50 Things To Do In New Orleans in 2023

What’s special about this place?

Notorious for being the only historic river cruise in New Orleans, Creole Queen offers a sailing tour down the 300-year-long memory lane of the city. The best part — it’s narrated by a local historian who knows a thing or two about the local sites including Chalmette Battlefield, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, and others.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Suitable for adults and older kids, this river tour is an enticing attraction that provides the guests with bottomless mimosas for a small fee. Talk about learning history while sipping your favorite drink! If you’re into cultural activities that take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours, you’re guaranteed to enjoy this knowledge-filled excursion.

What to do here?

The short answer — relax and take in the words coming out of the historian’s mouth. The long answer — book the time of the tour that fits you best, and savor not only the views but also the food from the buffet and A La Carte menus.

Best Time to Visit

Offered twice a day at 10 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, the historic cruise allows you to decide when to come. There isn’t the best season to book your trip — Creole Queen runs their cruises all year round. This means that you can grab your friends and family at any random weekend and rest assured that there will be a free slot for you.

Learn more about Creole Queen Historical River Tour here!

What’s special about this place?

Located in New Orleans’s Historic Warehouse District on Andrew Higgins Drive between Magazine and Camp Streets, the National WWII Museum features multimedia experiences, immersive exhibits, and an expansive collection of artifacts to learn about. There are also online collections, webinars, and virtual field trips to explore if you want to get a glimpse of the city’s vibrant history.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Every history fanatic who likes getting to know the city through getting acquainted with its past will see this museum as a gold mine. From becoming the nation’s second-largest port during World War II to the physical improvement of the city several years later, there’s a lot to explore and even more to keep mental notes of.

What to do here?

US Merchant Marine Gallery, Road to Berlin at the European Theatre Galleries, USS Tang Submarine experience — you name it, New Orleans National WWII Museum has it. You’ll find multiple buildings located on the territory including Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, Solomon Victory Theater, and Hall of Democracy among others that have both permanent and short-term exhibits worth visiting.

Best Time to Visit

Both the museum exhibits and the museum store are open to guests every day between 9 AM and 5 PM (except for holidays). To catch the least amount of people and have the museum to yourself, plan to visit before noon or after 2 PM. Do keep in mind that your visit will be short if you make a reservation after 3 PM.

Learn more about the National WWII Museum here!

What’s special about this place?

Also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is celebrated all across the city for two weeks before and through the Shrove Tuesday up until the Christians’ holy day of prayer and fasting which is Ash Wednesday. During this celebratory period when everyone is partying and filling their bellies with rich and fatty foods, it’s common to be attending parades, eating king cakes, and touring Mardi Gras World.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Mardi Gras is a family-friendly Carnival that’s fun to partake in no matter how old you are. From marching bands and masked revelry, there are plenty of sites to see and things to do for you and your kids to remember years down the road. It’s a no-judgment party where everyone comes together and enjoys the celebrations regardless of their background.

What to do here?

Being all about parades, picnics, and floats, Mardi Gras is filled with locals and visitors wearing colorful costumes and throwing balls, eating good food, and having a great time. If you get tired of the festivities, you can explore the surroundings and grab a café au lait and beignets at Café du Monde or enjoy a peaceful stroll through the City Park.

Best Time to Visit

This holiday falls on a different date every year so keep an eye out for updates on their website. In 2022, it’ll be celebrated on the 1st of March, and the year after that — on the 21st of February. Buy your tickets and book your accommodation in advance so that you don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Learn more about Mardi Gras here!

What’s special about this place?

Only a short drive away from the center of New Orleans, you’ll find tour companies offering all kinds of swamp tours on boats for adventurous visitors who came to both watch and feed gators. Located just 45 minutes from the French quarter, Airboat Adventures is one of them. It offers 3 tour packages designed to show you the real Louisiana.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Families, bachelors/bachelorettes, and groups of best friends seeking an adventurous way to spend a day exploring New Orleans are the target audience for these boat rides. With all tour packages allowing onboard kids over the age of 5 and offering tours that last no longer than 2 hours, there won’t be the need to leave anyone behind.

What to do here?

When on a swamp tour in New Orleans, expect to tour 20,000 acres of cypress swamps where exotic creatures and otherworldly scenery are all the rage. You’ll get to see alligators, birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat, so don’t forget to bring your camera and perhaps even binoculars with you.

Best Time to Visit

Open all year round, you can book a boat ride with Airboat Adventures whenever. That said, do keep in mind that it gets busier towards midday. This means that if you want a less crowded swamp boat ride experience, make sure to book a slot before noon.

Learn more about swamp boat rides here!

What’s special about this place?

Having been around since 1854, City Park in New Orleans is considered one of the oldest public parks in the whole of the United States. It’s only natural that the 1,300-acre green space City Park occupies has since acquired beautiful bridges, botanical gardens, art, and theme parks that now belong to it; all the more reason to spend a day outside in nature.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Parks are a universal attraction that everyone and their dog (quite literally) will enjoy. From museums to alley walks, adults can feel free to wander around and take in the beauty of New Orleans surroundings while the kids can entertain themselves at the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park with plenty of rides.

What to do here?

There isn’t a shortage of things you can do in New Orleans’ beloved City Park — renting a swan boat and strolling through the park streets filled with moss-drenched oaks are just a few activities you can do. There’s also a Museum of Art and Couturie Forest featuring a trail you can hike to reach the city’s highest point, Laborde Mountain, sitting 43 feet above sea level.

Best Time to Visit

Just like with any park, it’s better to visit City Park early in the morning if you want to wander around in silence. This is especially the case with the weekend when the biggest inflow of visitors is recorded between 2 PM and 4 PM.

Learn more about New Orleans’ City Park here!

What’s special about this place?

Hopping on a streetcar is a fun and convenient way to see the city. Luckily, New Orleans is widely known for its Regional Transit Authority network that allows you to do just that. Take all four distinct lines originating Downtown that will take you through the French Quarter and beyond and you’ll be amazed by how much you’ll get to see in a short amount of time.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A ride on a streetcar is an all-inclusive experience families and couples will enjoy alike. The Saint Charles streetcar line has become a tourist favorite as a symbol of the charm and romance in New Orleans that should, in our humble opinion, be high on your to-do list when in the city no matter who you’re with.

What to do here?

To get the full streetcar experience, consider taking not only the famous St.Charles line but also the Canal Street line that takes you through the Central Business District and to the historic cemeteries ‘Cities of the Dead’. The Riverfront line will take you to the French Market and Aquarium of the Americas while the Saint Claude line will allow you to explore the rich Marigny/Bywater neighborhood where you can dine and dance.

Best Time to Visit

Running all year long, streetcars in New Orleans are a must-have that can be experienced at any time of the year. The fare is low enough for you to take multiple trips throughout the day and manage to see all the sites in the process.

Learn more about New Orleans streetcars here!

What’s special about this place?

You cannot take a trip to New Orleans without stopping by the city’s cultural haven that is the French Quarter (especially if it’s your first time here). Located in the downtown area, it’s home to the never-sleeping Bourbon Street where Cajun eateries, jazz clubs, and rowdy pubs operate at full capacity for guests from all over the world to get the real taste of New Orleans.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

You’ll be better off leaving kids at the hotel and scouting the lively neighborhood late at night with friends and family members who are over 21 years of age. This way you’ll get to watch street performers and enjoy a pint or two outside without compromising one or the other.

What to do here?

Apart from diving into the city’s oldest neighborhood rich culture and taking in the views of the Mississippi river, you can try out local delicacies at the restaurants found in Bourbon Street. Once you’re full, be prepared to drink and dance the night away on one of the pub crawls you can organize yourself by hopping from one place to the next.

Best Time to Visit

Plan to tour Bourbon Street a couple of hours before and after the sunset. This incidentally happens to be the time when it’s most packed, but it’s for a good reason — sitting at the patio during these hours is the most rewarding downtime you can have in the city.

Learn more about French Quarter’s Bourbon Street here!

What’s special about this place?

Originally the home of Nicholas Giround who admired Napoleon Bonaparte, this restaurant has managed to retain its charm over the centuries. You can now visit this 18-century place and be reminded of the times when conspiracy theorists assumed that this house would be where Napoleon would refuge.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Every traveler interested in the history of New Orleans and Creole cuisine staples will be excited to dine in the Napoleon House. Even though Napoleon never actually made it to the locale, it does take you back in time with Beethoven’s Eroiqua tune that was composed bot Napoleon himself.

What to do here?

Take a seat in the palm-filled courtyard and sample some local delicacies including po’boys, muffalettas, and the likes. Get an invigorating Pimm’s Cup that’s essentially a gin-based liquor and sip on it while listening to the musical classics.

Best Time to Visit

Open Wednesday through Sunday, Napoleon House sees the biggest crowds on Friday and Saturday nights. If you want to be in the company of others, consider visiting on these days. In case you don’t, come back on any other day in the afternoon.

Learn more about Napoleon House here!

What’s special about this place?

Situated on the outskirts of the French Quarter, St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery is the most sought-after burial site for tourists. There are a plethora of notable New Orleans residents laid to rest on this cemetery including Etienne de Boré and Homer Plessy which makes it a captivating place to visit. It’s rumored that the famed voodoo queen Marie Laveau was buried here too.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Those fascinated by historical figures who like to dive deep into the culture of the new place they’re visiting will get the most out of a trip to St. Loui No. 1 cemetery. The rest might find it boring or not worthy enough to buy the tour and stick around for longer than half an hour.

What to do here?

Founded back in 1789, this cemetery allows you to get to know the essence of New Orleans a little better through the historical figures buried there. Book a tour with a licensed guide and take in the knowledge he’ll be sharing with you about the lives of Bernard de Marigny, Marie Laveau, Ernest Morial, and others. Nicolas Cage is apparently planning on joining them too.

Best Time to Visit

Open to the public Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM, there’s only one thing to keep in mind — no tours are allowed within 30 minutes of closing. The site is also closed on Mardi Gras, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Learn more about St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery

What’s special about this place?

If you thought that you already know all there is to do in French Quarter, the Carousel Bar & Lounge in the famous Hotel Monteleone will prove you wrong. The unique merry-go-round concept adds a twist to the regular sipping cocktails experience — the circular bar revolves like a carousel.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Tourists and locals alike seeking a place to enjoy a specialty cocktail while listening to live jazz music are more than welcome at the New Orleans Carousel bar. Hosting weekly live music entertainment, the bar also overlooks Royal Street which’s known for its art galleries and antique shops you can visit the next day.

What to do here?

Sit back and relax while the bartender is preparing your favorite Cherry Manhattan and the band is getting ready to perform. You can also catch locals discussing Hotel Monteleone and the city that just so happen to be taking the ride on the 25-seat circus-like carousel with you.

Best Time to Visit

The bar opens at 4 PM which gives you plenty of time to take in the views and chitchat with locals until it closes at around 10 PM or 11 PM. During the week, it gets busier as the evening progresses whereas Fridays and Saturdays are crammed all evening long.

Learn more about the Carousel Bar here!

What’s special about this place?

This French Quarter-adjacent aquarium that sits on the Mississippi river continues to rank as one of the top 5 in the US. Nothing is surprising about this — with over 10,000 aquatic animals and 530 species represented by the aquarium, it offers an immersive experience for every curious traveler.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Kids, adults, seniors, you name it — there isn’t a group of people who wouldn’t find the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas fascinating. All the better that there are several parks, a golf course, and a planetarium to bring variety to the day spent exploring the rich wildlife of our planet.

What to do here?

Having opened in 1990, the aquarium now offers guests dozens of activities that can occupy them for many hours. You can check out the Gulf Mexico, Amazon, and Caribbean Reef exhibits with sharks and sea turtles swimming in their natural habitat. Or, if you’re feeling more daring, feed a parakeet, touch a stingray, and admire the penguins walking funny.

Best Time to Visit

Visitors spend anywhere from 2 to 3 hours at the aquarium which means that if you want to see it all, it’s better to come early. Tuesdays, Fridays, and Mondays tend to be the least crowded days while Saturdays and Sundays have the biggest crowds between 12 and 3 in the afternoon.

Learn more about the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas here!

What’s special about this place?

Sandwiched between Royal and Bourbon streets right in the middle of the French Quarter, Historic Voodoo Museum is a small but mighty tourist attraction that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. One of the very few museums in the world with voodoo art exhibits, it offers a look inside New Orlean’s lasting legacy.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Being on top of most NOLA travelers’ list of places to visit, it’s the go-to spot for those interested in the historical significance of misunderstood religions and the mystery the cultural practice of voodoo encompasses. Side note: those who get spooked easily aren’t likely to enjoy this museum.

What to do here?

Having been serving the New Orleans community since 1972, this Voodoo museum brings guests a curios experience that educates and entertains at the same time. You can book a self-guided or a cemetery tour, purchase witchcraft and potions, and even get recommended a trustworthy practitioner for a psychic reading.

Best Time to Visit

Open 7 days a week even on holidays, you have the freedom to indulge in the enigma that surrounds the museum’s many exhibits at any time from 10 AM to 6 PM. That said, if you want to avoid crowds, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to record the least amount of visitors.

Learn more about NOLA’s Historic Voodoo Museum here!

What’s special about this place?

You don’t have to leave French Quarter to take a selfie in front of the historical St. Louis Cathedral. In fact, you don’t need to leave the breezy shore of the Mississippi river either — Jackson Square spreads for 2 acres right next to it so that the 2+ million yearly tourists can watch street performers entertain the crowds with a breeze in the background.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Those in search of a top-tier location for a greetings-card-type of a photo will be fools to miss out on the opportunity to pay homage to the local hero Andrew Jackson. Named in his honor, Jackson Square is a common spot for tourists booking walking, biking, and segway tours to pass when getting acquainted with the city.

What to do here?

Considered to be the best people-watching location in town, Jackson Square is the perfect place to listen to a jazz band, have your palm read, or purchase art from local antique shops. There’s also the famous Cafe Du Monde with New Orleans delicacies like beignets to try and two upscale restaurants — Muriel’s and Tableau — to savor the French-based Creole cuisine.

Best Time to Visit

The busiest during the weekend, Jackson Square gets visited by tourists all year round. Book your trip to New Orleans and pick a weekday to stroll through this historical park to get the most out of your visit.

Learn more about Jackson Square here!

What’s special about this place?

Not only is the Superdome, the UFO-shaped stadium in New Orleans, captivating to look at, but it’s also one of the largest dome structures in the world with its 210 meters in diameter. The city’s most anticipated events occur here including football games, music concerts, international conferences, and various festivals too.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Sports fans unite — Superdome is the place to go to if watching an NFL game on a Sunday evening fits well with your touristic agenda. Whether you’re an avid football fanatic or someone who appreciates a well-constructed establishment, you’ll be glad to have witnessed the powerhouse that is the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with your own eyes.

What to do here?

Capable of seating up to 73,000 people, Superdome is where you can watch New Orleans Saints play their seasonal games and sing along to Beyonce’s most famous songs (not at the same time). Don’t expect the tickets to be cheap but do expect to create some of the best memories within the perimeter of the stadium if you happen to get in.

Best Time to Visit

Depending on the events held at the stadium, you can plan your trip to New Orleans around the one you’re most interested in. Follow your favorite artists’ announcements of tours and watch out for the Saints playing in the spring to figure out when to reserve your spot at Superdome.

Learn more about the Superdome here!

What’s special about this place?

Unlike Mardi Gras with a fixed yearly schedule of events, the Second Lines parade is a New Orleans tradition that starts spontaneously somewhere in the city. That said, Central City, Tremé, and French Quarter tend to be the most common starting points as this is where the custom initially began. Crowd participation is encouraged which makes it an appealing ceremony to partake in.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Organized by Pleasure Clubs and Social Aid, Second Line is open to everyone who can keep up with the swift dancing moves. No matter if you’re traveling by yourself or with a group of friends, the Second Line parade will help you meet new people with whom you can go on brunch the next day.

What to do here?

Dance and sing alongside the parade organizers who are a part of the ‘first line’ whether it is a jazz funeral or a wedding with a twist. Follow the rhythm of the seasoned participants and dance step with the brass band until you can no more. You can even bring an umbrella, the symbol of southern style and grace, to fit in the crowd better.

Best Time to Visit

If you’re lucky enough to catch a Second Line parade, consider moving with the flow for as long as it lasts. It usually goes on from 1 PM till 5 PM or for about 6 to 8 blocks depending on the occasion. To keep up with the participants, keep in mind that the parade moves in the same direction of traffic.

Learn more about Second Line parades here!

What’s special about this place?

This 8-days-long celebration of not only jazz but also other genres of music is as extravagant as a festival in New Orleans can get. Taking place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, it’s been around since 1970 and is still going strong thanks to the lively atmosphere created by both artists and guests.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Every fan of jazz, R&B, rock, rap, country, gospel, bluegrass, and Afro-Caribbean music will be able to create great memories at this festival. Check out the lineup before you plan your visit to New Orleans around the event and be sure to purchase your tickets before they sell out.

What to do here?

Dance till you drop, sing till your lungs give out, and eat till your heart’s content — the typical festival activities apply to this Jazzfest too. Feel free to try local delicacies like crab cakes, beignets, and Cajun jambalayas at the local food booths, and don’t forget to stop by the arts and crafts area to get yourself a memorable gift from the festival.

Best Time to Visit

Jazz & Heritage Festival takes place once a year which allows you to plan for it in advance. You should book your flight tickets beforehand if you’re flying in from a different state or country and make sure you have your accommodation sorted.

Learn more about the Jazz & Heritage festival here!

What’s special about this place?

It’s virtually a crime to visit New Orleans and not drop by one of the acoustic jazz concerts held at the Preservation Hall. With dozens of jazz virtuosos creating a harmonious atmosphere almost every night of the week, there’s hardly a better place to get the feel of the city’s musical history than this.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

You don’t have to be a jazz junkie to enjoy one of the intimate concerts in the French Quarter’s Preservation Hall. All you need to have is curiosity about this music genre and the cultural background of New Orleans to get the most out of a family-friendly evening spent listening to traditional jazz live.

What to do here?

When walking down St. Peters Street, you’ll inevitably come across a line of people queuing to get into Preservation Hall for a chill jazzy night. Join them and wait for your turn to listen to a jazz concert with your own set of ears.

Best Time to Visit

Offering live performances 350 nights a year, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll miss out on the opportunity to visit this jazz venue whenever you visit New Orleans. The shows commence at 5 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM, and 10 PM most days of the week allowing you to pick and choose the slot that’s right for you.

Learn more about Preservation Hall here!

What’s special about this place?

Considered to be a part of the New Orleans Museum of Art, Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is home to 11 acres of parkland filled with close to a hundred sculptures created by modern artists like Katharina Fritsch, Jeppe Hein, Henry Moore, and the likes. Besides, it’s an aesthetically pleasing place to stroll through — there are magnolias, pines, and oaks blooming in turns.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Architecture connoisseurs and admirers of nature will find this garden equally fascinating. The first group will spend the majority of their time investigating the many sculptures the park offers while the second will take a walk and glance at camellias and gigantic oaks until it’s time to leave.

What to do here?

Explore flora and art proudly presented by Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden after leaving the NOLA museum. If you’re particularly interested in finding out more about the local exhibits, there’s a free audio tour the museum provides too.

Best Time to Visit

Since the entrance to the gardens is free, you can plan to visit them either before or after stopping by the NOLA museum. Avoid weekends if you’d rather explore the garden in solitude and come either before 1 PM or after 3 PM.

Learn more about the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden here!

What’s special about this place?

Located just across the street from the National World War II Museum, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art has one of the largest collections of art in the south of the United States. Welcoming well over 80.000 guests every year, it fascinates every single one of them with exhibitions, visual arts, and film screenings featuring Southern Art.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Everyone willing to dive deeper into the Southern background of New Orleans will have their expectations met at the Ogden Museum. From sculptures to abstract art and landscapes, there’s no shortage of masterpieces artists of all niches had created and filled the museum with.

What to do here?

Take in the diversity of art styles, painting and sculpting techniques, and history behind every piece of art while strolling through the halls of the museum. Admire the modernist painter Will Henry Stevens, a ceramist George Ohr, and an expressionist Dusti Bongé. Look out for individual shows hosted by your favorite artists and plan your visit to the city around them.

Best Time to Visit

If you’re not after a particular Southern art exhibition that takes place once every few years, consider paying a visit during the weekend. Contrary to popular belief, museums like this one see the least amount of people on Saturdays and Sundays and the biggest in the second half of the workweek.

Learn more about the Ogden Museum here!

What’s special about this place?

Traveling to New Orleans with a significant other? Book a 50-minute gondola tour with Nola Gondola founded by Robert Dula in 2004. It’s guaranteed to give you the same Venetian atmosphere with recorded Italian music but with a New Orleans rustic charm instead.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Couples who are visiting New Orleans for a weekend getaway are the prime target audience for Robert Dula’s gondola tour. A gondola can fit up to 6 people which makes it a great option for those who want some privacy but aren’t opposed to meeting other couples too.

What to do here?

The gondolier of Nola Gondola will peacefully usher you through City Park’s rustic lagoons all while having Italian music playing in the background from the sound system of the gondola. You can also sip champagne as you exchange glances with your partner and take in the surroundings of New Orleans.

Best Time to Visit

Operating all year round, Robert Dula’s Nola Gondola offers both daytime and nighttime tours. If you want to see the city in the daylight, go for an afternoon ride. If, however, you’re looking for a more romantic sunset escapade with fewer people, an evening tour will be more up your alley.

Learn more about Robert Dula’s gondola tour here!

What’s special about this place?

Situated in the heart of the beloved French Quarter, the Pharmacy Museum is a go-to place for everyone interested in the pharmaceutical heritage. Having served as a real-life pharmacy two centuries ago, it remains as the site found by the country’s first licensed pharmacist Louis J. Dufilho Jr. of Louisiana that stores medicine-themed relics of all sorts.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

If haunted places give you thrills, you’ll leave this two-story building feeling exhilarated. Everyone who has visited New Orleans Pharmacy Museum claims that it’s informative and insightful; you can even book a personal, adult-themed guided tour to get a more in-depth excursion.

What to do here?

Drop by to pore over the endless shelves filled with potions and questionable medical devices from the past. You’ll find plenty of surgical instruments, devices for making cosmetics and perfumes, and instruments used to perform medical procedures on the ground floor, and, after making it to the second floor, you’ll get to see the preserved sick room along with an impressive collection of spectacles.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open all year round which makes it easy to include it in your agenda no matter when you visit New Orleans. You can visit it at any time between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon (except for Sundays and Mondays when it’s closed) or book a 1 PM daily tour already included in your ticket to get even more out of your visit.

Learn more about the Pharmacy Museum here!

What’s special about this place?

Swamped by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, 9th Ward has become somewhat of a tourist destination that gets you thinking about the impact of climate change. It also serves as a reminder that New Orleans remains to be the city that sits below sea level and much of what happened well over a decade ago could potentially happen again if global warming isn’t timely reversed.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Those who want to pay respect to locals who are brave enough to continue to live in this neighborhood will find 9th Ward an out-of-the-ordinary site to drive through. You may want to leave your children at home and witness the damage done to this part of the city by yourself.

What to do here?

Drive around the neighborhood and look at the new buildings being built all while appreciating the old ruins. While exploring the surroundings, make sure to not enter the abandoned houses and be respectful of the people who still reside there.

Best Time to Visit

You can take a drive through the 9th Ward at any time throughout the year. Allocate about half an hour to an hour on your visit to New Orleans and this should be enough to see the entire area. It’s best to not drive around late in the evening to avoid suspicious characters inhabiting the neighborhood.

Learn more about the 9th Ward here!

What’s special about this place?

All New Orleanians know Dr. Bob for his signature ‘Be nice or leave’ sign that differentiates him from other folk artists in the city. His eclectic pieces are worth a look — after all, they’re all made from eco-friendly materials like coffee cans, trash can lids, and Hurricane Katrina debris.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

If you’re a fan of folk art that looks like nothing you’ve seen before, you’ll enjoy stopping by his shop. His collection of art is affordable enough for you to be able to help out a small business by purchasing a unique-looking piece or two without breaking the bank.

What to do here?

Having been featured in the Smithsonian Institute and at the New Orleans Jazz Festival in the past, Bob’s art is not only amusing to look at — it often features local wildlife, swamps, and shotgun shacks — but also to buy and hang on your patio for guests to admire when they come over. When at the store, you might even encounter Bob himself; he’s quite a character, so be prepared for his opinions.

Best Time to Visit

Right next to Crescent Park, Bob’s Warehouse is open to all visitors every day of the week from 10 AM to 5 PM. You’ll quickly find the establishment as it’s the funkiest place on the block no matter the weather — rain or shine, Bob’s store is never too crowded to visit.

Learn more about Dr. Bob’s Folk Art shop here!

What’s special about this place?

Just a one-minute walk from the Preservation Hall, there’s a trendy bar known as Saints and Sinners where you can watch a burlesque performance while sipping a Malibu cocktail. Designed after the popular red-light district bordellos of the city’s Storyville era, this Channing Tatum-owned locale brings in all the tourists seeking a good time.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

You cannot pass up the chance to have a fun night out at Saints and Sinners when you’re in town. Featuring a seductive theme night every day of the week, it offers every adult the possibility to get raunchy without leaving the Hollywood-esque spot.

What to do here?

With the bar’s balcony overlooking Bourbon Street, you can have a sinfully great time while being right in the heart of the city. Watch the daring burlesque show, get bottle service, watch your favorite sports on one of the 11 TVs, or host a bachelorette party — the options are endless.

Best Time to Visit

The pub is open every day of the week till 9 PM or 12 PM. This means that you can visit Saints and Sinners whenever you come to New Orleans and rest assured that it will be open. If you want to groove to some music, be sure to drop by on a Friday or a Saturday at 10 PM when the DJ comes to mash up the coolest tunes.

Learn more about the Saints and Sinners bar here!

What’s special about this place?

You’ll find Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium in the U.S. Custom House on Canal Street not too far from the Mississippi River. Home to thousands of species of butterflies and insects, it’s considered to be the largest free-standing museum specializing in insects in America with over 50 live exhibits and a plethora of multimedia components.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Even though children might enjoy looking around at the pretty butterflies and bugs, they aren’t likely to be ecstatic about tasting them. This daring activity is reserved for the brave ones who don’t mind venturing out of their comfort zone and testing their taste bud limits.

What to do here?

After exploring the abundance of insects inhabiting the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, visit the local cafeteria and dabble in the buffet consisting of edible bugs. There are the less adventurous ant cookies to try out and spicy grasshoppers alongside BBQ roasted crickets that will make your visit to the garden memorable, to say the least.

Best Time to Visit

It’s no surprise that Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium is the busiest in the afternoons and on the weekends. To catch it at the time when there are minimum tourists around, come at 10 in the morning or after 3 in the afternoon on a weekday.

Learn more about the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium here!

What’s special about this place?

Pat O’Brien’s is reported to serve the original Hurricane cocktail — a good enough reason to try the local specialty at this outdoor hangout place. Located right by the Preservation Hall, it can be your after-party spot after you’ve listened to some live traditional jazz next door.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Everyone in the mood for a refreshing beverage after a long day of exploring the city will satisfy their craving at Pat O’Brien’s. The open-air concept of the bar attracts tons of tourists every year and we can see why — the large courtyard filled with luscious greenery is to die for.

What to do here?

Try out their signature Hurricane cocktail that has originated in the 1940s. Served in a hurricane lamp-shaped glass, it helps you quench your thirst and get a taste of the New Orleans long-lived traditional drink that is the sweet rum mixed with lemon juice and passion fruit syrup. If you happen to get bored, there’s a piano lounge where native entertainers can play your favorite song.

Best Time to Visit

The bar is open every day except for Tuesdays. The opening hours are from noon till midnight apart from Fridays and Saturdays when it’s open for two extra hours. If you want to sip your Hurricane cocktail without too many people sitting right next to you, come before 9 PM.

Learn more about Pat O’Brien’s here!

What’s special about this place?

To get spooked, tourists tend to pick local ghost tours that feature a visit to the LaLaurie Mansion. There’s a good reason for it — the infamously gruesome past has made this three-story building located in French Quarter a riveting site to stop by. Rumors have it that Marie Delphine Macarty Blanque LaLaurie tortured and killed her slaves before fleeing to Paris; a tale that contributed to the building’s spine-chilling reputation.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Fans of the American Horror Story are the primary audience for this mansion, although the rest is likely to get an adrenaline rush from the tour too. It’s recommended that you leave your kids at home since LaLaurie Mansion is considered to be not for the faint of heart.

What to do here?

Book a tour and learn more about the dark history of the LaLaurie Mansion on your visit to New Orleans. Be prepared to experience some paranormal activity some have reportedly encountered when nearing the room where Madame LaLaurie kept her slaves and even hear footsteps of the dead echoing through the mansion.

Best Time to Visit

Multiple tour providers have LaLaurie Mansion included in the stops you make as you move from one haunted place to another. Happening mostly late in the evening at around 8 PM, you’ll be better of reserving your spot beforehand.

Learn more about LaLaurie Mansion here!

What’s special about this place?

Only a couple of steps away from French Quarter, there’s a Louis Armstrong Park that gathers big crowds during the warmer months. Featuring the historical Congo Square that served as a meeting point for slaves on their days off, the park has since reclaimed it as a place where African Americans sing, dance, and celebrate their heritage.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

This 32-acre area is large enough for all of your family members to stroll through on a Sunday morning and have a picnic later on in the day. It’s a lush green space you can take advantage of no matter how many days you’re spending in the city; your kids feeding the ducks might be the highlight of your visit.

What to do here?

Everything you can do in a park you can do here too. There are sculptures to look at, water features to explore, duck ponds to feed the birds, and musical elements that remind you of Armstrong’s influence. You can also bring your favorite book to read or host a picnic if it’s warm out.

Best Time to Visit

Even though the park is open every day from 8 AM to 6 PM, it’s less busy on the weekdays. To be on the safe side, come before noon — even on the weekend — and you’ll be able to relax in nature without too many people walking around.

What’s special about this place?

Having been operating since 1791, French Market is a five-blocks-long flea market that stretches from Jackson Square to Esplanade Avenue. It was designed by one of the country’s first African American architects and is now the go-to place for tourists to try out local foods and purchase cheap knick-knacks.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Every tourist in search of trinkets in the New Orleans fashion to bring home will find the French Market fascinating. The prices the sellers offer the souvenirs for are affordable and so are the meals the local vendors cook on the spot.

What to do here?

Apart from shopping around and finding unique pieces that’ll remind you of your trip to New Orleans, there are plenty of food stalls with fresh delicacies to stop by. You’ll come across local vendors selling oysters, shrimps, crawfish pies as well as eateries serving the city’s classics like po’boys sandwiches and burgers. Treating your tastebuds to new flavors will be that much more exciting if you add jazz soundtracks blasting throughout the market.

Best Time to Visit

Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the French Market welcomes guests all the rest of the week. You can come by during the working week before noon to avoid crowds or hit the market up on the weekend before 2 PM to not queue for your favorite beignets for too long.

Learn more about the French Market here!

What’s special about this place?

Las Vegas is not the only place where you can roll the dice and win the bet — New Orleans offers a similar experience with their famous 115,000-square-feet Harrah’s Casino that continues to rank high on the list of the best casinos in the country. You’ll find it near the foot of Canal Street just one block away from the Mississippi River where the action is happening 24/7.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Experienced gamblers and newbies wanting to try their luck will equally enjoy spending a night playing slot machines and table games non-stop. If you know when to stop betting on that red of spades before you lose money, all the better.

What to do here?

Harrah’s Casino is nothing short of entertaining when it comes to trying your luck. But there’s more to it — you can also book a fine dining experience and a hotel room at the facility. Depending on how much time you’re planning on spending here, you might even get lucky enough to catch a live music concert or a masquerade ball.

Best Time to Visit

Just like most large-scale casinos in the country, this one is open all day every day. This is good news for everyone no matter what agenda you have for New Orleans since you get to pop into the casino at any time. Keep in mind that Fridays and Saturdays tend to be the busiest whilst Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the least crowded days.

Learn more about Harrah’s Casino here!

What’s special about this place?

Named after the French pirate Jean Lafitte, this National Historic Park and Preserve is designed to protect the local resources of the Mississippi River Delta region. With the whopping 2,421 acres of land, it encloses prairie, swamp, bayou, and the site dedicated to the Battle of New Orleans at National Cemetery and the Chalmette Battlefield.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike should add Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve to the list of places to visit when in New Orleans. There are tons of animals and birds to see and trails to walk for most age groups and fit levels.

What to do here?

Aside from the rich flora to appreciate while strolling through the park, you can also come for a guided walk to cross the boardwalks in the wetlands or spot wildflowers in the summer. The park’s bayous, marshes, swamps, and forests are easily accessible by foot too.

Best Time to Visit

The park is composed of 6 sites that include Barataria Preserve, Acadian Cultural Center, French Quarter Visitor Center, Wetland Acadian Cultural Center, Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, and Chalmette Battlefield and Cemetery. Each of them has its own opening hours so check them all out before visiting the location.

Learn more about the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve here!

What’s special about this place?

Located in between French Market and Jackson Square, Central Grocery & Deli store is a local Italian marketplace that has become popular among tourists for its specialty muffuletta sandwiches. Founded in 1906 by a Sicilian immigrant, it speaks volumes about the quality of the food that continues to pleasantly surprise tourists year after year.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

There’s not a single person who wouldn’t like to get a taste of the local specialty. This well-stuffed sandwich that consists of high-quality bread, ham, salami, provolone cheese, and olive dressing can serve as a great pick-me-up for hungry travelers who forgot to pack their lunches for the day filled with adventures.

What to do here?

Central Grocery & Deli store offers visitors sandwiches for both an eat-in and a take-out. You can also purchase the ingredients separately if you want to recreate them at home. Besides, there are other Greek, French, Italian, Spanish, and Creole delicacies available at the store to try out. And, for the daring customers, there are bumblebees drowned in soy sauce and grasshoppers covered in chocolate to savor too.

Best Time to Visit

The shop works with zero days off which means that you can pay a visit at any point during your visit to New Orleans. With it opening up at 9 in the morning and closing at 5 in the evening, there’s a period between 12 PM and 3 PM when it’s the busiest. To avoid crowds, consider skipping the weekend and choosing a quiet early afternoon to come instead.

Learn more about the Central Grocery & Deli store here!

What’s special about this place?

Found in the French Market District, Crescent Park is the perfect spot for tourists to look at New Orleans from up above. To get there, you’ll have to cross the rusty-looking bridge or take an elevator. Stretching for 1.4 miles along the Mississippi River, this park provides the access to water and views you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

You can feel free to bring your kids to Crescent Park and have a picnic right next to the river. Organized on a sunny day, it can consist of the city’s native po’boy sandwiches, lemonades, and daiquiris thus making it both an adult- and children-friendly destination.

What to do here?

If having a picnic or exploring the public art doesn’t seem to you like a good enough reason to visit the park, take it a step further and stop by when one of the seasonal events is in full force. On New Year’s day, there are often fun runs organized by the Crescent Park hosts whereas on Independence Day it’s common to groove to some tunes blasting from his audio mixing console.

Best Time to Visit

Free to enter, the park is often filled with people to the brim on Saturdays and Sundays. The majority of them choose to come after 3 PM and stay until 7 PM which means that if the weekend is the only viable option for you, make sure to arrive in the morning.

Learn more about Crescent Park here!

What’s special about this place?

Stretching for over 6 miles through the Garden District, Magazine Street is the place to not miss when visiting New Orleans. It’s better to be explored by bus or a streetcar so that you don’t accidentally pass that antique shop located nearly at the end of the street.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Magazine Street, as the name suggests, is a paradise for shopaholics. You don’t necessarily have to be the typical compulsive buyer — having an eye for art or quirky decor pieces is sufficient to find something you’ll cherish for a long time in one of the many shops on this street.

What to do here?

Check out retro shops and upscale boutiques, visit galleries and pottery stores, and reward yourself with a meal at one of the luxury eateries after a long day out and about. While you’re there, gape at the visually pleasing cottages standing along the road and covered with twisted oaks.

Best Time to Visit

Even though it’s unlikely that all fashion shops, furniture stores, and restaurant joints will be open when you visit, there’s a good chance that you’ll come across the ones that will spark your interest no matter the season or the time of the day. Pick a day when you don’t feel like touring the town and shop at Magazine Street till you drop.

Learn more about Magazine Street here!

What’s special about this place?

Taking an Algiers Ferry allows you to explore the city in an unconventional way. It takes you from the foot of Canal Street right to Algiers Point, the 19th-century neighborhood that’s worth exploring in your time off. The ferry service has been around since 1827 which makes it a relatively old means of transportation that doubles as a touristic site.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

This short commute is ideal for those who want to see the city of New Orleans from the water. It also offers a unique perspective on the less popular neighborhoods like Algiers that don’t see as many tourists as the famed French Quarter.

What to do here?

Algiers is a charming and historic neighborhood that can be explored on foot. Known as the 15h Ward of New Orleans, it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods that used to be home to plenty of jazz musicians. Here, you can spend time at the Jazz of Fame, walk along the river on the bike path, and visit the Confetti Park your kids are guaranteed to love.

Best Time to Visit

The Algiers Ferry operates every day of the week including longer operation hours on the weekend. It’s common to see a bigger number of tourists on Saturdays and Sundays since these are the days off for most, so you might want to avoid these days (and the periods of time when people commute in the morning and in the evening).

Learn more about the Algiers Ferry here!

What’s special about this place?

The huge warehouse that is Studio Be is nested in the Bywater district of New Orleans where all visitors can admire the art created by the local talent Brandon Odums (also known as BMike). Together with 40 other artists, he found a space to showcase murals and exhibits on the topics of activism, resistance, and revolution in the African American community.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Everyone can appreciate good art, and Studio Be is one of those galleries that provide vibrant and thought-provoking pieces you can’t help but stand and admire. Even if you’re not big on art and creativity, you’re likely to enjoy the powerful message behind every exhibit.

What to do here?

Look at the art displayed at the gallery and investigate the techniques used to create it. Some were done using spray paint and others were completed with graffiti strokes instead. Being the largest single-site art exhibition in the South of America, it merits a visit no matter where you’re coming from.

Best Time to Visit

The affordable price tag makes Studio Be an appealing location for visitors from all over the globe to drop by. Open from Wednesday to Saturday (the busiest day), you can pop in at any time between 2 PM and 8 PM.

Learn more about Studio Be here!

What’s special about this place?

Opened in 2002, Bacchanal continues to welcome guests for a wine-and-cheese dining experience at the end of the Crescent park where it’s located. It combines the best of both worlds — a charm that the lush back patio offers and the energetic atmosphere created by the live music.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

If you’re in New Orleans for the first time, you’ll want to check out this wine spot that brings in people from all over the state. It has a hideaway feel to it which makes you feel like you’re on a different planet grooving to the music that flows through the entire backyard.

What to do here?

This wine laboratory is the local gem that is no longer a secret to anyone. Its unique ambiance where food, music, and culture collide adds to the appeal to stop by on a whim (no bookings are accepted anymore), drink some good wine, and savor the cheese plate when the sun is just about to set.

Best Time to Visit

Bacchanal is open Wednesday to Monday from 5 PM to 10/11 PM. It’s the busiest on Fridays and Saturdays when locals get off from work and pop in for a glass of wine and some jazz in the background.

Learn more about Bacchanal here!

What’s special about this place?

Local musicians like Dr. John, Galactic, and The Radiators have been performing at Tipitina’s since 1977 — that’s how long the music venue has been around. Sandwiched between the corners of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street, Tipitina’s continues to host live music events that feature cajun dancing among other dancing styles.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Every funk lover will come to appreciate the usual lineups at Tipitina’s. Don’t be fooled by the bland exterior of the club — it exceeds the expectations of guests time after time. Just grab your friends and come listen to your favorite bands playing local tunes you can’t help but dance to.

What to do here?

Even though Tipitina’s is for standing only, this is rarely a problem — your feet will make you do the dance moves you never knew you had in you. You’ll find that the music venue has all genres of music playing at all times which makes it an all-inclusive spot for the pickiest music listeners.

Best Time to Visit

If you want to hack the system and enter for free, consider visiting in the summer during one of their ‘Free Music Fridays’ when all you have to pay for is a cocktail or two. In all the other cases, keep in mind that Tipitian’s sees the biggest number of guests on Fridays and Saturdays after 7 PM when the crowds grow bigger by the minute.

Learn more about Tipitina’s here!

What’s special about this place?

JAMNOLA is New Orleans’ first-ever experiential pop-up installation that takes an interactive experience to a whole different level. You can easily spot it in the Marigny neighborhood — the 5,000 square-foot building catches your attention and makes it hard to just pass this selfie hotspot when exploring the city.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Millennials and Gen Z are likely to enjoy these multimedia installations more than other generations. They’re bright, fun, and thrilling to not only stroll through but also take pictures with. Who knows — a visit here might even change your mind about art.

What to do here?

JAMNOLA consists of vibrant rooms each of which was designed by a local artist with an eye for creative and futuristic-looking art. Snap a photo with an oversized boot in one room, jump into the bathtub with a crawfish in it in the other room, and gaze at the written signs sporadically spread throughout the attraction.

Best Time to Visit

Open every day except Monday and Tuesday, JAMNOLA gets busy in the second half of Friday and the first half on Saturday and Sunday. If you want to avoid crowds, consider coming on Wednesday or Thursday.

Learn more about JAMNOLA here!

What’s special about this place?

This Bywater-native sculpture garden is a one-of-a-kind site that was created by multiple artists and builders who incorporated the atmosphere of New Orleans into a single area in the forest. The treehouses that are a part of the Music Box Village are constructed in the Creolean style so that when the passers-by approach them, they can feel the wave of fine tunes reaching their ears.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Music Box Village is considered to be a great spot for families with kids for the simple reason that it’s entertaining. The combination of musical instruments and fairy lights that turn on in the evening makes for an exciting locale to spend a couple of hours at.

What to do here?

Apart from wandering around the many houses designed in the form of musical instruments, you can take part in the hands-on play arranged within the arts organization. There are also orchestral shows to catch where local talents share their musical gifts with the guests. If you come at the right time, you’re guaranteed to catch a live concert.

Best Time to Visit

You can visit this musical garden on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 in the morning and 7 in the evening. Before you decide to head there, make sure to check the organization’s official website for any changes in the schedule.

Learn more about Music Box Village here!

What’s special about this place?

Mortuary Haunted House was headquarters for the PJ McMahon and Sons Undertaking company for over a century. Up until 1985, there were over 20,00 funeral services were performed in the house which leads to the belief that some of the dead souls haunt the mansion to this day.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Not designed for children and those who are easily scared, Mortuary Haunted House is a must-see for everyone else. If your friend group has been wanting to explore a site that only the brave ones dare to visit, this is the place for you.

What to do here?

Sign up for a ghost tour and allocate some time on your visit to New Orleans to investigate this historic mansion from the Victorian era that started operating in the 1830s. And even though you can’t visit it all year round, there’s still a good chance you can book a spot and stop by the haunted site when you’re around.

Best Time to Visit

Located at the very end of Canal Street, the Mortuary Haunted House is open to visitors from September to November only. Consider it a Halloween-themed attraction that’s worth visiting if you happen to be in New Orleans during the fall.

Learn more about the Mortuary Haunted House here!

What’s special about this place?

Situated in the French Quarter neighborhood, Saenger Theatre has been through many restorations over the years. This is partly due to hurricane Katrina hitting the building hard in 2005 after which the theatre had to minimize its capacity before opening to the public again. And even though it was possible to bring back the color scheme and the finishes from 1927, the current-day sound and technical systems were incorporated this time around too.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Depending on the show you choose to see — an award-winning comedy or a children’s musical — no audience is off-limits. Check the shows’ schedule beforehand and make sure you bring the right people so that they get to enjoy every second of it.

What to do here?

Even if you’re not into Broadway musicals, you can still find a show you’ll get a kick out of. It can be a concert, a Tony award-winning musical, or a live comedy — the options are abundant. For entertaining your children, pick a kid-friendly performance they’d be most interested in and book your tickets in advance.

Best Time to Visit

Saenger Theatre is closed on the weekend but is open to the public every day of the workweek. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to see the biggest crowds at around 11 PM whilst Mondays and Fridays are the least busy after midday.

Learn more about the Saenger Theatre here!

What’s special about this place?

Dedicated to kids and kids only, Louisiana Children’s Museum is heaven on earth (or, New Orleans). Stretching over 30,000 square feet of land, it features plenty of interactive exhibits including a climbing wall and an art studio that will keep your child busy while you’re planning what sites to visit the next day.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Children of all ages are welcome in Louisiana Children’s Museum. Sitting inside the City Park, it offers a good amount of outdoor space for them to run loose once they’re done exploring the many exhibits in the museum.

What to do here?

Let your kids explore the ins and outs of the locale while exchanging travel stories with other parents out in the fresh air. The museum comes with 8.5 acres of activities like an edible garden, a lagoon bank, a play-pretend grocery store, a bubble studio, and a ‘wetland’ habitat; chances are they’ll get so involved that you’ll have to drag them away before the museum closes.

Best Time to Visit

Louisiana Children’s Museum is open every day except for Monday. It opens at 9:30 in the morning and closes at 4:30 in the afternoon — your kids have got a lot of time to run around even on Saturday when it gets particularly crowded at 2 PM.

Learn more about Louisiana Children’s Museum here!

What’s special about this place?

Having been operating since 1910, Acme Oyster House remains one of the oldest spots for sampling oysters in the city. This local cuisine staple is a must-try and what’s a better place for satisfying your tastebuds than the one that serves it in many forms?

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Street food and seafood enthusiasts alike are the most likely to be predisposed to adding NOLA oysters to their list of all-time favorite foods. Since they already have their taste palettes adjusted to salty flavors and sometimes odd textures, chances are both shooters and chargrilled kinds will pleasantly surprise them.

What to do here?

Dare to try every kind of oyster on the Acme Oyster House’s menu. This includes raw oysters, oysters shooters, chargrilled oysters, and everything in between. To wash it down, order the locale’s specialty like Acme sunset with Don Q Cristal rum or a VooDoo Mary with Tito’s vodka.

Best Time to Visit

Available for both dine-in and a takeaway, Acme Oyster House is best visited on Fridays and Saturdays. That said if you’d rather avoid crowds and savor oysters in a more quiet environment, consider visiting on a weekday before 6 in the evening.

Learn more about Acme Oyster House here!

What’s special about this place?

Spotted in the middle of the famed French Quarter, Faulkner House Books used to be the home of William Faulkner. It’s now a real-life sanctuary for exquisite literature and limited editions of books that many are trying to get a hold of. What’s more, this place is often featured in media as one of the most charming bookstores in the country.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Bookworms, you won’t want to miss this spot when you’re in New Orleans. Praised by writers, book critics, and collectors, it offers a wide range of rare finds you’ll be happy to dive in while sipping some hot peppermint tea on a rainy day in November.

What to do here?

Allocate some time to visit Faulkner House Books when exploration of the city becomes tiring. Grab your friends — or come by yourself, you’re almost guaranteed to meet other book lovers in the shop — and check out the latest arrivals recommended by the store’s staff. You might even find a couple of thrillers that took place in the haunted city that New Orleans is often regarded as.

Best Time to Visit

Open every day of the week, Faulkner House Books doesn’t ever get too busy. This means that you can drop by at any point during your investigation of the French Quarter neighborhood and not have to wait in line (particularly true for Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays).

Learn more about Faulkner House Books here!

What’s special about this place?

Bayou St. John neighborhood is known for being the number one destination in New Orleans for water sports fanatics. On top of that, it’s a refined area with dozens of distinguished mansions built in the Creole style worth checking out.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Couples, families, elderly — there’s practically no visitors who wouldn’t benefit from spending a day or a few hours in the Bayou St. John neighborhood. There are plenty of activities to engage in no matter the age or the touristic preferences which makes it a versatile location that should be high on every traveler’s list.

What to do here?

Aside from the obvious like stopping at Dufour-Plassan House and dropping by Bayou Beer Garden for some boiled crawfish paired with a refreshing beverage, you can take up kayaking or paddleboarding. The water stretches wide enough for you to acquire a new skill or hone the existing skills all while watching the sun setting in the background.

Best Time to Visit

Even though the neighborhood itself is free to visit, water sports will cost you a little. Pick the day when it’s sunny and not too windy so that you get to enjoy the views while paddling your way through the Bayou St. John and planning your next trip to the city.

Learn more about Bayou St. John here!

What’s special about this place?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that New Orleans with its reputation for having multiple haunted spots throughout the city has a place dedicated to psychic readings. The Bottom of The Cup Tea Room is exactly that. Open since 1929, it’s since become the go-to destination for tourists who want to find out their true fate from a reliable professional and sip some tea at the same time.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Even if you’re not big on tarot cards and psychic readings, you’d still be able to satisfy your curiosity at this tea house. Look at it as a fun way to get closer to the local culture and perhaps even discover your new favorite tea.

What to do here?

Just a couple of blocks away from Jackson Square, Bottom of The Cup Tea Room is the place to swing by if you have a bit of time to kill on your last day in the city. Here, you’ll be served some loose tea which will act as the basis for your psychic reading later on.

Best Time to Visit

Most visited during the weekend, it’s best if you stop by on a weekday when locals (and tourists) are busy at work. Afternoons tend to be the busiest, so plan your visit accordingly if you don’t feel like waiting for your turn to get your future told.

Learn more about the Bottom of The Cup Tea Room here!

What’s special about this place?

This iconic mansion built in the 1880s that’s been recently restored is now a sought-after brunch spot among tourists visiting the city for the first time. Located on St. Charles Avenue, it one of the most authentic places in New Orleans to have a Sunday brunch while listening to jazz.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

No longer a secret spot where locals go for a bite on a Sunday, Columns Hotel attracts tourists from all over. It might not be the most obvious locale for an inexperienced traveler, but now that you’ve got all the cards, you better book a table before leaving New Orleans.

What to do here?

Make yourself comfortable on the colonnaded front porch, order some shrimps and a cocktail to go with them, and watch the streetcars pass you by. There’ll also be some jazz tunes echoing from the inside of the hotel that’ll help you connect with the soul of New Orleans on a deeper level.

Best Time to Visit

You’d have to check with the Columns Hotel website to find out whether the restaurant will be open on the day for which you’re planning on making a reservation. It’s more likely to gather more guests during peak seasons including spring and summer.

Learn more about the Columns Hotel here!

What’s special about this place?

The beloved neighborhood of the city, Garden District is a historical locale filled with humongous mansions and even bigger trees hanging over them that are the symbol of New Orleans’ Southern charm. Initially built for wealthy families who decided against Creoles in the French Quarter, it’s now a popular touring place for guests from across the country.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Architecture lovers and curious minds who don’t mind venturing out and exploring this part of New Orleans will find Garden District both charming and inspiring. The abundance of lavish cottage houses and fine-dining restaurants will make them want to stick around till later in the day.

What to do here?

Most visitors prefer taking walking tours to make the most of their time in the neighborhood and see every mansion celebrities live in. The leafy streets are also home to antique shops, boutiques, cafes, and pubs where you can recharge your batteries after roaming around for several hours in a row. There’s also a Lafayette Cemetery to stop by if 19th-century tombs spark your interest.

Best Time to Visit

With the majority of tourists spending about 2 hours to half a day in the Garden District, it makes sense to allocate the same amount to tour the neighborhood’s surroundings when you visit New Orleans. Whether it’s February or April when you decide to take a trip to New Orleans, chances are there will always be something exciting to explore.

Learn more about the Garden District here!

What’s special about this place?

San Fermin is a New Orlean twist of the ‘Running of the bulls’ pertinent to Pamplona in Spain where thousands of registered runners run from derby girls dressed as bulls. These girls carry plastic baseball bats while having their roller skates on which makes for a fun and quirky tradition travelers like to partake.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Everyone who’s planning on visiting New Orleans in July is guaranteed to want to join the San Fermin celebrations even if just for a day (the event spans for 3 days). It’s fun to participate in, there is a wacky afterparty following the event, and it’s not limited to locals only.

What to do here?

Put on your red scarf and a white shirt and unite with the crowd that’s running away from the derby girls cruising down the streets on their roller skates. Once the San Fermin is over, don’t forget to join the grand party known as La Fiesta de Pantalones where everyone’s wearing white pants and enjoying themselves to the maximum.

Best Time to Visit

San Fermin takes place every July. If you want to experience it, make sure to plan your visit accordingly. You might want to combine it with sightseeing if you’re coming from afar or are new to New Orleans.

Learn more about New Orleans’ San Fermin here!