New Orleans Travel Guide: Epic Things to Do, Eat & See

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

Welcome to my New Orleans Travel Guide. I’ve been to this city nine times now, and each time I find something new to love. It’s one of my favorite places to visit and talk about and I enjoy helping people discover New Orleans for the first time.

My Guide will take you through the obligatory, the unexpected, and my favorite things about this historic, unique, and memorable city.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!
(Let The Good Times Roll!)

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The Best Time To Visit New Orleans

When you visit will greatly depend on your personal preferences. There are two factors I consider when planning a visit: weather and events.

Weather: Because it’s located in the southern half of the United States, New Orleans is going to have swampy hot summers and early fall with mild winters and springs. I personally cannot handle the summer in the south so I opt for more mild and sometimes rainy springtime for my visits.

Events: There are many events happening throughout the year in New Orleans. Two of the more popular events bookend the year with Mardi Gras which spans from January to as late as early March and Voodoo Fest in October. These events book the city up quickly which can make hotels hard to find and more expensive. There are also going to be special concerts and industry conferences that will impact availability. Keep these things in mind when planning.

My Favorite New Orleans Eats

Food is one of the best things about travel and New Orleans has some of the best food out there.

Let Someone Else Plan…

New and Classic New Orleans Restaurants

There are a lot of amazing restaurants in New Orleans, some that have been institutions since the late 1700s, while others are far more modern. One thing they have in common is they all represent an amazing culinary experience that is purely New Orleans. Below is our ever-growing list of restaurants we’ve been to (emphasized), and others that are on our must-visit list for future trips. These should get you started on your to-visit New Orleans restaurant list.

Classic (started in the late 1700s to mid-1900s): Tujague’s, Napoleon House, Galatoire’s, Arnaud’s, Commander’s Palace, Central Grocery & Deli, Mother’s Restaurant, The Court of Two Sisters, The Original Pierre Maspero’s, Dooky Chase’s, Port of Call, Brennan’s, Pat O’Brien’s, Willie Mae’s Scotch House.

New (started in the early 2000s to today): Willa Jean, Shaya, Domenica, Molly’s Rise & Shine, Turkey & the Wolf, Cochon, Toups Meatery, Herbsaint, Dat Dog, La Boulangerie, Cane and Table, Toast, Cuńada, Justine, Tartine, St. James Cheese Company, Cafe Degas, District Donut

3 Places In New Orleans French Quarter You Must-See

You’re probably going to spend a lot of time in the French Quarter. You’ll experience the calm and chaos of Bourbon Street, the beauty of Jackson Square, and the serene and curious above-ground tombs of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Three key areas I encourage every first-timer to check out and branch out from.

What To Do On & Near Bourbon Street

A New Orleans Travel Guide must is to talk about Bourbon Street. Here are some of our favorite spots to hang out while on Bourbon Street as well as favorites that are just a few steps away around the corner or down a side street worth mentioning.

Karaoke with Friends at The Cat’s Meow

You can get weird in front of a bunch of strangers and sing your favorite tunes at the popular karaoke bar Cat’s Meow. Keep an eye out for the live webcams at the entrance of the building and inside so you can wave to your friends back home who would wish they were there with you!

Visit | 701 Bourbon Street, New Orleans

Sip On a Frozen Daiquiri at Mango Mango or Fat Tuesday and People Watch

Mango Mango and Fat Tuesday are just two of many frozen daiquiri shops you’ll find on almost every corner of Bourbon Street. This is the perfect drink to have as you leisurely stroll along this chaotic street. It will take you a while to finish (who wants a brain freeze?), and it allows you plenty of time to people-watch. From musicians, and performers, to even a wedding parade, you never know what you will see on Bourbon Street.

Visit Mango Mango | 201 Bourbon Street, New Orleans
Visit Fat Tuesday | 633 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, and other locations

Eat Delicious Mexican Food at Cuñada

We discovered Cuñada, a tasty destination nearby one of our go-to hotels in the Quarter, a moody and festive decorated joint with some tasty Mexican dishes. Loved the street corn.

Visit | 833 Conti Street, New Orleans

Sit at a Bar That Spins at The Carousel Bar & Lounge in Hotel Monteleone

Just a few steps away from Bourbon Street is the Carousel Bar & Lounge, one of two spinning carousel bars in the US. There’s a novelty to sitting at the bar and experiencing it spin around, however, I found it more fun to sit on the side so you can see it spin instead. Known for its popular drink, Vieux Carre.

Visit | 214 Royal Street, New Orleans

Drink Like The Locals Do In New Orleans

My New Orleans Travel Guide would be incomplete without mentioning the classic cocktails of New Orleans. No shame in drinking the fruity novelty drinks, but if you’re looking for a more authentic experience, try one of these popular New Orleans cocktails. I’ll list the most popular destination to find one, but note that many bars create these classic cocktails.

The Hurricane is a popular fruity, rum-based cocktail. Find the best and most popular bright red version at Pat O’Brien’s 718 St Peter

Sazerac is a rye whiskey-based drink that uses bitters named after the Creole apothecary who developed them, Antione Peychaud, in his Royal Street shop. Find one at The Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone 214 Royal Street

Absinthe Frappe is a mint-flavored cocktail invented in the late 1800s. Find yours at the Old Absinthe House 240 Bourbon Street

Ramos Gin Fizz is a frothy cocktail that uses a mix of citrus, heavy cream, powdered sugar, egg white, and gin. Get yours at The Sazerac Restaurant in The Roosevelt Hotel 130 Roosevelt Way

Vieux Carré A Sazerac Rye whiskey-based drink popular at The Carousel Bar within Hotel Monteleone 214 Royal Street

Pimm’s Cup is a refreshing, low-alcohol gin and lemon-based cocktail invented in London but given a New Orleans twist in the 1940s. Find yours at Napoleon House 500 Chartres Street

Mint Julep Enjoyed throughout the south, this minty bourbon-based cocktail can be found at The Carousel Bar within Hotel Monteleone 214 Royal Street

Brandy Milk Punch Often associated with the holidays, but many enjoy them year long is this brandy and milk-based cocktail. Try one where it was perfected at Brennan’s 417 Royal Street

Gallery and Antique Shop On Royal Street

Just a short walk away from Bourbon Street is the much more chilled-out Royal Street, known for its rows of local art galleries and antique shops. The perfect way to get away from the chaotic energy of Bourbon Street and enjoy some art and antiques. I loved Lejardin Art Gallery and bought an amazing print by New Orleans artist Stuart South of Jackson Square with a UFO flying over it titled “New Orleans is UFO Country”. It’s weird, I love it.

Go Ahead and Drink Like A Tourist (I won’t judge)

It’s okay to indulge in a silly novelty drink you will pay way too much for. It’s part of the experience and I certainly can’t judge considering I’ve brought some of my drink containers home in the past. Here is a list of some of the better novelty drinks we’ve had on our trips into town so you know where to find them and what to look for.

Hand Grenade neon green tube with a smiling hand grenade shape at the bottom and a small plastic grenade floating at the top. Find yours at Tropical Aisle 721 Bourbon Street and other locations.

The Fishbowl is a 64-ounce plastic fishbowl complete with a lanyard to hang on your neck for hands-free drinking. If you come back with the bowl, refills are often discounted. Find yours at Fais Deaux Deaux 327 Bourbon Street.

The Resurrection a clear skull-shaped mug with a blue blinking light in the base made popular by being featured on Bar Rescue by John Taffer. Find yours at Spirits 615 Bourbon Street.

The Big Easy is a tall, colorful Fleur-de-Lis-shaped container filled with your choice of frozen daiquiri. Find yours at Big Easy Daiquiris 216 Bourbon Street and other locations.

Huge Ass Beers are giant cups of beer Find yours at Big Ass Beers 333 Bourbon Street and other locations.

Or don’t drink. I’ve mentioned drinking a lot in the Bourbon Street portion of My New Orleans Travel Guide. I just wanted to make sure to call out that you can have fun in New Orleans without drinking alcohol! I promise! There are just many iconic drinks I felt were worth mentioning in this guide.

Let Someone Else Plan…

Bourbon Street Advice

My advice, tips, and facts about Bourbon Street you need to know to stay safe and have a great time.

On Drinking

• You can drink on the streets and in select bars 24/7*, but be sure to bring your ID as you may get carded regardless of how old you look. Also, don’t try to take that glass bottle out on the street, ask for a plastic “Go-Cup” if you want to leave. But don’t assume this tolerance for round-the-clock drinking and partying means you can get wasted and be awful, drinking in your car, or taking that drink in an area that isn’t zoned for drinking.
• Those fruity novelty drinks pack a punch you might not be ready for. Aliens, hand grenades, Fleur de Lis, blinking skulls, and other designs make for a fun-looking drink, but those fruity flavors do a great job at masking a large amount of cheap alcohol. Before you know it, you’ve drunk too much and that is never good.
• Tip the street performers if you watch their performance. People gotta make a living, and if you enjoyed their show, toss them a tip.
• Don’t wear beads outside of Carnival season. I mean, you do you, but the goal is not to scream “I’m a tourist”. Also, most locals find flashing for beads tacky. And that leads me to…
• Do not treat the street like your personal trash can. Just because everyone is partying and it’s chaotic, there are still garbage cans.

On Safety

• Act like a local. When you’re in such a highly touristed city, there are going to be people trying to take advantage of you with some popular tourist scams. Did someone bet you they could tell you where you got your shoes? Keep walking, wave them off and say “No thanks I’m local” firmly and confidently. If you engage in a bet or something like it, be prepared to lose and be hounded for payment.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Yes, New Orleans is known as a city with a high crime rate. A lot of this is not happening where tourists spend time, but like any major city, it can happen anywhere. On Bourbon Street, you are most likely going to encounter pickpockets. I recommend bringing as few personal belongings with you as necessary and keeping them in a front pocket or a small purse or bag you can keep towards your front.
• Use common sense and street smarts. Don’t walk so far away from tourists that you end up on a dark street or walk down a dark alley by yourself. Avoid drinking so much that you are unable to be aware of what is happening around you, or at least make sure to designate someone to keep an eye on you or your group.

*Note: My last visit to New Orleans was in February 2020 during Mardi Gras right before the pandemic hit. I am unsure how this has affected the operating hours of businesses so keep that in mind as you plan your visit.

What To Do In and Around Jackson Square

There is a lot to do in this iconic city center from history-rich museums, shopping, antiques and galleries, and the mighty Mississippi. Below are some places I feel you must see and do when in the area.

Find Local Art You’ll Want To Take Home at Jackson Square

There is a large colony of artists who set up along the iron fence in Jackson Square. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to witness them creating their art live. While you’ll find artists here daily, the weekends will have the most artist set up.

Visit | 751 Decatur Street, New Orleans

Visit the Presbytère Museum

On the right of St Louis Cathedral is one of two identical buildings that houses The Presbetère, a Louisiana State Museum dedicated to the history of Hurricane Katrina and Mardi Gras. The exhibit on Hurricane Katrine is humbling while the history of Mardi Gras is fascinating, a great place to spend a couple of hours. The other identical building on the left is The Cabildo, another museum dedicated to Louisiana and New Orleans history showing artifacts, furniture, and art. If I had to choose one due to time, I’d go with the Presbytère.

The Presbytère | 751 Chartres Street, New Orleans

Induldge Your Sweet Tooth at Cafe du Monde

Across the street from Jackson Square is Cafe Du Monde, the iconic coffee shop known for its chicory coffee and beignets, square-shaped puffy French pastries covered in a generous amount of powdered sugar. There are several locations, however, I would argue this location at the French Market with the green and white striped awning is the most iconic. This is a popular destination so it may be hard to get a seat even though there is ample indoor and outdoor seating. I always recommend grabbing a bag of beignets and your drink of choice to go at the window they have in the back of the outdoor seating area. Pro tip: make sure you have cash on hand. It’s no fun waiting in that line only to find out its cash only when you get to the front.

Visit | 800 Decatur Street, New Orleans

Tour The Pharmacy Museum

I loved looking through the old products and the tour guide made it so interesting. We walked in shortly after the tour had begun and was able to pay at the end and I’m so glad we decided to stay. The museum is two floors worth of old-fashioned soda fountains, medical supplies, drugs, cosmetics, and beyond. In the back was a beautiful courtyard where they had a Tintype photographer set up. Such an awesome experience.

Visit | 514 Chartres Street, New Orleans

Find Beautiful Gem Stones at French Quarter Gem & Lapidary

A Gem store near Jackson Square is full of beautiful stones and jewelry. I try to shop each time I’m in town.

Visit | 527 St. Philip Street, New Orleans

Eat Jambalaya & Sip On a Pimm’s Cup at Napoleon House

The Napoleon House is a 200-year-old landmark known for the building’s first occupant, New Orleans Mayor in the early 1800s, providing Napoleon refuge during his exile in 1821. Now, its rustic, autographed walls and historic decor is a popular destination in the French Quarter known for its Pimm’s Cup. I also highly recommend a plate of their Jambalaya, it’s inexpensive but quite delicious.

Visit | 500 Chartres Street, New Orleans

Explore The Colorful St. Lous Cemetery No. 2

Just three blocks from St. Louis No. 1 is St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, a cemetery that was consecrated in 1823 and about 3 times as large as No. 1. There are several notable people from the 19th & 20th centuries buried here from jazz musicians, various war veterans, and civilians. Flooded during Hurricane Katrina, some tombs still show a brown waterline but otherwise were not affected. This a prime example of why New Orleans buries their dead in above-ground tombs.

Visit | 300 N Claiborne Ave, New Orleans

Note: At the time of this post, both St Louis. #1 and #2 are locked and tours are suspended due to vandalism (ugh). Please be sure to double-check the status of things before you plan to visit as in my experience this status has been off and on in the past. If you do get to visit, remember this is people’s final resting place. Please be respectful.

Let Someone Else Plan…

What To Do In Uptown & The Garden District

Sharing some of my favorite things to do, see, and experience in this large and beautiful neighborhood.

Eat at Molly’s Rise and Shine

This kitschy-decorated restaurant serves up a mighty good breakfast. Be sure to walk around and visit the restroom. Every decorative detail has been considered here, a feast for the eyes.

Visit | 2368 Magazine Street

Ride The St. Charles Streetcar Line

A charming and delightful way to travel in New Orleans is by streetcar. You’ll recognize the St Charles Streetcar by its dark green exterior as it takes passengers through the Uptown neighborhoods in the middle of St. Charles, or, as the locals refer to this as “neutral ground”. Watch the beautiful scenery flash by as you sit in your vintage wooden seat with the window down for a cool breeze. See Live Oaks, majestic antebellum mansions, historic universities, restaurants, shops, and the beautiful Audubon Park.

At the time of this post, the street car cost $1.25 in exact change, or you can buy a Jazzy Pass at different price points.

Stroll the Audubon Park and Admire the Live Oak Trees

A beautiful park spanning roughly 350 acres across the Uptown neighborhood. A great recreational park with athletic facilities an almost 2-mile jogging path, a lagoon, a playground, a cafe, and more. Notable for its incredible Live Oak trees with wide sweeping branches that droop and gnarl. A perfect way to spend some time away from the chaos of the French Quarter.

Visit | 6500 Magazine Street

Window Shop on Magazine Street

Magazine Street is one of New Orleans’s major thoroughfares. It follows the crescent formed by the Mississippi River from the edge of The French Quarter and spans all the way through Uptown. This is a popular shopping destination with restaurants, galleries, local boutiques, and national chain stores that don’t have a lot of brick & mortar presence. Visit the website of the street to see more shops, restaurants, and things to do here.

Let Someone Else Plan…

What To Do In and Around The Marigny

This is an artsy neighborhood with bustling nightlife. There are restaurants, parks, art-focused markets, and more. I’ll also include a few gems that are just around the corner and worth a visit when in the area.

Get Weird at Igor’s Checkpoint Charlies

Gritty dive bar in The Marigny where you can see live music or even karaoke with friends. Rumor has it you can get your laundry done as there are some washing machines in the back.

Visit | 501 Esplanade Avenue

Enjoy Late Night Art at the Frenchmen Art Bazaar

If you are a night owl and love art this is your place. Find several local vendors selling jewelry, decor, art, and more. Perfect place to find a souvenir.

Visit | 619 Frenchmen Street

Find Something Weird at David’s Found Objects

Technically this shop is just at the border of the French Quarter, but close enough to me. It’s a spot I enjoy visiting right before heading into The Marigny by foot. You’ll find so many interesting and odd objects here along with cool antique furniture and much more.

Eat a Burger at Port of Call

Boasting New Orleans’s best burger (and it’s pretty darn good) is the restaurant Port of Call. Another spot that hugs the border of The French Quarter but is close enough to The Marigny that I consider it there. Their burgers are topped with shredded cheddar and come with a baked potato on the side. Yum,

Visit | 838 Esplanade Avenue

Listen to Live Jazz at The Maison

We love the neon-lit environment inside The Maison, with live music playing on its stage and a menu of tasty but simple eats, it’s a great spot to go in and enjoy the music you hear on Frenchmen Street.

Visit | 508 Frenchmen Street

Have A Jambalaya Pizza from Louisiana Pizza Kitchen

On the east end of the French Market in the French Quarter is a small pizza shop called Louisiana Pizza Kitchen. It’s so close to The Marigny that I felt it was worth a mention. We loved their unique Jambalaya Pizza.

Visit | 95 French Market Place

What To Do In Downtown & Central Business District

There is a lot to do in the CBD from shopping at local and regional department stores and boutiques to eating at some of the most popular New Orleans restaurants, entertainment, and some of the coolest hotels in town.

Eat Breakfast at Mother’s Restaurant

We discovered Mother’s Restaurant on a list of top New Orleans restaurants and it did not disappoint. There are no reservations so expect a line. You can read through the extensive menu while you wait so you’re ready to go when your turn is up. We got an order of Debris with grits and eggs and an order of pancakes with eggs and one of Mother’s Famous Buttermilk Biscuits. Yum!

Visit | 401 Poydras

Stroll down Canal Street

Canal Street is one of the more popular streets in the Central Business District and a primary retail destination for New Orleans residents and tourists alike. A walk down the street feels energized with sidewalks full of people, the Canal Streetcar, traffic driving by, and seeing an assortment of vintage department stores and shops.

Admire The Vintage Buildings & Signage

If you’re a designer like myself or just appreciate vintage lettering and signage then you’ll be in for a treat in the Central Business District. Beautiful scripts, modular squared-off letters, and some modern contenders.

Go Ahead and Eat The Cookie Dough At Willa Jean

A new kid on the block having opened in 2015, Willa Jean serves up southern-inspired dishes that taste like a piece of home. I highly recommend getting an order of cookies + milk, warm chocolate chip cookies, vanilla-flavored milk, and some cookie dough served right off the beater, just like at home. They keep the menu seasonally updated but the cookies + milk is one of their iconic treats.

Visit | 611 O’Keefe Avenue

Walk Next To Alligators in Barataria Preserve

If you’ve ever wanted to get close and personal to the wildlife that lives in the swamplands of Louisiana, then this park is definitely for you. Barataria Preserve is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and is worth the car rental to get there. The wooden plank path takes you through marshy swampland with no barriers between you and the alligators, snakes, and other critters that call the swamp home.

Visit | 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero, Louisiana 70072

Let Someone Else Plan…

Experience The Marshy Swampland Close Up On A Swamp Tour

If you’re looking for an adventure, I highly recommend going on a swamp tour. We booked a 2-hour tour through Cajun Encounters which is based out of Honey Island Swamp. We opted for the pickup service which had several French Quarter locations. 

Our small, flat-bottomed boat zoomed through the open swamp land taking us back to a more secluded space where we got an up-close and personal experience with some wildlife as we navigated through the trees and moss. Our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining and made the trip enjoyable. We saw alligators, turtles, snakes, and my favorite: wild boar! We went in late February and the alligators were mostly still dormant coming out of the cold winter months but we lucked out and saw several of them out and about.

Visit | 55245 US-90, Slidell, Louisiana 70461

Pin This For Later

Hey! I’m glad you made it through my New Orleans Travel Guide! I wanted to let you know that I am just touching the surface of this amazing city. This post is full of my opinions on things to experience in several popular New Orleans neighborhoods.

I encourage you to talk to the locals, explore, and visit that bar that intrigues you. Use my guide as a starting point for your own adventure. I’d love to hear from you if my travel guide has been helpful or if you feel I missed calling out somewhere that is a must-visit destination. Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading.

I strive to share as accurate information as possible in my travel guides. If you’ve come across a typo or if I’ve accidentally misrepresented something please kindly let me know and I will adjust.