Introduction
New Orleans is a city full of history, charm, and personality. It’s also a lot of fun to explore! I’ve put together this list of things you should do while visiting New Orleans—and there’s always something new to add if you’re feeling adventurous.
Spend time exploring the French Quarter (and visiting its many restaurants!)
The French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans, and it’s one of the most popular areas to explore when you’re in town. The streets are lined with restaurants and bars where you can spend your time eating, drinking and having fun.
To get a feel for what makes this city so unique, spend some time walking around with your camera in hand and snapping photos at every turn! You’ll find that there are plenty of interesting things to see–and if you don’t have any idea what they might be yet then just ask around!
Go to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is located in a historic district in the heart of New Orleans. It’s free to get in, and there are many exhibits that you can see throughout your visit. There are also educational programs for children, such as making crafts or learning about animals from around the world. The aquarium also has an IMAX theater where visitors can watch movies about aquatic life on Earth and Mars!
The Audubon Aquarium is right next door to several restaurants–including one named after our very own Sir Patrick Stewart! So grab some snacks before heading over there for dinner (or lunch).
Visit John B. White Park.
John B. White Park is a great place to visit, especially if you have kids. It’s full of activities for all ages: the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Louisiana Children’s Museum and Aquarium of the Americas are all within walking distance.
Visit the Garden District.
The Garden District is a neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. Located on the edge of downtown New Orleans, it’s known for its beautiful architecture and historic homes.
The Garden District is home to several famous people including Fats Domino, who sang “Blueberry Hill” while living there. The area also includes Lafayette Cemetery No 1 where you can visit the grave sites of many famous Americans including Presidents Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison. If you’re looking for something more local than visiting these historical figures’ gravesites then I recommend checking out St Louis Square Park (pictured above). This park has been transformed into an outdoor performance space complete with stages where musicians perform throughout the year! It’s also a great place to go walking around because there are plenty of benches along its pathways so that you don’t have far from your destination once you start walking around.”
Enjoy some shopping!
Shopping in New Orleans is fun and easy. There are many different types of shops to visit, from high-end designer clothing stores to local artisans selling their wares on the street. You won’t be disappointed by the abundance of shopping options!
One of my favorite places to visit when I’m in NOLA is Magazine Street–many shops are devoted to vintage clothing and accessories from all over the world, but there’s also something for everyone else as well: music CDs, books about food and drinks (including some very good restaurants), artwork from local artists or designers who work locally…the list goes on!
See a show at either New Orleans Center for Creative Arts or Jazz and Heritage Festival International Headquarters.
If you’re looking for a show that’s more local and intimate, NOCA is a great option. The facility is home to multiple performance spaces, including the main hall where jazz musicians perform regularly. If you’re interested in seeing some local talent on their stage, check out their website or Facebook page for upcoming performances.
If international acts are what interest you more than local ones, head over to Jazz Fest International Headquarters! Here guests can enjoy acts from around the world as well as local acts who will be performing at this year’s festival. Tickets are free so there really isn’t much reason not to go!
There are so many things to do in New Orleans!
New Orleans is a city of culture and history, food and music, art and architecture. There are so many things to do in New Orleans!
You can visit museums such as the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas or LEAF Contemporary Art Museum. You can tour historic homes like The Cabildo or Jackson Square. Or if you’d prefer something more active for your time together (and maybe a little bit more fun), you could go kayaking near Lake Pontchartrain or take guided tours through downtown’s French Quarter on bikes from Left Coast Bikes!
Conclusion
So, there you have it. New Orleans is a great place to visit, and with so much going on in the city every day of the week, there’s always something new to see and do. With so many people visiting the city each year—and more coming every day—there are plenty of options for how best to spend your time in New Orleans (and these tips should help). Whether you want to explore one particular area or just stick to walking around town all day long, there’s something here for everyone!