Location: New Orleans
Top Things to do in New Orleans
Things to do in New Orleans, Louisiana (LA): The Best Events
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. Mardi Gras
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
The city of New Orleans is the place to be for Mardis Gras, the last hurrah of the carnival season before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. While much of the focus of the event is on the rowdy, debaucherous crowd that takes over Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, there is arguably more (family-friendly) fun to be had in other neighborhoods throughout the city, where parade 'krewes' toss beads, cups, doubloons, and stuffed animals from elaborately-decorated floats to spectators that line the streets. Locals in the know stake out prime spots for the best parades up to 12 hours in advance!
Reviewed By travelinfam25 - Los Angeles, United States
Mardi Gras this year was three days before my 50th birthday, so I decided it was the perfect excuse for me to finally go! Stayed in The Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District right on St. Charles (the parade route street), and got a room with windows facing the parade. It was freezing this year- 36 degrees when the parades started on Fat Tuesday morning at 8AM- so having a hotel room right nearby and with viewing access from indoors (which we occasionally did) was a huge bonus. The crowds were very friendly, with lots of families and food booths. We never had trouble finding a spot, though it was crowded there was always room to get up close, in some cases even right in front, and people were friendly and polite. We arrived Monday night and saw the Orpheus parade, then saw Zulu and Rex on Fat Tuesday. Would have liked to arrive a few days earlier and seen Bacchus, but worked free airline miles and Monday was the only date I could arrive. FYI the parades on Fat Tuesday, the Mardi Gras "closing" parades, are at 8AM and 10AM, so be prepared for an early start! There are night parades in the days leading up to Tuesday, but none on Tuesday itself. We walked out at about 8:30 AM on Tuesday and were able to find a spot near the front, right by our hotel. Caught lots of beads, both Monday night (Orpheus) and Tuesday (Zulu and Rex). Seemed like it was important to lock eyes with the thrower- I think that helps them know they aren't going to give you a head injury! Almost all the beads I caught were when I managed to maintain eye contact with someone on a float. Each parade has about 40 floats, which are numbered, and they seemed to last a lot longer than the scheduled two hours. Of the three we saw Orpheus had the most elaborate floats- a dragon they had was my favorite, though Rex had a really cool bull that snorted out smoke that was my second favorite. Zulu had a lot of entertainment themed ones (Simpsons, Marvel, DC, etc.). Honestly the level of floats varied widely, some felt like highschool style floats, and it can feel a bit repetitive after awhile... but then along comes a giant bull snorting out steam and you start shouting for beads like a 5 year old again! (I caught a toss from the bull one, a bull pendant). Interspersed between the floats are energetic highschool marching bands, dancers, dudes in very weird colorful outfits including capes and masks, groups of old men wearing the same color jackets, and dudes wearing outfits that in any other context would look like KKK paraphernalia! It was loud and colorful and chaotic and fun, everything I wanted. I never saw people fight over beads, and in fact the street and trees were covered with beads to be had. (tip: don't stand near an overhanging tree, it will catch the throws instead). If you can get there early and bring a chair, that will hold your spot the entire time, whether you're with the chair or not. I saw no nudity during any of the parades. Just unlucky that way, I guess. ;) I also went to Bourbon Street Fat Tuesday night just to see it, and was mildly disappointed. It was PACKED wall to wall with people, but again no nudity or even any colorful costumes. No one falling down drunk either, no pushing, everyone was very civil, which was great. I will say that I didn't stay there too late though, I left around 11PM. I went in a few bars and was able to get served right away. In fact my fears about not being able to get in anywhere to eat or drink during Mardi Gras were completely unfounded, we had no trouble at all from the day before Fat Tuesday to when we left on Thursday. One final suggestion: make sure you don't just see Bourbon Street. Try to experience the Garden District, Magazine Street, Frenchmen Street, and a swamp tour too, to get the full range of what New Orleans has to offer while you're there. I loved it before and I love it even more now. I had a great time, laissez les bon temps rouler!
2. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Also known as 'Jazz Fest,' the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival brings much more than just jazz music to the city. In fact, all types of music with their roots in the south can be heard around the end of April and beginning of May: Blues, country, zydeco, folk, pop, rap… it's all to be soaked up, along with some mouth-watering cajun cuisine such as crawfish beignets, Po'boys, and spicy jambalaya. The fun isn't limited to the confines of the festival either. The whole city comes to life with live music, shows, and nightclubs holding regular 'Jazz Fest' evenings too.
Reviewed By brenellec - Wesley Chapel, United States
It’s A girls yearly trip Take in all of the local food , drinks, the local music And bands You have to eat at that Acme oyster House you would want to eat at Deanies seafood you would like to eat at NOLA Restaurant specializing in seafood just some of my favorite The clubs you’d like to go to The Beach on bourbon street and enjoy live music by the Wawa band. you like to go to the Prohibition Club where you can enjoy the music of Danny Alexander band. you like to go to the Razzoo club For dancing and music . you will enjoy drinks from mango mango you’ll enjoy drinks and the famous grenade at Tropical Isle. you also would enjoy a club called the famous door. Favorite hotels in the French quarters The historical Hotel Monteleon . The Hyatt Centric. Enjoy the culture , very fun place and memorable. You will want to go year after year after year
3. Voodoo Experience
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Combining the world’s best live bands with breathtaking art, this multi-day festival offers sensory overload to thousands of attendees every year. Along with a renowned lineup of musicians, the event is famous for dramatic, large-scale art installations that offer an immersive experience. The setting in lush City Park is magical in itself, adding a touch of greenery to the festivities. Make sure to come hungry, because as with other New Orleans’ festivals, you can taste the city’s famous cuisine at several food tents and beer gardens.
4. Essence Festival
5. Whitney White Linen Night
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Put on your cleanest white duds and head over to NOLA’s Warehouse District for one of the city’s biggest street parties (and that’s really saying something!) as well as the chance to rub elbows and partake in a tipple or two with a largely local set of folks keen to comb the area’s many gallery-glorious lanes and nearby museums. White dress only is de rigueur at this height of summer shindig and makes for quite a sight to behold as throngs of merrymakers dance the night away to live outdoor entertainment.
