Visiting New Orleans? Here Are the Top Things to Do

info admin
Jul 30
2 min read

Outdoor jazz band plays under mossy oaks as a crowd dances by the bayou; sign reads BAYOU GOOD TIMES — A typical summer Fais Do-Do down the bayou. Image is a depiction and not an actual event.

New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in America. Every street has its own story, and every neighborhood offers something different. Travelers on Reddit often agree that the best way to experience the city is to mix famous attractions with local favorites. Here are some of the top things to do while visiting New Orleans.

Walk Through the French Quarter

No trip to New Orleans is complete without exploring the French Quarter. Stroll along Royal Street to discover local artists, antique shops, and street performers. Visit Jackson Square and admire the historic St. Louis Cathedral. While Bourbon Street is famous for its nightlife, many visitors recommend taking time to enjoy the quieter streets during the day for a more authentic experience.

Colorful nighttime street corner with a blue balcony bar, string lights, parked bikes, and glowing SODAS and COCKTAILS signs. — Frenchman St at dusk. New Orleans, La

Experience Live Music on Frenchmen Street

If you ask locals where to hear the best live music, Frenchmen Street is almost always the answer. Jazz clubs, blues bands, and local musicians perform every night. Many Reddit users recommend spending an evening here instead of staying on Bourbon Street because it offers a more authentic New Orleans music scene.

Three people walk toward the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at sunset, with palm trees and a glowing sky. — The Sculpture Gardens City Park. Perfect environment for families or to just let your imagination run wild. New Orleans, La.

Visit City Park

City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. You can walk beneath centuries-old oak trees, visit the sculpture garden, ride a gondola, or simply relax by the lagoons. It's a peaceful break from the busy streets of downtown and a favorite stop for both locals and visitors.

Top-down view of a black bowl piled with red crawfish, corn on the cob, potatoes, and sausage on a table, with a drink nearby — When crawfish are in season, nothing beats an authentic boil. You may not know that locals boil year round including fresh caught shrimp and blue crabs.

Taste the Local Food

Food is one of the biggest reasons people visit New Orleans. Enjoy fresh seafood, po'boys, gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, and local Creole and Cajun dishes. Many visitors say some of their favorite memories came from trying neighborhood restaurants recommended by locals instead of only visiting tourist hotspots.

Calm wide lake at sunset, with pastel orange-pink sky and distant dark shoreline over rippling water. — A sunset on Historic Bayou Bienvenue. St. Bernard, La.

Explore Beyond the French Quarter

One piece of advice appears again and again from experienced visitors and locals: don't spend your entire vacation in the French Quarter. Some of Louisiana's most beautiful scenery is only minutes away, including swamps, marshes, and coastal wetlands filled

with wildlife. #alligators Before you head home, discover the side of New Orleans that many visitors never see. BeyondTheFrenchQuarter.com offers an array of options to check this off your bucket list. Just 8 miles away from the hustle and bustle of the quarter, they offer guided nature-based boat tours through the Bayou Bienvenue, curated authentic seafood boils dock side, evening cocktail cruises just minutes from Downtown New Orleans. It's the perfect way to experience the natural beauty and culture that makes Southeast Louisiana truly unforgettable.