Location: New Orleans
Top Things to do in New Orleans
10 Free Things to do in New Orleans That You Shouldn't Miss
Laissez les bons temps rouler! In New Orleans the good times are perpetually rolling down Bourbon Street, which, thanks to the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, has quite a party animal reputation. Once you’ve soaked up the scenery of the historic French Quarter, tour the elegant Garden District and meet the colorful characters of Frenchmen Street. Experience the city's supernatural vibe at the Voodoo Museum or by taking a guided ghost or vampire tour through taverns, alleyways, and cemeteries.
Restaurants in New Orleans
1. Immaculate Conception Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 515 reviews
Reviewed By PatC703 - Baton Rouge, United States
As group of us visited the church for the 3:15 tour offered on Saturday. An excellent docent told us of the history of the church, pointing out the beautiful stained glass windows, mosaics, statues, wrought iron pews and altar. This church is of the old European style, much nicer than the Cathedral!
2. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,343 reviews
Reviewed By aghorn - Plano, United States
Incredible setting for sculpture. My daughter and I had a very nice time wandering the trails of the extensive garden and seeing all the interesting sculptures. Even though it's a little aways away from the French Quarter, it's worth an Uber trip or streetcar ride. And it's FREE! Unfortunately, Canal St was blocked due to road work. So couldn't get there from where we were by streetcar. Also very much enjoyed wandering close by in City Park, to the Cafe du Monde there, and even to a very cool miniature golf park within the overall park.
3. NOLA Tropical Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 184 reviews
NOLA Tropical Winery offers a wide variety of tropical fruit wines, fruit infused wines and wine smoothies. We offer complimentary tasting of all our wines. Write a review on TripAdvisor and receive 10% off your purchase (excludes half and whole case deals).
Reviewed By 795joannec - Clearwater, United States
We stopped in this mall after our paddleboat cruise on the Creole Queen because it was literally right there and who can pass up a mall? We were the only ones in there and then others showed up and we had a mini party. We tried every wine. The lady working was terrific. Unfortunately, I don't remember her name, maybe Phyllis. We bottle several bottles of wine. They aren't cheap, but we felt better for boosting the economy. Highly recommend the Roman Candy chocolate rum. We drank that on the way back to our house.
4. French Quarter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22,334 reviews
The heart and cultural center of New Orleans is the French Quarter, a must-see for its high energy, rich history, diverse architecture, music, street performers, renowned jazz clubs, lively nightlife and the finest art galleries and restaurants in the city.
Reviewed By clarissajg1 - East Haven, United States
the music the people the history the mystery the atmosphere the lore the legends the smell the eclectic air its all the French quarter. you either love it or hate it. I love it it is a part of me. there are great restaurants fun shops wonderful music amazing architecture people watching shopping walking cocktails - its truly amazing -- wear your walking shoes and come experience life
5. Jackson Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,042 reviews
Fun area with street painters, musicians and jugglers.
Reviewed By debbiesE2403PL
Jackson Square is a beautiful little area filled with local artists, music, gorgeous flowering plants (these are inside the gated area), horse-drawn carriages, and tons of opportunities to people watch. A definite must-see when visiting New Orleans.
6. St. Louis Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,299 reviews
The major landmark of the French Quarter is the oldest continuously active cathedral in the U.S.
Reviewed By Michellereneelove - Chaska, United States
Good opportunity to see beautiful art and architecture even if you aren’t Catholic... gorgeous old church that is meticulously maintained.
7. Garden District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,808 reviews
An area of the city that features numerous historic homes.
Reviewed By bron1962 - Dural, Australia
Beautiful area and we just took streetcar and walked around ourselves - lovely houses, beautiful mansions and easy just to wander through the streets. We got off at washington street and walked down various streets and got back on streetcar at Louisanna Street
8. New Orleans City Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,252 reviews
One of the largest urban parks in the country, City Park has golf, tennis and horseback riding.
Reviewed By marion542017 - Manchester, United Kingdom
New Orleans City Park has plenty of art and nature attractions: wonderful Oak trees dripping in Spanish Moss and a beautiful lake; New Orleans Botanical Garden; Storyland; Carousel Gardens Amusement Park; City Putt; Louisiana Children’s Museum; New Orleans Museum of Art and The Sydney and Walda Besthoff; Sculpture Garden; Train Garden; City Park Birding Corridor. The park has plenty of scope for recreational activities too: Bayou Oaks Golf; City Park / Pepsi Tennis Center: 2019 Outstanding Facility Award recipient; Big Lake; NOLA City Bark Dog Park; City Park Snoballs; Boating & Biking; Couturie Forest; Playgrounds; Festival Grounds; Fishing; Birding; Equest Farm; Disc Golf; Sports Fields; Walk, Bike or Run. There are regular featured events: Thursdays at Twilight; Garden Concert Series and Celebration in The Oaks. If you are in need of refreshment, I can recommend the Cafe Du Monde, located in the Park's Casino Building, for traditional New Orleans beignets and coffee. The Casino Building also has a Park gift shop and public restrooms.
9. Royal Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,734 reviews
This unusual shopping area is one of the city's most historic streets.
Reviewed By Todd45_12 - Newington, United States
A great shopping street with unique French Quarter architecture, impromptu performing musical groups, amazing antique shops and art stores as well as souvenir shops and many excellent restaurants.
10. The Historic New Orleans Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 663 reviews
The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center, and publisher with three locations in the French Quarter: * the original location at 533 Royal St. (featuring a a house museum and a self-guided exhibition chronicling the history of Louisiana) * the Williams Research Center at 410 Chartres St. (where materials relating to the history and culture of the area are made available for further study) * the new exhibition center at 520 Royal St., which opened in 2019 and features educational galleries, a French Quarter exhibition, and changing exhibitions. Admission is free. Guided tours are $5 per person. Royal Street properties are open Tues-Sun, and the research center on Chartres Street is open Tues-Sat. In addition to being closed on Monday, THNOC is closed New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Mardi Gras weekend (Sat-Tues), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.
Reviewed By phvi2617 - Anaheim, United States
This is a collection of several original buildings which house a number of different exhibits on the history of Louisiana and New Orleans. Their collections are extensive and include a number of really interesting artifacts. Additionally, the buildings are a great showcase of New Orleans architecture. Be sure to chat with the wonderful volunteer docents, who are happy to share their vast knowledge about local history. Best of all, it's completely free!
