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New Orleans is undoubtedly one of the most unique cities in all of the United States. Outside of the architecture and food that you will find nowhere else, the city also offers plenty of history and culture to make your visit a memorable time. We’ve visited this city multiple times, and in our opinion, these are the twenty must-do things when you visit this magical place.
1. Haunted Ghost Tours
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New Orleans is known as a spiritual city, and there are few better opportunities to get a first-hand experience of this than to take a ghost tour in one of the most haunted cities on earth. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to get a close look at the city’s unique and historic French architecture. One of the most famous places to get one of these tours is Lalaurie Mansion (pictured above). It was owned by Madame Delphine LaLaurie and is said to be haunted by the spirits of slaves who were cruelly treated here.
2. Magazine Street
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Magazine Street is long — it spans 6 miles from the Garden District all the way to Uptown. For anyone looking for a spot that perfectly encapsulates the laid-back atmosphere of the city, look no further. It holds host to some of the city’s best shopping, dining, and cultural art experiences. Bars and restaurants will try to compete with each other here, meaning you can take advantage of the countless happy hours going on at nearly any hour. Grab a discounted pint and watch a music concert at Picnic Provisions and Whiskey.
3. Bayou Tours
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For those wanting to get more up-close and personal with the nature aspect of New Orleans (outside of dodging rain storms), we would absolutely recommend a Bayou boat tour. You will be given the opportunity to see wildlife like alligators, turtles, wild boars, and many more. Check Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours, which will do 90-minute tours often at discounted prices. If you’re willing to venture a bit out of New Orleans, journey north to Slidell where you can see Honey Island Swamp thanks to the company Cajun Encounters. This swamp is one of the most pristine and untouched natural areas in all of the U.S.
4. Royal Street
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Located in the French Quarter (as are many items on this list), stopping by Royal Street should be considered a requirement, especially if you enjoy the more creative side of things. Royal Street will give a much-needed respite with the party-like atmosphere of nearby Bourbon Street and offer a slower pace, with art galleries and antique shops. The first order of business here is to marvel at the 18th and 19th-century architecture — this is one of the biggest things that makes New Orleans unique. You can see the iconic balconies with intricate iron railings that exemplify the city. Dining along Royal Street is a treat that visitors should experience, with one of the most iconic restaurants being Brennan’s where you can feast on Creole cuisine.
5. Historic Voodoo Museum
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New Orleans loves their voodoo, and what better spot to experience this than the quirky Historic Voodoo Museum tucked away in the French Quarter. It’s a mash-up between odd knick-knacks in your grandma’s attic and an episode of Hoarders, but we mean this in a complementary way. Upon entering, you will be immediately granted with the scent of incense and an impressive collection of voodoo dolls and shrines. The exhibit will tell the history behind voodoo in New Orleans while introducing you to one Marie Laveau — who was said to be the prominent “voodoo queen” of New Orleans. Stories are even told of her returning from beyond the grave to grant wishes to those seeking them.
6. New Orleans Cemetery Tours
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Speaking of Marie Laveau…
This tour isn’t your average stroll through the park. It simply has a few more characteristics involved, and these tours need to be seen to be believed. First, let’s address the elephant in the cemetery: yes, all the graves in New Orleans are above ground. The swampy geography of the city makes burying 6 feet under a perilous task. So to make the most of it, many graves are built like impressive mausoleums, giving it a more unique and personal touch. One of the most famous spots to do a tour is St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Here, you will find the aforementioned grave of Marie Laveau, the Queen of Voodoo herself. You can even see Nicholas Cage’s pyramid tomb. Yes, read that right. And yes, he is still very much alive. But what’s the harm in reserving some afterlife real estate?
7. Frenchmen Street
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Frenchmen Street, similar to Royal, is a fantastic alternative to the lively and party-focused Bourbon Street. Frenchmen is where the true soul of New Orleans comes out to play — quite literally. If you’re in search of some famous New Orleans jazz music, make sure this street is on your to-do list. On any given night, you can randomly stumble upon some of the best jazz, blues, funk, and brass bands this city has to offer. Be sure not to miss the Frenchmen Street Art Market, which is a night market that showcases local artists’ crafts, jewelry, paintings, and many more.
8. Steamboat Natchez
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Chances are you have seen this impressive steamboat in an advertisement, film, or movie. All aboard the Steamboat Natchez, where you can take an up-close and personal experience cruise through the history and culture of New Orleans, with a decent portion of jazz and Southern comfort food. The boat itself is a piece of history, as it is one of the only authentic steamboats still operating on the Mississippi River. The sound of the whistles and the brass bells make you think you’ve been transported into a movie. On board, you can take advantage of events like a Daytime Harbor Cruise (self-explanatory). If you prefer to get a more culinary and romantic experience, you can book a Jazz Dinner Cruise and experience Creole cuisine at its finest.
9. Louis Armstrong Park
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Louis Armstrong Park is New Orleans magic wrapped up in 32 acres of land. Here, you get a combination of jazz history and green space that come together to create one of the most laid-back areas in the entire city. The park is a tribute to none other than jazz legend Louis Armstrong. The Instagram-worthy arches in the park (pictured above) are a big highlight of the park. The centrally-located Congo Square is where enslaved Africans in the 18th and 19th centuries would gather and drum and dance in the nighttime. You should also go during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, where you are guaranteed to see a concert and further enrich yourself with the city’s culture.
10. City Park
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The ‘Central Park’ of New Orleans comes in at a massive 1,300 acres of land, which makes it one of the biggest urban parks in the United States. Except in this ‘Central Park’, you’re more likely to see Spanish moss and alligators (they tend to keep to themselves, don’t worry). At almost any given week, there are art and nature events, or even an impromptu concert happening in the park. The Botanical Garden is a must-see as well. If anything, sightsee some of the breathtaking 800-year-old live oak trees, which are total marvels.
11. New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
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Within City Park, there is the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). It’s the city’s oldest art museum (founded in 1910) but is also the cultural powerhouse of New Orleans as it features over 40,000 collections of art, all ranging from European pieces to creations and artifacts from ancient civilizations. Even if you don’t appreciate art, the museum often has rotating special exhibitions that range from automobiles, photography, or African culture. In short, there is something for everyone at this marvelous institution.
12. Audubon Zoo
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In the Uptown neighborhood lies the famous Audubon Zoo. While here, be sure to see the white alligators, which are ultra-rare. And yes, there are alligator shows here. The zoo is open nearly year-round offers plenty of discounts on days such as Mothers Day or Halloween, with plenty of family-friendly events being held during these times.
13. Preservation Hall
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Preservation Hall is the greatest music venue you may ever see. Their intimate building hosts concerts almost every single night of the year. It is tucked away in a modest building on St. Peter Street in the French Quarter, and it is just as easy to walk by without noticing it there. Once inside, it is like a time warp. The purpose behind Preservation Hall lies in the name itself. Around the 1960s, when fast-paced rock music was taking the industry by storm, people came together to protect and honor jazz (particularly, New Orleans jazz) as a genre to ensure it doesn’t become overshadowed. One of the best things about this place is how close you are to the musicians and being able to read the emotions on their faces. Highly recommended.
14. Garden District
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New Orleans is known for its architecture. The Garden District has this unique part of the city on full display. Just look at the picture above — the 19th-century mansion looks straight out of a movie. The streets are shaded with this beautiful giant oak tree dripping with Spanish moss. The district was originally developed in the 1800s as a residential area for wealthy Americans who didn’t want to live near the Creole-dominated French Quarter. They built a collection of mansions and large houses that look like museums of architecture. Everything from Greek Revival, Italianate, Victorian, you name it. We’d recommend simply walking around the area and really soaking in the atmosphere, especially on a sleepy fall evening.
15. St. Louis Cathedral
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While you’re in Jackson Square thanks to this esteemed guide (spoiler alert), you will not help but notice the St. Louis Cathedral, which is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The origins of this building date back to 1794 and the foundations were built from earlier churches that stood on the site since 1727. In short, it makes it one of the most historic landmarks in the city. In the middle of this masterpiece of a building is the iconic clock, which sits above the front entrance. It has been ticking along since the 1800s, making it one of the most interesting “functioning” historical sites in the city.
16. Bourbon Street
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This street has a reputation as party central. Well, it’s certainly earned it. It is the beating heart of the French Quarter, and is every part loud, wild, chaotic, and unapologetic as you’ve heard. The street itself stretches 13 blocks from Canale Street to Esplanade Avenue, and you will find more than your fills worth of daiquiris, cocktails, and much more. And there’s music, oh is there music. Music blasts here seemingly 24/7, and you will find everything from jazz and brass to rock and blues. Check out Fritzel’s Euopean Jazz Pub or The Famous Door.
17. Café du Monde
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Café du Monde is a New Orleans institution, with many people traveling to the city just to visit this one place. Although the pigeons are intrusive and there’s so much powdered sugar everywhere you’re bound to leave with a few stains on your clothes, the experience is worth it — trust us. Let’s cut to the chase: the star is the beignet. It’s a light, warm, fluffy pastry that is airy in the middle and slightly crispier on the outside. Of course, you’re also treated to a literal mountain of powdered sugar on top. The perfect companion to your beautifully messy beignet is a cafe au lait, made with their signature chicory coffee. For non-coffee drinkers, you’re in luck: the hot chocolate is supposed to be incredible.
18. Jackson Square
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Originally called Place d’Armes, Jackson Square has been the central hub of the city of New Orleans since around the 18th century. It was during this period that the park was renamed to honor Andrew Jackson, who was the hero during the Battle of New Orleans — featuring a statue of him. The layout of the park was inspired by Place des Vosges in Paris, and as with anywhere else in the city, you can really feel the French inspiration.
19. National WWII Museum
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For those interested in one of the most pivotal events in history, take a look through the National World War II Museum. This massive museum covers all aspects of the war — from the European to the Pacific theaters, to the homefront and the innovations and advances being made during the war. Begin your journey at the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, which is a clearly marked building. This houses massive WWII aircraft, vehicles, and other things that really give you the sense of scale behind the war. From there, the museum opens up and goes through the Campaigns of Courage exhibit, where you can look at battlefield artifacts and memorabilia.
20. Mardi Gras
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Yes, Mardi Gras is spectacular. Over the top. But it’s a way of life. If you think you know all parties, you’ve never seen the wonderful Mardi Gras. Also known as “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras marks the final day of Carnival season, which begins from January 6th to the day before Ash Wednesday. The heart of the celebration is in the French Quarter along St. Charles Avenue, but all over the city, you can find locally prepared floats and celebrations in a variety of neighborhoods. One of the central characteristics of the festival (outside of the magnificent floats) is the throws. Beads, cups, and other doubloons are thrown out to the observers, with many people making a game of it and trying to catch more beads than their peers.
