Things to Do in New Orleans
From the French Quarter to the bayous, here's what's actually worth your time — with deeper guides to the highlights.
Don't-miss list: wander the French Quarter, spend a half-day at the National WWII Museum, take a swamp tour, hear live music on Frenchmen Street, and ride the St. Charles streetcar through the Garden District. Three to four days covers the essentials without rushing.
Top attractions, in depth
French Quarter →
The historic, walkable heart of the city — founded 1718.
National WWII Museum →
One of the best museums in the U.S., now with the Liberation Pavilion.
Swamp tours →
Alligators and cypress bayous just outside the city.
More to see and do
- Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral — the iconic square and the oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral in the U.S.
- Frenchmen Street — the locals' live-music strip, just outside the Quarter.
- Garden District & the St. Charles streetcar — antebellum mansions along a historic streetcar line.
- City Park & the New Orleans Museum of Art — bigger than Central Park, with art and ancient oaks.
- Steamboat Natchez — a classic Mississippi River paddlewheeler cruise.
- Preservation Hall — intimate, traditional New Orleans jazz nightly.
Book tickets & tours
Swamp tours, ghost and history walks, river cruises, and museum tickets — check live availability and prices.
Plan the trip: New Orleans travel guide · Itineraries · Where to eat · Where to stay