New Orleans is the place to eat, drink, and celebrate Mardi Gras. But there’s plenty more to do besides non-stop drinking and partying. The Big Easy is packed with history, a completely unique food culture, and plenty of things to see and experience. Here’s what to do in New Orleans.
What to Do in New Orleans
1. Explore the French Quarter
The French Quarter is arguably the heart of New Orleans. It’s where you’ll find the iconic iron balconies and Spanish-meets-French architecture that signals The Big Easy, the iconic Jackson Square with the St. Louis Cathedral, and Bourbon Street. The best and most iconic food is in this district, too. Don’t miss Cafe du Monde (serving beignets since the Civil War!), Gumbo Shop for a bowl of the famed dish, and Coop’s Place for Jambalaya. If exploring on your own isn’t your thing, or you want to know the nitty gritty details, take a guided tour of the French Quarter. (Plus here’s what to eat in New Orleans.)
2. Visit the National World War II Museum
Save this one for a rainy day — no, seriously. Rainy days are not rare in New Orleans, so when you need to escape the rain (or maybe have had your fill of Bourbon Street), check out the National World War II Museum. The museum is actually a campus of several buildings, each one an in-depth look at life for the Greatest Generation: the Pacific Theater, European Theater, life in the United States, and more. Don’t miss the film, a 45 minute 4D movie produced by Tom Hanks. I normally don’t even visit museums, let alone watch the films, and we spent all day walking through history here! (Tip: buy tickets ahead of time to avoid the lines.) Afterwards, have a Po Boy with Debris nearby at Mother’s.
3. Walk through the Garden District
The Garden District is known for three things: the massive mansions dating back to the 18th Century, the oldest cemetery in the city (Lafayette No. 1), and the St. Charles Streetcar that gets you there. The streetcar is the oldest continuously running streetcar in the world, dating back to 1835. The cars haven’t changed — that means no air conditioning — and are a historical landmark. Take it to the Garden District and walk through the neighborhood to see the houses until you get to Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. The cemetery is still in use today (so be respectful) and some tombs date to 1832. Or, better yet, take a tour of the neighborhood. Then stop at the cute neighborhood restaurant Croquette for fried chicken.
4. Discover Some Art
New Orleans is home to the largest concentration of art galleries in the South. Surprised? So was I. But one stroll down Royal Street convinced me otherwise. It’s practically an open-air art museum with paintings, photography, and sculptures, all for sale. Go NOLA has a guide if you’re serious about art shopping but we were happy just steeping inside stores we liked.
The number of art galleries in New Orleans may be surprising, but the number of jazz bars isn’t. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and it’s not hard to find. Head to Frenchmen Street for a whole bunch of jazz bars or seek out specific artists at larger venues like Howlin’ Wolf. Don’t miss the Dana Abbott Band at Cafe Negril if you’re there on a Friday, they were awesome. And don’t discredit the street musicians playing on corners in the French Quarter — they were just as good as anyone we paid to see. (Or take a cocktail and jazz tour.)
5. Take a Day Trip to Plantations or Swamps
Day trips are my favorite way to fully experience a place and New Orleans has two great options. Venture out to the bayou on a swamp boat tour. The boat takes you through the marshes and swamps searching for alligators and even if you don’t see any (we didn’t) it’s entertaining and exciting. Even better are the day trips to plantations to tour the massive mansions and historical slave quarters along the Mississippi River. Each plantation is known for something different (here’s a guide) and worth a visit. We paired Oak Alley Plantation with Laura Plantation to see both American and Creole style plantations.
6. Watch a Parade
Every year, Mardi Gras transforms New Orleans into a wild two-week party with parades every single day. The parades span all sorts of themes and celebrations. But New Orleans doesn’t stop there. There’s a parade for practically every holiday (sometimes several), plus other local events like the Sugar Bowl. We happened to catch the Sugar Bowl Parade on New Year’s Eve, full of floats and marching bands. And the best part was enjoying a beer on the street while we watched (which is totally legal in New Orleans!).
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Related :: What to Eat in New Orleans, Guide to a Plantation Day Trip, and Reasons to Visit New Orleans Besides Partying
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