10 Best Things to Do in New Orleans
Quick answer: The top 10 things to do in New Orleans mix iconic sights, hidden gems, food, and outdoor adventure. Read the full list below — costs and tips included for each.
New Orleans offers far more than the tourist trail suggests. This list balances must-see landmarks with off-the-beaten-path experiences locals recommend. Each activity includes time needed, cost, and the one tip that makes it work. Sequence them based on your trip length — see itinerary suggestions at the bottom.
Top 10 Things to Do in New Orleans
1. Tour the main historic district
Walk the old town, see the iconic landmarks, take photos. Free or low cost — best done first morning.
Cost: Free-low
2. Visit the top museum
Every destination has one essential cultural museum. Book online to skip lines.
Cost: $10-25
3. Take a food tour
2-3 hour guided walking tour with multiple tastings. Best way to learn local food + history.
Cost: $50-100
4. Do a day trip
Many destinations have a nearby site (1-3 hours away) worth a full day. Research the top 2-3 options.
Cost: $30-100 tour
5. Visit a viewpoint at sunset
Whether rooftop, hill, or tower — sunset views beat day views. Arrive 30 min before.
Cost: Free-$30
6. Try local nightlife
Live music, traditional dance, or just bars where locals gather. Avoid pure tourist traps.
Cost: $10-40
7. Take a cooking or craft class
Lasting souvenir — learn a recipe or skill you’ll remember. Most cost $40-80.
Cost: $40-80
8. Outdoor adventure (hiking/biking/water)
Most destinations have a signature outdoor activity. Half-day to full-day.
Cost: $30-150
9. Local market visit
Souk, bazaar, mercado, or farmer’s market. Get there early. Bargain where appropriate.
Cost: Free
10. Hidden gem off the tourist trail
Ask your hotel concierge or local. Often the best memory of the trip.
Cost: Varies
Suggested Itineraries
| Trip Length | Recommended Activities |
|---|---|
| 2 days | Activities 1-4 from the list above. Focus on iconic experiences. |
| 3-4 days | Activities 1-7. Add a day trip and food tour. |
| 5-7 days | Full list + 1-2 self-discovered hidden gems. Add downtime. |
| 10+ days | Full list + day trips outside New Orleans + slow days for serendipity. |
Money-Saving Tips
- City pass/combo tickets: Most major destinations sell a multi-attraction pass that saves 20-40% over individual entries.
- Free museum days: Many top museums offer free entry one day per week or month — research before.
- Walking tours: ‘Free’ walking tours (tip-based) cover history and orient you on day 1. Quality varies — check recent reviews.
- Lunch deals: Top restaurants often offer prix-fixe lunches at half the dinner price.
- Public transit pass: Day/multi-day transit passes pay back after 3-4 rides.
What to Skip
- Tourist trap restaurants directly adjacent to major sights — usually overpriced and underwhelming.
- Souvenirs from official gift shops — markets and indie stores offer better quality at half the price.
- Hop-on-hop-off bus full day — useful for orientation (do 1 loop), waste of time as full transport.
- Booked tours for things you can do solo — walking tours of public neighborhoods rarely add value vs. a $5 guidebook.
What’s Actually Worth Your Time in New Orleans
Bourbon Street is the one stretch you can safely shorten. The frozen-daiquiri bars and cover bands draw the crowds, but the live music locals actually go out for sits a few blocks downriver on Frenchmen Street, in the Marigny. Drop into The Spotted Cat Music Club for trad jazz, d.b.a. for brass and blues, or Snug Harbor for serious sit-down sets. It runs quieter, the players are better, and you can hear the band over the room.
For beignets, skip the photo line snaking off Cafe du Monde and walk to Cafe Beignet on Royal Street, set in an 1800s carriage house with a calmer courtyard and the same fried dough and powdered sugar. The pick most visitors never reach is the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden in City Park, run by NOMA: free to enter, around 90 sculptures threaded under live oaks, and almost empty on a weekday morning.
One money move that adds up:
- Buy a 1-day Jazzy Pass for about $3 in the Le Pass app for unlimited streetcar and bus rides, instead of paying around $1.25 each way to ride the St. Charles line out to the Garden District.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top things to do in New Orleans?
The essentials for New Orleans include: Tour the main historic district, Visit the top museum, and Take a food tour. These three alone deserve at least 2-3 days of your itinerary. See the full list above for 7 more recommended experiences.
How many days do I need in New Orleans?
For a focused trip covering the highlights, 3-5 days in New Orleans is enough. To explore in-depth (day trips, hidden gems, slower pace), plan 7-10 days. First-time visitors should err toward more days — you can always slow down, but rushing key sights is regret-inducing.
What can you do in New Orleans for free?
Many of the best experiences in New Orleans cost nothing: walking the historic district, sunset viewpoints, public markets, beaches/parks, free museums on certain days. Build a ‘free day’ into your trip — it’s often the most memorable.
Is New Orleans family-friendly?
Yes — most major attractions in New Orleans suit families. Look for activities under 2 hours, museums with interactive exhibits, and outdoor options to burn kid energy. Avoid extreme heat midday and crowded peak hours. Restaurants in tourist districts are usually kid-friendly.
What’s the best time to do outdoor activities in New Orleans?
Plan outdoor activities for early morning (before heat/crowds) or late afternoon (golden hour for photos). Check weather and seasonal closures — some popular hikes or attractions close in winter or during monsoon/hurricane season.
Are guided tours worth it in New Orleans?
For complex historic sites (ruins, ancient cities, museums with limited English signage), a guided tour pays for itself in context. For wandering and food, self-guided is often better. Read recent reviews — operator quality varies hugely.
Related New Orleans Travel Guides
- Where to Stay in New Orleans
- Best Time to Visit New Orleans
- Best Food in New Orleans
- New Orleans Itinerary Guide
- New Orleans Trip Cost Breakdown
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.