Uptown Attractions

Things to Do in Uptown New Orleans

Making plans to visit Uptown New Orleans is easy thanks to a wealth of attractions. From rides on the streetcar to a trip to the Audubon Zoo, Uptown New Orleans is family-friendly and full of signature experiences. Cultural attractions abound in museums and hands-on activities. Read on for the best ways to experience the Garden District and Uptown New Orleans.

Signature Attractions in in Uptown New Orleans 

Uptown New Orleans is home to a wide variety of signature attractions. The Audubon Zoo is home to over 36 different types of animals. In the summer months, Cool Zoo opens its doors to visitors as the only waterpark in town. The zoo is located within Audubon Park, which also includes a 2-mile walking and biking path. The Fly is a great place to have a picnic or watch boats pass along the Mississippi River. The Prytania Theatre is a historic venue at over 100 years old and is the longest continually operated movie theatre in the South. Go behind-the-scenes of Mardi Gras at Mardi Gras World. While in Uptown New Orleans, St. Charles Avenue Streetcar is a must, not only as a form of transportation but as a way to see historic architecture in the famed neighborhood.

Art Galleries & Museums in Uptown New Orleans 

See some of the best art in the city when Uptown. The George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art showcases the history of free people of color throughout time, and Ashé Cultural Arts Center presents exhibits focused solely on Black art. Located on the campus of Tulane University, the Amistad Research Center houses the country's largest collection of manuscripts about African Americans, race relations, and civil rights. Also located on Tulane’s campus, the Newcomb Art Museum presents exhibits that rotate each semester.

Hands-on Activities in Uptown New Orleans 

Get your hands dirty and have some fun with these activities in Uptown New Orleans. Escape My Room involves you and your team solving a series of New Orleans-themed puzzles with different intensity levels. Visit The Shard Shop to make your own glass on canvas art piece, or venture to Hands in Clay for a pottery lesson. The Exchange Pickleball + Bar is New Orleans’ indoor-outdoor pickleball facility complete with a bar. Or at-home chefs can enjoy taking a cooking class from Deelightful Roux School of Cooking located in the Southern Food & Beverage Museum.

Outdoor Activities in Uptown New Orleans 

Get a workout in over at the Audubon Park Tennis Courts, or explore the neighborhood via Paved Paradise Bike Tours. Paradigm Gardens frequently offers goat yoga and a host of outdoor events in the spring and fall months. Free Tours by Foot Garden District Tour is a great way to see the city on a budget.