Things to Do in New Orleans
DESTINATION GUIDE

Things to Do in New Orleans

50 curated spots from New Orleans itineraries

Activities & Attractions

30 curated experiences

Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral
Do
morning

Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral

Stroll the historic square, browse local artists’ works along the iron fence, and step inside St. Louis Cathedral for its ornate interior.

1h · Free
French Market
Do
late_morning

French Market

Browse this open-air market’s food vendors, local products, and casual stalls stretching along the riverfront.

1h 30m · Free to enter; pay for food or shopping
Preservation Hall
Do
night

Preservation Hall

Intimate, no-frills venue showcasing some of the city’s best traditional jazz; reserve a “Big Shot” seat for comfort and a great view.

1h · $40-80
Frenchmen Street Live Music
Do
late evening

Frenchmen Street Live Music

End the night with live music at a Frenchmen Street venue, where the city’s nightlife is more local and music-focused than Bourbon Street.

3h · $10-30 per person
Frenchmen Street Live Music Crawl
Do
night

Frenchmen Street Live Music Crawl

Walk from the French Quarter into Marigny and pop into a few music clubs along Frenchmen (like The Spotted Cat or d.b.a.) to hear jazz, brass, and funk; tip the bands and move on when you’re ready.

2h 30m · Free entry to $20 cover, plus drinks
Louis Armstrong Park
Do
afternoon

Louis Armstrong Park

Free paths, Congo Square history, wildlife ponds; 10-min walk.

1h 30m · Free
Audubon Park Loop Walk or Bike
Do
late_afternoon

Audubon Park Loop Walk or Bike

Continue on the St. Charles streetcar to Audubon Park for a 1.8-mile paved loop under massive oaks; rent a bike nearby if you prefer to ride.

1h 30m · Free to walk; bike rental ~$10-20
Audubon Park Stroll
Do
late_morning

Audubon Park Stroll

Take a short rideshare or streetcar Uptown for a peaceful walk around the park’s loop under huge live oaks near the river.

1h 30m · Free
Backstreet Cultural Museum
Do
afternoon

Backstreet Cultural Museum

Learn about Mardi Gras Indians, Skull and Bones gang traditions, and second-line culture through colorful exhibits and suits. Small but deeply authentic.

1h 30m · $8-12 per person
Bayou St. John / Mid-City Evening Stroll
Do
evening

Bayou St. John / Mid-City Evening Stroll

After dinner, walk or rideshare a few minutes to Bayou St. John’s banks for a calm waterside stroll and golden‑hour photos along this scenic waterway.[5]

1h · Free
Bayou St. John Paddle
Do
afternoon

Bayou St. John Paddle

Rent cheap kayaks or canoe free edges for wildlife.

1h 30m · $20/hour tandem
Bayou Swamp Airboat Tour
Do
morning

Bayou Swamp Airboat Tour

Early-morning alligator spotting and wildlife; 30-min rideshare from French Quarter.

2h · $50-65
Bourbon Street & Surrounding Nightlife Stroll
Do
night

Bourbon Street & Surrounding Nightlife Stroll

Walk Bourbon and nearby streets in the early evening to experience the neon, music spilling from bars, and general chaos; duck into a bar with a live band if it feels right, then retreat to quieter side streets when you’ve had enough.

2h · Free to stroll (drinks extra)
Bourbon Street Nightlife Stroll
Do
evening

Bourbon Street Nightlife Stroll

Live music bars and people-watching; 5-min walk from lunch.

1h 30m · $20-40 drinks
Cajun Encounters Kayak Tour
Do
afternoon

Cajun Encounters Kayak Tour

Budget tandem kayak spotting gators; book ahead, wear water shoes, medium fitness.

3h · $50/person
Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone
Do
night

Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone

Have a round of cocktails at the famous slowly rotating carousel bar, then wander nearby streets for more drinks as you like.[4][5]

1h 30m · $15-25 per drink
Carousel Bar & Lounge Nightcap
Do
night

Carousel Bar & Lounge Nightcap

End the trip with a drink at the historic rotating Carousel Bar inside the Hotel Monteleone, listening to live music on select nights.

1h · $15-30
Chartres Street Wander
Do
evening

Chartres Street Wander

Explore hidden courtyards, galleries, and iron-lace balconies with tropical foliage.

1h · Free
City Park & Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Do
morning

City Park & Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Start at City Park’s live oaks and lagoons, then wander the adjacent sculpture garden and, if you have time, the New Orleans Museum of Art for a mix of nature and art.[1]

2h 30m · Sculpture garden free; NOMA ~$15-20
City Park Big Easy Trail
Do
morning

City Park Big Easy Trail

Free 2-mile nature hike around lagoons; 20-min streetcar.

2h · Free ($1.25 streetcar)
City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (Red Route Segment)
Do
afternoon

City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (Red Route Segment)

Use a 1-day or multi-day ticket to ride a portion of the loop in the afternoon, getting narrated history while you rest your feet between key stops like Basin St. Station and the Garden District.

2h · $45-55
Crescent Park & Bywater Riverfront Walk
Do
morning

Crescent Park & Bywater Riverfront Walk

Start your last day with a walk along Crescent Park’s elevated paths and gardens for river views and murals, accessed via stair or ramp entrances.

1h 15m · Free
Free Explore in the French Quarter
Do
afternoon

Free Explore in the French Quarter

Spend a couple of hours wandering Royal Street, Jackson Square, and nearby side streets for architecture, galleries, and quick photo stops.

2h · Free
French Market & Riverfront Walk
Do
afternoon

French Market & Riverfront Walk

Browse local crafts, food stalls, and souvenirs at the French Market, then stroll the adjacent Moonwalk along the Mississippi River for skyline and riverboat photos.[1]

2h · Free to browse
French Market Browse
Do
morning

French Market Browse

Free historic market with stalls.

1h 30m · Free
French Market Shopping Stroll
Do
afternoon

French Market Shopping Stroll

Browse stalls for local crafts, souvenirs, spices, and small artworks, then wander nearby Chartres and Royal Street shops.

1h 30m · Free to browse
French Quarter Walking Exploration
Do
morning

French Quarter Walking Exploration

Stroll Jackson Square, Royal Street shops, and historic architecture; photography-friendly.

1h 30m · Free
French Quarter Walking Tour
Do
morning

French Quarter Walking Tour

Self-guided stroll Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and street performers.

1h 30m · Free
Frenchmen Street Live Music (Marigny)
Do
evening

Frenchmen Street Live Music (Marigny)

Head to Frenchmen Street for an early evening of live jazz, brass, or funk in small clubs like the Spotted Cat, d.b.a., or similar spots; wander between venues, listen from doorways, then settle where the sound grabs you.[2][4][5]

2h 30m · $10-25 per person (drinks + small cover in some venues)
Frenchmen Street Live Music Night
Do
night

Frenchmen Street Live Music Night

Bar-hop along Frenchmen Street to hear live jazz, funk, and brass bands at venues like The Spotted Cat and d.b.a., plus the outdoor art market.[2][4]

3h · Free to wander (covers/drinks extra)

Restaurants & Food

20 local favorites

Cafe du Monde
Eat
morning

Cafe du Monde

Iconic open-air café for beignets and café au lait; go early for fewer crowds and classic photos under the green-and-white awning.

45m · $10-20 per person
Café du Monde
Eat
morning

Café du Monde

Iconic open-air spot for fresh beignets and chicory coffee.

45m · $10-15 per person
Cafe Beignet (Decatur Street)
Eat
morning

Cafe Beignet (Decatur Street)

Grab a plate of fresh beignets and chicory coffee in the leafy courtyard just off Decatur; it’s a relaxed setting for your first morning.

45m · $8-15 per person
Cafe Beignet (Royal Street)
Eat
morning

Cafe Beignet (Royal Street)

Grab beignets, coffee, and a light breakfast in a charming courtyard setting just steps from Jackson Square; share a few plates for the group.

1h · $10-18 per person
Cochon
Eat
evening

Cochon

Cajun butcher-focused with pork ribs, wood-fired chicken—no shellfish reliance.

1h 30m · $35-50 per person
Commander's Palace
Eat
afternoon

Commander's Palace

Turtle soup and pecan-crusted gulf fish; upscale Creole.

1h 30m · $40-50 per person
Coop's Place
Eat
evening

Coop's Place

Casual, locals-beloved spot for jambalaya, fried chicken, and other hearty Cajun dishes; expect a bit of a line, but it moves.

1h 15m · $20-30 per person
The Vintage
Eat
morning

The Vintage

Charming spot for coffee, beignets with creative toppings, and light breakfast plates; sit in the cozy interior before your bike tour.

1h · $12-20 per person
Verti Marte
Eat
afternoon

Verti Marte

Peacemaker po'boy.

45m · $9-11 per person
Willa Jean
Eat
morning

Willa Jean

Bright, modern bakery‑café serving creative breakfast plates, biscuits, and strong coffee in a stylish space a short walk from the Quarter.[4]

1h · $15-25 per person
Adolfo’s
Eat
evening

Adolfo’s

Intimate, cash-only Italian-Creole spot above a bar on Frenchmen Street; arrive a bit early, order a fish topped with their famous Ocean Sauce, and share a bottle of wine.

1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Arnaud’s
Eat
evening

Arnaud’s

Classic, white-tablecloth Creole institution; try the shrimp Arnaud, oysters, and a flambé dessert, and request a quieter corner for romance.

2h · $80-140 per person
Bearcat CBD
Eat
morning

Bearcat CBD

Fuel up with hearty scrambles, breakfast bowls, and good coffee in a modern café setting just upriver from the Quarter.

1h · $12-20 per person
Brennan's Restaurant
Eat
evening

Brennan's Restaurant

Historic restaurant where Bananas Foster was invented. Elegant courtyard dining; dress code smart casual.

2h · $45-65 per person
Café Bacchanal
Eat
evening

Café Bacchanal

Casual spot near Jackson Square serving bistro fare and cocktails. Comfortable for couples; good for evening strolls.

1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Cafe Beignet
Eat
afternoon

Cafe Beignet

Beignets and poboys; 20-min streetcar from Lakefront.

45m · $12-20 per person
Cafe du Monde (City Park location)
Eat
morning

Cafe du Monde (City Park location)

Grab classic beignets and chicory coffee at the City Park outpost, which offers the famous flavor with fewer crowds than the original location.[1]

45m · $8-15 per person
Cane & Table
Eat
afternoon

Cane & Table

Sit in the rustic courtyard for Caribbean-inspired small plates and excellent rum cocktails or mocktails; good for sharing.

1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Central Grocery
Eat
afternoon

Central Grocery

Muffuletta sandwich—get half to share.

45m · $10-12 per person
Clover Grill
Eat
evening

Clover Grill

Grab a classic diner-style burger and fries at this quirky, neon-lit spot on Bourbon Street.

1h · $10-18 per person

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