New Orleans is a vibrant and storied city in the state of Louisiana, perfect for visitors of all ages. It is renowned for its unique dialects, distinctive music scene, amazing Creole cuisine and architecture, and the exciting celebration of Mardi Gras.
As a result, the city has many nicknames, from The Big Easy to the Crescent City and Hollywood South to The City That Care Forgot. Across all these names, one truth remains: few places are better to visit for a dose of history, culture, and tradition mixed with old opulence and new freedom.
Many New Orleans attractions cover these aspects, taking you back into the past or keeping you grounded in the present, depending on their subject matter. There are many things to do in New Orleans, after all. So, where should you begin? What are the best places in New Orleans? Here are the top tourist attractions in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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What Bourbon Street offers is 13 blocks of New Orleans history, restaurants, bars, cafes, souvenir shops, and New Orleans' culture.
Stop for a bite to eat at the popular Galatoire's, admire the architecture, do some shopping, and then stick around for nightfall when things really start heating up on Bourbon.
If you're lucky enough to be in town for Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street is the place where it all happens, so definitely join in the festivities! It is one of the must-see attractions in New Orleans.
Address: Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA
A lovely portion of downtown New Orleans, the French Quarter is one of the best New Orleans attractions. It is a National Historic Landmark and is the city's oldest neighborhood, built around three centuries ago on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Also known as Vieux Carré, this is a haven of history, filled with all sorts of things you can explore. Of course, the most touristy part of the French Quarter is Bourbon Street, but even if you avoid that crowded hotspot and tourist trap, there are tons more to do.
You can find galleries, food, shops, nightlife, and all sorts of entertainment. Many other important historic sites and attractions within the French Quarter are also listed in our tourist attraction list, so heading to this district will put you at the heart of all that fun.
Address: 600 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130
The New Orleans Museum of Art, also known as NOMA, is famous in New Orleans for its stunning collections of art, steeped in history with beautiful aesthetics. Situated in City Park, the museum was established on the large financial grant left behind by sugar broker and art collector Isaac Delgado, who left the city in 1912.
NOMA's collection is extensive, boasting more than 40,000 displayed works of art. You'll find items that date all the way back to the Italian Renaissance, and there are also plenty of contemporary creations from the present day.
Of course, most people absolutely love the 19th- and 20th-century displays, with big names like Renoir, Braque, Monet, and Rodin to ogle. An outstanding exhibit filled with African American art from different periods is also available. Remember to check out the Japanese ceramics, the collection of the Americas, and art by Carlos Rolon and Bob Dylan.
Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124
For such a lovely verdant place, City Park has opposing origins! In the 19th century, French colonists drained a swampland here that would later develop into City Park. When it was first created, this was a meeting place for men who sought to settle disputes and disagreements, thus earning the name Dueling Oaks.
By the 1850s, City Park received the much-needed landscaping and refurbishment to turn it into a great park. Today, it is the sixth-largest urban park in the United States and one of the best recreational things to do in New Orleans.
As you stroll through City Park, you'll spot gorgeous oak trees - some over six centuries old - each draped with lovely, green Spanish moss. There are a number of lovely bridges and roads to lead you around the ponds, through the oaks, and up to some of the many sculptures in the park. You can picnic, hike, cycle, or visit the onsite amusement park or 36-hole golf course.
Address: 1 Palm Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124
One of the coolest New Orleans attractions by far! Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is a gorgeous way to spend an afternoon. It's a National Historic Landmark, so it's easy on the eyes, to say the least.
The square itself was designed after the famous Place des Vosges in Paris, France. In the center, you'll see the equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson, for whom the square is named, as well as the St. Louis Cathedral.
Back in the 1720s, the square was used as a site for military parades. The area was officially renamed at the end of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Jackson Square is one of the best places to go in New Orleans for those who want to explore and enjoy the city's charms.
Tourists love the location, and it's filled with shops, galleries, dining establishments, and formal gardens to wander through.
Address: 700 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
The St. Louis Cathedral is the nation's longest-running Roman Catholic church and remains active to this day. It's no surprise, then, that it's one of the most historic attractions in New Orleans.
It's also well-known for its glorious stained glass windows and original gilded and embellished Rococo altar, both incredible to behold in their elegant opulence. The cathedral was opened and dedicated in 1789 to Louis IX of France.
Several reconstructions have been performed to keep it in tip-top shape, but its current aesthetic still dates relatively far back, with 1850-built architecture in a Spanish Colonial style.
This aesthetic is appreciated by visitors thanks to its impressive appearance of magnificent symmetry. There are spires, window pediments, scallop moldings, and Doric columns that make up the gorgeous structure.
Address: 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116
The name "Frenchmen Street" is slightly misleading, as this isn't a simple street. More specifically, it's a long road stretch situated in Faubourg Marigny, where it spans a total of three blocks.
It's among the best places to visit in New Orleans for music lovers, a product of its sparkling reputation as the best city hotspot for live music. Frenchmen Street is also filled with all sorts of things to see, such as Creole-style, old-fashioned cottages and huts with tons of charm.
There are also plenty of cultural stores, blues and jazz clubs, and plenty of examples of the city's heritage. Then enjoy dinner and music at one or more of the popular venues on the street, including The Spotted Cat, The Maison, Blue Nile, and Bamboula's. It's essentially a less crowded version of Bourbon Street.
Address: Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA
The National WWII Museum is one of the prime spots in New Orleans for history buffs, those interested in the military, and anyone fascinated by war-related historical events. This museum was once called the National D-Day Museum and has continually grown in popularity as the perfect place to learn about battles of the past.
Located in downtown New Orleans, the National WWII Museum had its start focusing only on D-Day before expanding in 2009 to go beyond the scope of the Battle of Normandy. The museum is now a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and is renowned nationwide.
The observation deck is especially popular, where you can see an up-close view of the aircraft that hands from the ceiling of the aviation exhibit. There's also the opportunity to watch the specially-made, exclusive award-winning film, Beyond All Boundaries, a 4D spectacle well worth your time.
Address: 945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Many people who think of New Orleans also think of voodoo, an extremely misunderstood cultural and religious practice that originates in West Africa. The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum honors, educates and commemorates this practice, and it's one of the most unique places in the US.
In 1972, Charles Massicot Gandolfo, a man with a huge passion and interest in voodoo, created the museum to spread information about the practice to others. For the most part, its displays consist of local voodoo items and exhibits, which were brought into the country in the 1700s as a result of the slave trade.
The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum displays many fascinating and intriguing items. Some items were owned by the city's first Queen of Voodoo, Maria Laveau, as well as taxidermy, talismans, and antique dolls used in the practices. You can even book fortune readings by local practitioners or purchase things like potions, snake skins, books, and candles.
Address: 724 Dumaine St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Audubon Park, also called the Audubon Nature Institute, is one of the beautiful family-friendly New Orleans attractions. It's a vast expanse filled with various points of interest, and it's also the home to a significant number of century-old oaks, some of which date back to the days of New Orleans' plantations.
Audubon Park is also home to a big aquarium that features a stunning Gulf of Mexico-themed tank measuring 400,000 gallons. Animal lovers will enjoy the zoo and its jaguar showcase, the butterfly garden, and the interesting insectarium.
There are also environmental talks and film screenings, feeding opportunities, and chances to get up close and personal with animals. Many events are also held here, including several dedicated explicitly to children.
Address: 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118
Preservation Hall is undoubtedly the best of the things to do in New Orleans related to music and jazz. This traditional venue is a well-known favorite across the city. It is specifically family-friendly, so it stands out among the many adults-only joints for jazz music in the city.
More than one hundred musicians perform here for most nights every year, and this is one of the world's most respected venues for live jazz performances. Preservation Hall opened in the 1950s, but life was really breathed into it in 1961 when Alan Jaffe took over as manager.
He focused on hiring musicians who were a part of the first wave of the genre, giving it an incredible revival while also providing elderly musicians with a great reason to get back into the world.
Address: 726 St Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116
Mardi Gras World is situated in the port area of New Orleans, and it's easy to overlook. Don't make that mistake, as it's one of the most fun New Orleans attractions! This is the place to be if you want to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the biggest parties in America: Mardi Gras!
In 1932, Roy Kern began growing a company that manufactured and made floats. Eventually, he opened Mardi Gras World in 1984, and today more than a hundred workers and artists are employed at the location and Kern Studios.
Their job is this: put effort, time, and creativity into creating the most beautiful, perfect floats that they can hope for Mardi Gras.
About 75% of the floats used during the event are made here at Mardi Gras World, and tours, which last one and a half hours, teach you all about the traditions and costumes involved as you view the beautiful works in progress.
Address: 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130
The charming Garden District neighborhood in New Orleans was originally built for wealthy settlers who did not want to settle in the French Quarter with the Creole people.
This happened in the 1830s, which is why the neighborhood remains filled with buildings in the popular architectural styles of the time: Italiante and Greek Revival mansions surrounded by flower-filled gardens!
The Garden District remains one of the upper-class portions of the city. Architecture enthusiasts and sightseers wondering where to go in New Orleans should definitely consider a leisurely stroll through this elegant and opulent district.
You can also spot plenty of notable old buildings, such as the Goldsmith-Godchaux House, the Brevard-Rice House, Colonel Short's Villa, and the Commander's Palace.
Address: Garden District, New Orleans, LA
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is among the most unique and unusual New Orleans attractions. It's equal parts fascinating and intriguing.
Situated in an old two-floor building within the French Quarter, this museum displays a significant number of memorabilia related to healthcare and pharmacy history.
At the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, you'll find unique oddities and all sorts of bits and bobs. There are old leather physician's bags, optical prosthetic devices, medical instruments, wheelchairs, apothecary ingredients in jars, eyeglasses, and surgical tools.
There are also voodoo potions, such as the famous and renowned Love Potion No 9! Head to the back of the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum to find a workspace recreation.
This room is an impressively detailed depiction of the kind of place a pharmacist would have worked decades upon decades ago. You'll see microscopes, wooden blenders, old mortars and pestles scattered about for even more authenticity.
Address: 514 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Louisiana Children's Museum is a must-see in New Orleans for those visiting the city with their children. This fun location covers two stories of space and is set on 8.5 acres of grounds containing additional notable locations.
There's a mock grocery shop outside the building for kids to explore, a lagoon bank to chill at, and a wetland habitat and edible garden to explore. There's even a special 30-meter exhibit called the Mighty Mississippi.
The Louisiana Children's Museum also hosts regular seasonal events throughout the year, including those celebrating cultures, taking closer looks at different occupations, and enjoying fun and exciting activities.
There are also plenty of activities and experiences that kids can delve into, like "Dig Into Nature," "Make Your Mark," and "Follow That Food".
Address: 15 Henry Thomas Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art opened in 1999 and is home to one of the South's biggest collections of art. It's one of the best New Orleans tourist attractions for art lovers and aficionados, mainly because some of its pieces date back to 1733.
Of course, there isn't really one specific Southern style of art, so the Ogden Museum of Southern Art contains a multitude of influences, genres, and mediums, ranging from abstract art to landscapes and from sculptures to ceramics.
You'll find folk art, neo-Expressionist art, modernist paintings, and much more, with various techniques, art styles, and cultural contexts creating diverse creativity.
Address: 925 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130
If you're in town at the right time, there's no way you should miss the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which is undoubtedly one of the very best things to do in New Orleans.
This exhilarating festival is an extravaganza that lasts for eight days at the Fair Grounds Race Track, and it's filled with music, culture, art, and food. It usually happens on the last weekend of April, which runs up to May's first weekend.
Locals simply call the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival the "Jazzfest," which has a 50-year history in the city. Though its name relates to jazz, you'll actually get to hear and watch performances of virtually every type of music.
A total of 12 stages are established throughout the festival, with food stalls set up throughout so you can grab beignets, gumbo, and crab po'boys, among other great bites. Expect to see lots of people dressed in costumes and hats, waving flags, and having fantastic handmade crafts.
Address: 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119
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New Orleans has always been known for its fantastic jazz music scene, so there's nowhere better for a museum like this than in New Orleans.
Housed within the old building of the United States Mint, a Neoclassical structure, the New Orleans Jazz Museum is a haven of memorabilia and objects related to the genre of jazz.
If you're a music lover, this is one of the attractions in New Orleans you shouldn't miss. There are several priceless artifacts displayed in the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
You'll find instruments used by the likes of Sidney Bechet, Dizzy Gillespie, and Georgie Lewis, thousands of photographs from the early days of the jazz world, and numerous records to listen to. One of the most exciting items displayed is Louis Armstrong's first-ever coronet, marked with various notches that Armstrong himself carved into it.
Address: 400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116
Wondering what to do in New Orleans for a little time in nature and a good bit of physical activity? The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is the perfect fit!
Spanning a whopping 22,241 acres and encompassing an impressive six locations across New Orleans, this is the ideal place for guided walks, independent hikes, and exploration.
The different biomes visible across the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve make sightseeing much more rewarding. You'll pass bayous, swamps, and prairies while seeing gorgeous flora. There are also several historical sites within the park's area, including the Battle of New Orleans site.
The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve also serve an important purpose. It is meant to protect the Mississippi River Delta region's cultural and natural resources.
Address: Marrero, LA 70072
The Presbytère can be found in Jackson Square, where it is one of the many popular historic New Orleans attractions. It dates back to 1791 and boasts jaw-dropping beautiful architecture that is wonderful to behold.
The Spanish colonial design in which it was constructed is a prime example of the formal style and boasts some neo-Renaissance elements. As its name suggests, the Presbytère was originally used as a home for the Capuchin monks who served at the Cabildo next door, which we'll discuss in a moment.
After it was done as domestic quarters, the building was used as a courthouse, during which a French-influenced mansard roof was installed. Today, the Presbytère is the flagship location of the Louisiana State Museum.
It boasts two permanent exhibits. One is about the effects of Hurricane Katrina, and the other is a thematic and much-loved exhibit about Mardi Gras.
Address: 751 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Situated right next to the Presbytère, the Cabildo is a fantastic historic and cultural location. Like its neighbor, it boasts incredible and awe-inspiring architecture, serving as a beautiful example of Spanish colonial design.
Originally, this was the Spanish colonial city hall's seat, a purpose it served until 1908. Now, the Cabildo is among the coolest places to visit in New Orleans, as it is a part of the Louisiana State Museum and displays a whopping 500 or so artifacts.
These items relate to the city's culture and history. You will see exhibits related to the Battle of New Orleans, a room where the Louisiana Purchase was finalized, and a Native American item collection.
Address: 701 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
One of the fun activities in New Orleans is touring its hotspots via Steamboat Natchez. This excellent touring company offers well-known cruises that take you through the beautiful rush of the Mississippi River.
The company began in 1975 and has been doing this ever since, offering dinner cruises, harbor cruises, and brunch cruises. Steamboat Natchez uses traditional sternwheel steamboats that bring you back in time to a soothing, more slow-paced time.
You'll be serenaded by old-style music while a captain provides megaphone-narrated historic information about the places you're passing by.
Address: 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Audubon Zoo is one of the best family-friendly New Orleans attractions. The city's natural climate allows for a wide range of different habitat recreations across exhibition spaces, allowing animals to live in enclosures that realistically mimic their natural environments.
You'll see a bunch of different animals here at Audubon Zoo, such as Asian elephants, orangutans, Malayan tigers, gorillas, rhinos, and lions, among others. Notable themed areas are the award-winning Louisiana Swamp, where gators live, the self-explanatory Jaguar Jungle, the splash park of Cool Zoo, and the awesome Gator Run.
You can also travel throughout the zoo on the exciting Swamp Train, where you'll get a glimpse of most of the exhibits so you know where you'd like to go.
Address: 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118
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It's hard to visit New Orleans without immersing yourself in its culture and history, which is exactly what the Historic New Orleans Collection allows you to do. This museum paints a delightful and relatively comprehensive picture of the city, boasting gorgeous exhibits that showcase the artistic tastes and background of the region.
The Historic New Orleans Collection opened in 1966. It was built on the private collection of General Lewis Kemper Williams and Leila Hardy Moore Williams. In 1938, the couple purchased the Merieult House, where the Collection is housed today, as a private residence.
Their legacy remains in the collection they've left behind, displayed in a mix of permanent and rotating items totaling over one million individual pieces. There are four exhibition areas within the Historic New Orleans Collection.
Items span three centuries of origins! These are the Williams Gallery, Louisiana History Galleries, Boyd Cruise Gallery, and Laura Simon Nelson Galleries for Louisiana Art.
Address: 520 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Longue Vue House and Gardens are one of the most elegant attractions in New Orleans. The house was one of the Country Place Era's final estates, owned in the 1930s by Edgar B. Stern, an entrepreneur and philanthropist.
It was built in a beautiful Classical-Revival architectural style that is a quintessential representation of the sophisticated design of New Orleans' older days. The Longue Vue House contains more than 20 rooms you can explore, furnished with authentic or close recreations of period furnishings.
This includes preserved costumes and items from across the globe, such as European carpets or ceramics from China. Meanwhile, the Longue Vue House's gardens span 8 acres and are just as beautiful to walk through.
Address: 7 Bamboo Rd, New Orleans, LA 70124
The Music Box Village in Bywater is one of the most picturesque places to go in New Orleans. It's a stunning haven for music lovers, boasting a mix of delightful melodies from little music boxes designed to resemble Creole cottages.
This whimsical spot was designed by artists and builders who sought to create an interactive and tranquil space. The Music Box Village is technically inside a forested area, but it's not hard to navigate, as all you have to do is follow the music boxes.
You can also engage with the treehouses within the village, so you get some hands-on activities for people of all ages! At certain times, the village also hosts live concerts that are a must-see.
Address: 4557 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70117
Studio Be is a big warehouse in Bywater that hosts all sorts of incredible public works of art.
It is the brainchild of Brandan "BMike" Odums.
BMike worked with more than 40 artists to create murals, exhibits, and other art installations.
With 35,000 square feet across four buildings and five floors, this colorful, vibrant place is perfect for artists and art lovers alike.
Many of Studio Be's works are related to African American history, with themes of activism, resistance, and revolution, among others.
It took six months for Studio Be's walls and art to be completed, and its powerful message makes it worth a visit as far as things to do in New Orleans go.
Address: 2941 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70117
There aren't many urban green spaces in New Orleans, which is why Louis Armstrong Park is one of the best things to do around New Orleans for a relaxing getaway in the concrete jungle.
Located near the French Quarter, it is a regular host for various festivals and events and is a great place to relax and enjoy a bit of recreational sightseeing.
Louis Armstrong Park spans 32 acres.
As its name suggests, it is named after the eponymous great jazz musician.
The park actually had a rocky start and was part of an urban renewal project that the local government considered a controversial move.
Still, the park has survived, and it also has Congo Square.
Once upon a time, this square was used for unsavory, slave-related purposes, and now it is an influential African American site for dancing, singing, and celebrating heritage.
Address: 701 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
In the French Quarter, Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo stands as one of the most crucial New Orleans attractions related to the sacred cultural practice of voodoo.
Marie Laveau II inherited the unofficial title of the local queen of voodoo from her mother, and she reigned in this area of expertise until she passed away in 1895.
Accounts of Laveau's death are confused and contradictory, and some people believe that she remains in the house as a ghost, haunting it with her spirit.
Some guests have even reported seeing her entire figure in a rear room, and others have claimed to feel an icy grasp on their shoulders and arms.
Don't let the ghost stories scare you away, though! Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo is an incredible and unique museum where you can learn about the closed practice of voodoo.
You'll get to see books, spiritual items, and even an altar for voodoo, and a shop sells items of the practice.
You can also opt to avail of various divination services, spell casting, and Tarot readings.
Address: 628 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Jean Lafitte's Old Absinthe House is a unique bar in the French Quarter.
It contains a vast majority of the unique items and memorabilia that it collected in earlier years.
Autographs and photos are on display, all saved from the years of the prohibition era so that it could reopen happily in 2004.
Of course, Jean Lafitte was an outlaw and a pirate, so it's reasonable to wonder how and why one of the popular attractions in New Orleans is named after him.
This is because Lafette played a surprisingly important role in America's victory during the Revolution.
Slightly before the War of 1812, Lafitte came to meet General Andrew Jackson here.
General Jackson sought his assistance in manning ships to fight encroaching forces from Britain.
Lafitte would only agree if he and his men were given full pardons, and his wish was granted - and eventually, the British ships were turned away.
Address: 240 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70112
The thrilling, macabre, and unusual Museum of Death is among the most unique New Orleans tourist attractions.
For those fascinated by the gory and the bizarre, this is the place to be in New Orleans.
Originally, the museum opened in 1995 in a different state: California.
Here, J.D. Healy and Catherine Shultz were collecting a wide range of strange items themed around death and wanted to display them.
Two decades after this branch opened, a significant number of these artifacts were moved to New Orleans, where they now live in this museum.
The museum also has two branches in Los Angeles, one of which is on Hollywood Boulevard.
The New Orleans iteration of the Museum of Death features intriguing and shocking objects in its collection.
There are body bags, taxidermied things, skeletons, videos showcasing deaths, and exhibits covering subjects such as cannibalism, embalming, and terrorism.
A serial killer showcase houses art and letters from the likes of Jeffrey Dahmer and the Unabomber.
Address: 227 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112
The Laura Plantation, also called Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site, has a compelling history.
It was one of the many local sugarcane farms in the region, owned and founded by a naval veteran of the American Revolutionary War and Frenchman Guillaume Duparc.
There aren't many plantation museums in New Orleans, so if you're seeking things to do in New Orleans, don't leave this out.
In these modern times, the museum of the Laura Plantation dedicates much of its exhibits to honesty about the darker elements of its past.
You'll learn about the African American families who were enslaved here - their struggles, everyday lives, and realities.
Tours guide you through the original slave cabins from the 1840s.
You'll get the chance to breathe in the beautiful gardens before learning more about the ugly side of this beautiful Creole-style home.
Address: 2247 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090
Another one of the many New Orleans attractions for music and the jazz scene, Tipitina's is a great and fun club that has been operating since 1977.
Don't let its unassuming exterior fool you - this is one of the city's most famous joints!
Every single aspiring performer and musician would be thrilled for the chance to play at Tipitina's.
All sorts of genres are played into the wee hours of the morning, and the sheer talent in the live music offerings is to die for. Note that this is a standing-only club, so you won't get to lounge around.
Address: 501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
The Superdome is a marvel of modernist-style architecture, and despite its construction beginning in the 1970s, it strikes a surprisingly future-proof figure today.
It is famed for being the biggest domed building on the planet, boasting a majestic and jaw-dropping roof dome with a diameter of a whopping 210 meters.
73,000 people can sit in the amazing Superdome, which is the home of the football team known as the New Orleans Saints.
Sports fans will undoubtedly consider this among the top New Orleans attractions to visit.
If you're here in spring, you can watch a Saints Game, and if you're here in January, you can watch the college league of the Sugar Bowl.
Pre-season games and other events are also regular fixtures of the Superdome.
Address: 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA 70112
This is the second sugarcane plantation on this list.
You see, Louisiana's climate and the high demand for sugar during the antebellum period contribute to New Orleans' notable plantation pasts.
The Whitney Plantation was founded by immigrants from Germany in 1752 as an indigo-growing site but eventually developed into a massive sugarcane farm.
Like the Laura Plantation, the Whitney Plantation today seeks to shed light on its past.
As a plantation museum, the structure now focuses on educating guests on the plight of the enslaved African Americans who worked on the plantation.
Other exhibits that you can view on a one-and-a-half-hour tour include a freedman church, the owner's house, and the slave cabins.
This is one of the essential places to go in New Orleans for history buffs, too.
Address: 5099 Hwy. 18, Great River Road, Wallace, LA 70049
The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is actually a part of the grounds of the New Orleans Museum of Art, which was our first entry on this list of New Orleans attractions.
However, the 11-acre garden is worth a visit all on its own, and it has only grown more interesting since its opening in 2003.
More than 90 sculptures are on display at the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
You'll get to view these works of art as you weave through the grounds, traversing camellias, oaks, magnolias, pines, and other flowers as you go.
During your exploration, you'll spot works by Pierre Auguste Renoir, Henry Moore, Katharina Fritsch, and many other creatives and artists.
Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124
LaLaurie Mansion is famous in New Orleans for being one of its most haunted locations - a fact that comes from its highly dark, macabre, and gory past.
This past is due to owner Delphine LaLaurie, also known as Madame Blanque or Marie Delphine Macarty.
A wealthy socialite, LaLaurie owned many slaves and abused them terribly.
She was ruthless and performed unspeakable acts of body horror on those she enslaved.
It was eventually discovered that she was a serial killer and murderer and had severely tortured and killed many of the slaves that she owned.
When she was ultimately found out, she quickly ran to Paris, where she lived the rest of her life without ever facing the consequences of her actions.
Though the history of LaLaurie Mansion is nothing short of horrific, architecture fans are likely to appreciate its design.
It's a beautiful example of the Southern antebellum style, boasting a three-story structure with balconies of wrought iron and an authentic façade in a Baroque style.
This grandeur seems almost offensive in the face of the terror of its past.
Ghost tours are a common and popular way to explore the mansion.
Address: 1138 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Metairie Cemetery is a fascinating and uniquely beautiful final resting place, making it one of the more popular New Orleans attractions among fans of the strange and unusual.
It was founded in 1872 and built over what was once a race course.
Much of its serious final resting places are interspersed with works of art that create a surprisingly welcoming and charming atmosphere.
Metairie Cemetery is a site that should be visited with respect.
Eagle-eyed guests will be able to spot unique locations throughout it, as the cemetery houses New Orleans' biggest collection of marble funeral statues and tombs.
Among them are the Moriarty Tomb that spans 18 meters, the beautiful stained glass Moorish-inspired tomb of Beauregard Landon, and the impressive Brunswig mausoleum, which has a sphinx and pyramid on the outside.
Address: 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124
The Museum of the American Cocktail is a part of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, right in the French Quarter.
Once upon a time, this museum was merely a traveling exhibit, but today it is able to teach guests about this unique niche topic from a permanent location.
Among New Orleans attractions, this is one of the more unique.
The Museum of the American Cocktail is home to many exhibits covering the history of cocktails and alcohol, especially within the region.
You'll learn about the arguments for and against prohibition and see tons of old and new bars and cocktail equipment.
Regular mixology workshops are taught, too, so you can learn to flex some cool drink-concocting skills.
Address: 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Few people haven't heard of The Great Gatsby, the masterwork for which author F. Scott Fitzgerald is most known.
But before this man, widely considered one of the 20th century's best American writers, got big off this famous novel, he wrote two less popular books.
One of these books was This Side of Paradise, and he worked on editing the book entirely in a cheap boarding house.
While you can't visit the specific room of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Boarding House, as it's privately owned now, you can easily view it from the street and stare up at the window of the place where Fitzgerald's career as a writer began.
You can easily see his exact window and room from Lafayette Cemetery 1.
Sure, it's unconventional, but die-hard fans will still consider it a good option for what to do in New Orleans.
Address: 2900 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Speaking of Lafayette Cemetery, this site is well worth a visit on its own if you're looking for more things to do in New Orleans.
It was set up in the old city known as Lafayette in 1833 before being taken by the city of New Orleans when the old settlement was incorporated into the new one.
Today, the cemetery is the oldest one owned by the city and continues to be in operation.
Lafayette Cemetery is a nice place to respectfully stroll through if you enjoy more unusual and somber sites.
However, it's also a terrific spot for fans of the series known as The Originals, as all of the cemetery scenes that the show has were shot right here.
Address: 2110 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113
When Saenger Theatre was first constructed in 1927, it couldn't have possibly imagined the difficult times it would go through.
The establishment was built as an atmospheric movie theater and has since faced numerous tough periods and necessary restorations.
Today, it has shrunk from its original 4,000-seat capacity to just 2,600, yet it is doing better than ever!
Saenger Theater is now one of the best attractions in New Orleans for fans of performance art.
It's an absolutely opulent and elegant building with beautiful performance halls that showcases everything from concerts to live comedy and from children's shows to musicals.
There's virtually always something playing, so be sure to check out the schedule to see what's on while you're in town.
Address: 1111 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Some of the best places to visit in New Orleans can be overwhelming, so why not slow it down a little and take in the outstanding beauty of the small but vibrant Ashley Longshore Studio Gallery?
Situated on Magazine Street, this boisterous and loud spot is simply teeming with apparent personality.
When you first step into the Ashley Longshore Studio Gallery, you'll feel like you're walking into a gorgeous comic book.
The whole room is intentionally blank and white so the artwork can fully pop in all its colorful and boisterous glory.
You'll see thought-provoking pieces about advertising, politics, TV, and pop culture, among others.
Address: 4537 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Luling Mansion isn't one of the more typical New Orleans tourist attractions.
In fact, its entire appeal as an attraction lies in the fact that it is slowly but surely devolving and crumbling into complete ruin.
Once, this mansion was elegant and stunning, the home of wealthy cotton merchant Florence Luling, a German.
But a lot has changed since it was built in 1865.
Back then, the Luling Mansion boasted 30 acres of land with its lake and an island within that.
The house itself was an Italianate masterpiece that took two years to fully build, complete with an opulent interior and 22 rooms.
Unfortunately, the Luling family faced much tragedy shortly after moving in, including the death of his two sons.
He then returned to Europe and left his house abandoned.
For a while, Luling Mansion was a part of the 1872 Fairgrounds Racetrack, owned by the Louisiana Jockey Club.
They, too, abandoned the building shortly after.
In 1905, it was used for apartments, but that also declined.
Now, this site is nothing but a sobering glimpse into what once was - and a fun place to explore for those who enjoy ruins and decay.
Address: 1436 Leda Ct, New Orleans, LA 70119
The Oak Alley Plantation is a beautiful former plantation that rests on the western bank of the Mississippi.
It's yet another one of the spots in New Orleans with an ugly past.
It is named after its alley that runs up to the home from the river banks, bordered by old oak trees that were each planted back in the 18th century.
The plantation house was finished in 1837 and boasted elegant, luxurious, and opulent architecture, complete with 28 Doric columns and a colonnade.
Tours of the home provide a good look into its dark side, granting insight into the lives of the slaves who lived here.
There is also a Sugarcane Exhibit that discusses the enterprise run by the estate's owners.
Address: 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090
If you want to see more unique places in the US - or, instead, in New Orleans - check out the attractive 1797 bar known as the Napoleon House.
This home once belonged to the city mayor Nicholas Girod, who was fascinated by Napoleon Bonaparte and very much a fan of the tactician.
Girod named the house in the 1820s due to a fanatical plan to attempt to bring Napoleon to the house, giving a new home to the deposed emperor.
Of course, things didn't work out that way, but today the 18th-century restaurant and bar is a great haunt for good food, and the faded luxury many parts of New Orleans are known for.
Address: 500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Most people who visit New Orleans will also visit the 6-mile stretch of Magazine Street.
This is a shopper's paradise, a gorgeous haven of boutiques, spas, costume shops, galleries, and other charming and hip locations.
Many cottages along the road are great to feast your eyes on, and your stomach can feast at the many yummy eateries available.
Magazine Street's name is likely to come from magazines of ammunition, but the exact etymology is uncertain.
You can ponder this mystery as you take a streetcar or bus up and down the length of the street.
Walking is also a great option, thanks to the twisting oaks that offer plenty of shade from the elements.
Address: Magazine St., New Orleans, LA
The 19th-century brick face of the Fort Macomb Ruins is a must-see in New Orleans for history buffs, especially those interested in lesser-known hidden gems.
The fort was once an important portion of the plans for Third System defense in 1822, one of 42 first guarding Louisiana's coast.
This fort played an important role during the War of 1812 and, later, the Civil War.
It was eventually abandoned after being destroyed in a fire in 1867 and further ruined after Hurricane Katrina.
It's not the safest building to enter, thanks to its deteriorating and ruined state, but it's still a popular site for adventurous travelers.
Address: New Orleans, LA 70129
A true vacation isn't complete without some good food.
If you want to eat as the locals do, you may be wondering where to go in New Orleans - and the answer is Café du Monde.
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this cafe serves beignets, coffee, and chicory and is famous throughout the city for its delicious offerings.
Café du Monde started up in 1862 when it was nothing more than a coffee stand.
There are now eight branches of this eatery situated throughout New Orleans, so be sure to stop at one before you leave the city.
Address: 848 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Seeking things to do in New Orleans for a good drink? Look no further than the Old New Orleans Rum Distillery.
This is the United States of America's oldest distillery of premium rum, so those who appreciate a fine brew must absolutely visit.
The Old New Orleans Rum Distillery is situated inside what was once a cotton warehouse that was built 150 years ago.
In order to produce drinks and cocktails, the distillery uses locally-grown sugarcane from Louisiana to make molasses to sweeten and produce their drinks.
Tours of the Old New Orleans Rum Distillery last for about 45 minutes.
You'll get to learn about how rum is fermented, distilled, and aged before finishing up with a delectable tasting session.
Address: 2815 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70122
The Backstreet Cultural Museum is the impressive house of the world's most detailed and biggest collection of items related to the history and traditions of African American culture.
It's undoubtedly one of the best places in New Orleans to learn about this culture and its intricacies.
The Backstreet Cultural Museum hosts film recordings of over 500 important events and archives of numerous continued and lost traditions kept by the New Orleans' black community.
You'll be able to learn about jazz funerals, pleasure clubs, Baby Dolls, Skull and Bone gangs, masking traditions, social aid, and various cultural traditions.
The museum is a bit of a hidden gem, but you should be sure not to miss it!
Address: 1531 St Philip St, New Orleans, LA 70116
There are countless things to do in New Orleans, each steeped in history, tradition, and culture. You can find something that tickles your fancy, from music to museums and food to art. While we've covered the most popular New Orleans attractions, you'll find plenty of hidden gems if you're only willing to explore. Get lost in the Big Easy and immerse yourself in the gorgeous, vibrant City of Yes, and you'll have memorable experiences on every corner.