New Orleans is known for its rich and diverse cultural heritage, vibrant music scene, distinctive cuisine, and unique traditions. Because there’s so much history here, there are plenty of unique things to do in New Orleans on a trip!
I’ve visited New Orleans twice now, and both times have been such fun getaways in the South. We’ll discuss everything from unique places to eat to experiences and neighborhoods to explore. There’s something unique and fun for everyone in New Orleans!
1. Explore the Garden District
The Garden District in New Orleans is a picturesque and historic neighborhood known for its stunning 19th-century mansions, lush gardens, and charming streets.
Home to many famous writers, artists, and actors, the Garden District is a cultural hub. Some notable residents include author Anne Rice and actors Sandra Bullock and John Goodman.
Don’t miss the Commander’s Palace for a delightful brunch. It’s a culinary gem, known for its Creole cuisine, jazz, and 25-cent martinis. Established in 1880, it has won numerous awards and is a must-visit for food lovers.
One of the most famous cemeteries in the US is also in this neighborhood, Lafayette No. 1. This cemetery has been featured in numerous films and novels and is known for its above ground tombs.
The best way to experience the Garden District is to discover all the different streets on foot. You can take a self guided walking tour or join one of the numerous guided walking tours available. I recommend a tour since they will offer insights into the history, notable residents, and architecture. Tours will include stops at some of the neighborhood’s most iconic homes and landmarks.
Here are a few tour options if you’re interested:
2. New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
If a voodoo and cemetery tour piqued your interest, you may be interested in visiting this museum, too! Located in the French Quarter between Bourbon and Royal Street, it’s a unique museum dedicated to the mysteries, history, and folklore of Louisiana Voodoo, an African diaspora religion.
Founded in 1972 by Charles Massicot Gandolfo, fondly known as ‘Voodoo Charlie,’ this museum is more than just a collection of artifacts. It’s a cultural hub where Voodoo, folklore, and history come alive.
Although the museum is small, consisting of just two rooms, it is one of the few museums in the world entirely devoted to Voodoo art, culture, and religion. Visitors can explore a collection of artifacts curated by Gandolfo, reflecting Voodoo’s rich and enigmatic traditions.
Additionally, the museum offers on-site readings by a resident Voodoo priest. It hosts walking tours to significant sites such as the Marie Laveau tomb in Saint Louis Cemetery and Congo Square.
3. Shop on Magazine Street
Along the edge of the Garden District, you’ll find Magazine Street. This vibrant street has lots of street art, shops, cafes, art galleries, and restaurants. It’s a great area for exploring, especially after visiting the Garden District.
I ended up doing quite a bit of vintage shopping here, finding some fun and eclectic pieces. It’s a great spot to grab a unique souvenir (that no one will realize is a souvenir, which is my favorite kind).
4. Eat a Gator Hot Dog
One of the unique places you’ll find on Magazine Street has to be called out here – Dat Dog. They also have two other locations to try if you’re not near Magazine Street on Feret Street and Frenchman Street.
Dat Dog makes many unique hot dogs, such as crawfish, codfish, and alligator dogs, which you can order. They also have a food challenge called the Datzilla challenge, a combo of five different hot dogs, fries, cheese, and more. I had a gator hot dog while here, and it was pretty tasty!
5. See a Second Line Parade (Maybe Even Join One!)
Second Lines are an important part of New Orleans Jazz Culture. Historically, the African-American community began second lines as neighborhood celebrations. The neighborhood organizations offered social aid to freed enslaved people, such as loans and insurance, and used the second lines as a form of advertising.
Today, they are common for weddings and other special events, although neighborhood organizations still participate. If you see one, you are welcome to join it! You can join the second line at many New Orleans festivals, including French Quarter Fest and Satchmo Summerfest.
These impromptu parades are a lively and joyful expression of New Orleans culture. They typically occur on Sundays, starting at a neighborhood bar and winding through the streets with live music and dancing.
6. Cemetery and/or Voodoo Tour
Speaking of cemeteries, a cemetery tour is one of the most unique things to do in New Orleans. We went on a tour that included cemeteries and voodoo history, which was a spooky tour for sure!
You can certainly do two separate tours on these topics as there are plenty of stories and tales for both, but I’d recommend a combination tour to hear some about both!
New Orleans is known for its unique, above-ground cemeteries, such as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. On a tour, you’ll learn about the unique burial practices and the famous residents interred there.
Additionally, you’ll get to explore the history and mystique of voodoo in New Orleans. You’ll learn about the religion’s roots and cultural significance in the city. Voodoo was brought by followers fleeing Haiti after the 1791 slave revolt moved to New Orleans and grew as many free people of color made its practice an important part of their culture. Voodoo queens and kings were spiritual and political power figures in 1800s New Orleans.
Tour Options:
Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash
7. Eat Traditional New Orleans Food
The food in New Orleans is fantastic and unique to the region, making it something you really can’t miss while there! Creole cuisine originated in New Orleans and is a fusion of African, European, and Native American cultures, with the strongest influence being French.
Creole food is often associated with old-line kitchens in New Orleans, where generations of traditions are still practiced today. Below are some of the foods you must try in New Orleans!
- Gumbo
- Crawfish Etouffee
- The New Orleans Muffaletta
- Red beans and rice
- Jambalaya
- Beignets
- Po-Boys
- Bananas Foster
8. Snack on Beignets
The last food-related activity I’ll call out as uniquely New Orleans is eating beignets. The word “beignet” comes from the French term for “fritter” or “doughnut.” The origins of beignets trace back to France, where similar pastries were made as far back as the Middle Ages. French settlers brought the recipe to New Orleans in the 18th century.
They are so delicious and were often served as a breakfast item or a dessert, accompanied by a cup of café au lait made with chicory coffee, another New Orleans specialty.
There are two famous shops where people grab beignets—Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet. Both have delicious beignets and are worth a visit! I personally like Cafe Beignet for winter since it was all inside and had live music. However, Cafe du Monde is also a famous spot right near Jackson Square. Beignets are a great way to start and end the day.
9. Take a Cooking Class
Speaking of iconic New Orleans foods, taking a cooking class to learn how to make some of these dishes can be really fun and unique. I recommend choosing a class that will allow you to cook a few different dishes so that you can get a better taste for different foods!
Most cooking classes teach you not only how to make the dishes but also the history and stories associated with them. They are also a great way to meet others and have fun together.
If you want to avoid cooking, try out EatWith, where you can dine in a small group experience with locals and enjoy food that way. These locally curated experiences are enjoyable.
Tour Options:
10. Listen to Live Music on Frenchman Street
Frenchmen Street is the go-to place for live music, offering a more local and authentic experience compared to Bourbon Street. Enjoy jazz, blues, and more in intimate venues.
Frenchman Street attracts a diverse crowd of all different ages, unlike Bourbon, which is full of drunk tourists (in my personal experience). Frenchman Street was way more fun.
I’d recommend the Spotted Cat, which is famous for its live jazz. It has a cover, but it is worth it, I promise! Often next to the Spotted Cat, there is an artist’s market open until midnight, and there are tons of local jewelry, art, and products called the Palace Market.
You can then walk down the street, stopping in all the different spots to listen to music. Every spot had great music, and people were dancing and having a great time.
Consider joining a tour to enjoy music on a pub crawl and meet fellow travelers!
11. Ride the Streetcar
Streetcars in New Orleans have been integral to the city’s public transportation network since the first streetcars ran on April 23, 1831. You can hop on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar for a scenic ride through Uptown, past historic homes, Audubon Park, and Tulane University. It’s a nostalgic and relaxing way to see the city.
You can buy a day pass for the bus and train system at a very affordable price using the RTA App or on their website. Many things on this list are on the Streetcar or public transit. It’s a unique activity, for sure!
12. Visit Faulkner Books
Just off Jackson Square in the French Quarter, you’ll find Faulkner Books. This building is a national literary landmark and a historic location in the city because, in 1925, the famous American novelist William Faulkner rented the rooms in it, which is now a bookstore.
They sell new and used books, including rare classics and editions by Faulkner and other writers. Their cozy space is really charming! If you’re a book lover, this unique bookstore is a must-visit!
13. Visit Louis Armstrong Park
Just steps from the French Quarter, you’ll find Louis Armstrong Park. This public park honors the famous jazz musician Louis Armstrong. Its iconic entrance leads into Congo Square, a historic meeting place used by enslaved and free people of color in the 1800s. They gathered for meetings, open markets, dances, and musical performances.
Today, you’ll also find sculptures, duck ponds, and many open, relaxing spaces commemorating this important gathering space.
In Louis Armstrong Park, you’ll also find the Mahalia Jackson Theater. This theater is the self-sustaining home of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Orleans Ballet Association, and the New Orleans Opera Association. You can attend a performance in this beautiful theater!
14. Taste Test American Cocktail History
America’s first cocktail was invented in New Orleans by the apothecary Antoine Amédée Peychaud in 1838. He prepared a brandy toddy for his friends using his own recipe, including the popular brand of Cognac named Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils and his “Peychaud’s Bitters,” made from a secret family recipe.
The toddies were made using a double-ended egg cup to measure ingredients, and thus, the first American cocktail was born—the Sazerac! In 1873, the recipe for the Sazerac Cocktail was altered to replace the French brandy with American Rye whiskey and add a dash of absinthe.
Absinthe is a spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium, green anise, sweet fennel, and other herbs. However, in 1912, America banned the liquor due to its high alcohol content.
This was reversed in 2007, and you can once again taste “The Green Fairy,” which is said to cause hallucinations. I’ll be honest: I tried some absinthe and didn’t really do anything, but it was strong!
You can try a Sazerac all over New Orleans, but to visit a classic, head to one of the historic spots, like The Roosevelt, Sazerac House, or Old Absinthe House.
15. Look for Street Art
In a city known for its creativity and colorful buildings, it’s no surprise that murals and street art can be found throughout! Magazine Street, the Bywater District, and throughout the city. You’ll also find Banksy’s art in New Orleans.
Also, while walking around, look for small painted streetcars, first created to raise funds by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans. You can find them around town, such as next to the Saenger Theater, Fulton Street, Lafayette Square, and Audubon Park.
16. Find the Tiled Street Signs in the French Quarter
17. See the Singing Oak in City Park
City Park is a vast park that is twice as large as Central Park and surprisingly beautiful. The park has tons of famous oak trees that are covered in moss. There are multiple lakes to bike around, but the Singing Oak is the most famous tree. This tree is 125 years old and just outside the New Orleans Museum of Art. The local artist Jim Hart hung windchimes from the tree, making it the “Singing Oak.”
I’d recommend renting a Surrey and biking around for a few hours to explore different parts of the park. We did this on our trip and had a great time seeing some of New Orleans’s natural beauty.
18. Explore the Bayou by Kayak
Speaking of natural beauty, get out of the city and take a guided kayak tour in nearby waterways for a serene escape into nature, where you can see wildlife and enjoy the quiet side of New Orleans.
Coastal Louisiana is a special place, and getting away from the city to explore the natural side of the swamp land ecosystem gives you the chance to see a unique natural area. You’ll kayak through the cypress-filled bayou and discover the peace of this beautiful area.
I recommend avoiding this activity in summer when it can get very hot and humid in New Orleans. Bugs such as mosquitos are also common at that time of year.
19. Experience the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has been vital to New Orleans’s development (and all of the United States) and has been a major piece of the city and its history. New Orleans is at the mouth of the Mississippi River and the ocean, so it’s been a significant port since the town was founded in the 18th century.
Here are a few things to do along the Mississippi:
- Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise: A two-hour tour with a concert, historical narration, and an optional meal. The boat also has a gift shop and bar.
- The Riverfront Streetcar is excellent for sightseeing. It has six vintage red streetcars that can take you to various attractions along the river.
- New Orleans: Creole Queen History Cruise with Optional Lunch: Listen to an exciting narration depicting the last battle of 1812. Learn about New Orleans’s famous landmarks, river lore, and culture.
As you can tell, there are tons of incredible and unique things to do in New Orleans on a trip! I hope you discover the best of New Orleans while there, and check out my other itineraries on southern cities with plenty of charm and history here.
Kayaking in the bayou sounds like fun, we’re always looking for outdoor activities when we visit cities.
I’m the same way. Outdoor activities are a lot of fun and different landscapes always surprise me!
NOLA would be such a fun girl’s trip! My girl friends and I would love to do the Voo Doo Tour, listen to live music and eat, eat eat! I’ve not been yet, and you’ve inspired me to book a trip!
Agree! It’s so cute and there’s tons to do there.
Great guide! New Orleans has so much to offer beyond the typical tourist spots! My personal favorites are the Historic Voodoo Museum and the Evening Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. Thanks for sharing!
What are the best places to explore New Orleans’ haunted history beyond the typical tourist spots?