New Orleans

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Top attractions in New Orleans

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Top 10 things to do in New Orleans

A slow-brewed Gumbo of cultures with a seemingly immortal music scene, New Orleans still drips with the Southern charm chronicled by Tennessee Williams and other famous sons. Here are the best things to see and do in one of the US' most characteristic cities!

  • 1. S.S. Natchez

    There's no better way to cruise the Mississippi than by steamboat! The original Natchez was destroyed in a fire, but the current S.S. Natchez offers dinner and live Jazz tours of Old Man River.

  • 2. French Quarter

    Mit den elegantesten Gebäuden und Denkmälern der Stadt wie dem "1850 House“ oder dem Jackson Square ist das symbolträchtige French Quarter ist ein Muss für jeden Besucher.

  • 3. Lake Pontchartrain

    Having once suffered from careless overdevelopment, the Lake Pontchartrain are now a great place to swim and picnic, particularly by the Mardi Gras fountain.

  • 4. Garden District

    New Orlean's rich and famous still gravitate towards this district's 19th-century mansions. Book a Garden District tour to see the best bits, but it's also a great area just to wander and ponder!

  • 5. Bourbon Street

    Though it's now known primarily for its bars and clubs, by day, Bourbon Street remains one of the best places to tour New Orleans' colonial past.

  • 6. The Cabildo

    The governing-offices-turned-courthouse called Cabildo at Jackson Square is where the Louisiana Purchase was signed. Its blend of Spanish and French colonial architecture is now a museum.

  • 7. Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium

    The Audubon Institute runs a zoo and aquarium too, but as family attractions go, this is one of the best in the US. There's even a creepy-crawly snack bar – Bug Appétit!

  • 8. Mardi Gras World

    Discover what goes into making Mardi Gras' most breathtaking carnival floats at the giant Mardi Gras World warehouse. It's open 7 days a week, closing only for major holidays. Oh, and Mardi Gras!

  • 9. Louisiana State Museum

    Louisiana may have a short history but it's one that warrants 9 state museum buildings! The Cabildo is one, but their flagship is just across Jackson Square at The Presbytère.

  • 10. The Old US Mint

    Here's another branch of the Louisiana State Museum worth visiting. No longer used to mint coins, the Old US Mint is now a huge Jazz museum, exhibiting old recordings, photos, and live music!

Planning Your Visit

  • When to go?

    The height of summer (June-August) can get intolerably hot, but it's worth checking what events are happening the rest of the year before settling on dates. The famous Mardi Gras carnival takes place the day before Ash Wednesday (in February or March). If you want to sample some traditional street food though, arrive for November's Oak Street Po-Boy Festival to try the best Po-Boy sandwiches in town!

  • How long to stay?

    For sightseeing, four days should be enough time to cover the French Quarter and Garden District, however, New Orleans is a city full of life and culture that penetrates deep beneath its surface. Book a few extra days if you can, keep your itinerary loose, and be prepared to get drawn into a few pleasant surprises!

  • How to get around?

    Walking is by far the best way to see New Orleans, but when it's raining you can easily hail one of the city's many reasonably priced taxis. (Bear in mind though, that most cabs are more expensive and harder to come by on special event days.) There is also a well-connected bus network, but why not opt for the streetcars for which the city is famous? The St. Charles Avenue route, between downtown and Uptown, is a National Historic Landmark!

Good to know

  • Language
    English
  • Currency
    American Dollar ($)
  • Time Zone
    UTC (-06:00)
  • Country Code
    +1
  • Best time to visit
    Spring, fall and winter tend to be more pleasant times to visit the city, not only to avoid the heat, but also to experience Mardi Gras, or one of the city's famous festivals. Check event calendars while planning your trip!

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What people are saying about New Orleans

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 10,187 reviews

Great overall, the only issue is having to wait so long after taking the transportation option, about an hour before we could board the airboat. However once on our guide was very knowledgeable and really funny and kind. April is still a little on the chilly side, so jackets and pants is smarter than shorts and t-shirts. Also when the weather is on the colder side, there are not as many gators out and about. But overall we saw 10-15 gators and loved the experience!

New Orleans High-Speed 16-Passenger Airboat Ride from Dock Reviewed by ReAnna, 4/19/2021

Helpful?

This is not my first time to New Orleans and not my first time to French Quarter, but I never really knew the history of it. I highly recommend this tour, especially with Miss Loretta! She was super fun and had some great stories about the city and its history. Totally worth the time and the money!!

French Quarter Walking and Storytelling Tour Reviewed by Anonymous, 4/19/2021

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My driver/guide was amazing! He was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon in New Orleans. We had a large group, this made it extra easy to keep everyone together and interested. Thank you!

3 Hour New Orleans City Tour Reviewed by Gina, 4/18/2021

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The tour was very informative, learned a lot about the history. The tour guide was amazing and even though we had to wear masks he made sure that everyone in the group could hear him clearly. Great experience for a tourist.

The 3-in-1 French Quarter, Cemetery and Voodoo Tour Reviewed by Anonymous, 4/19/2021

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Graham was a great tour guide very knowledgeable and well versed in the history of New Orleans by far the best $20 I’ve spent highly recommended

New Orleans: Ghosts, Vampires, Voodoo & French Quarter Tour Reviewed by Karin, 4/20/2021

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