12 Things You Must Do

Indulge your senses, savor New Orleans' rich cultural experience and celebrate everything that - even after nearly 300 years of the greatest achievements and the steepest challenges - still makes New Orleans America's most unique, authentic and enthralling destination.   

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National WWII Museum, the institution celebrates the American spirit, teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifices of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and served on the Home Front. Plan Your Visit From the original Louisiana Memorial Pavilion to the brand-new Liberation Pavilion, the Museum’s seven-acre, seven-pavilion campus offers immersive exhibits and an expansive collection of artifacts and personal accounts take visitors inside the story of World War II. Spot iconic wartime vehicles including soaring warbirds, Jeeps, tanks, and the patrol torpedo boat PT-305, built in New Orleans by Higgins Industries in 1943 and fully restored by volunteers. See the war in a new way through attractions like the Beyond All Boundaries 4D experience, the nighttime spectacular Expressions of America, the interactive Voices from the Front oral histories, the Priddy Family Foundation Freedom Theater experience, and more! Expand your Museum visit with a guided tour! Explore our immersive exhibits with an official Museum guide, bringing to life the drama, sacrifices, personal stories, and strategies of America’s wartime efforts on the Home Front and overseas. Go Beyond the Galleries or Into the Vault for behind-the-scenes looks at rarely seen artifacts from the Museum’s collection. Be sure to visit The American Sector Restaurant & Bar for lunch with Louisiana flavor; the Jeri Nims Soda Shop for sweet treats and quick eats; and BB’s Stage Door Canteen for live entertainment! Book a room at the art deco-style Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, and enjoy first-class accommodations, meeting spaces, and dining options. Museum Tickets The National WWII Museum offers several different ticketing options. General admission tickets to our seven immersive pavilions are $25 for students, children, and military; $32 for seniors; and $35 for adults. WWII veterans and Museum Members can visit for free. Customize your visit with add-on experiences for an additional fee. Discounted Second-Day Passes are available if you need more time to explore! Beyond Our Campus The Museum’s online collections, student and teacher programs, educational travel tours, and renowned International Conference and symposia offer new ways to connect to history and honor the generation that sacrificed so much to secure our freedom. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is located at 945 Magazine Street and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Convenient and secure parking in the Museum’s parking garage is available for a fee at 1024 Magazine Street. Click here for more Information about Museum access for visitors with accessibility needs. For more information on Tripadvisor’s #1 New Orleans attraction, call 877-813-3329 or 504-528-1944 or visit nationalww2museum.org. Become A Member
Similar to some European markets, this historically charming open-air market features shopping, dining, music and local tradition that is uniquely New Orleans. From Cafe du Monde near Jackson Square to the flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue, the French Market includes five blocks of local produce, specialty art, handmade crafts, retail shopping and more.
Under new rules set by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, all visitors to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide from Cemetery Tour New Orleans. Families with loved ones buried in the cemetery, tomb owners, and genealogists can acquire a special pass by calling: (504) 596-3050. While on the 45-minute guided walking tour inside of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, patrons will walk along a predetermined route throughout New Orleans’ most famous above-ground tombs to experience the burial site of Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau, Civil Rights Activist Homer Plessy, and other well-known New Orleanians. Patrons will learn about the above ground burial practices dating back 300 years and get up close to the variety of architectural styles designed by the top architects of the 19th century, including Benjamin Henry Latrobe, designer of the U.S. Capital building. These include family tombs, wall vaults, and society tombs such as the New Orleans Musicians Tomb, Italian Benevolent Society Tomb, and more. The guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 begins and ends at the Basin St. Station’s New Orleans Visitor Center at 501 Basin St. and reservations are recommended in advance.
Open nightly with concerts at 8, 9 and 10pm Mondays through Wednesdays with additional 5 and 6pm performances Thursdays - Sundays, for the best in traditional New Orleans jazz for all ages. Limited online reservations are available at preservationhall.com/tickets and at the box office daily between 12-5pm. Also, available for private concerts, receptions and catered events. Xplorit Virtual Tour Discover Preservation Hall with one of the most comprehensive, completely immersive and interactive virtual experiences in the world.
Founded in 1905, this legendary restaurant started with recipes and traditions brought from France by Jean Galatoire. Remaining consistent for more than a century, Galatoire’s original menu and ambiance is still present today.
St. Louis Cathedral, located in the historic French Quarter, is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States. It was originally built in 1724 and rebuilt twice after a hurricane and a fire. The present church overlooks beautiful Jackson Square and was dedicated in 1794.
Enjoy 5,000 years of art in one day at the New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans' oldest fine arts institution, home to more than 40,000 works and the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
Since 1862, the Original French Market coffee stand. Serving cafe au lait and beignets daily. Taste the original beignet, Louisiana's state donut, coffee with chicory and half hot milk...cafe au lait. Xplorit Virtual Tour Discover Cafe Du Monde with one of the most comprehensive, completely immersive and interactive virtual experiences in the world.
The legacy of New Orleans' grandeur is alive at the Sazerac Restaurant (formally the Sazerac Bar), site of the creation of America's first cocktail, the Sazerac. Both the famous and the infamous have celebrated in this special place. Come join us for your favorite libation.
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About JAMNOLA: Embracing the personality and feel of the city's many cultural gems, JAMNOLA is a 5,400 sq ft experiential pop-up that engages audiences of all ages in a topsy-turvy journey celebrating the art, music and culture of New Orleans.
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Experience the finest collection at one of the largest and most exceptional galleries in North America. This 40,000 square-foot French Quarter gallery is filled with rare, museum-quality antiques, important fine art and breathtaking jewelry.
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City Park’s 1,300 acres provides access to abundant natural and cultural resources, offering a variety of attractions including an amusement park, botanical garden, golf, tennis, museums, boat and bike rentals plus venues for every occasion. City Park Conservancy is the 501c3 non-profit who oversees the management, operations, programming, membership, and fundraising—all for the betterment of City Park for the community.