25 Things to Do in New Orleans

New Orleans is synonymous with Jazz music and Mardi Gras parades. Every visitor to NOLA spends some time on Bourbon Street or enjoying some beignets at Cafe du Monde. But New Orleans has so many things to offer people of all ages and interests.

Party-seekers may want to hang out on Bourbon Street. History buffs may head to some of the museums. Families may spend an entire day exploring City Park.

Regardless of who you are and what interests you have, here’s a rundown of 17 things to do in New Orleans, including places to enjoy (or make) some local Creole or Cajun cooking.

Fritzel’s European Jazz Club on Bourbon Street

I love jazz music, and New Orleans is full of it. You may run into a small band walking through the streets of the French Quarter, or hear it coming from inside a bar along Bourbon Street.

But in all my wanderings of New Orleans, the best place for great jazz is Fritzel’s European Jazz Club. It’s right on Bourbon Street, though not where the heavy partying takes place.

There’s no cover charge – you just have to purchase one drink per set. I am more than happy to pay $8 for a soda to be able to enjoy some live jazz. If you want to taste of their music, look up Fritzel’s on iTunes or Spotify. You won’t be disappointed! During my last visit, I requested the pianist to play Handful of Keys. His hands were dancing across the keyboard and left many of us in disbelief.

NOTE: Since Fritzel’s is a bar, you have to be 21 or older to enter. That’s a bummer, because the music is so AWESOME.

The National World War II Museum

When people ask me what I recommend in New Orleans, my second recommendation – after Fritzel’s – is the National World War II Museum. My daughter was in New Orleans for a humanitarian trip last summer and even she talked about how amazing the museum is. She wasn’t able to explore all it had to offer, but that just means she wants to go back.

Plan to spend a couple of hours at the museum if you want to take it all in. There are stories and personal accounts from the men and women who fought on both the home front, Pacific Theater and European Theater. Who knows… you may even find a family connection to some of the stories told at the museum. One of my colleagues did during a business trip to NOLA.

Learn to Cook a Creole Lunch Cuisine with a Cooking Class

Learning how to cook with the ingredients and in the style of different cultures is something I’ve come to really enjoy. During my last trip to New Orleans, I took a class to learn how to make an okra and tomato salad, along with jambalaya and Bananas Foster.

The two-hour, hands-on experience is hosted at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum. Chef Dee is a phenomenal instructor and made the experience memorable, informative and full of laughs. Each person takes a specific task, then we bring all the ingredients together to cook it all together.

After preparing and cooking the food, you step out of the kitchen for a brief tour of the museum to learn about Cajun and Creole foods and cultures. Then it’s back to the kitchen to enjoy the foods. My colleagues and I were so glad we had booked a Creole Lunch Cooking Class.

Kayak Through the Nearby Swamps on a Guided Tour

Yet another highlight from my trip to The Big Easy was a guided kayak tour through the swamps to see wildlife. A few of my colleagues and I were picked up by the tour guide and escorted to the launching point for the Mystic Swamp Wildlife Kayak Tour. After some brief instructions, we made our way 1.5 miles into the swamp. Along the way, the guide pointed out barred owls, alligators, a Bald Eagle with its youngling and other birds and creatures.

We also paused for a moment along the route to talk about the different ecosystems in the area – swamps, Bayous, forests and more. There was something awesome about stepping away from the busy scenes of Bourbon Street to relax in the swamps and paddle the kayak through the waterways.

There were people on our tour who had never been on a kayak, as well as those like me who had lots of experience in a kayak on the lakes. This tour really is a great way to spend a half-day with family and friends while exploring The Big Easy.

Street Markets and Entertainment at Jackson Square

You never know what you’re going to find at Jackson Square. Some days I’ve been surprised with the number of artists selling their works, or even some creating works of art while in the square.

It’s also fun to catch some street performers. There are performing solo musicians (I heard a great rendition of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald) and statues that are alive.

One of the most fun scenes was a New Orleans band performing outside St. Louis Cathedral. It was the band that was waiting to escort a bride and groom through the streets of New Orleans after their wedding ceremony. Watch the video above and get them toes a tappin’.

Ride a Street Car Named Desire

You can’t miss the street cars making their way around New Orleans. It’s a fun way to make your way around the city. But note that according to a local, if you’re on a tight schedule, don’t rely on the streetcars. If you’ve got time and flexibility, then enjoy a ride across town.

Fare is $1.25 each way, but you can purchase a single-day, unlimited-use pass for $3. Multi-day passes are also available. These daily passes are known as Jazzy Pass and can be purchased when you board your first street car or online in advance. You can also check out Le Pass so you can make payments as you ride the street car, avoiding the need to carry cash with you.

Visit the NORTA site for information about current fares.

NOTE: Exact change is required when purchasing tickets with cash on the streetcars.

Experience the Joy of Art and Music in New Orleans at JAMNOLA

You don’t have to walk long through the streets of New Orleans to see some art or hear some music. But there’s one spot in The Big Easy that celebrates the joys of the culture: JAMNOLA. Scattered throughout the museum are several rooms with more than 30 local artists contributing to the sights and sounds of the exhibits.

JAMNOLA is a great venue for a team building activity, bachelorette party, youth group activity or a couples date night. Be sure and bring your camera phone (or another camera) and be willing to get a little silly. Wrestle a gator wearing Mardi Gras beads, pop out of a crawfish boil pot or share an inspirational quote and post it in the wall.

Explore the Party Scene of Bourbon Street

If you’ve never been to Bourbon Street, you might be a little surprised at what you’ll find. Especially if your kids are with you exploring the city. During the day, it’s a pretty regular street, although there are lots of ads for all the Gentlemen’s Clubs that line the street. You can find some souvenir shops and some places to eat – including Red Fish Grill.

At night, the partying breaks out. Crowds with drinks in hand and beads around the neck can be difficult to navigate through. There are people on balconies hollering for women walking below to “show them something”. The reward? They toss down some beads.

There’s music and dancing, people in costumes, and so much more. If you’ve never been there, it’s an experience. But just know what you’ll find – especially if you have your kids with you. Yikes!

Visit New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

Jazz is synonymous with New Orleans (at least in my book). But what are the origins of jazz and its influence in the culture of the city? Visit the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park near the French Market and read all about the origins of the music. There are influences from West Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and America.

The actual visitors center is small, but check out their event calendar to see if there’s a concert or other activity to engage with. If you’ve got younger kids with you, they can complete the activity booklet to become a Junior Ranger.

Shop the French Market

I was surprised to find the French Market while working my way around the city. While walking through the market looking for souvenirs for my kids back home, I found a name bracelet for my daughter. But there are many other trinkets and items available throughout the market. There are several food options, too, including a quick place to grab a bite or shops to buy Cajun spices and treats.

Enjoy Beignets at Cafe du Monde

Cafe du Monde is famous. You’ll see if in countless Hollywood films, like Runaway Jury (one of my favorites). In the morning, the line to enjoy some of the powdered sugar treats and a coffee stretch down the street. If you don’t want to wait that long, then try something later – it’s open 24 hours a day!

NOTE: They don’t accept credit cards, so you’ll want to bring enough cash with you to pay your check.

Their menu is simple: Beignets and drinks. My go-to is an order of beignets (which can be shared with at least one other person) and a hot chocolate. Not that it’s particularly cold in New Orleans, but the chocolate helps wash down the mass amounts of the powdered sugar.

NOTE: Don’t inhale too quickly if the beignet is anywhere close to your mouth or nose. I’ve heard many coughing fits from people to ended up with a lung full of powdered sugar. 😉

Join the Party at Mardi Gras World

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been to Mardi Gras in person or just seen videos or photos on the web. The numerous floats you see making their way through the streets are designed and produced at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. Year round, they offer tours through the warehouse to see how the various pieces are made, or even altered to be something different for the next Mardi Gras float.

Tours are a great way to see the magic that goes on behind the scenes to give you the floats, colors and iconic elements you see at Mardi Gras.

Take a Ride up the Mississippi River on the Natchez Steamboat

Enjoy a steamboat ride up the Mississippi River. The Natchez is the only steamboat in New Orleans, so it’s a great treat to enhance your New Orleans experiences.

There are several departure times and cruise options – and they all involve enjoying live jazz music. Make reservations in advance, then show up for your cruise and enjoy.

Shop for Art and Antiques Along Royal Street

Royal Street is one block away from the party scene of Bourbon Street. And that makes all the difference in enjoying a stroll around New Orleans. Scattered along Royal Street are numerous art galleries, featuring paintings, photographs and more.

Beyond the art galleries, there are several antique shops with some vintage-looking home decor. We enjoyed looking at lamps, poker tables, chairs, glassworks and even a pretty interesting chess set. I wasn’t in the market to actually purchase any of the home decor, but I did find some interesting pieces.

One shop, in particular, that I will return to in the future is the Brass Monkey. They sell Limoges boxes, which are small French pill boxes that we had a hard time finding in Paris. My daughter got her first Limoges box after an extensive search in shops near the Louvre, but knowing this shop is in New Orleans, it’ll be on our list for a future visit.

Take a Nighttime Tour of the Local Cemeteries

There’s something a little spooky about wandering through a cemetery. It’s a little creepier when you get to do it at night. Most of the cemeteries are closed at night, so if you want to experience this, you’ll want to book a guided tour with NOLA Ghost Riders.

During my most recent trip to New Orleans, I arranged for a group of 15 people to take this tour. During the evening tour, we visited on cemetery, where the guide gave us a rundown on the history and procedures for burials in the area. They’re much different than how we do it where I live.

The tour also includes a stop at a little restaurant where you can buy some beignets, drinks or frozen mango treat.

Wander the Streets of the French Quarter

The architecture of the French Quarter is… cute. Quaint, even. If you’re going to wander the area, daytime may be the best. I’ve heard it can be a little dangerous at night – as is true with many big cities. But if you’re with a group, that’s helpful. We wandered through the French Quarter to Frenchman Street.

During another visit, I enjoyed a morning walk through the French Quarter, just me and my camera. I captured some single-story houses and multi-level apartments/homes. It reminded me of the time I lived in France and would walk the streets of little villages and big cities. It was a little nostalgic for me.

One evening, while wandering with my business colleagues on a trip, we ran into a jazz band performing in the street. We enjoyed listening to the performance and watching the musicians dance, with instruments in hand. They are super talented!

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

If you want to get a look at some amazing sea life, include the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in your New Orleans itinerary. I explored it several years ago and enjoyed watching sea turtles float through the water or jelly fish pulse in the current.

After exploring, we brought home a stuffed animal of an otter – one of the other amazing animals at the aquarium. It’s a great way to spend a few hours with the family. You can learn more about the Aquarium online.

Take a Morning Run/Walk Along the Mississippi River

When I travel for work, a few of my colleagues often share photos on Twitter of their morning run. After all, it is a conference of heart-healthy cardiologists from around the world. I get to see the routes they’ve run, and in New Orleans, their path often took them alongside the Mississippi River.

There are various paths along the river, so depending on where you’re staying, you can likely find a path that’ll work for you. Either for a morning run or an evening stroll.

The New Orleans Holocaust Memorial

Over the past couple of years, I’ve stumbled across more and more Holocaust Memorials. I found one in Boston, and more recently in Philadelphia.

The stone near the entrance to the memorial reads, “Let this memorial be dedicated to those brave souls, victims of the holocaust, that their lives were not taken in vain.” Take a moment to reflect on that quote and be mindful of what we as a people can do to prevent it from ever happening again.

Take the Family to City Park

Break away from the party scene and crowded streets to enjoy some time at City Park in New Orleans. The park is a short Uber/Lyft ride from the city, or you can take a street car.

City Park has numerous activities for the whole family, including:

• New Orleans Botanical Garden
• City Putt (a miniature golf course)
• Storybook Land
• Sculpture Garden
• New Orleans Museum of Art
• Playgrounds
• Cafe du monde
• Bike rentals/Boat rentals
• Walking/running paths

You could spend an entire day enjoying the park. Learn more about what you can expect at City Park in New Orleans.

Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art

Included in the list of the many things to do and explore at City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art deserves a special mention as a separate activity to do in New Orleans. While the sculpture garden is free to explore, there is an admission cost to the museum.

NOMA has several styles of art on display, including contemporary, sculptures, paintings, decorative arts and more. There are a few notable artists with works on display, like Renoir, Degas and Andy Warhol. You can spend a few hours taking in all the art on display at the museum, making City Park a full-day excursion from the cramped streets of New Orleans.

Get Spooked on a Haunted History Tour of the French Quarter

Voodoo magic is synonymous with New Orleans and the French Quarter. So what better way to enjoy an evening than to go on a Haunted History Tour. The tour takes you through the French Quarter, where you learn about the history of the area while you guide recounts spooky stories from the area.

Stories about ghosts taking photos of tourists, swords clanking in an empty courtyard or Romeo spikes offering father’s peace of mind are all part of the tour.

While those may be a little spooky, the creepy stuff comes while standing in front of the Lalaurie Mansion. The woman of the house was a terror. She tortured her slaves and servants. There’s a curse on that house, and stories about of owners who’s fortunes have gone by the wayside because they owned the mansion.

Learn what you can expect on a Haunted History Tour through the French Quarter.

Red Beans and Rice, Alligator and Buffalo Oysters

I love the food of New Orleans. First off, I’m partial to seafood. And there’s plenty of that to go around. I also like spice, and the Cajun spices give the food just the right kick of flavor. Plus, there are some weird meals that I’m always game to try – like alligator or buffalo-flavored oysters.

I tried frog legs during my last visit, and I do have to say that I will not order them again. The look of them was one barrier that was tough to overcome, but the challenge of sorting out the greasy meat from the leg muscles proved to be the final straw in my attempt to “enjoy” a local food.

If you need a few recommendations of places to eat, here’s my list of seven great places to eat in New Orleans.

Explore the New Orleans Jazz Museum

If you like history and jazz music, you may want to make a stop in the New Orleans Jazz Museum. There are actually two parts to it:

• History of the U.S. Mint building, which houses the Jazz Museum (1st floor)
• History of jazz music (2nd-3rd floors)

In the foyer, you can see a coronet played by jazz legend Louis Armstrong. On the upper floors you can listen to jazz from a few different artists, and if you time your visit just right, you can take in a concert of live jazz music.

Read this rundown of what you can expect at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Taste a Fresh Praline in New Orleans

I’ve always referred to them as “pray-liens”. But in New Orleans, you’ll quickly learn they are pronounced “prah-liens”. The best way to try them is to get them fresh at a bakery or pralines store. The prepackaged ones that are sold to tourists by the dozens aren’t nearly as delicious as fresh ones.

A great place I found was Southern Candymakers. They’re located at 334 Decatur Street – not too far from Jackson Square and Cafe du Monde.

Summary

I love New Orleans and could spend days exploring everything the city has to offer. On my next visit, I hope to catch Mardi Gras World, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum and a few other places I just haven’t had the time to explore.

If future visits allow me to explore new places, I will update this article. If there are things you would add, let me know and I’ll expand my list as well.

And as they say in NOLA, Laissez Les Bons Temps Roulez – Let the Good Times Roll.

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