This post will give you an overview of the top things to do in New Orleans. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, dynamic music, and unique spicy cuisine.

You need only a passing interest in New Orleans to become aware of its proud, carefree approach to life. The New Orleans motto is “laissez les bon temps rouler,” A rough English-Cajun-French translation of “Let the good times roll “and a prime example of why feelings should always take precedence over grammar.

French Quarter

The French Quarter, with its historic wooden and brick houses and typical wrought-iron decorations on the balconies, lies directly on the banks of the Mississippi.

During the day, stores, art- and antique stores, and numerous souvenir stores invite you to visit, but at night the quarter comes alive with its restaurants, gentlemen’s clubs, and blues bars.

Here, where the French founded their first colony in 1718, you’ll feel the heritage that’s still alive today: on your way to Jackson Square, Faulkner House Books, St. Louis Cathedral, and in general, when you walk through the narrow cobblestone streets with their original French names.

Bourbon Street

A particular highlight of your vacation in New Orleans is a walk along the famous Bourbon Street. It is considered the heart of the French Quarter – even though it seems rather inconspicuous during the day.

At night, however, Bourbon Street – also known as Rue Bourbon – transforms into the premier destination for parties and celebrations. Jazz clubs, bars, and Creole restaurants line the street. Bourbon Street is also known as the stronghold of Mardi Gras.

Jackson Square

Jackson Square, located directly in front of St. Louis Cathedral, is a national historic landmark of New Orleans in the center of the French Quarter. More than 2 million visitors and locals enjoy views of the city’s exciting happenings here.

The surrounding area of Jackson Square offers a mix of commercial and residential properties. The Cabildo, The Presbytère, and one of the apartment townhouses at Lower Pontalba Apartments are now state museums.

The lower floors of the apartment buildings contain stores and restaurants, while the second, third, and fourth floors contain residential apartments.

Garden District

The Garden District is one of the best places to experience the historic architecture of New Orleans. Just a few miles southwest of the French Quarter, the Garden District is home to arguably the city’s most beautiful homes in a neighborhood filled with trees, ivy, and gardens.

A quiet alternative to Bourbon Street, the peaceful neighborhood is ideal for a relaxing stroll. Enjoy the history, take a break from the touristy spots, and imagine life as it once was.

Old Cemeteries

New Orleans is famous for its historic cemeteries, so you should take time to explore at least a few of its atmospheric and eerie cemeteries. More than forty are scattered around, with Lafayette Cemetery No 1 and Saint Louis No 1 among the most popular, important, and impressive.

Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1 can only be visited with a guided tour, while some other cemeteries are open to the public. Of course, having a guide to enrich your visit and tell you stories will make it even more interesting! Plan ahead for this must-experience tour.

Because of their impressive above-ground tombs and richly decorated and ornate mausoleums, the cemeteries are architecturally fascinating to walk around.

They also contain influential figures from the city’s past, and the overgrown grounds and weathered tombs add to their appealing aesthetics. The centuries-old “Cities of the Dead” with their crumbling crypts and majestic mausoleums, which have also been featured in numerous movies, are not to be missed. There are Gothic-inspired, neo-classical, and even Egyptian-Oriental styles.

National WWII Museum

The magnificent National WWII Museum is a fascinating place to visit and features an amazing array of artifacts and exhibits. The captivating collection focuses primarily on America’s contribution to the Allied victory in World War II. It is located on a state-of-the-art campus in New Orleans’ Warehouse District.

Opened in 2000, its extensive galleries and exhibitions are wonderfully well presented. Artifacts and displays include photographs, films, and other immersive multimedia content.

Its approximately 250,000 objects, vehicles, and aircraft tell the story of America’s amphibious invasion of the Pacific and hard-fought battles on D-Day beaches, in the trenches, and even in the air. The moving museum is a must-see for anyone interested in history and is undoubtedly one of the city’s top sights.

Café du Monde

If you’re looking for the best things to do in New Orleans, visiting Cafe du Monde should be at the top of your list. Opened in 1862, this French Market café has been a popular spot for its customers ever since.

Always busy and open, the café is famous for its beignets (deep-fried doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar) and chicory coffee. The beignets are served in orders of three and are great for a quick breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert.

Thanks to the open seating, you don’t have to worry about making a reservation. Find a free table, sit down, and someone will take your order. Enjoy people-watching while you snack, then continue your visit to New Orleans!

New Orleans Swamp Tours

Since the city is surrounded by marshes, it’s worth taking a tour of the beautiful swamps synonymous with South Louisiana. Spanning a vast area, the wetlands are a delight to explore, with breathtaking scenery, landscapes, and nature everywhere the eye can see.

Numerous companies offer trips to the marshes, and the beautiful Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is a popular destination.

In addition to guided hikes and kayak tours, you can also arrange exciting airboat tours that give you a great chance to see submerged alligators amid the swamp’s murky waters.

Louisiana Steamboat

Anyone traveling along the Mississippi or even in New Orleans cannot help but look at the river. Although the propulsion of the ships has changed somewhat over the years, they are still operating today – albeit primarily for tourist purposes: Steamboats. The Natchez is probably the most famous paddle steamer.

Tours aboard are plentiful: Harbor Jazz Cruise (Monday-Saturday), Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise (Sunday only) – at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day – or the evening Dinner Jazz Cruise at 7 p.m., there’s something for everyone. Special occasions or holidays are also celebrated on board. In short, there is an opportunity to cruise on the Natchez daily.

St. Louis Cathedral

One could write books about all the great places to visit in the French Quarter, but there are a few that we absolutely must highlight in this list. One of them is St. Louis Cathedral. The mother church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, St. Louis Cathedral, has a long and exciting history.

It is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States. It was initially built in 1727 and dedicated to King Louis IX of France, the “Crusading King,” later canonized by the Church.

The original St. Louis Cathedral burned during the Great Fire of 1794 and was rebuilt. The present structure was completed in the 1850s.

In addition to church services, it also hosts cultural events and concerts. Even if you can’t make it in time for an event, this impressive cathedral is worth a visit inside and out.

Take a walk through St. Anthony’s Garden, and check out the Sacred Heart statue and the adjacent old Ursuline Convent. In addition to the vibrant culture of New Orleans, the city’s lively history is also worth a visit.

Frenchmen Street

Lively Frenchmen Street is lined with some of the city’s best live music venues. It’s just a short walk from the French Quarter and spans several blocks with countless restaurants, art galleries, bars, and boutiques.

The laid-back street draws people with its excellent, authentic, and unpretentious live music venues.

These include The Spotted Cat, Snug Harbor, and Favela Chic, with its charming Creole cottages lining the street, adding to the area’s appealing ambiance.

And you don’t even have to go to a club to enjoy the musical vibe – just walk a block or two, and you’ll encounter a brass band playing outdoors – one of the free things to do in New Orleans.

In between the live music, you’ll also find great pubs and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

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