What to Do in New Orleans? 10-Point Must-Do List

Are you heading to New Orleans and wondering what to do? Wonder no more! New Orleans is a vibrant city offering intoxicating music, engaging culture, delicious food, and all kinds of fun for everyone. To make the most of your vacation, here’s a must-do list for your New Orleans visit.

1. Tour the Gardens

There are plenty of breath-taking gardens to tour in New Orleans, many of which offer free admission. Popular sites include the gorgeous City Park, Longue Vue House & Gardens, and the New Orleans Botanical Garden at City Park, among many others. While each garden has its own unique and enticing feature, all provide a much-needed oasis of beauty and tranquility in a bustling city like New Orleans.

2. Sample the Patisseries

No trip to New Orleans would be complete without sampling its world famous patisseries. From the airy sugar doughnuts of Café du Monde and the heavenly eclairs of Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, to the richly spiced bread pudding of Le Croissant D’or and the creamy savarin cake of Au Petit Sucre, New Orleans is a veritable paradise for sweet tooths. Make sure you leave some room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

3. Take a Swamp Tour

Swamp tours are a favorite activity among locals and visitors alike. You’ll get to take in the unique wildlife that inhabits the area—including alligators and birds—flora along with its remarkable ecology, as well as learn about the area’s fascinating history. There are several tour companies offering everything from day trips to several-hour adventures.

4. Shop on Magazine Street

Magazine Street is one of the most famous streets in New Orleans, and it’s easy to see why. With its old style architecture and a line up of boutiques, restaurants, galleries and bars it’s truly an amazing place to explore on foot. Here you can find an eclectic mix of locally made crafts and products, including clothing, furniture and decor. Plus there are plenty of places to stop for a bite or snack along the way.

5. Cruise along the River

What better way to explore the city than on a River Cruise? Skim past the banks of Louisiana’s winding Mississippi River as you pass by places like Audubon Park, the French Quarter, and East Bank Marina. You’ll get to take in all the beautiful sights and sounds of this unique city from the comfort of a vessel, and you may even spot some dolphins on the way!

6. Dine At World-Famous Restaurants

Whether you’re looking for classic Creole cooking or Nordic-infused nuovo Cajun cuisine, there’s something for everyone on the New Orleans dining scene. From local favorites like Commander’s Palace and Arnaud’s to newcomers like Balise and Willa Jean, you won’t have trouble finding delicious food in The Big Easy. Don’t forget to finish off your meal with a classic dessert – beignets, anyone?

7. Attend a Local Festival

No visit to New Orleans would be complete without attending at least one local festival. From the Mardi Gras festivities and jazz-filled French Quarter Festival to the puppetry celebration that is The Puppet Festival, there’s no shortage of lively events to take part in throughout the year. You may also want to check out celebrations like The St Patrick’s Day Parade or The Bayou Classic for an even more unique experience.

8. Visit Local Museums

New Orleans has some of the finest museums in the country, so make sure you allocate time to visit them. From The National WWII Museum that captures much of American history through artifacts and displays to The Ogden Museum of Southern Art which showcases works from over 1,000 living southern contemporary artists, there’s something here for every art lover’s taste. Other great institutions include The Louisiana Children’s Museum and The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA).

9. Take a Haunted History Tour

If your visit falls during October, make sure to sign up for one of NOLA’s renowned Haunted History Tours. These fascinating walking tours will take you through some of the city’s most haunted spots, and provide insight into the legends and folklore behind them as you go along. You can choose from nighttime cemetery tours or evening ghost tours based on your interests and level of courage!

10. Go Pub Crawling

New Orleans is home to some great pubs and bars where you can get your drink on while taking in all the city has to offer – Barcadia, Molly’s at the Market, Brieux Carré, Katie’s Corner Bar, Moriarty’s Pub…the list goes on! And if you really want to dive into the pub life of The Big Easy – why not join one of the New Orleans Small Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel? You’ll get an in-depth look at one of NOLA’s most unique neighborhoods – from the oldest Irish pub in town to classic music spots like Arthur’s Hot Club – all with a local guide! Book your Napa Valley small group history tour pub crawl today.

So that wraps up our top 10 list of “must dos” while visiting New Orleans. There really is something here for everyone – no matter what time of year you plan on visiting – whether it’s sampling beignets or wandering around City Park – there’s plenty of both high energy activities (like bar hopping) as well as more relaxing activities (like getting lost in one of its many book stores). Or maybe it’s just chilling with friends over a good beer. Whatever your heart desires – there’s something here for you in Baltimore! So come check it out for yourself – you won’t regret it!