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Things to do in New Orleans, USA, offer a captivating blend of musical legacy, culinary delights, and historical discovery. The city is famed for its unique jazz performances, mouthwatering Creole dishes, and timeless landmarks. Visitors enjoy strolls through the French Quarter, riverboat cruises along the Mississippi, and street festivals. Intriguing museums and architectural marvels further display its complex heritage, making every visit an immersive experience that bridges eras and cultures. The list of things to see in New Orleans ensures a memorable journey for every traveller.
Best Things To Do In New Orleans, USA
These things to do in New Orleans, USA, promise cultural encounters, soulful tunes, and tastes in a city steeped in history.
1. Immerse In Jazz On Frenchmen Street
Photo: Krisztina Papp / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Frenchmen Street remains one of the best things to do in New Orleans, USA. This place pulses with jazz, blues, and bounce music nightly, attracting both legendary performers and promising new artists. Well-known venues such as The Spotted Cat and d.b.a. offer intimate concerts, while local art markets display handcrafted items. The blend of modern neon and historic Marigny architecture consistently delivers an unforgettable experience, captivating music lovers and cultural enthusiasts throughout the evening.
Location: Faubourg Marigny
Timings: 6 PM – 2 AM
Best Time To Visit: October – April
Nearby Attractions: Washington Square Park, French Market
2. Explore The National WWII Museum
Photo: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons
The National WWII Museum stands as one of the significant things to do in New Orleans, USA, for history enthusiasts. This institution presents the Allied journey via multimedia exhibits, firsthand oral accounts, and significant artefacts such as Higgins boats. Visitors experience immersive displays, including the 4D film Beyond All Boundaries and the extensive Road to Berlin exhibit, revealing detailed personal stories of sacrifice and resilience to enrich the understanding of wartime challenges and triumphs.
Location: 945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Average Cost: $32.50 / ₹2,440
Nearby Attractions: Confederate Memorial Hall, Julia Street Galleries
3. Savor Beignets At Café Du Monde
Photo: Igor Starkov / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Café du Monde represents one of the essential things to do in New Orleans, the USA, for culinary adventurers. Founded in 1862, this outdoor café is famous for its powdered sugar-dusted beignets and distinctive chicory-infused café au lait. Operating in the heart of the French Quarter, it invites visitors to enjoy a longstanding tradition in a relaxed setting beneath its classic green and white awnings, promising a truly memorable taste experience for every diner.
Location: 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States
Timings: 24*7
Average Cost: $5 / ₹375
Nearby Attractions: Jackson Square, Mississippi Riverfront
4. Stroll The Historic French Quarter
Photo: Elisa.rolle / Wikimedia Commons
Strolling the Historic French Quarter is among the best things to do in New Orleans, USA, for those interested in history and culture. Cobblestone streets with wrought-iron balconies and Creole cottages display its 18th-century roots. By day, visitors explore art galleries and antique shops; by night, jazz flows from Bourbon Street bars. The area features the French Market for local crafts and St. Louis Cathedral, exemplifying Gothic Revival architecture, ensuring an engaging walk for every traveller.
Location: Vieux Carré
Best Time To Visit: March – May
Nearby Attractions: Royal Street, Pirates Alley
5. Tour The Garden District’s Mansions
Photo: Mike Bird / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Touring the Garden District is the best choice for lovers of history and architecture. Oaks draped with Spanish moss frame antebellum homes such as Buckner Mansion and Lafayette Cemetery. Guided walks reveal narratives of Confederate figures and filming sites, while Magazine Street’s boutiques offer a modern contrast to the district’s past, providing visitors an insightful blend of heritage and modern living.
Location: Garden District
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
Best Time To Visit: April – June
Average Cost: $25 / ₹1,875 INR
Nearby Attractions: Commander’s Palace, Coliseum Square
6. Cruise The Mississippi On Steamboat Natchez
Photo: Bernard Spragg / Wikimedia Commons
Taking a cruise on the Mississippi aboard Steamboat Natchez ranks among the top things to do in New Orleans, USA. This vintage paddlewheeler provides jazz brunches and sunset dinner cruises that remind you of Mark Twain’s era. Live Dixieland bands perform while passengers enjoy views of the Crescent City Connection bridge and the Audubon Aquarium. It blends historical ambience with modern leisure for an entertaining and unforgettable river journey, ensuring a complete traveller’s delight.
Location: 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Timings: 11:30 AM & 7 PM
Best Time To Visit: October – April
Average Cost: $48 / ₹3,600
Nearby Attractions: Woldenberg Park, Audubon Butterfly Garden
7. Discover Mardi Gras Magic At Mardi Gras World
Photo: Llanydd Lloyd / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Mardi Gras World stands as one of the magical things to do in New Orleans for those eager to experience festival magic. At Kern Studios’ workshops, skilled artists create elaborate floats throughout the year. Visitors can try on authentic costumes, sample traditional king cake, and learn about krewes’ secretive traditions via behind-the-scenes tours. It provides an interactive glimpse into local celebrations and cultural practices unique to this celebrated city that truly enchant every visitor.
Location: 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: January – February
Average Cost: $22 / ₹1,650
Nearby Attractions: Crescent Park, Bywater Art District
8. Unearth History In St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans / Wikimedia Commons
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is another of the historical things to do in New Orleans for local history enthusiasts. This 18th-century necropolis displays above-ground tombs, including the shrine of voodoo queen Marie Laveau and the resting place of civil rights figure Homer Plessy. Guided tours explain its unique burial methods and note its appearances in films such as Easy Rider and series such as NCIS: New Orleans, offering insight into historical customs.
Location: 425 Basin St #1, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
Timings: 9 AM – 3 PM
Best Time To Visit: November – April
Average Cost: $25 / ₹1,875 INR
Nearby Attractions: Congo Square, Louis Armstrong Park
9. Experience Jazz Roots At Preservation Hall
Photo: solitsocial dot com / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Preservation Hall is among the finest things to do in New Orleans for jazz aficionados. Established in 1961, this iconic French Quarter venue preserves classic New Orleans jazz in an intimate, acoustic setting. Every night, talented brass bands perform enduring standards, including tunes such as When the Saints Go Marching In, offering audiences a genuine musical encounter that honours the city’s storied jazz heritage and invites enthusiasts to enjoy an authentic live performance.
Location: 726 St Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States
Timings: 5 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM & 9 PM
Average Cost: $25–50 / ₹1,875 – ₹3,750
Nearby Attractions: Bourbon Street, Royal Sonesta Hotel
10. Traverse The Bayou On An Airboat Tour
Photo: Timon Cornelissen / Pexels
An airboat tour through the bayou ranks among the essential things to do in New Orleans for wildlife and adventure lovers. Passengers glide over cypress swamps populated by alligators, herons, and nutria on high-speed craft. Knowledgeable guides share Cajun folklore and explain local traditions, including gator feeding, while evening tours showcase the wetlands’ uncanny beauty against a setting sun. It creates an exciting experience that engages nature enthusiasts and provides unique insights into the region.
Location: Jean Lafitte
Timings: 9 AM, 12 PM & 3 PM
Best Time To Visit: April – September
Average Cost: $55 / ₹4,125
Nearby Attractions: Barataria Preserve, Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center
These things to do in New Orleans, USA, offer endless opportunities to explore its rich musical heritage, savour delicious local cuisine, and visit iconic historic sites. The city blends past and present beautifully, offering a cultural experience like no other. Whether you’re into jazz, Creole food, or history, New Orleans has something for everyone. Book your unforgettable adventure with TripXL today and uncover the soulful charm of this vibrant destination.
Cover Photo: Anthony Franklin / Pexels
