Adventurous Itinerary

20 adventurous things to do in New Orleans

New Orleans may be a laid-back place where go-cups are the norm and chilling is always encouraged, but there’s an adventure for everybody if it’s thrills that you seek. From spooky ghost tours, to kayaking in the swamps, diving deep into historic neighborhoods or trying something exotic to eat (alligator, anyone?), an adventure awaits.

1. Rent a bike at City Park and cycle past some of the oldest oak trees in the world. Or explore the city on a bike tour, maybe a culinary one if you like to try new foods.

2. Track spirits, specters, voodoo queens and even vampires on one of the city’s bone-chilling ghost tours in the French Quarter.

3. Get behind the wheel of a super-fast Ferrari and do some laps around the track at NOLA Motorsports Park with Xtreme Xperience. You can ride with a professional or drive yourself.

4. Kayak through the Tupelo Swamps and learn about the “Lost Lands” of Louisiana.

5.  Discover New Orleans neighborhoods, each with their own character, history and story to be told.

6. Take a walk through the Lafitte Greenway that will bring you all the way from Armstrong Park to Mid-City.

7. And if you take this path on any given afternoon, you’ll run right into Second Line Brewing, where you can relax on the outdoor patio and grab a beer from the folks who make it. 

8. Pack a picnic and take the Algiers Ferry to see our beautiful skyline from the Mississippi River.

9. See the elephant exhibit Audubon Zoo. And be sure to say hello to the alligators.

10. Pet a shark at the Audubon Aquarium.

11. Try your hand at Stumpy’s Hatchet House, a new downtown attraction where you’re free to let ‘em fly.

12. Try some only in New Orleans dishes such as a crawfish hot dog from Dat Dog or alligator cheesecake from Jaques-Imo’s Cafe.