Experience the best things to do in New Orleans, Louisiana. Explore these top tourist attractions in The Big Easy! Featured photo by Pedro Szekely under creative commons.
Nicknamed “The Big Easy”, New Orleans is famous for being a melting pot of different cultures, with one of the biggest celebrations of all – Mardi Gras. Though many people associate this city with Mardi Gras’ party spirit, it’s a bustling center of incredible food, art, and culture all year-round – and a must-visit for any tourist! If you’re taking a trip to the Big Easy, these are the seven things you absolutely must not miss to get the best experience!
TRAVEL GUIDE CONTENTS
The National WWII Museum
A must-see for history buffs, this place is considered America’s official World War II museum. Showcasing vintage aircraft, galleries, and immersive exhibits that honor the sacrifice of American patriots, this museum will take guests on a journey through the struggles that shaped the war. Don’t forget to catch a screening at the Solomon Victory Theater. Buy a ticket or get a GO New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass.
The French Quarter
Fancy fresh beignets with a café au lait? Time to go to the French Quarter, the bustling heart of New Orleans. Go to the French Market and browse through their amazing art and handicrafts for sale. Admire the architecture of St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in America. If you’re tired, stop for a po’boy before strolling down Rue Bourbon. There’s something for everyone here! Join a French Quarter Tour!
New Orleans City Park
Home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and the Botanical Gardens, this is the perfect place to see Louisiana’s distinct greenery and admire some artwork. Gaze at saw palmettos and Spanish moss, or check out the Bayou Metairie’s wetlands. It might take you the whole day to take in all the sights, but it’s well worth it.
New Orleans Museum of Art
Known as New Orleans’ oldest fine arts museum, this place boasts a collection of over 40,000 artifacts and artwork, including 18th and 19th-century American furniture. It’s famous for its extensive collection of American and European art, notably the works of Degas, Jackson Pollock, Renoir, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Take a guided group tour, or check out its special exhibitions on your own! Skip the line, buy your ticket online.
Steamboat Natchez
No better way to explore the Mississippi River than to take a leisurely cruise on the Steamboat Natchez! Hop aboard for a river ride – while their cruises are casual attire, we recommend you get dressy and sign up for the Dinner Jazz Cruise. It’s the perfect evening of live jazz music, delicious food, and all the romance and beauty of the French Quarter, but on the water!
Louis Armstrong Park
Just a hop and a skip away from the French Quarter, the Louis Armstrong Park pays homage to one of jazz’s greatest legends. Admire multiple sculptures related to New Orleans music history, as well as several artworks that show the development of jazz. There are several sites here that honor both past and present musical icons, such as the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
Located in the Warehouse Arts District, the Ogden Museum has the largest, most extensive collection of Southern art, including the work of Walter Anderson, Benny Andrews, and Ida Kohlmeyer. Check out its multiple permanent and temporary exhibitions, film screenings, and lectures which all aim to enrich public knowledge of Southern history and visual arts. Purchase your ticket now.
Frenchmen Street
Listen to live music, grab a drink, and explore Bourbon Street. The Frenchmen Street is a popular gathering place of New Orleanians.
St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral is one of the tallest and most imposing buildings in the French Quarter. It has been featured in a lot of movies and TV shows making it one of the must-visit tourist attractions in New Orleans.
Take a Cemetery Tour
If you want to do something new, maybe you should go on a cemetery tour in New Orleans. The city is basically surrounded by water and was built below sea level so the tombs are above the ground. Join a Voodoo Tour!
