Things to Do in New Orleans
Plan your days in New Orleans, your way
Ease in with beignets at the riverfront as the French Quarter wakes up around you.
A morning wander through the Quarter's quieter streets, galleries and courtyards, no map required past Jackson Square.
The streetcar carries you under the oaks of St. Charles to the Garden District for a slow stroll past the grand old houses.
Lunch is a shrimp po-boy at a neighborhood joint where the bread is the argument.
Afternoon in City Park: the sculpture garden, the ancient trees, a bench when you want one.
Golden hour on the levee or a rooftop, the river going gold, a cold drink in hand.
Dinner is gumbo and something grilled from the Gulf at a place that feels discovered even if it isn't.
Night ends on Frenchmen Street, one good band, one more song than you planned.
A little history, a little music, a lot of flavor, nothing overdone.
You will leave feeling like you actually met the city, which is rarer than it sounds.
Top attractions and places to eat in New Orleans
The National WWII Museum
A large, immersive museum dedicated to the American experience in World War II, featuring extensive exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories. It is one of the top-rated museums in the United States and a major draw for history travelers.
museum · 4.8 rating · $37
French Quarter
The historic heart of New Orleans, known for its French and Spanish colonial architecture, wrought-iron balconies, live music, and lively bars and restaurants. Travelers come to soak up the city's culture, cuisine, and nightlife.
neighborhood · 4.4 rating
Jackson Square
A historic landmark park in the heart of the French Quarter, framed by St. Louis Cathedral and surrounded by artists, musicians, and street performers. Travelers come for its iconic architecture and lively public atmosphere.
square · 4.5 rating
French Market
A historic open-air market district dating to 1791, with food stalls, local crafts, produce, and shops beside the Mississippi River.
market · 4.5 rating
Deanie's Seafood Restaurant in the French Quarter
A well-known seafood restaurant in the French Quarter serving Louisiana-style boiled and fried seafood. Travelers come for large portions of local Gulf seafood.
restaurant · 4.6 rating
Frenchmen Street
Go-to stretch for live music venues, especially in the Faubourg Marigny area.
neighborhood · 4.5 rating
Garden District
Historic neighborhood with grand mansions, boutiques, and cultivated gardens.
neighborhood · 4.6 rating
St. Louis Cathedral
The landmark Roman Catholic cathedral overlooking Jackson Square in the French Quarter, and a defining symbol of New Orleans. Travelers visit for its striking facade, historic interior, and central setting.
church · 4.6 rating
Royal Street
One of the oldest streets in the French Quarter, known for curio shops and art galleries.
neighborhood · 4.6 rating
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Founded in 1789, the oldest cemetery in New Orleans and a National Register of Historic Places site.
historic site · 4.5 rating
Preservation Hall
Music venue established in 1961 dedicated to traditional New Orleans jazz.
theater · 4.6 rating
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
A century-old Bayou St. John po-boy shop famous for its roast beef debris and fried seafood sandwiches. It's a widely celebrated local institution for New Orleans po-boys.
restaurant · 4.7 rating
Antoine's Restaurant
Founded in 1840, this French Quarter institution is one of America's oldest family-run restaurants, famed for French-Creole classics like Oysters Rockefeller. Travelers come for its historic ambiance and old-world formal dining.
restaurant · 4.3 rating
Mardi Gras World
A working warehouse where the giant floats for Mardi Gras parades are built and displayed. Travelers tour the space to see the artistry behind Carnival up close.
museum · 4.4 rating · $29.95
Central Grocery and Deli
A historic Italian-American grocery in the French Quarter credited as the birthplace of the muffuletta sandwich. Travelers visit for the iconic olive-salad-topped sandwich.
restaurant · 4.6 rating