The best things to do in New Orleans

The National WWII Museum is a world-class complex with award-winning exhibits showcasing the stories of those who served in WWII and on the homefront. Highlights include actual planes, jeeps and Higgins Boats, a theater with WWII-era musical performances, a restaurant and a fantastic gift shop with 1940s-inspired gifts and clothing.

While Bourbon Street can be avoided (unless it’s your first visit to New Orleans—you have to experience it), the French Quarter is always a must-do, any time of year. As the city’s oldest neighborhood, the Vieux Carre is packed with gorgeous architecture, loads of history, a wealth of food and music and a cast of characters including long-time residents, chatty tour guides and talented street performers. Don’t skip Historic New Orleans Collection and be sure to take in the views of the Mississippi from the edge of the Quarter.

This six-mile stretch has it all: shopping, dining, art galleries, unique architecture, an award-winning zoo and friendly local business owners. Get your steps in as you shop local boutiques, then reward yourself with a meal at one of the many restaurants along Magazine Street that offer sidewalk dining or patios overlooking the hustle and bustle of the street.

Upriver from the French Quarter lies the Garden District. Take a tour of this neighborhood’s grand mansions and historic cemeteries or just stroll around on your own. The houses and history are a draw, but the neighborhood also offers a wealth of shops and cafes, as well as Commander’s Palace, one of New Orleans’ best restaurants.

The city's preeminent art museum sits within City Park, at the edge of the Big Lake. NOMA houses more than 40,000 pieces featuring pieces from the Italian Renaissance to modern works. Browse works from Monet, Degas, Rodin and O’Keefe as well as glass, ceramics, pre-Columbian art, and an extensive photography collection. Save time for the adjacent Sydney and Walda Bestoff Sculpture Garden, a beautifully landscaped showcase of the Museum’s sculpture collection.

Live music is more than just entertainment here; it’s a way of life. From blues and funk to brass and rock & roll, New Orleans offers a symphony of genres, but there’s something uniquely magical about hearing jazz—both traditional and modern—in its city of origin. Catch the city's best jazz musicians at these clubs around the city.

City Park is a beautifully landscaped, 1,300-acre green space filled with moss-drenched oaks, peaceful walking paths and native birds. Head to the Big Lake and rent a swan boat, visit the Botanical Gardens, have a picnic or embrace your inner child at Storyland and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. When you need a break, there's a location of Cafe du Monde with prime views of City Park's beauty.

Marigny, the neighborhood adjacent to the French Quarter, is one of the city’s top spots for music. Here you’ll find a string of live music venues like The Spotted Cat and d.b.a., offering jazz, blues, reggae and rock. There’s often a brass band performing on a corner. Restaurants offering pub grub, pizza and more will fuel you up for an energetic, music-filled stroll around the neighborhood.

Spend an afternoon at one of the top zoos in the country. The Audubon Zoo has world-class exhibits featuring animals from Asia, Africa and South America. You’ll also see seals, reptiles and a glimpse of the Louisiana swamp. In the summer, the Cool Zoo water park offers a respite from the heat.

This French Quarter fixture since 1862 serves the the best cafe au lait alongside hot, fresh beignets at all hours. Take a peek in the window to see the magic happen, then dive into your order of three. If you make it out without powdered sugar on your shirt, you're doing it wrong.

The 350-acre Audubon Park Uptown stretches between St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street. The two-plus-mile paved loop is a favorite of bikers and joggers. Walk under the shade of massive oak trees, watch ducks and swans paddle around or pick a spot to have a picnic. The park is adjacent to the fabulous Audubon Zoo and The Fly—a stretch of park along the riverfront behind the zoo (take a walk back here, and you may hear the monkeys or see a giraffe peeking out from its enclosure).

Stretching from City Park to the edge of the French Quarter, this 2.6-mile linear park is a green oasis in the middle of the city. The bike and pedestrian path takes you past playgrounds, native landscaping, art and sports fields. Plus, it's in close proximity to breweries, coffee shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. Stop by the Crescent City Farmers Market on the Greenway on Thursday afternoons, or check out one of the many outdoor fitness classes offered throughout the week.

Take a stroll around Armstrong Park to feel the spirit of New Orleans’ musical heritage. You can walk through Congo Square, see statues that honor Louis Armstrong, Tootie Montana and the roots of music itself and the venerable Mahalia Jackson Theater. Armstrong Park plays host to many festivals that celebrate the sounds of New Orleans. The historic Treme neighborhood is adjacent to the park.

It's only logical for New Orleans to be home to a jazz museum, for this is the city where the musical genre was born. This repository of artifacts from the early 20th century lets you see and hear the history of jazz. The museum also presents concerts throughout the year and hosts educational programs for kids (and adults, too) aspiring to play jazz like the city's legends, from Louis Armstrong to Al Hirt, Louis Prima and more.

Blaine Kern has been building Mardi Gras floats for the various krewes that roll in carnival parades in the weeks leading up to and on Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday). He's known as "Mr. Mardi Gras" for a good reason, as his designs have delighted the city for over 50 years. Mardi Gras World is near the Convention Center and offers tours that give you a firsthand look at the heart of the Mardi Gras parade experience, regardless of the time of year.

Explore a different side of the South at The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. MSJE tells the unique story of Jews in thirteen Southern states from Colonial times to the present. Learn how Jews in the South were influenced by the culture of their new communities and how they shared their own culture with these communities (which were primarily Christian) through heritage and traditions.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a cultural gem that dives deep into the rich and diverse artistry of the 15 states that make up the American South. Located in the Warehouse District, this museum celebrates the region’s creativity through an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, photography and mixed media. From folk art to contemporary works, every piece tells a story of the South’s unique culture and history. Don’t miss the rotating exhibitions and special events, like Ogden After Hours, featuring live music and cocktails.

Looking for a unique gift or souvenir? The twice-monthly Arts Market New Orleans features dozens of local artists selling everything from painting and ceramics to jewelry, home decor, photography and more, including plenty of NOLA-themed items. The market, featuring live music and food vendors, is held in City Park on the second Saturday of every month and Uptown in Harmony Park on the last Saturday of each month.

The colorful history of the African American experience in New Orleans is chronicled at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, with a particular emphasis on community-based masking and processional traditions. Expect elaborately constructed Mardi Gras costumes, memorabilia of the numerous Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs found in different neighborhoods around the city, photographs and historical records of jazz funerals and second lines, plus much more.

For a fabulous, interactive overview of what makes New Orleans so unique, head to the top of the Four Seasons Hotel. Vue Orleans features spectacular 360° indoor and outdoor observation decks overlooking the Mississippi, plus an interactive experience that celebrates the culture, history and music of the Crescent City. State-of-the-art technology brings the city's stories to life in a whole new way.

At the foot of Canal Street, hop aboard the Algiers Ferry to feel the power of the Mississippi firsthand. The short ride on this commuter ferry will give you an amazing view of the city and a few minutes to be one with the river. On the other side, spend some time wandering the petite neighborhood of Algiers Point: cute homes, oak-lined streets and a few cafes and bars.

This huge warehouse in Bywater welcomes visitors with a massive, colorful mural on its front. Studio Be houses the work of BMike—local artist Brandon Odums. He is known for his large-scale murals depicting Black culture in the city, and his studio showcases his floor-to-ceiling portraits of Black leaders and icons.

While in Bywater, stroll the mile-and-a-half Crescent Park along the river. Climb the “rusty rainbow” (a huge steel arch that takes you over railroad tracks) and catch a breeze, have a picnic, watch roller skaters at the Mandeville Wharf or just chill and watch as huge ships pass by.

At the far end of Crescent Park sits Bacchanal. While it’s no longer a locals’ secret, this wine shop/hangout retains its unique local charm and funky hideaway feel. The lush back patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a bottle of wine and a cheese plate. Live music makes a visit here even more special.

In a city full of iconic music venues, Tipitina’s stands out. The Uptown joint on Napoleon Avenue was founded in 1977 and is still going strong. For a good dose of New Orleans funk (the venue is now owned by the band Galactic, who continue the tradition of hosting local funk, rock bands and mid-sized national acts), check out the lineup at this local institution.

NOTE: JAMNOLA will close Jan. 6 before moving to its new location on Frenchmen Street, expected to re-open late January

Experience joy, art and music at this interactive installation in the Marigny. The massive warehouse space has been converted into a selfie-haven with bright, colorful rooms designed by local artists to celebrate art, music and culture. Jump into a pot with a giant crawfish, snap a pic with an oversized bust of local musicians and become part of the art in virtual reality booths. It’s sensory overload, New Orleans style.

In this city with a lengthy history and culture surrounding cocktails, the Sazerac cocktail might be the most famous drink to come out of New Orleans. It sits on nearly every bar menu, has been designated the city’s official cocktail and even has its own museum. Visit the Sazerac House—located at the site where the first cocktail was served—to learn the history of the drink through immersive exhibits and chats with virtual bartenders in an impressive setting.

New Orleans’ streetcar system has been rolling since 1835. While you can no longer ride the Desire Line, made famous by Tennessee Williams, the existing lines offer a great way to see the city. The newer red streetcars run out to Mid-City, while the older, original green cars take you down historic St. Charles Avenue, past beautiful houses in the famed Garden District and Audubon Park.