The best things to do in New Orleans

As the city’s oldest neighborhood, the Vieux Carre is the starting point for any visit, but it’s not just for tourists. It’s a destination for great restaurants, museums and of course music. Far more than just Bourbon Street, the Quarter is packed with architecture, loads of history and a cast of characters including longtime residents, knowledgeable tour guides and talented street performers. Be sure to walk along the Mississippi at the edge of the Quarter to see the majestic river that made New Orleans.

Time Out tip: One of the best times to be in the Quarter is in April, when French Quarter Festival—a free festival of food and music—takes over.

Address: The Quarter is bordered by Canal, Decatur, Rampart and Esplanade

Price: Free

This six-mile stretch has it all: shopping, dining, art galleries, unique architecture, an award-winning zoo and friendly local business owners. Get your steps in as you shop local boutiques, then reward yourself with a meal at one of the many restaurants along Magazine Street that offer sidewalk dining or balconies overlooking the hustle and bustle of the street.

Time Out tip: Street-wide events throughout the year like Art for Art’s Sake, Champagne Stroll and Santa’s Champagne Stroll feature after-hours shopping, sips, bites and entertainment.

Address: Magazine Street runs parallel to St. Charles Avenue, Uptown to Downtown

Price: Free

Upriver from the French Quarter lies the Garden District. Take a tour of this neighborhood’s grand mansions and historic cemeteries or stroll around on your own. The houses and history are a draw, but the neighborhood also offers a wealth of shops and cafes, as well as Commander’s Palace, one of New Orleans’ best restaurants. 

Time Out tip: Book a tour to hit the highlights and learn the history of the neighborhood.

Address: Boundary streets are generally recognized as Magazine, Josephine, Carondelet and Delachaise

Price: Free, tour prices vary

The city’s preeminent art museum sits within City Park, at the edge of the Big Lake. NOMA houses more than 40,000 pieces, featuring art from the Italian Renaissance to modern works. Save time for the adjacent Sydney and Walda Bestoff Sculpture Garden, a beautifully landscaped showcase of the Museum’s sculpture collection.

Time Out tip: The Sculpture Garden is free, and the Music in the Garden series is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Address: 1 Collins C Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124

Price: $23 Adult, $18 Senior, Free 19 and under

Live music is more than just entertainment here; it’s a way of life. From blues and funk to brass and rock & roll, New Orleans offers a symphony of genres, but there’s something uniquely magical about hearing jazz—both traditional and modern—in its city of origin. Catch the city’s best jazz musicians at clubs like Snug Harbor, Preservation Hall, Davenport Lounge and many others.

Time Out tip: Satchmo Summerfest, which takes place each August, showcases some of the best local jazz talent all in one spot.

Address: Citywide

Price: Varies

It’s only logical for New Orleans to be home to a jazz museum, for this is the city where the musical genre was born. This repository of artifacts from the early 20th century lets you see and hear the history of jazz. The Museum also presents concerts throughout the year and hosts a variety of educational programs.

Time Out tip: Check the calendar for free concerts both inside the Museum and on the outdoor balcony.

Address: 400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Price: $11 Adults, $9 Seniors, Free 6 and under

The National WWII Museum is a world-class complex with award-winning exhibits showcasing the stories of those who served in WWII and on the homefront. Highlights include actual planes, Jeeps and Higgins Boats, a theater with WWII-era musical performances, a restaurant and a fantastic gift shop with 1940s-inspired gifts and clothing.

Time Out tip: The Museum offers a variety of programming including Dinner with a Curator, an illuminated outdoor show and musical theater in the Stage Door Canteen.

Address: 945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Price: $36 Adults, $33 Seniors, $26 Students, Free Under 5

Carnival season begins on January 6 each year. Running through Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season that precedes Easter, Carnival is a weeks-long party filled with king cakes, parades, parties and costumes. It culminates on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), a city-wide celebration that's fun for all ages.

Time Out tip: To experience Mardi Gras outside of the Carnival season, visit Mardi Gras World for a behind-the-scenes look at amazing parade floats.

Address: Citywide

Price: Free

This French Quarter fixture since 1862 serves the best cafe au lait alongside hot, fresh beignets at all hours. Take a peek in the window to see the magic happen, then dive into your order of three. If you make it out without powdered sugar on your shirt, you’re doing it wrong.

Time Out tip: There are a number of other spots around the city frying up beignets, from classic sweet to stuffed or savory, and you can try some of the best at Beignet Fest in November.

Address: 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Price: $4.50 an order

In a city full of iconic music venues, Tipitina’s stands out. The Uptown joint on Napoleon Avenue was founded in 1977 and is still going strong. For a good dose of New Orleans funk (the venue is now owned by the band Galactic, who continue the tradition of hosting local funk, rock bands and mid-sized national acts), check out the lineup at this local institution.

Time Out tip: Tipitina’s is a nonstop party of music during Carnival season, culminating in an annual sunrise set on Mardi Gras morning with Big Chief Juan Pardo & the Golden Comanches.

Address: 501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Price: Varies

The 350-acre Audubon Park Uptown stretches between St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street. The two-plus-mile paved loop is a favorite of bikers and joggers. Walk under the shade of massive oak trees, watch ducks and swans paddle around or pick a spot to have a picnic. 

Time Out tip: The park is adjacent to the fabulous Audubon Zoo and The Fly—a stretch of park along the riverfront behind the zoo (take a walk back here, and you may hear the monkeys or see a giraffe peeking out from its enclosure).

Address: 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Price: Free

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a cultural gem that dives deep into the rich and diverse artistry of the 15 states that make up the American South. From folk art to contemporary works, every piece tells a story of the South’s unique culture and history. 

Time Out tip: Ogden After Hours is a regular event featuring live music and cocktails.

Address: 925 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Price: $15 Adults, $12 Seniors, $7 Age 5-17, Free under 5

The colorful history of the African American experience in New Orleans is chronicled at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, with a particular emphasis on community-based masking and processional traditions. Expect elaborately constructed Mardi Gras costumes, memorabilia of the numerous Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs found in different neighborhoods around the city, photographs and historical records of jazz funerals and second lines, plus much more.

Time Out tip: Book a Second Line Tour through the Museum for an even deeper dive into the culture.

Address: 1531 St Philip St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Price: $25 Adults, $20 Seniors & Students, $15 Ages 12–16, $10 Ages 6–12, Free 5 and under

New Orleans’ streetcar system has been rolling since 1835. While you can no longer ride the Desire Line, made famous by Tennessee Williams, the existing lines offer a great way to see the city. The newer red streetcars run out to Mid-City, while the older, original green cars take you down historic St. Charles Avenue, past beautiful houses in the Garden District and Audubon Park.

Time Out tip: Pick up a Jazzy Pass (1, 7 or 31 days) for unlimited rides on streetcars, buses and ferries.

Address: Find all routes here

Price: $1.50

Looking for a unique gift or souvenir? The monthly Arts Market New Orleans features dozens of local artists selling everything, from painting and ceramics to jewelry, home decor, photography and more, including plenty of NOLA-themed items. The market, which features live music and food vendors, is held in City Park on the last Saturday of every month.

Time Out tip: During the holiday season, the market holds expanded markets at Marsalis Harmony Park and Luna Fête.

Address: City Park Popp Bandstand Corridor, 54 Dreyfous St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Price: Free

Experience joy, art and music at JAMNOLA, an interactive installation in the Marigny. The massive warehouse space has been converted into a selfie-haven with bright, colorful rooms designed by local artists to celebrate art, music and culture. Walk through the jaws of a gator, snap a pic with an oversized bust of local musicians and see what it's like to be king of a Mardi Gras parade. It’s sensory overload, New Orleans style.

Time Out tip: The VIP experience (starting at $42.99) includes a personalized guided tour, 3-D chromadepth glasses, a souvenir pin, glass Mardi Gras beads and 10% off in the gift shop.

Address: 940 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Price: $36.99 Adult, $31.99 Seniors & Students, $22.99 Ages 3-12, Free under 3

Spend an afternoon at one of the top zoos in the country. The Audubon Zoo has world-class exhibits featuring animals from Asia, Africa and South America. You’ll also see seals, reptiles and a glimpse of the Louisiana swamp. In the summer, the Cool Zoo water park offers a respite from the heat and tons of fun.

Time Out tip: Find the Roman Candy Man's cart for a sweet treat that's been a tradition for generations.

Address: 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Price: $30-$40 Adult, $25-$35 Seniors and Children

Stretching from City Park to the edge of the French Quarter, this 2.6-mile linear park is a green oasis in the middle of the city. The bike and pedestrian path takes you past playgrounds, native landscaping, art and sports fields. Plus, it’s in close proximity to breweries, coffee shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. Stop by the Crescent City Farmers Market on the Greenway on Thursday afternoons, or check out one of the many outdoor fitness classes offered throughout the week.

Time Out tip: Stop by Flour Moon Bagels for a bite along the route.

Address: The primary trailhead is at 500 N Norman C Francis Pkwy, New Orleans, LA 70119

Price: Free

Marigny, the neighborhood adjacent to the French Quarter, is one of the city’s top spots for music. Here you’ll find a string of live music venues like the Spotted Cat and d.b.a., offering jazz, blues, reggae and rock. There’s often a brass band performing on the streets, and a variety of restaurants (from Italian to pub grub) offer fuel well into the night.

Time Out tip: The Frenchmen Art Bazaar is an open-air market featuring local artists every night.

Address: Frenchmen between Dauphine and Esplanade

Price: Free

City Park is a beautifully landscaped, 1,300-acre green space filled with moss-drenched oaks (hundreds of years old), peaceful walking paths and native birds. Head to the Big Lake and rent a swan boat, visit the Botanical Gardens, have a picnic or embrace your inner child at Storyland and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. When you need a break, there's a location of Cafe du Monde with prime views of City Park’s beauty.

Time Out tip: Celebration in the Oaks, which typically runs Thanksgiving through the new year, sees the park decked out in thousands of holiday lights.

Address: 1 Palm Drive New Orleans, LA 70124

Price: Free

In this city with a lengthy history and culture surrounding cocktails, the Sazerac cocktail might be the most famous drink to come out of New Orleans. It sits on nearly every bar menu, has been designated the city’s official cocktail and even has its own museum. Visit the Sazerac House—located at the site where the first cocktail was served—to learn the history of the drink through immersive exhibits and chats with virtual bartenders in an impressive setting.

Time Out tip: Try the most famous version of this most famous cocktail at the Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel.

Address: 101 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Price: Free