New Orleans is a city that feels alive from the moment you arrive. Music drifts through the streets, historic buildings tell powerful stories, and every meal comes with deep cultural roots. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to explore more, choosing the right things to do in New Orleans can completely shape your experience.
Beyond the famous nightlife, the city offers beautiful neighborhoods, world-class museums, scenic parks, soulful jazz clubs, and unforgettable food. If you’re wondering what to see in New Orleans, you’ll find a mix of iconic landmarks and authentic local experiences that reveal the city’s true spirit.
New Orleans also consistently ranks among the most exciting destinations in the country, earning its place on lists of the best places to visit in the USA thanks to its culture, music, and history.
1.Wander the Iconic French Quarter
Walking the French Quarter is one of the most unforgettable things to do in New Orleans, and for good reason. Here, centuries-old architecture, jazz echoing off balconies, and street performers create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in America. The Quarter is lively by day, electric by night, and seeped in stories at every turn.
Step into Jackson Square, anchored by the impressive St. Louis Cathedral, where artists paint, tarot readers work, and local musicians jam. From here, drift down Bourbon Street for nightlife or Royal Street for art galleries, antiques, and elegant architecture.
Exploring neighborhoods like the French Quarter is a perfect example of cultural luxury travel, where history, art, and local traditions create meaningful experiences rather than just sightseeing.
2. Listen to Authentic Live Jazz
No trip to New Orleans is complete without live jazz. This city is not just a destination for music lovers, it’s the birthplace of jazz. From cozy clubs to open-air street performances, the sound of saxophones and trumpets forms the city’s pulse.
Where to Go
- Preservation Hall: Classic, intimate jazz sessions that feel timeless.
- Frenchmen Street: A strip of vibrant music venues where locals and visitors mingle.
- Snug Harbor & Davenport Lounge: Known for world-class acts.
Why It’s Special: Jazz in New Orleans isn’t a performance it’s a conversation between musicians and the city.
- Explore the National WWII Museum
The National WWII Museum is not just a museum it’s an immersive journey into one of the most pivotal events in modern history. With interactive exhibits, personal stories, rare artifacts, and powerful multimedia presentations, this institution has consistently been ranked as one of the top attractions in New Orleans.
Highlights
- Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
- The immersive D-Day exhibits
- Oral histories and personal accounts
Why Visit: Even if history isn’t your main interest, the depth and emotional storytelling here make it one of the most impactful things to do in New Orleans.
4. Stroll Through City Park & New Orleans Botanical Garden
City Park is more than a green space, it’s an outdoor wonderland filled with stunning oak trees, art installations, walking trails, and cultural attractions.
Don’t Miss
- New Orleans Botanical Garden: Beautiful themed gardens, including a miniature Train Garden and immersive horticultural displays.
- Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art: A serene, artistic space within the park.
- Great Lawnis Ideal for picnics, people-watching, or a quiet afternoon.
Why It’s Amazing: It’s one of the best things to see in New Orleans (especially for families or nature lovers) and offers a perfect contrast to the city’s buzzing streets.
5. Glide the Mississippi on a Steamboat Cruise
Experience the city from the water with a cruise aboard a historic steamboat like the Steamboat Natchez or Creole Queen. This is one of the most classic things to do in New Orleans and offers stunning views of the skyline and riverfront.
What to Expect
- Daytime or sunset cruises
- Live jazz on board
- Optional meals and narrated history
Insider Tip: Sunset cruises often deliver magical views and great photo opportunities.
6. Visit the Audubon Zoo & Aquarium
The Audubon Institute manages both the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, each bringing global wildlife to the heart of New Orleans. The zoo features exhibits like African Savanna, Louisiana Swamp, and sea life, while the aquarium showcases underwater ecosystems from the Amazon to the Gulf of Mexico.
Experiences like river cruises reflect emerging premium travel trends 2025, where travelers prioritize immersive, slow-paced, and experience-driven journeys.
Why It’s Special
- Educational & interactive programs
- Great for families
- Cool indoor and outdoor spaces
It’s one of the top things to do in New Orleans if you’re traveling with kids or love animals.
7. Taste Authentic Creole & Cajun Cuisine
New Orleans is a food city, full stop. From breakfast beignets and café au lait to gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish, and po’boys, the culinary scene here is legendary.
Must-Try Spots & Dishes
- Café du Monde: Beignets and coffee (iconic and timeless).
- Dooky Chase: A James Beard America’s Classics award winner with deep cultural roots.
- Po’boys, oysters, muffulettas, and local seafood.
Quick Tip: Save room for diverse flavors from classic Creole to innovative fusion.
8. Take a Swamp or Bayou Tour
Just outside the city, the swamps and bayous of Louisiana teem with wildlife, Spanish moss, and mystery. Tours typically involve airboats that skim through marshes, where you might see alligators, birds, and untouched natural beauty.
Best For
- Nature lovers
- Adventure seekers
- Anyone who wants a break from urban exploration
This is often overlooked by first-time visitors but offers one of the most memorable experiences in the region.
9. Discover New Orleans Voodoo Culture & Unique Museums
New Orleans has deep and fascinating cultural layers. Dive into them at places like the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, where folklore, spirituality, and history converge.
What You’ll See
- Voodoo artifacts and relics
- Exhibits with spiritual and cultural significance
- Sometimes live readings or guided tours
Why It’s Unique: This experience blends mystique, tradition, and local lore in a way you won’t find anywhere else.
10. Explore the Garden District
Just upriver from the French Quarter lies the Garden District, a serene neighborhood filled with antebellum mansions, lush gardens, and historic charm. Walking or taking a guided tour here shows a different side of New Orleans’ history and architecture.
Highlights
- Grand homes with intricate ironwork
- Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (note: access varies)
- Boutique shops and cozy cafés
This area offers a peaceful escape from the energy of the French Quarter.
11. Crescent Park & Lafitte Greenway
For outdoors lovers, New Orleans has superb green spaces beyond the obvious.
Don’t Miss
- Crescent Park: Riverside views and peaceful gardens.
- Lafitte Greenway: Bike or walk through historic neighborhoods and parks.
These spots show off a quieter, refreshing side of New Orleans that many visitors miss.
12. Catch Festivals & Local Events
New Orleans celebrates life with style, and its festivals are legendary. Whether you’re there for Mardi Gras, Jazz & Heritage Festival, or the French Quarter Festival, each brings color, music, food, and community to the streets.
Festival Highlights
- Mardi Gras: Parades, beads, costumes, and revelry.
- Jazz Fest: World-class music and culture.
- French Quarter Festival: Free music and local food.
Why It Matters: These events capture the spirit of New Orleans like nothing else, lively, inclusive, and unforgettable.
While festivals showcase New Orleans’ vibrant public energy, some travelers balance such trips with secluded escapes like a luxury private island, creating a blend of celebration and serenity in their travel style.
Tips for Travelers
- Walk as much as possible: The best way to see New Orleans is on foot.
- Try public transit: Streetcars are affordable and scenic.
- Mix mainstream with local favorites: Bourbon Street is fun, but Royal Street often feels more authentic.
- Book key attractions in advance: Especially for museums and river cruises.
As travel evolves, many visitors are also embracing more responsible experiences, aligning trips like New Orleans with the principles of carbon-neutral luxury travel.
Conclusion
From soulful jazz to legendary food, elegant historic streets to wild swamp adventures, New Orleans is a city of layers, vibrant, unpredictable, and deeply rich in experience. Whether you’re looking for what to see in New Orleans or what inspires your heart and mind, this city delivers with flair and heart. With this guide, you now know the top 12 best things to do in New Orleans, and you’re ready for a trip filled with rhythm, flavor, history, and unforgettable memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in New Orleans?
The best things to do in New Orleans include exploring the French Quarter, listening to live jazz on Frenchmen Street, visiting the National WWII Museum, taking a Mississippi River steamboat cruise, and enjoying authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine. These experiences capture the city’s culture, history, and vibrant energy.
Are there free things to do in New Orleans?
Yes, there are many free things to do in New Orleans, such as walking through the French Quarter, visiting Jackson Square, listening to street musicians, exploring Crescent Park, and enjoying free festivals and outdoor events.
What are the best things to do in New Orleans at night?
Some of the best things to do in New Orleans at night include enjoying live jazz, taking a nighttime ghost tour, walking along the Mississippi River, exploring Frenchmen Street, and experiencing the city’s famous nightlife in the French Quarter.
What are family-friendly things to do in New Orleans?
Family-friendly things to do in New Orleans include visiting City Park, the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas, riverboat cruises, and interactive museums. These attractions are enjoyable for both kids and adults.
What food experiences are considered top things to do in New Orleans?
Trying local food is one of the most important things to do in New Orleans. Visitors should experience gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, crawfish, muffulettas, and beignets to truly understand the city’s culinary culture.
