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New Orleans, or NOLA, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US. Once known as ‘Crescent City’ after the sharp curve in the Mississippi River that it’s built around, visitors flock to discover tales of voodoo and experience the rich cultural melting pot that makes the city what it is today.
If you’re planning a trip to The Big Easy for the first time, you might be wondering which of its many top attractions to visit. Here’s our travel guide to 12 of the best must-see attractions.
1. French Quarter
The French Quarter of New Orleans is a highlight for any visitor and is one of the top tourist attractions in the area. Locals and tourists alike come for the stunning architecture and cobbled streets and stay for the fantastic dining and nightlife options.
The most famous street in the French Quarter is Bourbon Street, which is relatively quiet by day and makes a great place for people-watching. By night, Bourbon Street transforms into a loud and crowded hotspot, with neon lights and music spilling out from the lively bars. If you enjoy art galleries and antique stores, Royal Street might be more your speed.
The historic music venue Preservation Hall is also located in the French Quarter. Concerts take place here more than 360 nights a year featuring ensembles from more than 50 local. For intimate jazz performances, look no further.
Jackson Square is in the heart of the French Quarter and is a wonderful area to spend an afternoon. This area is home to the landmark St. Louis Cathedral, built in a distinctive Spanish Colonial style, and was once used as a site for military parades. Louisiana State Museum, The Cabildo, is where the Louisiana purchase was finalized and is also in the vicinity.
2. Oak Alley Plantation
- Website: oakalleyplantation.org
- Address: 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA
This former plantation sits on the western bank of the Mississippi and has been a sugar plantation, abandoned investment property, and a cattle ranch in its 200+ years of history. Named after the alley that runs from the river to the house, Oak Alley has an ugly past and tours of the home will give you insight into the lives of the slaves who were kept here.
Oak Alley Plantation features a number of exhibits and gardens for visitors to explore. The Sugarcane Exhibit details the estate owners’ vast sugarcane business; informative displays detail the links between sugarcane and slavery and explore the repercussions still being felt to this day.
3. Bayou St. John
Website: https://www.nolatourguy.com/guide-to-bayou-st-john-new-orleans/
This elegant, quiet neighborhood is named after the bayou that forms its waterfront, and spending a day here strolling through the avenues and admiring the Creole mansions is an experience not to be missed.
You can explore Bayou St. John from the water by renting a paddleboard or a kayak, which is perfect on a hot day. Alternatively, hop aboard one of the bright red streetcars for just $3 for a whole day pass.
4. Frenchmen Street
The name ‘Frenchmen Street’ is a little misleading, as this isn’t really just one street. The long road actually spans a total of three blocks in Faubourg Marigny and was once a hidden gem among locals. It’s safe to say that tourists have now discovered Frenchmen Street, but it is still a less crowded alternative to Bourbon Street.
Frenchmen Street is one of New Orleans’ best locations for live music and is often considered the heart of the New Orleans music scene. There are plenty of jazz clubs dotted around, but popular venues include The Spotted Cat, The Maison, and the Blue Nile. Most clubs have a minimum entry age of 21, but some will allow children and teenagers in at certain times.
There are plenty of excellent eateries on Frenchmen Street and you certainly won’t go hungry if you’re in this area. People in New Orleans like to stay up long after the sun goes down, and this is reflected in the number of late-night dining spots which are perfect for refueling after dancing the night away.
5. New Orleans City Park
- Website: neworleanscitypark.org
- Address: 1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA
This 1,300-acre park contains the New Orleans Botanical Garden and the New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden and is a great family-friendly option on a warm summer’s day.
The park’s mature oak trees, some over six centuries old, are draped with Spanish moss and make a great natural canopy for a picnic. If you want to learn a little more about your surroundings, self-guided tours make the most of City Park’s many highlights. Check out the Bridges Tour, or for perfect vacation photos try the Instagrammable Hot Spots Tour.
Kids will love the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and the hop-on miniature train, and adults may prefer the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. This part of the park is free to access and is set on eleven acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. The garden is home to more than 90 sculptures by renowned artists from around the world. Guided public tours take place in the garden each Sunday, where museum staff will explain the different sculptures in more detail.
6. The Garden District
The Garden District, accessible via the St. Charles streetcar, is a prosperous residential area filled with elegant Italian and Greek Revival mansions built in the 1830s. This area is an absolute must-see for architecture enthusiasts, but there are plenty of boutiques and coffee shops to visit if architecture isn’t your thing.
The historic and beautiful Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is one of the oldest city-governed firemen cemeteries and is located in the Garden District. Named after the city of Lafayette, the cemetery is the final resting place of many local legends such as Marie Laveau. Admission is free and organized walking tours around the cemetery are available regularly throughout the day.
7. Audubon Park
- Website: audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-park
- Address: 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 5 am to 10 pm
Located in Uptown New Orleans, Audubon Park is a vast expanse filled with historic oak trees. This is a favorite spot for recreation, picnics, and generally enjoying the great outdoors. Audubon Park holds events throughout the summer, including several intended specifically for children. There are also tennis courts, horse riding stables, and soccer fields within the park.
Audubon Zoo, one of New Orleans’s top family attractions, is located within Audubon Park. The zoo cares for animals from around the globe and offers education programs as well as hands-on animal encounters. The zoo features a beautiful butterfly garden, a fascinating insectarium, and Louisiana Swamp exhibits, all of which are easily accessible by the zoo’s own ‘Swamp Train’.
8. Steamboat Natchez
- Website: steamboatnatchez.com
- Address: 400 Toulouse New Orleans LA
A cruise on the Mississippi River aboard the old-fashioned paddle steamer, Steamboat Natchez, is a unique way to learn about the city of New Orleans. Steamboat Natchez is one of the last authentic steamboats on the Mississippi River and offers traditional live jazz, craft cocktails, and fantastic entertainment from its four decks.
There are several different itineraries on offer. Evening jazz cruises feature a live jazz band, Creole buffet-style dinner, and wonderful views of the city on the two-hour long trip. Brunch and harbor cruises are also available, and there are special occasion cruises during the holiday seasons. Reservations are recommended, particularly in high season, and can be made online.
9. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
- Website: nps.gov/jela
- Address: Marrero, LA
- Opening hours: Open year-round, times dependent on the season
This fantastic preserve actually consists of six separate sites in southeastern Louisiana, two of which are in the New Orleans area. The preserve is made up of levee forests, bayous, and swamps, and is home to the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.
The preserve itself is over 22,000 acres and provides a great opportunity to explore Louisiana’s backcountry, with meandering bayous filled with wildlife and exotic plant life.
Jean Lafitte Airboat and Swamp Tours offers fantastic guided tours with trained navigators who will help you get up close and personal with nature. Take a thrilling airboat ride, or a more leisurely swamp boat ride, and venture into the heart of Southern Louisiana’s swamplands. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators lurking in the murky waters!
History buffs will love the Chalmette Battlefield which features a reconstructed American rampart, a 100-foot-high Chalmette Monument, and several exhibits for self-guided tours. For a somber reminder of the price of war, visit the 14,000+ graves of American soldiers at Chalmette National Cemetery, who died in various world wars from 1812 to the Vietnam War.
10. Magazine Street
Magazine Street is over six miles long, stretching from Canal Street to Audubon Park, parallel to the Mississippi River. This iconic street is a shopper’s paradise, with its mix of vintage stores, novelty shops, and boutiques. There is a streetcar that travels up and down Magazine Street, which is much needed when those shopping bags start to get heavy.
Magazine Street offers plenty of great places to eat, too. From bakeries to fine dining, you’ll be spoiled for choice, particularly in the Uptown area. There are plenty of traditional Creole and Cajun options on offer, but you’ll also find Israeli, Thai, Indian, and some of the best pizza in the city here. For excellent Mediterranean food, check out Byblo’s, a casual spot with a great view of Magazine Street.
11. The Marigny and Bywater
These adjacent neighborhoods are walkable from the French Quarter and offer a vibrant art scene with local artisan galleries, live music venues, and quirky arts markets. These areas attract artists and bohemian types, drawn to the colorful and interesting houses and sights.
Cycling is very popular in this area and visitors can join the many hipsters riding old-fashioned bikes (modern bikes are recommended, though!). The New Orleans Jazz Museum is also located here and is a must-visit for music fans.
There is a fantastic food scene in the Marigny and Bywater area, with plenty of trendy spots as well as more casual, locally-owned options. This creative neighborhood also has a jam-packed calendar filled with art openings, shows, and concerts, so keep an eye out for events during your visit.
12. Café du Monde
No trip to New Orleans would be complete without a trip to Café du Monde. Beginning in 1862 as a humble coffee stand, this local institution has grown and now has eight locations across the city open 24/7.
Satisfy your appetitive by grabbing some famous New Orleans fare, including chicory, beignets, and cajun gumbo. Or, pick up a souvenir or gift — we recommend a beignet mix so you can recreate your Café du Monde experience at home.
Plan Your Visit to New Orleans
There is no shortage of captivating attractions to visit on your trip to The Big Easy. Plan ahead to create your ideal itinerary and make the most of the rich history and lively culture of this fascinating city.
