15 Fun Things to Do in New Orleans for First-Timers
The Big Easy doesn’t play by anyone else’s rules, throwing jazz and just the right amount of chaos into one irresistible mix.
These 15 best things to do in New Orleans will give you plenty of reasons to keep coming back.
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1. Explore the French Quarter’s Vibrant Streets
The French Quarter buzzes with energy day and night. Wrought-iron balconies drape over cobblestone streets while jazz music drifts from every corner.
Historic sites like Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral sit just around the bend. Street performers make each block feel like a stage, and the colors here are something else.
Bourbon Street sits at the heart of the French Quarter, named after French royalty (not the drink, though you’ll find plenty of that, too).
Why It’s a Must: Jazz, wild architecture, and street performers create an atmosphere that’s just pure New Orleans.
2. Take a Riverboat Cruise on the Mississippi River
See New Orleans from the water on a classic Mississippi riverboat. Riverboat cruises serve up live jazz and classic cuisine as you float past the French Quarter.
These authentic boats offer lunch and brunch cruises with a cash bar for cocktails. Watching the skyline shift as the paddle wheels churn? It’s a vibe.
Why It’s a Must: Get a new angle on the city while enjoying jazz and Creole bites on legendary waters.
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3. Visit the Historic St. Louis Cathedral
The oldest continuously operating Catholic cathedral in the United States stands right in the French Quarter, a Spanish Colonial beauty that’s been watching over the city since the 1720s.
Inside, there’s plenty of gorgeous architecture and history to soak up. The cathedral is easily one of the most photographed landmarks in New Orleans.
Why It’s a Must: Nearly 300 years of worship history make this French Quarter icon essential viewing.
4. Enjoy Live Jazz at Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is the real deal—an intimate French Quarter venue that’s been keeping traditional jazz alive since 1961.
Shows run nightly with concerts at 5:00pm, 6:15pm, 7:30pm, 8:45pm seven days a week. Each show is about 45 minutes of pure jazz magic.
Why It’s a Must: Hear world-class musicians play the real New Orleans jazz in a tiny, historic spot.
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5. Stroll Through Jackson Square and Meet Local Artists
Local artists line Jackson Square’s iron fences and sidewalks with colorful paintings and sketches.
Some will even sketch your portrait on the spot. The art scene here is alive and well, with talented locals showing off their work along the square’s historic perimeter.
Why It’s a Must: Watch artists create and explore a square buzzing with creativity and local talent.
6. Tour the Hauntingly Beautiful Lafayette Cemetery No.1
Lafayette Cemetery No.1, tucked in the Garden District, is one of New Orleans’ oldest cemeteries outside the French Quarter.
One city block, over 7,000 souls, and 11,000 ornate family tombs that tell stories you won’t find in textbooks. The above-ground tombs reflect the city’s high water table and unique traditions.
Why It’s a Must: Uncover burial traditions and striking architecture in America’s most famous above-ground cemetery.
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7. Sample Beignets at Cafe du Monde
The French Quarter’s most famous treat is waiting at this legendary coffee shop—serving hot, pillowy beignets since 1862.
Three beignets per order, best paired with their signature chicory coffee. The place is open 24/7, so you can get your fix whenever the craving hits.
Why It’s a Must: Hot, sugar-dusted beignets and chicory coffee—New Orleans’ most iconic food moment, hands down.
8. Go on a Voodoo Tour and Learn Local Legends
Voodoo tours in New Orleans take you deep into the city’s mystical past. Guides walk you through the French Quarter, weaving tales of legends like Marie Laveau.
Some tours are led by real voodoo priestesses and priests, so you’re getting the real scoop, not Hollywood nonsense.
You’ll hear what’s myth and what’s fact while exploring some of the French Quarter’s most mysterious corners.
Why It’s a Must: Get authentic voodoo history from real practitioners as you wander the French Quarter’s most intriguing spots.
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9. Check Out Garden District and St. Charles Avenue
The Garden District is all about stunning mansions, tree-lined streets, and a kind of Southern charm you just don’t see everywhere.
19th-century architectural masterpieces peek out from behind massive oaks and quirky local shops.
Hop on the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar for a slow roll through the neighborhood. It glides past grand homes where movie stars and presidents have stayed.
Why It’s a Must: Historic homes, scenic streetcar rides, and quirky shops—this neighborhood is pure magic.
10. Browse the French Market
The French Market is a treasure trove of artisan crafts, local foods, and rare finds that capture the city’s cultural roots.
Talented craftspeople create ceramics, jewelry, leather goods, and woodwork right in front of you.
Vendors offer everything from handmade soaps to metal sculptures. Food stalls serve up New Orleans flavors that you just can’t get anywhere else.
Why It’s a Must: Support local artists, score one-of-a-kind souvenirs, and taste regional specialties all in one spot.
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11. The New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden
The New Orleans Museum of Art houses more than 40,000 objects, spanning 5,000 years of creativity.
The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden sprawls across eleven acres, with ancient oaks and magnolias framing world-class sculptures.
Both are tucked inside City Park, surrounded by even more family-friendly spots.
Why It’s a Must: World-class art and a dreamy outdoor sculpture garden—perfect for a culture fix.
12. Sip Cocktails at the Carousel Bar & Lounge
The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone is New Orleans’ only rotating bar. Grab a drink and let the room slowly spin—the bar’s an actual antique merry-go-round, open since 1949.
There are 25 seats around the carnival-themed bar, which completes a full rotation every 15 minutes.
The whimsical vibe and vintage decor make it a must for anyone who likes their cocktails with a side of nostalgia.
Why It’s a Must: Sip a classic cocktail while the French Quarter literally spins around you.
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13. National World War II Museum
The National WWII Museum ranks as the city’s top attraction. It’s got interactive exhibits across five campuses packed with authentic artifacts and personal stories.
Actual planes and military vehicles are on display, and the exhibits tell the whole story of America’s role in the war.
Why It’s a Must: Interactive exhibits and real artifacts bring history to life in a way that sticks with you.
14. Bike Through City Park
City Park sprawls over 1,300 acres—plenty of space for a cycling adventure. Rent bikes right in the park with cruisers, tandems, and kids’ bikes available.
Dedicated bike paths wind through 800-year-old oaks and along scenic Bayou Metairie. You’re never far from Louisiana’s wild natural beauty, even in the middle of the city.
Why It’s a Must: Outdoor adventure, natural beauty, and a break from the crowds—all in one of New Orleans’ best green spaces.
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15. Attend Mardi Gras World
Mardi Gras World lets you sneak behind the scenes of New Orleans’ wildest party, no matter what month it is.
Tucked inside a sprawling 300,000-square-foot warehouse, you’ll see how artists dream up and build those massive, over-the-top floats that take over the city during Carnival.
The place is packed with crazy costumes, huge props, and wild decorations left over from past parties.
Why It’s a Must: It’s your ticket to real Mardi Gras magic any day, plus you’ll actually meet the creative minds behind those wild parade floats.
