21 Amazing Things To Do In New Orleans
Pat O’Brien’s is a great place to enjoy a fun night out!
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“Everything in New Orleans is a good idea.”
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Background
In 1718 the French governor of Lousiana founded the area and named it La Nouvelle-Orleans. In 1762 and 1763, France ceded Louisiana to Spain, and it was under Spanish rule for 40 years.
In 1803 Louisiana went back under French rule until it was sold to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. In the first half of the 19th century, New Orleans was the wealthiest United States city, with its port shipping freight.
Today
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz music. The genre could be heard playing in the dance halls and clubs. Jazz music is an integral part of the cities rich history and cultural fabric. Now, jazz music thrives all over the world.
Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, and the storm flooded the city. Flooding occurred in 80% of the city, with the French Quarter and Garden District being untouched due to resting on higher ground. Fortunately, for everyone, the city has bounced back from the damage caused by the storm and has regained 90% of its pre-Katrina population.
The Big Easy
I can't say enough about how magical a city New Orleans is! New Orleans (a.k.a. NOLA) had been on my list of must-see places to visit for a long time. I truly enjoy traveling to cities that are unique with a vibe all its own in terms of culture, architecture, and food-and NOLA is one of those cities! New Orleans did not disappoint in having its own incomparable ambiance that everyone would enjoy.
I was able to visit during the French Quarter Fest in April 2019 (more on this next). My friends were heading there with a group to celebrate a birthday, and I was invited to come along. I jumped at the chance to take this trip with good friends.
The hotel they chose was a great find - Hotel Provincial. I would highly recommend this hotel for many reasons:
Friendly and helpful staff
Terrific coffee in the morning
Cleanliness and comfort of the rooms
Location, location, location! I can’t stress this one enough-location can help make any trip so much more enjoyable if you plan accordingly.
Things To Do in New Orleans
Let’s get started…
French Quarter Festival
The trip happened to coincide with the French Quarter Festival held every year (typically in April). With more than 20 stages that celebrate a variety of local music-from brass bands to zydeco. Also, there is an array of local restaurants that serve food and beverages.
I would have relished sitting and checking out the different stages and bands, something the group I was with was not interested in doing. I was able to sneak off to enjoy bits and pieces of this wonderful experience. Next time I go, I would most certainly want to enjoy more of the live music and people watching during the fest.
Ann’s Angle
Don't be surprised to run into a brass band leading a second line down the street! The fun is contagious, and you may be inspired to join the fun!
Airboat Tour
If you have time I would definitely add this to your list of to-dos. I decided to try an airboat ride through the swamp and wetlands. Most of the tour company's will pick you up directly from your hotel (or nearby). From the pickup spot, it was a short drive to the boat launch.
The airboat ride was fast and fun! I enjoy seeing the mangroves and being on the water. Our tour guide operator grew up in the area and had a lot of excellent information about the ecosystem and history. It was a blast and a relatively inexpensive excursion.
Bus Tour
The historic city bus tours are a great way to get a better feel for the different neighborhoods and architectural styles that make this area noteworthy. A variety of bus tours are available, depending on what you want to focus on viewing in the city.
My bust tour cruised through the Garden District and made stops at a cemetery and distillery along the way. We had a great time sampling moonshine (yup, that's right), gin, and whiskey!
Ann’s Angle
Don;t miss out like I did! I didn’t get to do a nighttime ghost tour due to booking my trip on short notice-those tours get booked up quickly. I recommend booking this tour in advance of your trip to ensure you get a spot.
Bourbon Street
Spend some time to walk up and down the street that is famous worldwide for its bars and live music! Here you can find a bar, club, eatery, or shop to enjoy yourself with your friends and family. The vibe around Bourbon Street is casual and laid back. Where else can you have some fun exploring a voodoo shop?
Get Your Groove On
Funky 544 is located right on Bourbon Street (544 is the address) and open late. Great vibe with reasonably priced drinks. They have a great house band that plays funk, rhythm, blues, and soul music to make you want to dance, dance, and dance the night away. We went there twice, and each time we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. That’s not the only place to stop at, check out the other clubs and see which one helps you get your groove on
Random Ann Moment
Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle! Live it up by joining in the electric slide here-you'll be happy you did!
Plantation Tour
A plantation tour is another unique excursion that is worth undertaking while in the area. The fabulous hotel desk staff helped with our reservations and suggested the one I ended up booking. We were not disappointed!
The historical perspective, architecture, and sheer beauty of the grounds made for an extraordinary tour. Get an opportunity to see firsthand what life was like for the owners and enslaved African-Americans.
The tour I choose to visit was to the Whitney and Oak Alley Plantations. The Whitney Plantation has a museum of slavery on the grounds of the plantation that was established in 1752. Moving exhibits of original slave cabins, buildings, church, and the owner's main house are included in the tour.
Ann’s Angle
Try a mint julep while strolling the oak trees on the property-how southern is that?
Hot Sauces, Spices, And Rubs
Do you love hot sauce? How about dry rubs and barbeque? I recommend stopping at the Pepper Palace (in the French Quarter) and sampling the rubs, spices, and sauces they sell. I brought back a few and wished I had bought more!
Visit A National Historic Landmark
Jackson Square is a gorgeous park located in the heart of the French Quarter.
This historic square is a famous landmark facing the Mississippi River, including the St. Louis Cathedral. In addition to the historical buildings, check out the open-air artist colony that display (and sell) their artwork along the square's wrought iron fence.
Pat O'Brien's
I had my obligatory hurricane cocktail at Pat O'Briens. Pat's atmosphere was beautiful; lots of outdoor space, several bars, and fountains. Pat O'Brien's is a mainstay in the French Quarter since 1933. The bar is known for the flaming champagne glass fountain (pretty cook lit up at night) in the courtyard, dueling piano bar, and it's (in)famous hurricane cocktail. Here you can always find a spot to enjoy good times with family and friends.
Magazine Street
Stroll along this six-mile-long street that parallels the Mississippi River and takes you through to the Garden District and Uptown. Enjoy the eclectic shops and galleries along the way. As you do your walkabout, stop at a local café or restaurant and admire the beautiful homes and architecture.
The National WWII Museum
Located in the Central Business District in New Orleans, this military museum is a must-see! The museum was designated by Congress as "America's National WWII Museum." Here you can learn about the war that changed the world.
Exhibits provide an immersive experience through personal accounts, multimedia experiences, and an exclusive 4D movie narrated by Tom Hanks.
Get Your Jazz On
New Orleans is synonymous with Jazz music. So why not include a night in a classic jazz venue? Make sure to have a visit to is the New Orleans Preservation Hall. See and hear live jazz music from local masters of the genre.
Restaurants And The Food
Beignets!
Cafe du Monde is a local institution. Stop by and get an order of the beignets and a café au lait, sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere. People watching is excellent here! On my last day in New Orleans, I was sitting at a table, listening to a three piece jazz band, and was pleasantly surprised to see a woman walking her pig on a leash by me! I'm talking about a really LARGE pig-where else can you see that?
Ann’s Angle
Go early in the morning or during the week to avoid waiting in a long line for these delicious treats!
Great Breakfast And Coffee
Toast is a great little place to get breakfast! They have a wide selection of yummy food. However, everyone else thinks the food is good too, so there is usually a long line! Get there early for a table.
Cafe Envie – BEST COFFEE here! Quaint little café with a local feel. Highly recommend.
Visit America's Oldest Bar
Lafittes Blacksmith Shop is a cool bar, built in the 1770s, with a lot of atmosphere! A must stop if you want to hit what is deemed the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States! The Lafitte brothers used the building as a base for plotting the theft of goods and selling of contraband. Scope out the unique structure, and make sure to check out the piano bar in the back. This is a fun place to end up on a given night in the French Quarter.
Getting Around
Getting around was relatively easy. I practically walked everywhere in the French Quarter, except when I had an excursion and was picked up by the tour operator. Again, the hotel I stayed at was a great location, walking distance to beignets and Bourbon Street!
If you stay in the Central area, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority offers streetcars and numerous bus lines to get you where you want to go. Depending on your comfort level, renting a bike is also an excellent way to go as well.
Accommodations
There are so many wonderful options for accommodations in New Orleans. Check out the links below to help you find the right place!
For hotels, and all-inclusive click here.
