This post is longgg overdue. I’ve been to New Orleans at least four times now (twice for work and two other times to visit my boyfriend’s family) and have racked up quite the list of things to do in New Orleans. Plus, traveling with my boyfriend, who grew up there, I get more of a local’s perspective. So here’s my list of top things to do in New Orleans by district – some I did on this last trip in September and some in my previous trips!
French Quarter
The French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans and there are so many places to see and eat. You definitely can’t leave NOLA without visiting here (some even spend their entire time here)!
Streets to Explore
- **Bourbon Street: The ultimate party street lined with bars and strips clubs. Grab a hand grenade and drink it while walking down the street. You can even ride a mechanical bull at the Bourbon Cowbow or get a tarot or palm reading. Whatever you choose, Bourbon can’t be missed and is perfect for partying and people watching.
- **Canal Street: A main street filled with restaurants, luxury hotels, and shops. While you’re strolling through, don’t forget to check out Harrah’s Casino, the aquarium, and the Riverfront.
Things to Do
- Audubon Aquarium: I loved this aquarium and it’s perfect for family and kids!
- Harrah’s Casino: Casino within walking distance of the French Quarter and Riverfront. Stay here, gamble, grab some drinks, and/or go clubbing (yes, there’s a “popping” club inside)!
- **Pat O’Brien’s: Awesome place to enjoy dueling pianos and grab a drink (get the Hurricane)!
- Riverfront: If you have some spare time, explore the Riverfront via the Riverfront Streetcar or the Steamboat Natchez Cruise!
- **St. Louis Cathedral: This is the oldest active cathedral in North America and is located in Jackson Square. Regardless of your religious belief, peek in to admire the impressive architecture or just view it from the outside – it’s a historic and iconic landmark that you can’t miss!
- **St. Louis Cemetery No. 1: NOLA is known for its unique above ground graves. I personally haven’t done this (although I plan to next time), but I hear it’s very interesting to see. Tour this specific cemetery (paid tour required) if you want to see Nicolas Cage’s pyramid cage (built for himself)!
- **Street music and art: One of my favorite parts of the trip was watching jazz street performances and seeing local artists do their thang! You can find them on popular streets throughout the French Quarter.
Where to Eat & Drink
- **Cafe Du Monde is hands down the best place to get beignets. Enjoy them with their famous cafe au lait and be sure to not wear black that day (powdered sugar for daysss). Did I also mention it’s open 24/7?
- Carousel Bar: A beautiful and classy bar and lounge inside high end Hotel Monteleone. Grab a seat at the revolving Merry-Go-Round while you sip on a tasty cocktail (or two).
- **Cochon Butcher: One of my favorite restaurants in NOLA! Get the Cubana, Muffuletta, and Mac & Cheese!
- Commander’s Palace: I hear this place is THE place for fine dining.
- **Willie Mae’s: Named as America’s best fried chicken, and I couldn’t agree more. Portions are huge, the fried chicken is super juicy, and the mac & cheese is out of this world. Worth the cab trip here, just expect lines.
- **Charbroiled oysters: Indulge in charbroiled oysters at ACME or Drago’s or both! Don’t ask, just go.
- **Gumbo: Try it at the Gumbo Shop. The name says it all.
- **Po-boys: I’m not a huge po-boy fan in general, but if you want the real thang, Mother’s is where it’s at. Expect lines.
Garden District
The Garden District is an affluent neighborhood that is filled with gorgeous traditional homes and is bordered by St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street.
Take the St. Charles Streetcar to here from the French Quarter and wander around the area. **Magazine Street boasts a variety of unique shops and boutiques as well as quaint restaurants. Surrey’s is a great place to start with breakfast (get their heavenly banana foster French toast) and don’t forget to stop by **District Donuts for unique and awesome donuts. I hear they have good sliders and beer too! If you’re craving for dessert, Sucre is known for their delicious chocolates, macarons, gelatos, and cupcakes!
After exploring Magazine Street, return back to St. Charles Avenue to gaze at incredible historic mansions that New Orleans is known for. Check out at least a few because they’re serious #housegoals. Down the street is also Audubon Park – I haven’t been here yet but some say it’s considered as the Central Park of New Orleans.
Bywater & Faubourg Marigny Districts
These two districts are New Orleans’ best kept secrets – so good that my boyfriend and his family didn’t even know about them! It might be considered more “rough”, but totally make it out here if you can. You’ll find the most vibrant, colorful and unique homes and it’s a very up and coming area so there are several restaurants to dine at.
One street you have to stop by in the Faubourg Marigny district is **Frenchmen Street. It’s walking distance from the French Quarter and where the locals hang. Lots of music and bars but without the craziness of Bourbon Street. I want to try Dat Dog next time!
We didn’t spend too much time in the Bywater District, but the below photo was captured here. We stopped by The Joint for a BBQ lunch (it was only OK) and Crescent Park offers beautiful views of the city.
Other Must Things To Do In New Orleans
None of the below things to do in New Orleans fit in a district but these were some of my most memorable activities in New Orleans!
- **Airboat Swamp Tour: I highly recommend doing an airboat swamp tour (the regular ones aren’t as fun). You get to ride in a fan-propelled boat that cruises through the swamps at fast speeds while checking out alligators a couple of feet away from you. You even get to pet a baby one! It’s thrilling, adventurous, so much fun, and I can’t recommend it enough! I don’t remember the name of the tour we went on, but Airboat Adventures looks like it has good reviews.
- **Sno-balls: I can’t believe it took until my fourth trip to try New Orleans’ awesome sno-balls – their version of shaved ice. Hansen’s Sno-Bliz is where it’s at and I loved the Cream of Nectar flavor with condensed milk and strawberry topping. Expect a wait.
- Plantation Tour: Another item to do on my next trip! These ones look popular with great reviews (here, here)
I know I listed so many things to do in New Orleans and this can be overwhelming. If you’re only there for a short time, search within this post for anything I marked with **. Those are definitely the absolute musts of things to do in New Orleans! I’m certainly not an expert so if you have any other suggestions please let me know! Hope this guide was helpful and have an amazing time!
There’s always been something about New Orleans that has appealed to me and I think this post has made me wanna go even more! It looks like it has such a lively restaurant scene and beautiful architecture
Rachel xx
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Amazing photos, New Orleans sounds like an interesting city 🙂
Great tips, I took note!
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I would love to visit New Orleans one day! This is such a great guide, thanks for sharing! Such beautiful pics too!
x Emily
http://shedoes.com.au
These are such great tips! New Orleans has been on my bucket list for a while now 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Emily
https://baublesandthreads.wordpress.com/
It must be handy having a boyfriend who grew up there! The French Quarter is utterly ‘Instagrammable’ haha, and I just adore the pretty pastel colours of some of New Orleans’ buildings.
aglassofice.com
x
I love how bright and cheery the city looks through your lens. I totally want to eat the treats at Cafe du Monde. New Orleans is definitely on my bucket list!
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
I love all of these photos! You really captured the essence of New Orleans. I’m dying for a beignet now!
Bailey | http://www.hotdresshotmess.com
Great post, I’ve never been to New Orleans but I would love to visit it!
Thank you for the tips!
xo Alessia
http://www.fleurdhiver.com
Ah! Wish I could go there like, right now! Gorgeous photos and such fun things to do!
New Orleans is on my list of places I need to get to. I’ll have to check this out again when I go!
http://www.maggiealamode.com
Wonderful post! Great photos and tips! I definitely need to go there one day ♥
Meet My Lovely World
I love this post Tina! I visited New Orleans a couple of months back and I absolutely loved it! I even made my own post on what to do in New Orleans, it was actually one of my first posts. I cant wait to go back to New Orleans and visit all these places that you recommended.
Enjoy your weekend beautiful,
Daisi Ari || http://www.onthecolorfulside.com/
Lovely place, amazing pics and delicious food!!!
Kisses, Paola.
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so cool! I need to go visit soon
xx
http://thedemeler.com
Beautiful photos and I love the pastels going on! I’ll definitely keep this post in mind the next time I visit New Orleans. xo, sharon
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This looks like a sort of place I’d love to live in! I love the quaint and colourful architecture, and the range of restaurants and the food available looks so amazing! Thank you for sharing these gorgeous pictures with us. 🙂 <3
Kay
http://shoesandglitter.com
Such a nice guide, hope I have the opportunity to visit sometimes.
xoxo
Priscilla
BEAUTYNATURE
Amazing post, thank you for sharing! I would love to visit New Orleans 🙂
Camille xo
http://www.cococami.blogspot.co.uk
Such a great post! New Orleans is one of my favorite cities 🙂
Xx
Molly
http://www.trendychickadee.com
Wow, Beautiful, Tina and excellent tips-I want to go to the French Q so bad!
Happy week ahead-Katelyn
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ive never been but I would so love too! What great suggestions!
xo, Christina
http://www.christinabeex3.com/
I’ve always been dying to visit New Orleans and now I want to go even more! Love this post babe.
Ashleigh x
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I never been to Orlean but it looks so cute and thanks for sharing!
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wonderful photos 🙂
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New Orleans looks so beautiful and colorful. I am a very artsy person and it seems like its the best place for me. Plus I have watched too much The Originals to know that I must visit this gorgeous city haha!
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I’m so jealous that you’ve been to New Orleans so many times!! It’s definitely on my travel bucket list, especially to get beignets and maybe go on a ghost tour!
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Gorgeous photos like always, love it. :).these foofd must be delicious.
http://www.projectsatbangalore.com
Yay! I’m glad you put together a travel guide to New Orleans. I’ve been planning a trip with my sisters for next summer and this has to be the most thorough guide I’ve seen to date. I’ve now added gambling at Harrah’s and petting a baby alligator to my list of musts for my trip. Thanks for sharing, Tina!:D
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
Super cute post. I love this pics. Xoxo
Baddie Inpired look
Ugh, there so much to do and it’s really beautiful! <3
x
Kat | Nested Thoughts
Wow this looks amazing! So colourful!
x Annabelle
travelsandtea.com
Wow! I love how vivid the colors are!
http://www.unbouquetdamour.com
Oh that pink house is a blogger’s dream!! SO pretty.
Gorgeous photos. New Orleans is definitely on my travel list
Lyndi
http://www.stylecalling.com
I’m so happy I found your blog! I’m a Seattle blogger, too. 🙂
New Orleans looks so magical, but sadly I’ve never been! That pink wall you posed in front of is so gorgeous. And the food all looks sooo amazing! I’ll have to check back on this post when I finally plan a visit there! 🙂
you definitely had loads of fun…love the photos!!
kisses from the sandpit ❤︎
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