Best Attractions in New Orleans

Absolutely! 🎷🌆 New Orleans is one of the most unique and vibrant cities in the U.S., bursting with live music, Creole cuisine, French history, colorful neighborhoods, and nonstop energy. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or back for more beignets, here are the Best Attractions in New Orleans — perfect for couples, families, solo travelers, and foodies alike.

🎭 Best Attractions in New Orleans, Louisiana

🎷 1. French Quarter

• Why Go: The heart of New Orleans — lively, historic, and full of character
• Must-See Spots: Bourbon Street, Royal Street, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral
• Price: Free to explore (budget for drinks, food, shopping)

🍩 2. Café du Monde

• Why Go: Iconic coffee stand serving beignets and chicory café au lait since 1862
• Tip: Open 24/7, cash only
• Price: ~$5 per person

🎺 3. Frenchmen Street

• Why Go: The real live music capital of NOLA — less touristy than Bourbon
• Vibe: Chill jazz clubs, brass bands, artists, and local food
• Top Spots: The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., Blue Nile
• Price: Free to walk, no cover at many spots

🏛️ 4. Garden District

• Why Go: Gorgeous oak-lined streets + historic mansions + celeb homes
• Bonus: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (temporarily closed, but you can view from outside)
• Tip: Ride the St. Charles Streetcar for $1.25
• Price: Free to explore

⚰️ 5. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

• Why Go: Famous above-ground tombs + resting place of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau
• Tours: Required (due to preservation efforts)
• Price: ~$25 guided tour

🏞️ 6. City Park & New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)

• Why Go: Massive park with art, walking trails, botanical gardens, and a sculpture garden
• Perfect For: Families, picnics, or a break from the crowds
• Price: Free to enter park / ~$15 for NOMA

⚜️ 7. National WWII Museum

• Why Go: One of the best history museums in the U.S. — immersive, emotional, and powerful
• Allow: 2–4 hours minimum
• Price: ~$30 adults

🛶 8. Swamp & Plantation Tours

• Why Go: Explore Louisiana’s unique natural landscapes or antebellum history
• Options: Airboat swamp tours, Oak Alley & Whitney plantations
• Distance: ~45 min to 1 hour from the city
• Price: ~$40–100 (depending on tour type)

🎭 9. Mardi Gras World

• Why Go: See the floats, costumes, and secrets behind New Orleans’ biggest celebration 🎉
• Family-Friendly: Yes!
• Price: ~$22 adults

🛍️ 10. Magazine Street

• Why Go: 6 miles of local shops, cafés, bars, and boutiques — from the Garden District to Uptown
• Vibe: Local, artsy, less touristy
• Price: Free to explore (great for shopping + food)

⭐ Bonus Attractions:

• Preservation Hall – Iconic jazz venue, nightly shows
• Steamboat Natchez – Mississippi River cruise with jazz
• Audubon Zoo & Aquarium – Great for families
• New Orleans Pharmacy Museum – Weird + fascinating
• Jackson Square artists & tarot readers – Pure NOLA magic
• Ghost & Voodoo tours – Spooky fun for all ages!

📅 Best Time to Visit:

• February–April: Carnival season, Mardi Gras, spring weather 🎭
• October–November: Music festivals, food events, milder temps
• Summer (June–Aug): Hot & humid but less crowded
• Winter (Dec–Jan): Cool, cozy, with holiday lights and low crowds

Want a 3-day New Orleans itinerary, the best po’ boy or gumbo spots, or a guide to free music + secret bars? Just say the word — I’ve got you covered! 🎷🍹🗺️

Absolutely! Here’s your New Orleans Attractions FAQ — perfect for planning your trip to The Big Easy. Whether you’re into jazz, history, food, or just vibing through the French Quarter, this guide will help you make the most of it. 🎷🍩⚜️

🌆 Best Attractions in New Orleans – FAQ

❓ What are the must-see attractions in New Orleans?

Here’s what you can’t miss:

• French Quarter – Historic heart of the city
• Bourbon Street – Iconic nightlife & neon
• Café du Monde – Beignets + chicory coffee 🍩
• Frenchmen Street – Live music & local scene 🎺
• Garden District – Stunning homes & oak-lined streets
• St. Louis Cathedral + Jackson Square – Classic NOLA views
• National WWII Museum – One of the best in the U.S.
• St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – Famous tombs + voodoo history
• City Park & NOMA – Art, nature, and family-friendly fun
• Mardi Gras World – Float warehouse tour 🎭

🆓 Are there free things to do in New Orleans?

Yes! Some great no-cost experiences:

• Walk the French Quarter
• Explore Jackson Square + watch street performers
• Ride the St. Charles Streetcar (just $1.25)
• Relax in City Park or Woldenberg Riverfront Park
• Visit local art galleries on Royal Street
• Catch free live music on Frenchmen Street
• Stroll Magazine Street or the Bywater neighborhood

🧒 Is New Orleans kid-friendly?

Surprisingly, yes! Try:

• Audubon Zoo & Aquarium
• City Park (Storyland, playgrounds, boats)
• Mardi Gras World (behind-the-scenes float fun)
• Steamboat Natchez river cruise
• Streetcar rides + beignet stops
• New Orleans Museum of Art + sculpture garden

🎺 Where can I hear the best live music in NOLA?

• Frenchmen Street – Top pick, especially The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., Blue Nile
• Preservation Hall – Historic jazz venue with nightly shows 🎷
• Bourbon Street – Louder, more touristy (but still fun)
• Lafayette Square (Wednesdays in spring) – Free live concerts
• Café Negril, Tipitina’s, and The Howlin’ Wolf – Local favorites

📸 Where are the best photo spots in New Orleans?

• Jackson Square with St. Louis Cathedral
• Bourbon Street neon at night
• Frenchmen Street murals
• Colorful houses in the Garden District
• “Greetings from NOLA” mural (Magazine Street)
• City Park’s sculpture garden or mossy oaks

🍽️ What food is New Orleans known for?

So much good stuff:

• Beignets & café au lait – Café du Monde
• Gumbo – Creole stew with seafood or sausage
• Jambalaya – Rice dish, spicy + hearty
• Po’ boys – Fried shrimp, roast beef, etc., on French bread
• Crawfish étouffée – Spicy, saucy, comforting
• Bananas Foster, pralines, and bread pudding for dessert
• Top spots: Coop’s Place, Parkway Bakery, Commander’s Palace, Mother’s

🛍️ Where should I shop local?

• French Market – Souvenirs, art, and snacks
• Magazine Street – 6 miles of local boutiques and cafés
• Royal Street – Galleries, antiques, and upscale finds
• Frenchmen Art Market – Open at night with handmade gifts
• Bywater & Marigny – Funky, artsy shops

⚰️ Can I visit the cemeteries in New Orleans?

Yes — and it’s a must:

• St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – Most famous (Marie Laveau’s tomb), guided tours only
• Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 – Closed for renovations but visible from outside
• Metairie Cemetery – Elaborate tombs and statues
• Tip: Go during the day and with a guide if possible

🛶 Are swamp or plantation tours worth it?

Definitely:

• Swamp tours – See gators, mossy bayous, and wildlife (airboats or flatboats)
• Plantation tours – Oak Alley for beauty, Whitney for powerful history
• Combo tours often available
• Time: ~4–5 hours round trip

🕰️ How many days should I spend in New Orleans?

• 1–2 days: French Quarter, live music, beignets, a museum or two
• 3–4 days: Add a swamp or plantation tour, Garden District, City Park, local food crawl
• 5+ days: Dive deeper into neighborhoods, nightlife, and even take a day trip to the Gulf Coast

📅 When’s the best time to visit New Orleans?

• February–April: Mardi Gras season, spring weather 🎭
• October–November: Mild weather + cool festivals
• Summer (June–August): Hot + humid but cheaper
• Winter (Dec–Jan): Quieter, festive lights, good for budget travel

Need a day-by-day itinerary, help finding the best live music + food combo spots, or ideas for a romantic weekend in the French Quarter? I’ve got you! 🎷🗺️🍹