There are easily thousands of cool things to do here in New Orleans, but the NewOrleans.Com staff thought it might be fun to narrow it down to 101. These choices are from our own, personal lists of favorite things to do in the city, so hopefully you'll find at least a few favorites of your own. And, hey, if you come across some other cool things to do in New Orleans while you're out and about, please share it with us! Email your ideas to
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1. Try New Orleanians' original cooling method: get a snowball! Will you head to Plum Street to have your snowball in a pail, or will you wait in line Hansen's to see where the snowball craze began? Stuffed with ice cream? Topped with condensed milk and a cherry? Oh, the possibilities are gloriously endless!
8. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride from Jackson Square. Want to look around and not have to brave the heat? You'll be a bit cooler in a carriage than you would on foot. Take a bottle of water and a fan, though. Trust me, you’ll still sweat.
9. Ride a steam-powered riverboat on the Mighty Mississippi. Never been on a steamboat, or want to go again? The Steamboat Natchez is a great way to see the city from a new perspective. They also have tours with live jazz and romantic meals, which are great for anniversaries and mini-vacations.
14. Tour one of our Cities of the Dead. Our cemeteries are legendary for their above-ground tombs. They're often creepy, always beautiful. Guide yourself - in the daytime, of course - or go with a tour guide who knows all of the stories and secrets.
15. Catch as many Jazz Fest acts as possible. The annual Jazz & Heritage Festival lasts two entire weekends, and a lot of performers will stay during the week and show up at clubs around town. Make a game of it with your friends to see who can get to the most performances.
16. Check out the many sports teams in New Orleans! From the obvious ones, like the Saints and the Hornets, to the teams for the diehard fans, like the New Orleans Voodoo, we have a sports team for everyone!
20. Adopt a pet from the LASPCA! There are so many animals out there who need your love! Pick a pet from the LASPCA and take it back to your loving home!
22. Get artsy at the New Orleans Museum of Art's outdoor sculpture garden. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is right smack in the middle of City Park, and the scenery - from an upstanding, larger-than-life, blue safety pin to tiers upon tiers of violins standing in a pond - is a great conversation starter. And admission is free, making it a great first date!
23. Enjoy fantastic live music nightly at the Circle Bar! From bands stopping here on tour with all their equipment, to random locals walking in with a single instrument, the music at this local haunt will always be entertaining.
28. Go to GreenNola.org and read their tips. Try to save New Orleans - and the earth - one day at a time by following this website's helpful tips. If you know it all already, then go share your tips on the forum.
31. Go to the zoo, the aquarium... or both! Who doesn’t love going and looking at animals? No matter your age, it’s always fun to see what those orangutans are up to today. And there's a steamboat that will take you back and forth between the two! Sounds like a whole day to me.
34. Spend a night or two at a charming B&B on Esplanade Avenue. There are quaint little places all up and down Esplanade Avenue, one of the best streets in the city. A night or two hidden away with your sweetie and you'll check out feeling you've had a fantastic vacation!
39. Go browse the French Market. They have lots of different things to look at, and it is a great place for finding presents. Bring some cash, haggle with the vendors and make your own gift baskets.
48. Take a dance class! We have loads in this city, from swing to hip-hop to belly dancing. It’s a great, fun way to stay fit!
49. Find out what the future holds for you. Foggy, mysterious Jackson Square is the perfect place to have your tarot cards or palm read. Psychics line up nightly all around the Cathedral, just waiting for curious passers-by.
50. Hear why New Orleans is famous for live local music. Check out the bar around the corner and see what's playing. Don’t like it? Go to the one around the corner from that! With our eclectic tastes in music we’re sure you’ll find something you like.
51. Tour an antebellum plantation. All along the river, centuries-old plantations still stand, some with rows of oaks and some with intact slave quarters. Take in a bit of history and see how people lived before the internet.
62. Check out New Orleans City Chic! This is a fashion blog started by a fashionista in our very own city! She keeps you updated on what's going on in the fashion world.
65. Listen to local music on WWOZ. Listening to our independent radio station is a great way to show support for the city's musicians, and to find out where they'll be appearing on stage tonight!
68. Attend an authentic Cajun Fais-do-do at Tipitina's one Sunday! Every Sunday, Tipitina's hosts a real deal Cajun dance party. Even if you don't know how, Cajuns are known for their hospitality: There's bound to be someone there who would love to teach you the two-step!
70. Visit Mardi Gras World. No matter what time of year it is, it’s always Mardi Gras here! Come take a look behind the scenes of Mardi Gras and see how floats are made!
75. Go to Pirates Alley. This alley is famous as a hangout for pirates, like Jean Lafitte, who loved visiting New Orleans. Go at night and see if you can still hear the sounds of dueling swords, or even get married here.
78. Go sing some karaoke! We all do it, the singing and dancing in front of the mirror. Now go out and do it in public! Don't worry, if you need a drink for encouragement, they have a fully stocked bar.
79. Try some brand new Truth-Beauty Chocolates! Like truffles? This guy knows more about them than Godiva herself. With over 50 original recipes, he’ll even create one especially for you if you want a specific taste.
80. Browse the pushcarts and shops at the Riverwalk. This is a great all-day shopping venue for a rainy day. They have lots of unique shops, the Fudgery and the New Orleans Food & Beverage Museum, all inside! When it’s nice out, make sure to sit outside by the fountain for a while.
81. Go to the Amistad Research Center. Visit the nation’s largest independent archive specializing in the history of African-Americans and other ethnic groups.
82. Get some Roman Candy. Come on, when was the last time you treated yourself to one? Go hunt down Sam and his wagon and get some to share with a friend. Or be greedy and keep it all to yourself.
86. Play some volleyball at Coconut Beach. Whether you’re looking for a regular game, extreme volleyball or just to hang out, Coconut Beach has got you covered. With 22 sand courts and summer league tournaments, it's the largest beach volleyball complex in the United States!
90. Go check out our event calendar. Don’t know what you want to do this weekend? Well we have all your options right here! Go have a gander.
91. Plan a party on a Bourbon Street balcony! Don’t you want to be the person up on that private balcony for once? It sure is a nice change from trying to dodge the beads as you walk down the street.
92. Help rebuild New Orleans. Volunteer to do your part in helping. Everyone has a talent or skill that can be shared, and everyone needs a little help at some point in their life. It'll be great for your karma!
93. Visit the Hookah Café. Enjoy a nice meal, have some fancy drinks, smoke the hookah or do it all! I’d mention how many flavors they have, but since you can mix them together and come up with your own, the number is really infinite!
95. Start training now for the Crescent City Classic. Every spring, runners from far and wide come down to New Orleans to participate in this 10K. Of course, the party afterwards is legendary, too. Make this year the year you join in on the fun!
98. Visit the storied Oak Alley Plantation. Once you see it, you're bound to recognize it from a movie... or six. Take a drive down River Road and find out the real story behind this historical house.
99. Learn the fine art of glass blowing. Whether you want to be hands on or just watch, you can watch glass blowers at work here, and then buy their finished products! It’s not just about glass, either; they also offer classes in metalwork, silver jewelry making and book binding.
