Top Things To Do In New Orleans

New Orleans is an iconic U.S. destination, and for good reason — its unique attractions and things to do are hard to find anywhere else in the country. Cajun food, a haunted past, and beignets galore are just a few reasons to visit New Orleans. But more than that, the legendary French Quarter houses live music and stunning architecture all times of year. Plus, if you travel to NOLA during Mardi Gras, you can join the never-ending party and cross the celebration off your bucket list. Continue reading for some of the best things to do in New Orleans.

Garden District and Cemetery Walking Tour at New Orleans Top Tours (Up to 24% Off)
Garden District and Cemetery Walking Tour at New Orleans Top Tours
2801 Magazine St, New Orleans2.0 mi
4.7
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153 ratings
$25 $19
24% discount_off
Garden District and Cemetery Walking Tour for One
New Orleans Ghost, History, Murder and Mystery Guided Tour
New Orleans Ghost, History, Murder and Mystery Guided Tour
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$25
New Orleans Ghost, History, Murder and Mystery Guided Tour
The Best of New Orleans Walking Tour
The Best of New Orleans Walking Tour
online_deal
$464.18
The Best of New Orleans Walking Tour
Any Day or  Weekday Admission for One, Two, Four, Eight, or Ten at JAMNOLA(Up to 25% Off) Ten Options Available
Any Day Admission or Weekday Admission at JAMNOLA
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4.8
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453 ratings
$29 $21.75
25% discount_off
Any Day (M, Th, Fri, Sat, Sun) Admission for One (Online booking required)
Mardi Gras Tour for One Adult, Child, or Senior at Mardi Gras World (Up to 18% Off)
Up to 18% Off Mardi Gras Tour at Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans1.7 mi
4.6
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4,888 ratings
$17 $14
18% discount_off
Mardi Gras Tour for One Adult
Up to 42% Off on Tour - Haunted at Nola Ghost Riders
Up to 42% Off on Tour - Haunted at Nola Ghost Riders
1140 Decatur Street, New Orleans1.0 mi
4.5
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3,154 ratings
$50 $30
40% discount_off
Ghost and Cemetery BYOB Bus Tour for One Adult
4-in-1 Haunted Ghost, Voodoo, Vampire, & French Quarter Tour
20% Off 4-in-1 Haunted Ghost, Voodoo, & French Quarter Tour
400 Royal Street, New Orleans0.5 mi
4.4
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7,503 ratings
$30 $24
20% discount_off
4-in-1 Haunted Ghost, Voodoo, Vampire, & French Quarter Tour
18-Hole Round of Golf for Two or Four with Cart at Bayou Oaks at City Park (Up to 49% Off)
Up to 49% Off 18-Hole Round of Golf at Bayou Oaks at City Park
1059 Filmore Avenue, New Orleans4.0 mi
4.4
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413 ratings
$78 $42
46% discount_off
18-Hole Round of Golf for Two Including Cart Rental: Valid for the North Course
Basic Party Package for Up to 10 People at Sky Zone New Orleans (Up to 18% Off)
Up to 18% Off Basic Party Package at Sky Zone New Orleans
612 Distributors Row, Elmwood6.8 mi
4.7
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25,280 ratings
$250 $206.04
18% discount_off
Basic Party Package for Up to 10 People

When people talk about New Orleans, images of French Quarter landmarks appear in their heads. The downtown area hosts the some of the best places to visit in the city. Plan to spend a portion of your time in New Orleans exploring the French Quarter attractions.

The best attractions in New Orleans include:

  • Cafe du Monde, a renowned open-air coffee shop in the French Quarter
  • Watching live music at the Preservation Hall
  • Watching a New Orleans Saints’ game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
  • Planning a trip to Mardi Gras World
  • Taking a walk through the French Quarter

Events in New OrleansView All

Any Day or  Weekday Admission for One, Two, Four, Eight, or Ten at JAMNOLA(Up to 25% Off) Ten Options Available
Any Day Admission or Weekday Admission at JAMNOLA
online_deal
4.8
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453 ratings
$29 $21.75
25% discount_off
Any Day (M, Th, Fri, Sat, Sun) Admission for One (Online booking required)
Mardi Gras Tour for One Adult, Child, or Senior at Mardi Gras World (Up to 18% Off)
Up to 18% Off Mardi Gras Tour at Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans1.7 mi
4.6
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4,888 ratings
$17 $14
18% discount_off
Mardi Gras Tour for One Adult
General Admission or Preferred Seating at Red Velvet Burlesque Show (Up to 20% Off)
General Admission or Preferred Seating at Red Velvet Burlesque Show
940 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans1.4 mi
$40 $32
20% discount_off
General Admission
300+ bought
New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise
New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise
2 Locations0.5 mi
$39
New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise
Guided Tours to Haunted Museum & Spirit Shop from Bloody Mary New Orleans (Up to 46% Off)
Up to 46% Off from Bloody Mary New Orleans Haunted Museum
828 North Rampart Street, New Orleans0.7 mi
3.9
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749 ratings
$26 $15.50
40% discount_off
Self Guided Tour for Two
Logic: The College Park Tour with special guest Juicy J on June 12 at 7 p.m.
Logic: The College Park Tour – Up to 44% Off
6 Canal St, New Orleans
$64 $36
44% discount_off
Logic: The College Park Tour with special guest Juicy J on June 12 at 7:00 p.m.
25% Off Hall - Exhibition
25% Off Hall - Exhibition
2372 Saint Claude Avenue, New Orleans1.6 mi
$40 $30
25% discount_off
$30 Off $40 Worth of Hall - Exhibition
1 bought
Admission Tickets to Culture Orleans Experience on Saturdays, August 31–November 16 (Up to 36% Off)
Culture Orleans Experience – Up to 36% Off
3445 Toledano Street, New Orleans1.5 mi
$99 $70
29% discount_off
08/31/19: Minor-Admission Ticket for One
1 bought
SeaWorld Orlando Admission with Dining Option, or 2, 3 or Unlimited SeaWorld Park Visits (Up to 45% Off)
Up to 45% Off Admission to SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando
4.7
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1,509 ratings
$134.99 $94.99
30% discount_off
SeaWorld Orlando Single Weekday Admission Ticket: Valid 365 days from purchase

Jackson Square is where New Orleans comes alive. It’s a good starting point when filling your NOLA itinerary with activities.  

Popular things to do near New Orleans include:

  • Going on a self-guided tour of The National WWII Museum
  • Exploring the local art and street vendors on Jackson Square
  • Seeing the iconic Besthoff Sculpture Garden
  • Walking through the St. Louis Cathedral
  • Listening to the sounds at New Orleans Musical Legends Park

Feeling spontaneous? New Orleans has plenty of attractions to discover. Start at the French Quarter and move to the surrounding streets — there are plenty of fun things to try.

Exciting activities near New Orleans include:

  • Looking into the past at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
  • Exploring the foodie history of Southern Food and Beverage Museum
  • Seeing a show at Saenger Theatre
  • Scaring yourself at Abita Mystery House
  • Buying shaved ice at Hansen’s Sno-Bliz

If anything, the best of New Orleans should be experienced at night. With well-lit streets, sounds crowding every corner, and spooky ghost tours, there’s plenty of nighttime attractions offered in New Orleans.

Nighttime activities near New Orleans include:

  • Taking a peek at Harrah’s New Orleans
  • Sneaking into Hotel Monteleone Carousel Bar
  • Booking a night at the theatres at Canal Place
  • Listening to live music at the Spotted Cat Music Club
  • Starting up French Quarter Ghost and Legends Tour (New Orleans Ghost Tour)

Though New Orleans may be a playground for adults, there’s plenty to of NOLA kid-friendly activities too. Take them to the aquarium, zoo, or amusement park to keep them entertained.

Family-friendly things to do near New Orleans include:

  • Seeing the marine life at Aquarium of the Americas
  • Exploring wildlife in a natural habitat-style exhibits at Audubon Zoo
  • Planning a day trip to Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
  • Learn something new at Louisiana Children’s Museum
  • Taking the storybook sculpture playground for a whirl at Storyland

With so much hustle and bustle, you need to know where the relaxing spots in New Orleans are located. Take a self-guided tour of a museum — it’ll help you recharge while also exploring the city’s unique culture.  

Things to do indoors near Near Orleans include:

  • Exploring all that New Orleans Museum of Art has to offer
  • New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, which tells stories of NOLA’s mystic past
  • New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, a retired apothecary dedicated to exhibiting early medicine
  • Burgundy Picture House, an underground cinema on the cutting edge
  • Tour the Cabildo, the seat of the Spanish cultural seat of New Orleans

Some of the most quirky, historic, and delicious U.S. landmarks and attractions can only be found in The Big Easy. Explore its voodoo past, get rowdy on Bourbon Street, and visit the famous New Orleans bayous.  

Outdoor activities in New Orleans include:

  • Seeing all there is to see at Woldenberg Park
  • Learning more about the Old Ursuline Convent
  • Exploring Bayou Segnette State Park
  • Visiting the chapel at the St. Roch Cemetery
  • Stopping to smell the flowers at Longue Vue House and Gardens