Things To Do In New Orleans

I've had the pleasure of visiting New Orleans a few times in my life and always leave with the best memories. Someday I'd love to go during Jazz Fest, or even Mardi Gras, though I do wonder how much I'd enjoy the crowds and chaos. Obviously, the thing to do in NOLA is go to Bourbon Street, and it is definitely worth it for some wild people watching. But if that's not your thing, there are still so many other fun activities in this city. Here's a few of my favorites!

P.S. My favorite thing to do in New Orleans is eat! You can check out my Favorite Restaurants in NOLA post for food recs.

Preservation Hall

726 St Peter | @preservationhall

Preservation Hall is a historic New Orleans music venue that showcases traditional jazz. It is a pretty magical experience. You enter into a fairly small room with a small audience and get to witness 45 minutes of uninterrupted live jazz. The band changes for every show, but I have to believe they are all incredible. You need to reserve tickets in advance, and there is no alcohol or phones allowed. It's pretty special to walk off the bustling streets of the French Quarter, tune out the rest of the world, and sit in a room filled with history and uplifting music.

The National World War II Museum

945 Magazine St | @wwiimuseum

I was surprised to learn that our country's World War II Museum was located in New Orleans but was glad that didn't stop me from visiting. It is quite the museum. We spent hours here and could've spent many more. I'm more of an art museum fan than history museum, but this one is captivating. The space is beautiful, and the story telling is creative and moving. It is a really beautiful space honoring a dark time in history and one of the more impressive museums I have visited.

Bar Hop

I know I said this is a list of things to do besides get drunk and party, but I had to include a few of my favorite bars to hit.

The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt New Orleans

130 Roosevelt Way | @therooseveltneworleans

I have spent not one, but two New Years Eves at this bar! It is located inside the landmark Roosevelt New Orleans hotel, and the space is beautiful. For the Christmas season they fill the lobby with beautiful arching lights. The bar is swanky and the drinks can be pricey, but if you are looking for a more intimate space away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy a nice cocktail it's a perfect option! I just love the ambiance and enjoy every visit.

The Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone

214 Royal St | @hotelmonteleone

This bar is unique and cool. The bar itself is a beautiful carousel that actually rotates slowly. The seats at the bar are pretty impossible to snag since it's such a fun concept, but it's a great space even without the seats! The bar is located in the stunning Hotel Monteleone and is connected to the restaurant Criollo (check out my Favorite Restaurants in NOLA post for more info!).

Pat O'Brien's

718 St Peter | @patobriens

I had to include one Bourbon Street stop! This place is very fun, and they invented the Hurricane! I'm not the biggest fan of the drink, but it seems like a right of passage in New Orleans. They also make a tequila-based drink called the Category 5 that I prefer! There is a piano bar with a Dueling Piano show most nights and a huge outdoor patio that can fit huge crowds. Definitely my favorite place to stop for a drink among the chaos.

The Davenport Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans

921 Canal St | @ritzcarltonneworleans

Another fancier bar located in The Ritz-Carlton hotel. This lounge is almost set up like a large, comfy, fancy living room. It is elevated and cozy. The lobby here is also decorated beautifully for the Christmas season - they have a life-size train car made of all gingerbread! The cocktails are yummy, and the lounge is a perfect place to sit back and relax.

Ride a Streetcar

You gotta ride the streetcar in New Orleans. It's historic, fun and practical! It's the oldest streetcar in the world, and there are four different lines out of downtown that can get you to so many cool places in the city. This website has a lot of helpful riding tips!

House of Blues

225 Decatur St | @hobnola

We had the best time at the House of Blues Gospel brunch back in 2019. It seems as though this particular brunch is not being offered at the moment, but A) keep an eye out for if it returns and B) the venue has so many cool live music events to attend.

Explore Different Neighborhoods

My favorite thing to do when I travel is just start walking and see where I end up. We tend to explore the French Quarter the most - it's such a unique area and there are plenty of things to see. I suggest also walking over to Jackson Square and exploring the Garden District. In fact, if you eat at Commander's Palace in the Garden District, you could make a whole day of exploring the area!

Catch a Saints Game at the Superdome

1500 Sugar Bowl Dr | @caesarssuperdome

While I've never actually seen the Saints play in New Orleans, I have attended two College Football Bowl Games at the Superdome, and it's pretty iconic. It is a massive, domed stadium that is maybe most famous for housing residents during Hurricane Katrina. It's not a long walk from the French Quarter, so it's fairly easy getting to and from the game. If you're a sports person, this is definitely a fun NOLA activity.

Next Time:

• Visit City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art

• Take a boat ride

• Tour Sazerac House

The city of New Orleans is so unique and has such a specific, vibrant energy. Around every corner there's a new story to discover and sight to see. You can't go wrong in terms of activities, just open your eyes and experience the NOLA magic! 🤘🏼