The Ultimate NOLA Bucket List: Top Things to Do in New Orleans

Planning a trip to the Big Easy? With so much to see and do in New Orleans — from wandering through historic neighborhoods and dancing down Bourbon Street to taking swamp tours and relaxing in City Park — it can be tough to know where to start.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a full week, and no matter the season, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in New Orleans to help you make the most of your trip.

Top 9 Things to Do in New Orleans

1. Explore the French Quarter

No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to the French Quarter — arguably the city’s most iconic neighborhood. With its mix of history, music, and charm, it’s the perfect place to start your adventure.

Top things to do in the French Quarter:

• Jackson Square – This historic square is the heart of the Quarter. Snap a photo of the stunning St. Louis Cathedral, browse local art on display, and enjoy live street performances.
• Royal Street – Lined with art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, and cozy cafés, Royal Street is perfect for a leisurely walk with plenty of chances to explore local culture.
• French Market – Spanning six blocks, this open-air market is full of local food vendors, crafts, souvenirs, and New Orleans flavor. It’s a great place to grab a bite or pick up a unique gift.
• Museums and historic sites – Dive into the city’s rich past with a visit to The Cabildo, The Presbytère, the Historic New Orleans Collection, or the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum.
• Iconic eats – Start your day with beignets at Café du Monde or a legendary breakfast at Brennan’s. For lunch or dinner, dine at classic establishments like Galatoire’s or Antoine’s — or go casual at Coop’s Place or Napoleon House. If you can’t decide, try a food walking tour to enjoy various food tastings while learning about NOLA’s culture.
• Bourbon Street – Bourbon Street comes alive at night, but there’s more than just the party scene. Sip a hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s, listen to live jazz at Preservation Hall, or go on a nighttime ghost tour or carriage ride through the Quarter.

The French Quarter is busy, colorful, and packed with things to do — whether you’re into food, history, music, or all of the above. Wear comfy shoes, bring your camera, and let your curiosity lead the way.

2. Listen to Live Music

In New Orleans, you’re never far from live music, but Frenchmen Street is the heartbeat of it all. Just a few blocks from the French Quarter, this vibrant strip in the Marigny neighborhood is packed with local venues offering everything from jazz and funk to blues and brass bands. 

Start your evening at the corner of Frenchmen and Esplanade, then follow the music down the next few blocks. Some local favorites include Snug Harbor, d.b.a., Blue Nile, The Spotted Cat, and Three Muses — but don’t be shy about popping into whatever spot catches your ear. A guided live music pub crawl is a great way to experience Frenchmen Street.

You’ll also hear music in the streets, in Lafayette Square during free concert series, and at festivals like Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest. And if you’re lucky enough to catch a Second Line — those joyful, brass-filled parades that happen most Sundays — you’ll truly understand why music is the soul of this city. Check out wwoz.org to see what’s playing during your stay.

3. Stroll the Garden District

For a charming mix of historic homes, boutique shopping, and local art, spend an afternoon exploring the Garden District and Magazine Street. This picturesque neighborhood is famous for its oak-lined streets, grand 19th-century mansions, and walkable layout. You can park for free on the side streets just off Magazine, and then stroll to your heart’s content.

Start your visit with a pick-me-up from French Truck Coffee, a beloved New Orleans roastery with a cozy spot right on Magazine. Then wander down the street to explore a variety of art galleries — like the vibrant Terrance Osborne Gallery and the contemporary Cole Pratt Gallery. 

Along the way, you’ll pass locally owned shops, boutiques, and antique stores that capture the creative spirit of the city, plus the “Greetings from NOLA” mural, a hidden gem that’s just begging for a photo opp. Wrap up your walk at La Boulangerie, a French bakery perfect for a casual bite outdoors with a croissant or sandwich in hand, or Commander’s Palace, for a classic New Orleans dinner at one of the most well-loved restaurants in the city (reservations required). 

4. Tour a Historic Cemetery

New Orleans is famous for its historic above-ground cemeteries, often called “Cities of the Dead” for their elaborate tombs, narrow pathways, and haunting beauty. Taking a cemetery tour is a unique way to explore the city’s history, architecture, and local legends all in one place.

One of the most famous is St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the oldest in the city and the final resting place of voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. Access is limited to guided tours only, so it’s best to book in advance. Other notable cemeteries worth visiting include Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District (currently closed for renovations but viewable from the outside), St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, and Metairie Cemetery.

You can also visit a cemetery as part of a larger guided tour of New Orleans, enjoying the experience from the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. Or – if you’re brave – check out a ghost tour for the spookier side of NOLA’s “Cities of the Dead.” 

5. Get a Taste of New Orleans Cuisine

There are so many incredible restaurants in New Orleans – and so many iconic eats from beignets to po’boys – it’s hard to decide which foods to sample on your trip! That’s why we love recommending that our guests try a food tour if they have trouble deciding. 

Try a food walking tour of the French Quarter, or a boozy lunch crawl through the FQ with a seafood boil and a hurricane. Experience a variety of NOLA’s local cuisine with a cocktail and food history tour, providing eight meals and four cocktails at six different locations, with everything from gumbo, muffaletta, and jambalaya to pralines and plantains. Or learn to cook your own authentic Louisiana dish with a hands-on cooking class. 

6. Spend Time in City Park

Located in the heart of Mid-City — one of New Orleans’ most charming neighborhoods and home to many of our vacation rentals — City Park is a 1,300-acre urban oasis perfect for outdoor adventure and peaceful strolls. With centuries-old oak trees draped in Spanish moss, scenic biking and walking paths, and even an 18-hole golf course, it’s a great spot to stretch your legs and soak in some nature.

City Park is home to the New Orleans Botanical Garden, featuring over 2,000 plant species across 10 beautifully maintained acres. Art lovers can explore the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), which opens at 10 a.m. on Sundays, or wander the surrounding Besthoff Sculpture Garden. You’ll also find several lakes throughout the park and lots of family fun, including Carousel Gardens, Storyland, and City Putt mini-golf.

7. Explore New Orleans Museums

New Orleans is home to a wide variety of museums that dive deep into the city’s vibrant culture and history. Music lovers shouldn’t miss the New Orleans Jazz Museum, on the edge of the French Quarter, or Preservation Hall for live jazz history in action. Over in Treme, the Backstreet Cultural Museum offers powerful insight into Mardi Gras Indian culture and jazz funeral traditions, while the Voodoo Museum gives visitors a peek into the spiritual roots of the city.

For art and history, check out the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and the adjacent Besthoff Sculpture Garden in City Park, mentioned above. History buffs will love the National WWII Museum, ranked one of the best in the world, and the Pharmacy Museum, which showcases 19th-century medical practices in the French Quarter. 

8. Get Adventurous on a Swamp Tour

If you have time for a short drive from the city, swamp tours offer a thrilling look at Louisiana’s wild side. On a tour of the bayou, you can expect to see things like moss-draped cypress trees, winding waterways, and plenty of native wildlife like alligators, snakes, egrets, herons, and turtles.

Depending on your adventure level, you can either take an airboat or a flat-bottomed boat, both offering chances to learn from your guide about the region’s unique ecosystem and Cajun culture. Airboat tours are fast-paced and great for adrenaline seekers, while flat-bottomed boat tours offer a slower, more relaxed ride, ideal for taking photos. Many companies offer transportation from the city, making it easy to add a swamp experience to your itinerary.

Not up for a boat ride? Why not try a completely unique kind of swamp experience – via zipline? You’ll traverse the swamp over five ziplines, a suspension bridge, and more. 

9. Tour a Plantation

If you’re interested in learning more about Louisiana’s history, a plantation tour can offer a meaningful and often eye-opening experience. These historic sites tell the story of life in the South, both the beauty of the grand homes and the hard truths of the enslaved people who lived and worked there.

Whitney Plantation is one of the most powerful to visit, as it centers the stories of enslaved people with moving memorials and guided tours. Oak Alley is famous for its stunning row of 300-year-old oak trees and gorgeous architecture, and Laura Plantation dives deep into Creole culture and the women who shaped its history.Most plantations are about an hour outside of New Orleans, and many companies offer tours that include transportation. You can even combine a plantation tour with a swamp tour of the bayou for a two-in-one experience

Something for Everyone 

When you’re trying to decide what things to do in New Orleans, just remember that there’s truly something for everyone. Browse our blog and recommended tours for even more ideas to make the most of your visit. 

Have questions or need help planning your trip? Contact our local team – we’re always happy to help!