 of one of the best escape rooms in New Orleans, starting from Jail Escapes to Artwork Gallery Heists.
Costs begin at below $40 and so they have 8 time slots per day, per room to select from. It’s also possible to contact them to ebook occasions outdoors 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 likely one of the metropolis’s most historic neighborhoods, and is commonly known 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 via the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Finest Guided Excursions of The French Quarter in New Orleans
Identified regionally 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 fireplace. A lot of the buildings you see right now have been truly constructed throughout a time of Spanish rule, though French tastes remained.
Lately, the French Quarter is the vacationer middle of New Orleans. Right here you’ll discover numerous lodges, eating places, retailers, cafes, and bars.
There’s additionally loads of sightseeing to be accomplished right here, with well-known landmarks reminiscent of Jackson Sq. and the St. Louis Cathedral in addition to most of the metropolis’s finest museums.
Among the best 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. Make sure you carry your digicam, as there are many superb picture ops on this historic neighborhood.
When you’d want a little bit of steering in your exploration of the French Quarter, you may all the time join a free strolling tour. Free Excursions By Foot gives excursions at 10AM Thursday-Tuesday and in addition at 2PM on Thursday-Monday.
In search of the finest lodges on Bourbon Road? Take a look at 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 Dwell Music on Frenchmen Road
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 Road:
Whereas there’s reside music in all places you go within the Huge Straightforward, among the finest locations to jam out is Frenchmen Road. A 3-block part of the road within the metropolis’s Faubourg Marigny neighborhood is residence to dozens of reside 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 Road have a canopy cost, however lots of them don’t. This lets you bounce round and catch a number of completely different bands in a single night time.
In your means in between bars, you’ll doubtless discover marching bands jamming out on the street. I informed you music is in all places in New Orleans!
4. All Issues Mardi Gras
We will’t discuss one of the best 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 occasion hasn’t stopped since.
Mardi Gras Excursions in New Orleans:
Mardi Gras is likely one of the most well-known events on the 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 occurring for a number of weeks main as much as it.
Make sure you examine the parade schedule to see what’s occurring, and positively ebook your lodging effectively prematurely.
Even in case you don’t make it to New Orleans for the precise Mardi Gras celebrations, you may 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 per 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 benefit from 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 need 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 move is town’s Backyard District. Right here you’ll discover loads of historic buildings and stately mansions, lots of which are actually residence to movie star actors and athletes.
No doubt, 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 hitch a guided tour with a knowledgable native information.
Finest Strolling Excursions in New Orleans Backyard District
To get there, you may 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 wonderful self guided tour. It has a map with a route you may simply observe, detailed descriptions, and even an audio information. When you’d quite expertise the Backyard District with others, there are many choices for guided excursions of the world.
The Backyard District is an attractive place to probe for a number of hours. When you want a break, you could have plenty of decisions for locations to seize a drink, do a little bit of window procuring, or sit down for a meal. It’s positively one of many high New Orleans sights.
6. Feast on Conventional Meals
When you’re a foodie, you’re going to like visiting New Orleans. Actually, you might spend your whole journey right here simply consuming your means throughout town and there can be completely nothing incorrect with that.
New Orleans meals is a mix of Cajun, Creole, and soul meals, with seafood that includes prominently. When you’re ever not sure of what to do in New Orleans, simply sit down and eat once more! The easiest way to study concerning the meals is to hitch a tour with a neighborhood chef or foodie.
Finest Meals Excursions in New Orleans:
There are too many must-eat dishes to checklist all of them, however listed here are a number of you may’t miss out on: gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, pink beans & rice, and po’ boy sandwiches. That may maintain you busy for at the least a number of days.
Significantly, 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 all the scrumptious native dishes is unquestionably one of many high issues to do in New Orleans.
One of many enjoyable actions in New Orleans for {couples} or teams of associates 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. When you’re 21+, this is likely one of the finest 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 occurring in New Orleans. The town has festivals devoted to music, artwork, movie, meals & drink, literature, and a lot extra.
With regards to music festivals, it’s arduous to high the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Competition. This legendary pageant is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months by bringing in icons like Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Diana Ross, Buddy Man, and a whole bunch of different acts. Along with the pageant itself, there are late night time exhibits galore.
One other wonderful alternative is the French Quarter Competition. This 4-day music and meals pageant is held each April and is tons of enjoyable. The French Quarter is full of over 100 levels taking part in all types 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 may head inside to take a look at among the metropolis’s many incredible museums. Whether or not you’re thinking about studying about historical past, artwork, music, and even voodoo, there’s a museum for you.
Among the best 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 conflict that modified the world. It’s open day by day from 9-5 with tickets costing $28 for adults, $24 for seniors, and $18 for college kids. You may 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 a neighborhood information.
Finest Guided Museum Excursions in New Orleans:
When you’re in search of an alternate museum expertise, you may need to go to the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.
Take a tour of their two rooms filled with voodoo-related artifacts to study extra about its historical past within the space. It’s open day by day from 10-6 with tickets costing simply $7 for adults. It’s situated within the French Quarter and you will 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 price it to move out of town on a swamp tour. Because of its location within the Mississippi Delta, there’s loads of swamp simply outdoors of New Orleans.
On a typical tour, you’ll cruise via the swamp on a small boat as you study concerning the setting and its many inhabitants. Alongside the best way, you might even see wild boards, egrets, snakes, and perhaps even alligators.
One firm that comes beneficial is Cajun Satisfaction. They’ve a number of completely different choices, together with their in style sundown swamp tour. You’ll have to hitch a tour to do a swamp tour in New Orleans, so we’ve listed among the highest-rated and most-recommended excursions beneath.
Finest New Orleans Swamp Excursions:
Whichever you select, a swamp tour is unquestionably one of many high New Orleans actions.
There are quite a few corporations you may be a part of for a tour of the swamp. Take a look at our checklist of the finest 7 Swamp Excursions in New Orleans.
10. Eat Beignets at Cafe du Monde
That is most positively one of the crucial touristy issues to do in New Orleans, however we simply can’t depart it out. Cafe du Monde is an establishment within the metropolis — it’s been round since 1862.
Finest Excursions That Embrace a Beignet in New Orleans
Be part of the group 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 coated 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 vitality 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 good place for an off-the-cuff stroll. Watch steamboats as they transfer alongside the river and take a look at the various sculptures and monuments alongside the best way, together with the Holocaust Memorial.
Everytime you don’t know what to do in New Orleans, you may simply head all the way down to the riverfront and take within the surroundings alongside the river. Go forward and produce a beer or a to-go cocktail with you in case 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 likely one of the hottest issues to do in New Orleans. There are fairly a number of choices for a NOLA river cruise relying in your tastes and funds.
For a traditional 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.
Finest Steamboat Excursions in New Orleans:
They’ve a number of choices for 2-hour cruises across the river and all of them embrace reside 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.
When you’re touring to New Orleans on a funds however nonetheless need to expertise being on a ship within the Mississippi, simply take the native Algiers ferry for less than $2.
13. Drink: New Orleans Type
New Orleans is one in every of only a few locations within the US the place you may 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 occasion.
When you’re out partying within the Huge Straightforward, you’ll positively need to strive 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.
Finest 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 traditional 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 may get frozen daiquiris from a drive-thru right here. They only 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-Strive Drinks In The Huge Straightforward
14. Discover the Bywater District
When you’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 neighborhood.
When costs rose dramatically within the French Quarter, many artists and musicians moved over to Bywater. This bohemian/hipster hood is now residence to some superb report retailers, artwork galleries, eating places, music venues, and bars.
The Bywater is situated only a 10-minute trip east from the French Quarter, and is a fast bus or Uber trip away. For these in search of a extra native expertise than the touristy French Quarter, you should definitely add a visit to Bywater to your checklist of issues to do in New Orleans.
15. Strive Your Luck on the On line casino or Monitor
When you’re feeling fortunate in New Orleans (or simply tipsy), you may head into Harrah’s On line casino. They’ve acquired 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.
An alternative choice for making an attempt to win some chilly arduous money is heading to the Honest Grounds Race Course & Slots. That is the third-oldest racetrack in the complete nation, courting again to 1872.
The racing season on the Honest Grounds begins on Thanksgiving Day and runs till the tip of March. Their largest 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 quite a bit to see and do right here, together with boat and canoe excursions, mountaineering trails, and a battlefield. When you’re hoping to see a gator out within the wild, that is one in every of your finest possibilities!
The park is situated a few 30-minute drive outdoors of downtown New Orleans. When you don’t have your personal wheels, there are many choices for excursions that go to the park. You may get instructions and discover it on the map right here.
17. Cheer on the Native Groups
Because it’s residence to 2 skilled sports activities franchises, cheering on the native groups has to make our checklist of one of the best issues to do in New Orleans. The Huge Straightforward is residence to the Saints (NFL) and the Pelicans (NBA).
Get Your Tickets:
Going to a Saints sport is kind of the expertise, as they’ve among the most passionate followers within the nation. When you’re going to a sport, you should definitely 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 residence 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 need to you should definitely embrace a go to to NOMA – the New Orleans Museum of Artwork. House to over 40,000 items, it is a huge and spectacular assortment of artwork from all over the world.
Along with all of the superb artwork contained in the museum, there’s additionally an attractive sculpture backyard outdoors. With a lot unimaginable paintings to see right here, it’s no surprise the NOMA is likely one of the high New Orleans sights.
The museum is situated in Metropolis Park (examine the map right here) and is open from Tuesday-Sunday. Make sure you examine their hours as they range from day-to-day. Tickets vary from $6 (youngsters) 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
When you got here all the best way to Metropolis Park to take a look at the artwork museum, you may as effectively 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.
One of the crucial in style sights within the park is the New Orleans Botanical Backyard.
That includes greater than 2,000 vegetation from all over the world, it’s an attractive 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 residence to a number of athletic fields, an amusement park, a golf course, and a lot extra.
It’s an enormous park, so that you may need to take into account renting a motorbike to correctly discover it. Or you might simply calm down and hire a paddleboat to cruise across the lake. The choices are almost limitless right here.
20. Day Journey to a Plantation
It’s nonetheless potential 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.
Finest New Orleans Plantation Excursions:
You’ll see examples of the ability and wealth that the plantation homeowners 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 may get your self there and be a part of a guided tour on the property or join an organized tour that features transportation. It’s potential to see all three in sooner or later 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 a part of, or the way you get there, simply be sure 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 reside music in New Orleans. One venue that you simply positively received’t need to miss within the Huge Straightforward is Preservation Corridor.
This historic venue was based in 1961 to “defend, protect, and perpetuate conventional New Orleans jazz.”
Preservation Corridor is way over only a venue, although. It’s additionally a non-profit group, report label, and home band. You have got 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 “Huge Shot” seats on-line prematurely for $35-40, however these are likely to promote out effectively prematurely. There are many normal admission tickets for $20 (money solely), and it’s beneficial that you simply arrive at the least 30-45 minutes earlier than the present begins.
Preservation Corridor is situated 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 all the way down to 21 is unimaginable. There are just too many issues to do in New Orleans!
22. Celebration on Bourbon Road
You knew this was coming ultimately, didn’t you? Find it irresistible or hate it, partying on Bourbon Road is undoubtedly one of the crucial in style issues to do in New Orleans. For guests, that’s. You received’t discover too many locals out on Bourbon Road.
Though it’s noisy, chaotic, and sure, extremely touristy, it’s nonetheless a enjoyable place to take a look at at the least as soon as. Order up a “large ass beer” or a large Hurricane to-go and be a part of within the insanity as you bounce across the many various bars.
Finest Excursions Together with Burboun Road Nighlife:
In my humble opinion, it’s price going to Bourbon Road only for the possibility to go to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Store Bar. Constructed someday within the 1700s, it’s mentioned 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 hearken to the piano participant. On a road stuffed with so many horrible bars, it is a diamond within the tough.
23. Be part of a Ghost Tour
When you dare! This creepy ghost tour is likely one of the extra distinctive issues to do in New Orleans. Not like different strolling excursions, this one showcases town’s vampire theories, voodoo rituals, and witchcraft.
Finest Ghost Excursions in New Orleans:
Meet up together with your energetic information and wander via 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 number of superior excursions and sights in New Orleans, however listed here are a number of that you may additionally need 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 one of the best regional delicacies within the nation, and a wild occasion each night time of the week, what’s to not love?
I really like New Orleans a lot that it was one in every of twelve stops on our “year-long occasion” in 2018, as we attended WrestleMania on the Superdome.
Whereas I coated among the finest issues to do in New Orleans, there’s a lot extra to see and do on this unimaginable metropolis. Do your self a favor and get there prior to later. It’ll be among the finest journey choices you ever make.
Pictures on this article courtesy of Shutterstock.com.