New Orleans is jazz + Creole food + voodoo + Mardi Gras + Cajun. 3-4 days perfect. Here are the 20 essentials.
Top Things to Do in New Orleans
1. Walk the French Quarter
Cost: Free.
7am-9am best for photos. Bourbon St + Royal St + Decatur.
2. Eat beignets at Cafe du Monde (open 24h)
Cost: $3.
50/order. With cafe au lait. Powdered sugar everywhere.
3. Live jazz at Preservation Hall
Cost: $25-50.
Real traditional jazz. Standing room. 45-min sets.
4. Ride the St. Charles Streetcar
Cost: $1.
25/ride. Through Garden District + Tulane.
5. Walk Garden District + Lafayette Cemetery
Cost: Free.
Antebellum mansions + Anne Rice’s house.
6. Eat at Commander’s Palace (since 1893)
Cost: $60-120/person.
25¢ martinis at lunch. Old-school Creole.
7. Frenchmen Street live music
Cost: $5-15 cover.
Real local jazz scene (not Bourbon).
8. Visit National WWII Museum
Cost: $33.
Best WWII museum in US. 4 hours.
9. Walk Magazine Street shopping (6 miles)
Cost: Free walking.
Best boutiques + galleries.
10. Eat at Cochon (Cajun) or Pêche (seafood)
Cost: $60-90/person.
Best modern Cajun/Creole.
11. Tour the Whitney Plantation (slavery history)
Cost: $25.
Most important museum in US about slavery.
12. Bayou swamp tour
Cost: $50-80 tour.
2-hour airboat + alligators + Spanish moss.
13. Po’boy at Domilise’s or Parkway
Cost: $10-15/po’boy.
Try shrimp or roast beef + debris.
14. Walk Bourbon Street at night (touristy but iconic)
Cost: Free walking.
Carry your own drink (open container legal).
15. Watch Mardi Gras parade (January-February)
Cost: Free.
Plan trip around the schedule.
16. Eat gumbo + jambalaya at Dooky Chase’s
Cost: $15-30.
Ms. Leah Chase’s legacy. Civil Rights history.
17. Catch a NOLA Pelicans game
Cost: $25-150.
NBA basketball in Smoothie King Center.
18. Voodoo Museum + cemetery tour
Cost: $25-50 tour.
Marie Laveau’s tomb + history.
19. Mid-City Bayou + City Park (free)
Cost: Free.
Sculpture garden + botanic garden + canoeing.
20. Eat oysters at Casamento’s (oldest in NOLA)
Cost: $1-3/oyster.
Old-school joint. Cash only.
Practical Tips for New Orleans
Currency: Local currency essential. USD accepted in some tourist areas at worse rates. Carry small bills.
Transport: Use Uber/Cabify/local apps (not street taxis). Public transport is cheap but watch belongings.
Safety: Don’t flash phones/cameras in crowds. Use hotel safes. Use Uber not taxis at night.
Tipping: 10% at restaurants. Round up taxis. Tips welcome from porters + drivers.
Where to Stay in New Orleans
Stay in safe tourist neighborhoods. Mid-range boutique hotels offer best value. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for peak season.
FAQ
Is New Orleans safe?
New Orleans is generally safe in tourist areas. Standard travel precautions apply – watch valuables in crowds. Use trusted taxi apps. Avoid certain neighborhoods at night.
How many days do I need in New Orleans?
New Orleans deserves 3-5 days for first-timers. Add days for surrounding regions + day trips.
What’s the best time to visit New Orleans?
Avoid wet/hurricane seasons. Dry season + spring/fall offer the best balance of weather + crowds + prices.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Basic Spanish helps enormously. Locals appreciate the effort. Google Translate works in a pinch. Some staff in tourist hotels speak English.
What about altitude sickness?
Cusco (11,000 ft), Quito (9,300 ft), La Paz (12,000 ft) cause altitude sickness for 10-30% of visitors. Acclimate 1-2 days, drink coca tea, take diamox if needed.
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