Here are the can’t-miss sights and sounds in New Orleans.

By Paul Oswell | October 15, 2021 (Updated: January 31, 2025)

Come with an open mind and a loose agenda, and you’ll leave with great memories of an American city unlike any other. Yes, there are the traditional landmarks and attractions to see in New Orleans, but it’s arguably more important to taste the renowned food and hear the legendary musical performances that give this city it’s recognizable culture and flavor. Sure, Bourbon Street is boozy and fun, but you’ll find that there is so much more to discover beyond those few blocks.

Get excited for memory-making fun with the best things to do in New Orleans.

Explore New Orleans on foot

The best way to form an immediate impression of New Orleans is by walking around the historical French Quarter. Start at Jackson Square, and as you weave between the tarot card readers and artists and brass bands, you’ll see St Louis Cathedral and the Spanish colonial Cabildo. Head down Royal Street, and poke your nose into antique stores, before following the sounds of the calliope organ to the banks of the Mississippi River, where you can hop on a paddle steamer for a jazz brunch.

After all of that indulgence, you’ll need a relaxing tour. Hop on the St Charles streetcar from Canal Street and sit back for a cheap (fares are $1.25) tour of gorgeous Uptown mansions. Or you could walk to the Treme, one of the oldest African American neighborhoods in the country, and marvel at the musical history of the Petit Jazz Museum or the breathtaking costumes of the Mardi Gras Indians at the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

What to eat in New Orleans

If you meet any locals, they’re likely going to talk to you about food. Most restaurants here, especially downtown, will feature the Creole and Cajun cuisine that the city is famous for. Gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys and turtle soup are widely available, and locals will have strong opinions about where to get the best versions.

For a whistle-stop tour of the city’s classics, you should eat beignets at Café du Monde, a muffuletta sandwich at Central Grocery & Deli, a po’boy sandwich at Parkway Bakery & Tavern, and charbroiled oysters at Drago’s at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. If you’re in town during the season (usually February to June), most local bars have crawfish boils, a highly recommended and enjoyably social way to eat and meet new friends.

New Orleanians also love to drink, so it’s no surprise that several cocktails were invented here. There’s a rye whiskey cocktail called the Sazerac that you should drink in the Sazerac Bar at Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, or ask for a Ramos gin fizz or a grasshopper. There’s a citywide festival in July called Tales of the Cocktail and year-round you can visit the Sazerac House, a multi-level, multimedia celebration of the city’s official spirit.

Mardi Gras

Let’s also talk about Mardi Gras, the world’s largest free party. The parades start a month or so before the big day, gathering in frequency and size. We recommend you come for at least a week (including a day’s recovery on Ash Wednesday). The large parades and floats are dazzling, but talk to locals, and you’ll get the inside scoop on parades with adorable, shoebox-sized floats or pageants with dogs in costume. It’s easy to miss some magical moments if you don’t know where to look.