Best things to do in New Orleans

Looking for jazz, Mardi Gras and Creole cooking? The Big Easy is the place to go. The best things to do in New Orleans capture the city’s iconic rhythm and soulful character.

We’re here to show you there’s more to this city than moody sax, impressive parade floats and a well-seasoned seafood jambalaya. Yes, you can swing by during festival season, but don’t skip America’s best WWII museum, its oldest Catholic cathedral and the free walking tour with more than a hint of magic.

Intrigued? Read on to find out what New Orleans has to offer…

Jackson Square

701 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

New Orleans’ most famous landmark might feel strangely familiar, even if you’ve never visited before. Appearing in countless movies and TV shows, a visit to the 2.5-acre sprawl of Jackson Square is a must for pop culture fans.

Watching the artists at work in the open-air artist colony is mesmerizing and well worth the 15-minute drive out of the city center. Getting your portrait painted is even better.

Stroll through the park and enjoy the waterside views, stopping to enjoy some snacks on the lawn. Mississippi river views, street performers and live music ensure there’s always something new to experience in this historic spot.

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The National WWII Museum

945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Since opening their doors in 2000, the National WWII Museum has wowed visitors with its impressive collection of artifacts. Winning awards for its poignant and unforgettable immersive exhibits, this huge museum has become one of the USA’s most popular tourist attractions.

The big hitters might be the vintage aircrafts, personnel carriers and the museum’s Sherman tank - but the heart of the museum is found elsewhere. A 4D theatre experience brings the sacrifices, personal courage and real stories of America’s soldiers - and the experience of being at war, to life.

Unmissable - and the museum’s location in the south-east corner of New Orleans’ Warehouse District, puts you within walking distance of some of the city’s best coffee shops.

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New Orleans City Park

1 Palm Drive New Orleans, LA 70124

For over 170 years, the 1,300 acres of the New Orleans City Park have provided a green space for visitors to enjoy. Today, the activities and attractions under the 800-year-old oak trees are almost too many to list.

As well as hiking, boating, biking and horse riding your way around the city center park, you can play 18 holes of golf, a tennis match or fish for bass and perch in the park’s lagoons.

Not got your fishing license? No problem, there’re plenty more chances to get close to the local wildlife. Bird spotting is a relaxing - and rewarding - way to spot the park’s 280 different bird species.

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French Quarter

French Quarter, New Orleans, LA 70116 – 70130

Among the best things to do in New Orleans is exploring the city’s French Quarter. As well as some of the region’s essentials - gorgeous Creole cuisine, iconic jazz clubs and stunning architecture, you’ll also find boutique stores, artisan craft stalls, ghost tours and tarot readers.

Eclectic and sprawling, this corner of New Orleans hugs the banks of the Mississippi River. Take in river views from a steamboat or stay on land to hunt down one of the French Quarter’s many gourmet restaurants. If you’re in town in late February or early March, this is the place to experience New Orleans’ most famous event - Mardi Gras.

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New Orleans Jazz Museum

400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

If you visit just one jazz museum, make it the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Where better to learn about an art form than in the city it was born in?

As well as celebrating the history of the musical genre, the museum has a daily live jazz concert, everchanging art exhibits and programs for visitors of all ages to learn jazz.

The museum hosts several festivals through the year and there’s a chance to catch a gig whenever you visit.

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St Louis Cathedral

Jackson Square 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116-3291

The three spires that tower over General Andrew Jackson and his steed belong to one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the USA.

Since 1727, worshippers have attended mass at St Louis Cathedral, though it wasn’t until 1987 that Pope John Paul II dropped by to honor the building with a historic visit.

The cathedral’s long history, paired with a stunning interior and beautifully designed exterior, make the building a must-see for visitors of all faiths. Photographers, film makers and painters have immortalized the cathedral in mediums over the decades - but few can match the works of art that make up the church’s stained glass windows and gilded altar.

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Voodoo Tour

701 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Few cities in the world offer up a voodoo tour. Much less, a voodoo walking tour for free. Though, strictly speaking, the good folks at Free Tours by Foot suggest this is a ‘name your own price tour’ and it’s well worth giving your guide a few dollars for this treat.

Park your car (there’s a parking lot just a five-minute walk away) and buckle up for an insight into one of New Orleans’ most intriguing sub-cultures.

Over the course of a few hours, you’ll explore the French Quarter, visit Congo Square, the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum and learn just what a gris gris bag is. Along the way, your guide will dispel the myths and legends of voodoo that Hollywood has created. Spine-tinglingly good.

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Jean Lafitte National Historical Park

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, Marrero, LA 70072.

The irony of visiting a city is that sometimes you just want to escape the urban streets and explore. Luckily, one of the best things to do in New Orleans is to visit Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

The wetlands, bayous, birds and gators of the park are reachable in just a 30-minute drive from the center. As well as free guided walks on Wednesdays through Sundays, you can use the park’s boardwalks to stay dry over the swamps, hike the dry trails looking for armadillo and white-tail deer, or kayak through the waterways.

Plan your visit

New Orleans has so much more to explore outside the city’s center. Reserve your rental car with Hertz and discover everything The Big Easy has to offer visitors. 

Learn more about New Orleans

Add a few more stops to your New Orleans itinerary with our other guides to the city:

• Best hotels in New Orleans
• Best restaurants in New Orleans
• New Orleans’ neighborhoods
• New Orleans Driving Guide