The Large Straightforward, the Crescent Metropolis, NOLA. No matter you resolve to name it, there’s no denying that New Orleans is without doubt one of the coolest cities within the US! With a vibrant tradition, fascinating historical past, and world-class culinary, music, and nightlife scenes, New Orleans is a unbelievable journey vacation spot.
Whereas New Orleans is known for its epic festivals (Mardi Gras!), there’s far more to the 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 dwell 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 a superb time.
I’ve been to the Large Straightforward just a few occasions now, and each time I’m going I discover one thing new to like in regards to the metropolis — even simply on a weekend journey.
There’s simply one thing in regards to the power of New Orleans that’s arduous to place into phrases, however I’ll do my finest.
Replace 2023: This put up has been up to date with new sights and issues to do in New Orleans for 2023.
Should you’re questioning what to do in New Orleans, this text gives you a superb begin!
1. Go to an Escape Room
We’ve solely lately checked out our first escape room and it’s shortly grow to be one of many principal 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 also contact them to e-book occasions outdoors of their common time slots together with some enjoyable “after-midnight” escape rooms.
Study 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 known as the Crown Jewel of New Orleans.
One of the simplest ways 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 way of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Greatest 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. Many of the buildings you see at this time have been truly constructed throughout a time of Spanish rule, though French tastes remained.
Today, the French Quarter is the vacationer middle of New Orleans. Right here you’ll discover numerous inns, eating places, retailers, cafes, and bars.
There’s additionally loads of sightseeing to be finished 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 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. Make sure to deliver your digital camera, as there are many wonderful picture ops on this historic neighborhood.
Should you’d want a little bit of steerage in your exploration of the French Quarter, you possibly can all the time join a free strolling tour. Free Excursions By Foot affords excursions at 10AM Thursday-Tuesday and likewise at 2PM on Thursday-Monday.
In search of the perfect inns on Bourbon Road? Try our epic put up on the place to remain in New Orleans to be taught extra in regards to 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 Road
New Orleans is called the birthplace of jazz, which is alleged to have developed from drumming and voodoo rituals right here earlier than the Civil Warfare. Music has been an integral a part of the tradition of the town ever since.
Enjoyable Music Excursions in New Orleans Frenchmen Road:
Whereas there’s dwell music in all places you go within the Large Straightforward, top-of-the-line locations to jam out is Frenchmen Road. A 3-block part of the road within the metropolis’s Faubourg Marigny neighborhood is house to dozens of dwell music venues, that are rocking each night time of the week. It’s positively one of many prime New Orleans sights.
Some bars on Frenchmen Road 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 approach in between bars, you’ll probably discover marching bands jamming out on the street. I instructed you music is in all places in New Orleans!
4. All Issues Mardi Gras
We will’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 the earth, 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 to test the parade schedule to see what’s taking place, and positively e-book your lodging effectively 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 youngsters. E book your tickets right here and reap the benefits 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. Study extra in our checklist of the Prime 10 New Orleans Festivals!
5. Strolling Tour of the Backyard District
Whenever you want a break from the busy French Quarter, an ideal place to go is the town’s Backyard District. Right here you’ll discover loads of historic buildings and stately mansions, a lot of which are actually house to celeb actors and athletes.
Certainly, 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 get pleasure from one other quintessential NOLA expertise by driving the streetcar. Get on at Canal and journey the St. Charles line to Washington Avenue. A journey on the streetcar prices $1.25 per individual, so attempt to have precise change.
Once 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 observe, detailed descriptions, and even an audio information. Should you’d reasonably expertise the Backyard District with others, there are many choices for guided excursions of the realm.
The Backyard District is a phenomenal place to probe for just a few hours. Should you want a break, you might have plenty of selections 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 prime New Orleans sights.
6. Feast on Conventional Meals
Should you’re a foodie, you’re going to like visiting New Orleans. Truthfully, you may spend your whole journey right here simply consuming your approach throughout the town and there can be completely nothing flawed with that.
New Orleans meals is a mix of Cajun, Creole, and soul meals, with seafood that includes prominently. Should you’re ever not sure of what to do in New Orleans, simply sit down and eat once more! One of the simplest ways to be taught in regards to the meals is to affix a tour with a neighborhood chef or foodie.
Greatest Meals Excursions in New Orleans:
There are too many must-eat dishes to checklist all of them, however listed here are just a few you possibly can’t miss out on: gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, crimson beans & rice, and po’ boy sandwiches. That may maintain you busy for a minimum of just a few days.
Critically, my mouth is watering simply writing in regards to the meals! Your style buds are in for an actual deal with if you come right here, so get excited. Sampling all the scrumptious native dishes is unquestionably one of many prime issues to do in New Orleans.
One of many enjoyable actions in New Orleans for {couples} or teams of mates is that 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 in regards to the locations and the delicacies out of your information. Should you’re 21+, this is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in New Orleans! Study extra about this enjoyable tour right here.
7. Attend Native Festivals
Mardi Gras might 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.
In relation to music festivals, it’s arduous to prime the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Competition. This legendary competition is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months by bringing in icons like Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Diana Ross, Buddy Man, and lots of of different acts. Along with the competition itself, there are late night time reveals galore.
One other glorious selection is the French Quarter Competition. This 4-day music and meals competition 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 wonderful meals on each nook. Better of all, it’s completely free!
8. Go to a Few Museums
Whenever you encounter an excellent scorching or wet day in New Orleans, you possibly can head inside to take a look at among the metropolis’s many unbelievable museums. Whether or not you’re all in favour of 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 Warfare II Museum. This spectacular museum tells the story of the American expertise within the struggle 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 students. You may get instructions to the museum right here.
One of the simplest ways to take advantage of out of any museum go to and get a full rundown of the historical past and displays is by becoming a member of a tour with a neighborhood information.
Greatest Guided Museum Excursions in New Orleans:
Should you’re in search of an alternate 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 be taught 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 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 the 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 by way of the swamp on a small boat as you be taught in regards to the surroundings and its many inhabitants. Alongside the way in which, you might even see wild boards, egrets, snakes, and perhaps even alligators.
One firm that comes really helpful is Cajun Delight. They’ve just a few 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 among the highest-rated and most-recommended excursions under.
Greatest New Orleans Swamp Excursions:
Whichever you select, a swamp tour is unquestionably one of many prime New Orleans actions.
There are quite a few firms you possibly can be part of for a tour of the swamp. Try our checklist of the perfect 7 Swamp Excursions in New Orleans.
10. Eat Beignets at Cafe du Monde
That is most positively one of the 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 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 could 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 good place for an informal stroll. Watch steamboats as they transfer alongside the river and take a look at the numerous sculptures and monuments alongside the way in which, 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 just a few choices for a NOLA river cruise relying in your tastes and finances.
For a basic expertise, head out for a river cruise with Steamboat Natchez. There’s lots of historical past behind this identify, as they’re at the moment 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 just a few choices for 2-hour cruises across the river and all of them embody dwell 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.
Should you’re touring to New Orleans on a finances 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 Model
New Orleans is one in all only a few locations within the US the place you possibly can legally devour alcohol in public. There are even bars right here which can be open 24/7. No marvel that is such a well-liked place to get together.
When you’re out partying within the Large Straightforward, you’ll positively wish to attempt some native drinks. One of the simplest ways 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 gentle 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 lots 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 simply need to 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 Large Straightforward
14. Discover the Bywater District
Should 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 house to some wonderful report retailers, artwork galleries, eating places, music venues, and bars.
The Bywater is situated only a 10-minute journey east from the French Quarter, and is a fast bus or Uber journey away. For these in search of a extra native expertise than the touristy French Quarter, make sure to 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
Should you’re feeling fortunate in New Orleans (or simply tipsy), you possibly can head into Harrah’s On line casino. They’ve bought 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 attempting to win some chilly arduous money is heading to the Honest Grounds Race Course & Slots. That is the third-oldest racetrack in the whole nation, relationship again to 1872.
The racing season on the Honest Grounds begins on Thanksgiving Day and runs till the top of March. Their largest race is the annual Louisiana Derby, which takes place in late March. You could find the Honest Grounds on the map and get instructions right here.
16. Go to a Nationwide Historic Park
One of many prime 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, climbing trails, and a battlefield. Should you’re hoping to see a gator out within the wild, that is one in all your finest probabilities!
The park is situated a few 30-minute drive outdoors of downtown New Orleans. Should you don’t have your individual 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 house 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 house to the Saints (NFL) and the Pelicans (NBA).
Get Your Tickets:
Going to a Saints recreation is kind of the expertise, as they’ve among the most passionate followers within the nation. Should you’re going to a recreation, make sure to be taught 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 house 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 Heart. The NBA common season lasts from mid-October to early April, so there are many probabilities to catch a house recreation.
18. NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Artwork)
Artwork lovers will wish to make sure to embody 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 world wide.
Along with all of the wonderful artwork contained in the museum, there’s additionally a phenomenal sculpture backyard outdoors. With a lot unimaginable art work to see right here, it’s no marvel the NOMA is without doubt one of the prime New Orleans sights.
The museum is situated in Metropolis Park (test the map right here) and is open from Tuesday-Sunday. Make sure to test their hours as they differ 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
Should you got here all the way in which 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 a lot 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 crops from world wide, it’s a phenomenal place for a leisurely stroll. The backyard is open day-after-day from 10-5 and admission prices $8 for adults or $4 for youngsters.
The park can also be house 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 wish to take into account renting a motorbike to correctly discover it. Or you may simply calm down and hire a paddleboat to cruise across the lake. The choices are practically 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 be taught all about their historical past. It’s a window into the agrarian previous of the realm and a darkish time in American historical past.
Greatest New Orleans Plantation Excursions:
You’ll see examples of the facility and wealth that the plantation house owners loved, whereas additionally seeing the brutal situations that slaves lived and labored below.
A few of the hottest plantations to go to close to New Orleans embody Laura, Whitney, and Oak Alley.
You may get your self there and be 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 consists of 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 be sure visiting a plantation and studying in regards to 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 dwell 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 “defend, protect, and perpetuate conventional New Orleans jazz.”
Preservation Corridor is excess of only a venue, although. It’s additionally a non-profit group, report label, and home band. You might have loads of probabilities to catch a present at Preservation Corridor, as there are performances nightly at 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10PM.
You’ll be able to e-book reserved “Large Shot” seats on-line upfront for $35-40, however these are inclined to promote out effectively upfront. There are many basic admission tickets for $20 (money solely), and it’s really helpful that you simply arrive a minimum of 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 could 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 inconceivable. There are just too many issues to do in New Orleans!
22. Occasion 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 in style issues to do in New Orleans. For guests, that’s. You received’t discover too many locals out on Bourbon Road.
Regardless that it’s noisy, chaotic, and sure, extremely touristy, it’s nonetheless a enjoyable place to take a look at a minimum of as soon as. Order up a “large ass beer” or an enormous Hurricane to-go and be part of within the insanity as you bounce across the many alternative bars.
Greatest Excursions Together with Burboun Road Nighlife:
In my humble opinion, it’s value going to Bourbon Road 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 part of a Ghost Tour
Should you dare! This creepy ghost tour is without doubt one of the extra distinctive issues to do in New Orleans. Not like different strolling excursions, this one showcases the town’s vampire theories, voodoo rituals, and witchcraft.
Greatest Ghost Excursions in New Orleans:
Meet up together with your energetic information and wander by way of the French Quarter on a two-hour strolling tour whereas studying in regards to 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 just a few superior excursions and sights in New Orleans, however listed here are just a few 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 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 ahead of later. It’ll be top-of-the-line journey selections you ever make.
Pictures on this article courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
