The 16 Best Things to Do in New Orleans

Posted: 5/23/2023 | May 23rd, 2023 New Orleans is one of the best cities in the world. Synonymous with debauchery, it’s become famous for the boisterous Mardi Gras festival that takes over the city each February. But there is more to “NOLA” than just partying. Much more. I first went in 2006 and have been drawn back countless times, diving deeper and deeper into the city. From feasting on delicious Creole food to learning about voodoo and its cultural roots, New Orleans is a city with layers — layers that are often overlooked by partying tourists. New Orleans is magic. It is such a phenomenal place. I’ve never not had a great time there. It’s one of my favorite places in the WORLD! That’s how good it is! To help you have fun and make the most of your visit beyond the tourist trail, here’s my list of the best things to do in New Orleans: 1. Celebrate Mardi Gras Mardi Gras — French for “Fat Tuesday” — is one of the most popular festivals in the world. It kicks off in January and lasts until Ash Wednesday. There are parades with floats and live music, balls, and a nonstop party atmosphere known for getting rowdy. Upwards of a million visitors flock here each year to celebrate, turning the city into a giant party. While it can be a blast, make sure you book everything well in advance, as prices skyrocket and everything sells out quickly. But it’s a party not to be missed!  2. Listen to music on Frenchmen Street Buskers, jazz, blues, big band: you can find it all in NOLA. Live music is hugely popular here, and there are tons of bars and clubs in which you can take in a performance. The main area to find them is on Frenchmen Street, which grew to prominence in the 1980s and has been a staple of the music scene ever since.  3. Take a ghost or voodoo tour New Orleans is considered one of the most haunted spots in the country, thanks to the city’s voodoo roots. Voodoo is a set of underground religious practices that came out of the African religious traditions that enslaved people brought to America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Over the years, voodoo and the occult became synonymous with New Orleans. From stories of ghosts and vampires to Marie Laveau (the most famous voodoo practitioner), New Orleans has a certain unsettling aspect. To learn more, take a voodoo tour through the French Quarter and its cemeteries. Witches Brew Tours and the Ghosts, Vampires, and Voodoo French Quarter Tour are two of the best. 400 Royal St, +1 504-454-3939, witchesbrewtours.com. They host multiple tours daily, including some only for adults. Its Cemetery Insiders Walking Tour lasts two hours and costs $35 USD.  4. Visit the Voodoo Museum This small museum is the place to learn more about voodoo and to actually see objects used in its practices. Comprised of just two rooms, it opened in 1972 and is packed with all kinds of artifacts, talismans, taxidermied animals, and voodoo dolls. And if that’s not enough, the museum can facilitate psychic readings and other rituals with local practitioners if you’re so inclined. You can visit the museum at your own pace via the self-guided option, or take the walking tour, which includes a guided tour of the museum. 724 Dumaine St, +1 504-680-0128, voodoomuseum.com. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is $10 USD for a self-guided tour or $32 USD for the guided museum and walking tour.  5. Tour the French Quarter The famous French Quarter was settled by the French (hence the name) in 1718. The district is now a haven for revelers on Bourbon Street, antique shoppers on Royal Street, and foodies seeking some of the best Cajun food in town. Here you’ll also find Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral (the oldest in the country, dating back to 1789), beautiful homes, bars blaring top-notch jazz, and iconic 18th century French-style homes with wrought-iron balconies. I start off every visit to a new city with a free walking tour. Try the one from NOLA Tour Guy. You’ll learn about the history of the neighborhood and get access to an expert local guide who can answer all your questions. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end! For a more in-depth tour, go with Take Walks. It is my go-to company when it comes to detailed walking tours that go above and beyond the guidebook. For more suggestions, here’s my list of the best walking tours in NOLA.  6. Stop by Sazerac House Opened in 2019, Sazerac House is part bar, part museum, highlighting the importance of the Sazerac cocktail, born at this very location and considered by many to be the oldest American cocktail. This is an immersive experience, with several floors of interactive exhibits. You can chat with virtual bartenders about their favorite drinks and see what the French Quarter looked like in the 1800s. It’s a super detailed and fun experience that’s one of the best in New Orleans. You can also take a 90-minute free tour (which includes samples) or attend one of the events or workshops (which start at $30 USD), such as a whi

The 16 Best Things to Do in New Orleans