Top 7 Best Things to do on a Trip to New Orleans

Main image courtesy of Lonely Planet.

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There are many things that the city of New Orleans is known for, such as cajun and creole food, the tropical climate, an exciting art scene, its architecture, and of course–Mardi Gras! For families that are visiting, or those going down to visit and experience the fun nightlife scene, there are plenty of fun activities, events, bars, and restaurants to check out in New Orleans for all ages.

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No matter if you’re interested in checking out the bars on Bourbon Street and its bustling nightlife scene, trying out the amazing Southern food, or even checking out the many art and history museums in the area, there are plenty of things to do that can last you an entire week, or even longer.

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If you’re interested in checking out New Orleans and everything that it has to offer, we recommend scheduling a trip and checking out these top seven best things to do in the city!

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1. Check Out Bourbon Street

A street that is full of life and offers tons of bars for drinking the best beers and cocktails, plus live music everywhere!

One of the staples of New Orleans is Bourbon Street because of the many exciting events that are constantly occurring there. While this is the place to be for a Mardi Gras celebration, there is always something going on no matter if it’s during the day or at night for the club and bar scene.

On Bourbon Street, the Hurricane is the signature bar drink, which consists of rum, lemon juice, and passionfruit syrup, and you can get it at almost every single bar in the area. You can hear blues and jazz music played at any bar, which is the most popular as it is where this type of music originated from. There are also historic sites to visit as well, such as the Preservation Hall and Old Absinthe House.

2. Visit the Audubon Zoo

Checking out New Orleans’s zoo is a great family-friendly activity to see tons of incredible animals!

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📍 6500 Magazine Street | Audubon | audubonnatureinstitute.org

There are many animal lovers out there and tons of children that want to see their favorite one in person. Visiting a zoo, especially the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the perfect date day idea, or family-friendly activity perfect for everyone involved because of the many animals that there are to see.

Audubon Zoo’s mission is to help protect any endangered wild animals from around the world and help to keep them safe and ensure that they don’t become extinct. This is the perfect place for people who appreciate the natural world and the animals that live within it, and it’s even rated the #7 best zoos in the United States.

There are also three main attractions to check out in the Audubon Zoo and you can get exclusive deals and visit all three in one day. There are plenty of animals to see in the zoo, aquarium, and the insectarium that are perfect for a fun daytime outing.

“Great selection of animals, exhibited in my favorite way which is per continent and with some cool fitting scenery along the way. All animals seemed really well taken care of.” - Yelp Review

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3. Explore the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

Get to know the history of New Orleans with the development of the pharmaceutical department!

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📍 514 Chartres Street | French Quarter | pharmacymuseum.org

There are many scientists and people that work for pharmaceutical companies that help to make the world a healthier place with vaccines and medicines. On a trip to New Orleans, you can study up on the history of the area through the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum and the early development of medicine and medical practices from the early 19th century.

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum costs $10 a ticket and  they offer general admission or guided tours to learn a bit about the history of the pharmaceutical industry. Patrons can learn more about America's first licensed pharmacist, Louis Dufilho, through his findings with crude and medicinal drugs, along with learning about the different ways that these experimental drugs could be administered. You’ll walk out knowing so much more than when you first arrived.

“The visit was self-guided, which added to the experience, allowing us to take our time and fully appreciate everything on display. I definitely recommend everyone to check out the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum.” - Yelp Review

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4. Eat at the Cafe Du Monde

If you love French pastries and cuisine, the Cafe Du Monde is the top-rated place to go in the French Quarter!

📍 800 Decatur Street | French Quarter | shop.cafedumonde.com

There are many incredible restaurants to eat at in New Orleans, but the French Quarter is full of delectable French cuisine that is perfect for any occasion. One of the best places to check out for breakfast to kickstart  your day in New Orleans is the Cafe Du Monde, known for their world famous beignets and cafe au lait.

The Cafe Du Monde is open all day from 7:15 am to 11 pm or 12 am on Friday and Saturday for those who can’t get enough of the beignets with their sweet powdered sugar on top. These fried fritters can also be filled with fruit and have been a popular French favorite since 1862. This restaurant serves three of them for under $5 and you can get a hot or iced coffee, plus tons of other specialty drinks as well.

“Beignets are delicious, coffee is decent, and the staff are kind. They work hard to bring out the orders for hundreds of customers all throughout the day and night so please tip them well. Would recommend to anyone, this is a New Orleans staple and you gotta try the beignets when you're here!” - Yelp Review

5. Go Ghost Hunting on the French Quarter Phantom Tours

Ever had an interest in the supernatural? Go on a ghost tour to see if you can spot something today!

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Do you like to be scared? There are tons of superstitions about the French Quarter and ghosts because of the history of the area where voodoo was said to be a popular practice. This area is also home to the LaLaurie mansion, where the ghosts of many slaves are said to haunt. If you enjoy a thrill and want to potentially see a ghost or two on your trip in New Orleans, signing up for one of the French Quarter Phantom Tours can be a fun idea.

There are many types of tours that you can sign up for, such as the ghost and vampire tour, the garden district tour, saints and sinners, French quarter history and voodoo, or you can even sign up for the go city all-day inclusive pass. Depending on the tour you do, it can cost as little as $22 and it’s a walking tour of at least a mile, so make sure to have your walking shoes on and your eyes peeled to potentially see some ghosts and spirits that reside in New Orleans.

“While visiting New Orleans for Halloween, my husband and I did two walking tours with this company, and they were amazing! We did the ghost and vampire combo tour, which was a lot of fun. It was a night tour, and we walked around the French Quarter learning all about the spooky and scandalous history of different buildings and locations.” - Yelp Review

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6. Explore The National WWII Museum

Diving into history from WWII is an interesting topic for many with this expansive museum in New Orleans!

📍 945 Magazine Street | Warehouse District | nationalww2museum.org

There are many events throughout history that are important to learn about so they are not repeated, and WWII and the Holocaust are one of them. WWII lasted from 1939 to 1945 and caused devastation throughout the world, especially for the Jewish community and if you’re interested in learning more about the war and the Holocaust before, during, and after the war, The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is a top spot to check out.

The National WWII Museum offers tons of incredible exhibits to see that really put how devastating the war was into perspective. From a re-creation of the rooms where Anne Frank and her family hid, civil and women's rights during this time, artillery such as tanks and planes, and even information on the bombs dropped in Japan, WWII had a huge influence on our country and this museum has a lot to offer.

“I was so immersed in the experience that I didn't realize we'd been here all afternoon - almost close to closing time! We should have come through earlier! But it's definitely a go-to for tourists! Suggest coming through as early as possible. They have a couple of eateries, so grub wouldn't be an issue. Highly HIGHLY recommending!” - Yelp Review

7. Listen to Live Music at Preservation Hall

Live music can be life changing for many, especially jazz which is popular in the New Orleans area!

📍 726 Saint Peter Street | French Quarter | preservationhall.com

One of the most influential and popular reasons to come and visit New Orleans is because of the music. There is live music that is played throughout the city and jazz and blues have always had a strong influence on the individuals in the area since it is where it was first invented. If you are a fan of live music, or even want to listen to authentic blues or jazz music played in New Orleans, Preservation Hall is the best place to be. 

Playing traditional jazz music since 1961, the Preservation Hall aims to please the ears of everyone with a whole calendar of events where you can listen to a different musician every night. It is a popular, yet small event space and  you can order tickets online and then enjoy the vibrant sounds of jazz music with influence from when the very place it first originated from.

“It is a very small venue, definitely reserve seats in advance. There are just a few wooden benches to sit on, no backs on chairs. But, this is the kind of experience you travel the world to see. Totally pure and authentic soul. You will not regret it!” - Yelp Review

Get Involved in New Orleans, its Culture, and History with the 7 Best Things to Do in the Area

There is so much to do in New Orleans that it can be hard to fit it all into one singular week. No matter if you’re interested in the nightlife, the live music, the history and culture, or even spotting a ghost on a phantom tour, there is plenty to do and check out to make exciting and unforgettable memories!

Make sure to consider grabbing a GiftYa digital gift card for a restaurant or event in New Orleans as well!