This post lists our picks for the top New Orleans attractions that first-time visitors should plan to see.
As local walking tour guides, we developed this post in the hopes that our experiences and expertise can help you plan your itineraries.
We lead dozens of walking tours each week showing hundreds of visitors the charms and mysteries of our beautiful city.
No tour goes by without requests for recommendations for things to do after the tour is over.
And, in the video below, Andrew, a tour guide with us, Free Tours by Foot, gives you a sample 1-day New Orleans itinerary.
We also answer many questions about things to do in New Orleans from members of our New Orleans Travel Tips Facebook group.
We've incorporated some of the comments and suggestions shared in this group here in this post.
This group consists of locals, like our tour guides, expats, regular visitors to New Orleans, as well as newbies.
Check out our group once you are finished with this post.
Now, enough about us. Without further ado, let's get to the post.
1. Explore the Architecture of the French Quarter
Perhaps the most popular destination for both tourists and locals alike, the French Quarter offers an authentic NOLA experience, day or night.
This neighborhood is filled with historic sites, fantastic restaurants, a lively bar scene, and lots of street musicians.
Check out Andrew in this video about the creole cottages, shotgun homes, and townhouses of the French Quarter.
Check out our list of 25 essential sights in the French Quarter.
We offer a guided tour of the French Quarter and our ghost, food, and cocktail tours take place in the French Quarter as well.
When visiting the area, be sure to check out the French Market, detailed just below.
2. Shop or Browse at the French Market
The French Market is six blocks of restaurants, candy shops, and a flea market.
Our post on visiting the French Market has suggestions for the best places to shop, eat, and drink in and around the market.
And, in this video, tour guides Andrew and Kayla discuss the highlights of the French Market.
The French Market is a stop on our guided tour of the French Quarter as well as our audio tour and our self-guided tour, so let us show you around!
3. Visit Jackson Square
Right by the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the U.S.A., and steps away from the Mississippi River, this historic New Orleans landmark is a must-see.
There is so much to see and do around Jackson Square, such as visiting the museums in the Cabildo, where the Louisiana Purchase was signed, and the Presbytere.
We created a self-guided tour that will lead you to the best sights. And you could let Andrew show you around in this virtual walk.
Across the street from Jackson Square is the famous Cafe du Monde. Here you can try some of the best beignets in town.
Jackson Square is covered on our daily, pay-what-you-like tours of the French Quarter.
For more information, see our complete post on Jackson Square.
4. Tour the New Orleans Cemeteries
New Orleans is one of the few places in the world whose cemeteries are a major tourist attraction.
The two most popular cemeteries are St. Louis Cemetery #1 and Lafayette Cemetery #1.
You can join us on our guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery #1 or take our GPS-enabled audio tour anytime the cemetery is open. Why not do both?
For more information and background, check out our guide to New Orleans cemeteries.
5. Visit the Historic Voodoo Museum
The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum is possibly the most interesting, small museum in the country.
Here you will find all the mysteries, secrets, history, and folklore of rituals, zombies, gris-gris, Voodoo Queens, like Marie Laveau, and more.
In this video, Robi, a tour guide and Voodoo priest, discusses the religion in New Orleans and how it's been misrepresented by popular culture.
Learn how to visit this unique museum from our detailed post here.
If learning about Voodoo history and culture in New Orleans, be sure to take our Voodoo Tour.
Alternatively, you can also learn more just by visiting some of the best Voodoo Shops in NOLA!
6. Ride the St. Charles Line Streetcar
The absolute best way to see the sites is to take a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar, the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world.
Traveling between the Garden District and the French Quarter, this streetcar line features old-fashioned brass fittings, wooden benches, and exposed ceiling light bulbs.
In this video, Andrew demonstrates how to ride the New Orleans streetcars with tips on choosing the right ticket, seeing the best sights, and understanding the streetcar’s history
You will feel like you are taking a 'ride' back in time!
There are two other streetcar lines you can ride to get around the city.
Streetcars are a great way to travel around NOLA as they have stops at many of the popular attractions you are likely to visit.
Our Guide to New Orleans Streetcars has information on the streetcar lines, where to board, ticket options, and destinations along each of the lines.
7. Take a Ride on the Steamboat Natchez
The Steamboat Natchez is the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River.
Offering dinner jazz and daytime jazz cruises daily, the Natchez is one of the best ways to spend a night out in NOLA.
The steamboat offers steam engine room visitation, calliope, live jazz, and optional Creole food and local beverages.
Read more about New Orleans riverboat tours, paddleboat tours, and cruises available here.
8. Explore Bourbon Street
No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Bourbon Street.
Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this street extends 13 blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue.
There are quite a few French Quarter festivals that happen during the year, most famously the annual Mardi Gras celebration.
Bourbon Street is known for its drinking scene and local open-container laws in the French Quarter allow patrons to drink alcoholic beverages in the street!
But, it's much more than that, something Andrew explains in this video.
New Orleans itself is known for its creative cocktails. Find out more from our New Orleans Cocktails and Drinking Guide.
You might like to join us on our pay-what-you-wish French Quarter cocktail tours!
Let us take you to the bars with the best versions of the city's most popular cocktails.
9. Go to the Audubon Zoo
The Audubon Zoo is a perfect place to become acquainted with some of the local wildlife, just check out the award-winning Louisiana Swamp exhibit!
In addition to the widely known animals, the zoo is home to some unique animals such as their white tiger and albino alligators.
For those traveling with children, there are feedings, petting zoos, and animal presentations.
Our family-friendly guide to New Orleans for more ideas for things to do with kids.
To see some amazing aquatic life, be sure to visit the Audubon Aquarium.
Or, admire nature at the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
You might want to combine a visit with a ride on the Algiers Ferry (read just below).
10. Board the Algiers Ferry and Visit Algiers
For one of the most stunning views of the New Orleans skyline, take the $2 ferry from the French Quarter on Canal Street, next to the Audubon Aquarium.
The ferry will travel along the river's natural crescent to Algiers Point, over on the West Bank.
It is an interesting neighborhood so if you decide to see more of it, take along our self-guided tour.
11. Explore City Park
City Park has been a public space for New Orleans residents and visitors since 1854.
Most of its better-known attractions cluster near the southern corner of the rectangle – the part closest to the French Quarter.
The park preserves a sense of South Louisiana’s natural state, conveniently located in the middle of the city.
And you can visit a Café du Monde here.
For more details to convince you to visit, read our blog post on City Park.
And on your way to City Park, stop by the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
12. Enjoy the Bayous and Swamps of Southern Louisiana
One of the most popular activities is to take a swamp tour on a swamp or airboat. We have a whole post dedicated to swamp tours.
However, one must not leave the city to experience a swamp or bayous.
You could take a canoe ride on Bayou St. John or visit City Park, which has its own mini swamp where you can see alligators in the wild.
And for a free option just outside of the city, visit the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
13. Lose Yourself in the National WWII Museum
The National World War 2 Museum is a venue in which visitors can experience virtually the challenges faced by the nations who fought in the war.
Immersive and interactive exhibits recreate the world of those who lived through WWII, whether they fought overseas or remained on the Home Front.
Read our post on visiting the museum and how to get discount tickets.
14. Take in the Live Music of Frenchman Street
Frenchmen Street lies east of the French Quarter and runs parallel to the promenade Elysian Fields Ave.
It stretches all the way north from the university campus in the Gentilly neighborhood to the Mississippi in the south.
The trendy area that you want to explore at night is located in the Faubourg Marigny/Bywater neighborhood.
This is the part of the street with all the bars, restaurants, or jazz clubs.
Learn more by reading our post on things to do on Frenchman Street.
15. Experience Carnival Anytime at Mardi Gras World
Kern Studios has been developing floats and other decorations for Mardi Gras since 1932.
Over the years, their incredible work became so popular that several people began to request private tours of the studio.
New Orleans SouvenirsDuring a walking tour here, your guide will explain the history of both Mardi Gras and Kern Studios.
Afterward, you'll get a look at their "float den," the location where artists work year-round to create memorable floats and other decors.
Learn more about tickets and discounts to Mardi Gras World here.
16. Hear New Orleans Jazz at the Legendary Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is small. This keeps the scene intimate, just like it was at the beginning of New Orleans jazz.
There are only 100 admissions for each set, but that doesn't reserve you a seat.
We have a post that explains how to get tickets to Preservation Hall. Enjoy.
And if you want to learn more about Dixieland Jazz and other forms of music, be sure to visit the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
17. Taste Cajun and Creole Food
This post is an introduction to 13 New Orleans foods that you must try, and they are gumbo, po-boys, jambalaya, red beans, and rice, étouffée, muffulettas, oysters, turtle soup, beignets, chicory coffee, bananas foster, pralines and king cakes.
We include an explanation of the differences between Creole and Cajun cooking as well as the city's famous cocktails.
18. Take a Hurricane Katrina Tour
Many people who visit New Orleans are interested in visiting areas that were affected by Hurricane Katrina, which stormed through in 2005 and seeing the revitalization that has taken place since.
This post covers Hurricane Katrina tours, both guided and self-guided.
19. Crescent City Park
Bywater follows the Mississippi River just east of Faubourg Marigny.
Crescent Park, a relatively new park, and Studio Be are located there.
This place is unquestionably worth visiting if you're curious about New Orleans' history.
Last but not least, you should check out our pay-what-you-like walking tours of New Orleans!
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