See also: Where to Stay in New Orleans
New Orleans is a city in Louisiana with everything from a spine-chilling voodoo past to jazz culture.
It also has given some brilliant gems to the rest of the world, such as the writer Truman Capote, actress Reese Witherspoon, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Despite all the hardships this city has faced, it has remained close to its roots and shown the world the power of hope.
Indeed, New Orleans is a city like no other in the entire United States of America.
Interested to know more about this stunning city?
Here are the 40 best things to do in New Orleans, Louisiana:
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The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in the city.
The area is a tourist magnet owing to the variety of places one can visit, such as the gustatory fineness of the restaurant Central Grocery known for its hearty sandwiches, as well as the oldest family-run restaurant in the entire country called Antoine’s.
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Faubourg means ‘suburb’ in French, and Marigny is the last name of the founder of this neighborhood.
Here at Faubourg Marigny, you can look at the premium architecture from the 1800s, such as the Creole, Greek revival, and Georgian buildings.
You can also satiate your hunger at one of the many trendy restaurants, and dulcify your day with an evening at a jazz bar.
Marigny has the gusto of New Orleans with a chic nature of its French-inspired past.
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St. Louis Cemetery No.1 is where Oscar winner Nicholas Cage bought a future tomb.
Now, you can understand the hollow nature of the St. Louis cemetery.
Here, you can find unique and beguiling above-the-ground tombs and oven vaults that house countless family members.
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Jackson Square is situated at the heart of the French Quarter and is a National Historical Landmark.
This area has a laidback environment where visitors can grab a cup of coffee and start exploring the open-air art studios and old apartment townhouses.
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Bywater is a prominent neighborhood that was developed into a tourist spot.
This area is dominated by the ideologies of Hipsters, which makes it extensively bohemian.
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Here, you will find many unique shops, such as Dr. Bob’s folk art, a record store called Euclid’s records, a local art gallery called Porche West, and a hipster paradise called the Satsuma café.
Bywater will not only help you relax but also inspire you to start wearing harem pants.
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Opened in the year 2000 to rambunctious fanfare by visitors from around the country, the National World War II Museum has cemented itself as one of the most visited spots of this city.
From the Normandy invasion to the US involvement in the war, there is plenty to learn about from the Victory Solomon theatre, US freedom pavilion, and liberation pavilion, among others.
To cool yourself off, you can visit Jeri Nims’s soda shop for a sugary drink.
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The City Park may sound humble because of its name, but in reality, it is jam-packed with many different activities that will be impossible to do in one day.
In the morning, you can start by walking on its idyllic trails or instead go biking and later treat yourself to a beignet or a cup of coffee at one of its few restaurants.
Later, you can rent a boat and trail the waters of the big lake and learn about plants at the botanical garden.
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Tipitina’s is primarily a dance club that opened in 1977 and has witnessed some iconic New Orleans musical moments, such as concerts from Dr. John, the Neville brothers, and Trombone Shorty.
Here, you won’t be able to leave the dance floor not only due to its magnetic music but also because it is a standing-only venue.
Let your hair down and party like a true New Orleans native.
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The New Orleans Museum of Art in New Orleans was built in 1910 and is home to sculptures and paintings from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
Here, you can view a variety of art pieces.
Commissioned to be built by Isaac Delgado, this museum contains art that amounts to 200 million dollars.
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The most famous restaurant in New Orleans that offers the best donut is Café du monde, which opened in 1862.
Even though the other restaurants on the street open at 8 in the morning, Café du monde is open 24 hours.
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The Napoleon House does not rely on fancy trappings to attract visitors to its restaurant; instead, it has kept most of its old furniture, uneven floors, and withering walls intact.
This is where the charm of Napoleon’s house lies, which is why it is considered a historical landmark of the city.
If you come here, you should try the famous drink, the Pimm’s cup, and the local muffuletta sandwich.
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If you’re a sports lover or, to be specific, a fan of the New Orleans Saints, which play American football, then Caesars Superdome is the place for you.
Even though the majestic superdome is used for various sports, including baseball and boxing, it is most famous for watching New Orleans Saints.
If you’re lucky enough to catch a game, remember to go the American way and buy yourself a greasy hotdog and a pint of beer.
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The Audubon Aquarium is situated in a state-of-art facility and is home to 15,000 sea life creatures of approximately 600 species.
There is plenty to see here, including seahorses at the seahorse gallery or the Caribbean Sea life inside the 30-foot-long Caribbean reef tunnel.
You can also touch a baby shark and be mesmerized by the steely blue eyes of the white alligator or have a laugh admiring the playful sea otters.
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Oak Street was famous for being the ‘main street’ of the city in the 1800s but later lost its historical importance and was only revived in the 1980s.
This is a street loved by college students, musicians, and artisans.
There are many shops, boutiques, restaurants, and bars for you to choose from.
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If you’re a fan of poetry and live music, Maple Leaf Bar will tick all the boxes, as it is the most famous music club in the city.
If you’re looking for a restaurant, Jacques-Imo’s serves authentic creole and cajun food.
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If you need a few hours in the day to simply walk around or sit on a bench and introspect about your life and make decisions you have been unable to in the hustle of the city, come to Crescent Park.
This park is a brand new urban garden opened in Bywater and is situated along the Mississippi River.
If you want to exercise, you can rent a bike and ride around the stunning park.
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Steamboat Natchez will be a unique addition to your list as it is the only original steamboat in New Orleans.
This is a 2-hour cruise filled with New Orlean’s favorite Jazz music, where you can can visit the steam engine room and learn about New Orleans history.
For all of you foodies, they also serve authentic Creole cuisine on the cruise.
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Studio Be is the brainchild of local artist Brandon Odums, and at his studio, you can admire art that portray revolutionaries and the spirit of local New Orleans citizens.
This is not an ordinary art gallery, but Brandon’s art serves a purpose that is closely linked to activism, and this is represented through his graffiti work which sparks a dialogue about current social and political issues.
History and activism is at its finest at Studio Be.
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You must’ve understood by now that New Orleans loves their jazz music just as much they love sugar.
Louis Armstrong Park is named after a city native and Jazz legend, Louis Armstrong, and contains a 12-foot-long statue of him and sculptures of musical icons Sidney Bechet and Buddy Bolden.
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The park also has the New Orleans musical auditorium and Mahalia Jackson theatre for the performing arts.
This is the same place where the famous ‘Jazz in the Park’ concert series took place.
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Preservation Hall stays true to its name and has been helping to keep traditional old-school jazz music alive since 1961.
It is no secret that jazz music is an integral part of New Orleans culture.
If you want to feel nostalgia deeper than ever, the preservation hall will make you remember the simpler older times without a mobile phone.
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Music Box Village can only be the invention of a millennial tech geek, as it is unlike any music club you’ve ever heard of or been to.
Here, you can attend concerts by jazz musicians and local singer-songwriters and listen to unexpected music by tapping the walls or sliding the doors.
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It is filled with rustic tree houses where you will be welcomed with a soulful symphony.
Music has never been more liberated than at the music box village.
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Mardi gras in French means ‘fat Tuesday’ and mostly refers to a tradition of eating fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.
During Mardi Gras World, you’ll see an extravagant and colorful parade where most women bare their breasts and dance as if no one’s watching.
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Mardi Gras World is a working warehouse where you can look at some of the floats used in the parade.
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Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is home to numerous sculptures, most of which are from 21st-century artists.
Here, you will get the pleasure of roaming around in the magnificent gardens and also admire sculptures you will not see anywhere else in the world.
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Forget the suffocating atmosphere of an indoor museum and breathe in the fresh air at an open-air art gallery.
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Orpheum Theatre, built in 1918, is a high-end historic theatre that hosts legendary musical performances, dance shows, and live music.
Visit this place if you want to have fun!
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Art is highly respected in the culturally vibrant city of New Orleans, as evident in the Palace Market, an outdoor art market where local artists set up their stalls and sell their products to visitors at affordable prices.
The best part about their art is that it will not be found anywhere else in the world, and you would’ve purchased a one-in-a-million product.
The ethos of Palace Market lies in the air of creativity which flows around in the atmosphere.
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Contemporary Arts Center was built in 1976 and, since then, has been a benchmark of contemporary artistry, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and the performing arts.
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The center is built in a warehouse and has award-winning architecture that combines the classic New Orleans sensibilities with the eclectic mix of urban chaos.
It is constantly rotating exhibitions, giving space to new and upcoming local, national and international artists.
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Visit Commander’s Palace during your trip to the city.
This restaurant was opened by Amil Commander in 1893 and was purchased by another family in the 1970s.
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It has been serving authentic creole and cajun food since it opened, and the hospitality is full of warmth and happiness.
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New Orleans is often referred to as the most haunted city in America, and you will learn more about this by taking one of the many voodoo tours available in the city.
You will be taken to some of the most haunted places around the city and cemeteries and even visit the tomb of the voodoo queen, Marie Laveau.
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Though in some tours, they might ease you by taking you to historical locations in others, you will be performing an interactive blessing over the tombs.
Sounds spooky, right?
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Chalmette Battlefield, which took place on January 8th, 1815, was the last land battle ever fought between the American army and a foreign power.
This battle helped keep the British from taking over New Orleans, and you can learn about this in more detail by visiting the Chalmette Battlefield.
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You can also pay your respects at the nearby Chalmette National cemetery, where the remains of American soldiers who died in wars from 1812 are buried.
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Fifi Mahony is an atypical stop for a tourist but let me assure you, it is absolutely worth it.
Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry have frequented this shop for their glamour needs, and it’s time we do too.
This may be extreme for some people as it contains numerous wigs of different styles and colors, glittery makeup, and outrageous jewelry.
If you’re looking to experiment with fashion and add a bit of oomph to your journey, Fifi Mahony is the right place to visit.
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Kermit’s Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge has had quite the journey.
It was opened in 1994 by Blues singer Ernie K-Doe and has since been dedicated to his memory and artistry.
During hurricane Katrina in 2005, the lounge was flooded with more than 5 feet of water, and in 2011, with the help of Kermit Ruffins, the place was re-established.
Here, you can enjoy a drink while listening to live jazz, R&B, and soul music.
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Rock ‘n’ Bowl is the stuff of dreams, as you can dance to live music ranging from the blues to jazz and frolic around in the bowling alley and throw down a few pins.
If this isn’t enough, a visitor can also eat food at an affordable price and with a wide variety at the buffet.
No matter your age, Rock ‘n’ Bowl is guaranteed to make your journey a whole lot better.
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New Orleans Glassworks & Printmaking Studio is the only free-entry institution in the Greater New Orleans Region.
It is housed in a renovated 1800s brick structure with about 25,000 square feet and is situated less than two blocks from the St. Charles streetcar line and the National World War II Museum.
They provide a variety of great activities for people of all ages and passions in their open-working studios, hands-on workshops, and gallery, all available to visitors throughout the year.
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Peruse their lovely gallery to see the creations of their well-known national and international craftsmen.
Find out how the New Orleans Glassworks can assist you in creating a spectacular event for your group.
Cat Todd and Collin Ferguson, two artists from New Orleans, launched Where Y’Art Works in 2013.
Their motivation was to develop and maintain the city’s artistic culture.
A full-service art consultancy business has emerged out of what was once only an internet purchasing platform.
It is a renowned full-service art consultancy organization with approximately 30 years of combined expertise in art and design and a vast network of contacts.
In four marketplaces, they represent close to 150 local artists.
Numerous painters, muralists, sculptors, welders, painters, animators, photographers, and textile artists are the source of their work.
They assist in establishing connections between businesses, people, and regional artists in communities around the US.
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Since its founding in 1980, the New Orleans School of Cooking has introduced countless tourists to the delicious cuisine and vibrant culture of New Orleans and all of Louisiana.
Situated in the middle of the French Quarter, their fascinating culinary courses and Louisiana General Store are housed in a molasses warehouse constructed in the early 1800s.
The key ingredient in their recipe is fun!
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They impart the fundamentals of Louisiana cooking in a way you won’t forget.
New Orleans School of Cooking hosts off-site events, pro-individual group sessionals, and special occasions.
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Maison Bourbon Jazz Club, among Bourbon Street’s earliest live jazz venues, is committed to preserving “America’s classical music.”
It is one of just two Jazz clubs still operating on Bourbon Street.
Numerous famous jazz musicians completed their apprenticeships at this renowned place.
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Visitors and locals alike go to this legendary bar hoping for constant real jazz entertainment, and they are never let down!
Find a charming courtyard with a wrought-iron gate leading to another of the club’s historic locations, My Bar @ 635, at the back of the establishment.
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Most excellent bike tours of New Orleans are provided by a local, family-run business called FreeWheelin’ Bike Tours.
New Orleans is the single location that offers bike rentals with self-returns.
They provide a self-guided bike tour guide of New Orleans that is guaranteed to delight you, whether you’re traveling alone or with a friend.
Choose a route and start pedaling; your next big adventure is just around the block!
With their personalized tour services, FreeWheelin’ Bike Tours can accommodate you for your birthdays, outings, and other occasions.
In their ten years of operation, they have led private excursions for celebrities, singers, big businesses, families, and everyone in between.
Discover the distinctive culture of New Orleans by taking a few excursions or maybe taking a culinary class.
Visit the Children’s Museum or go to City Park for botanical gardens, sports fields, and amusement park rides, including a merry-go-round.
Both are great places to spend time with your family.
Don’t forget to check out jazz clubs, festivals, and, of course, feast at New Orleans’ famous restaurants, as it’s a bustling city on the Mississippi River!
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