The Ultimate New Orleans Bucket List: 26 Must-Do Experiences, A to Z
Where to start, what to eat, and when to go
Beignets before noon. A brass band you did not plan for. A streetcar ride that takes twice as long as it should because you got off at the wrong stop and were glad you did.
This is the New Orleans bucket list: 26 experiences, A to Z, that make up the city's essential character. Some are institutions, like Jackson Square and the National WWII Museum. Some you'll stumble into. Take the list as a map of what's out there, then let the day go where it goes.
Start Here: Five New Orleans Experiences to Do First
If your time is short, or you just want a spine to build the rest of the trip around, start with these five. Between them they cover the city's four signatures: food, music, history, and neighborhood character. Everything else on this list grows outward from them.
Beignets at Café du Monde. The French Quarter original has been serving the same two things, coffee and beignets, since 1862. Go early or go late to skip the longest lines, and do not wear black because you will leave covered in powdered sugar. (See B.)
A slow walk through Jackson Square. St. Louis Cathedral on one side, artists selling work along the iron fence, a brass band somewhere within earshot. Costs nothing, and it is at its best in the first hour after sunrise. (See F and J.)
Live music on Frenchmen Street. Three blocks in the Marigny hold more music per square foot than almost anywhere in the country. Walk the strip, listen at the doorways, and go into whichever one sounds right. (See L.)
A ride on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar. It has been running the same route since 1835, past the Garden District's mansions and the live oaks that arch over the neutral ground. Sit by an open window. (See R.)
One meal at a Creole institution. Dooky Chase's in Tremé, Commander's Palace in the Garden District, Galatoire's in the French Quarter. Book ahead, all three fill up. (See D and Q.)
Katie LaRocca, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
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David Brendan Hall, Courtesy of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
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(1) New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, (2) New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, (3) New Orleans Book Fest, (4) French Quarter Fest, (5) Gentilly Fest
If you didn’t try a beignet, did you even go to New Orleans? While Cafe Du Monde is easily the most famous, beignets can found all over the city, including at spots like Cafe Beignet, Morning Call, and Loretta's. Check out a few of our favorite spots here.
C: Crawfish Boils Every Spring
Seafood like no other! There’s nothing more New Orleans than a crawfish boil. Host your own or grab a few pounds from local favorites, either way, you can’t go wrong. Our Guide to Crawfish will help you along the way.
With numerous James Beard award-winning restaurants and chefs, a wide range of globally inspired cuisines, and homegrown Cajun and Creole classics, the food scene in New Orleans is top-notch. Dine your way through the city from legendary establishments to trendy bistros. Be sure to make reservations at these local hotspots.
E: Engage with Locals and Experience New Orleans Hospitality
Hospitality in New Orleans is unmatched. Whether it’s the front desk worker at your hotel or your server at a restaurant, New Orleanians are always eager to strike up a conversation.
F: Explore the French Quarter and Bourbon Street
Equally as historic as it is iconic, the French Quarter is a must on any first-timers New Orleans bucket list. Beyond the world-famous Bourbon Street, the French Quarter is filled with history and charm that can’t be duplicated. Make sure to stop by the French Market for uniquely NOLA finds and to meet the artisans behind the handmade crafts.
(1) Jackson Square , (2) King Cake, (3) Irish Channel, (4) King Cake, (5) Garden District Architecture
G: Explore the Garden District and Its Historic Mansions
If interested in historic architecture, the Garden District is the neighborhood for you. Extravagant mansions and old cemeteries exude history. Wander the area on your own or sign up for a Garden District tour. Restaurants and shops can be found throughout the neighborhood as well.
H: Sip a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's
A first-time visit to New Orleans calls for a stop at Pat O’Brien’s, home of the famous Hurricane. This signature rum-based cocktail is both sweet and satisfying.
I: Check out the Irish Channel Neighborhood
The Irish Channel is filled with fun activities and hangouts year-round. Best known for its bar and brewery scene and local bites, any first-visit can be made better with time spent in this historic neighborhood.
J: Visit Jackson Square in the French Quarter
One of New Orleans’ most recognized attractions, Jackson Square is a picturesque backdrop that perfectly captures the magic of the French Quarter. Experience it during the day or in the evening, both are stunning.
K: Try King Cake during Carnival Season
Nothing says carnival in New Orleans quite like King Cake. This seasonal sweet rolls out each year on January 6, and ends promptly the day after Mardi Gras. Within the roughly month-long timespan, bakeries, grocery stores and restaurants across the city are bustling with patrons getting their fill. Visiting outside of Mardi Gras season? No worries - a number of sweet shops take King Cake orders year-round.
L: Hear Live Music in New Orleans
New Orleans is rich with live music, much of which you can stumble upon just by walking through the French Quarter. See who is playing during your visit with our live music calendar. Or you can get yourself pumped up for your trip by checking out our Offline Playlist, featuring some of NOLA’s most iconic musicians.
M: Discover Mardi Gras Indian Culture in New Orleans
Mardi Gras Indian culture is easily one of New Orleans’ most unique and fascinating customs. The Backstreet Cultural Museum is the perfect place to learn more about this deeply rooted tradition.
N: Explore New Orleans Neighborhoods
From the French Quarter to the Garden District and the historic Treme to the Marigny, there are so many neighborhoods in New Orleans to explore–each with its own unique energy. Find off-the-beaten-path gems, like dive bars, beloved local restaurants, museums, and more.
O: Enjoy Outdoor Activities in Parks and Greenspaces
Alfresco dining, rooftop bar hopping, biking, fishing, or simply a day spent at the park, plan at least one outdoor activity during your trip to NOLA.
P: Savor Sweet Pralines
Sweet, satisfying and oh so New Orleans. Pralines are sugary treats that adored here in the Crescent City. Opt for traditional, or find some of the twisted takes like praline bacon from Elizabeth’s or praline-filled beignets from Loretta’s.
Q: Experience the Legacy of Leah Chase and Dooky Chase's
The iconic Chef Leah Chase will forever be known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine. Over seven decades she fueled a movement at her historic Treme-based restaurant, Dooky Chase’s. Her legacy lives on in the gumbo, famous fried chicken, and okra that can only be found at this historic restaurant.
R: Ride the Historic Streetcar
As cliche as it may seem, a ride aboard one of New Orleans’ historic streetcars is the perfect way to sit back, relax and explore the city on a budget. From the Riverfront to City Park and all along St. Charles Avenue, the streetcar takes you throughout New Orleans. Explore all of the fun attractions, activities and eats to-do along the various streetcar routes using our streetcar itinerary.
S: Discover Mardi Gras Super Krewes at Mardi Gras World
Learn all about the Super Krewes of Mardi Gras with a tour of Mardi Gras World. The museum houses floats from years past where you can get an up-close view all while learning the history behind the ultimate New Orleans celebration.
T: Take a Guided Tour of New Orleans
With so much to explore and unlock, a great way to navigate NOLA is with a guided tour of the city. No matter what you’re most interested in there’s probably a tour made especially for it. Cuisine, architecture, heritage + history, swamps and even cocktails! The choice is yours. Explore our collections of self-guided neighborhood walking tours here.
U: Find Unique Shopping on Magazine Street and Beyond
Just as unique as the city, shopping in New Orleans is sure to be filled with one-of-a-kind finds and fun. Magazine Street is known for its darling boutiques and antique shops, Canal Place is perfect for high-end luxury items, and the historic Bayou Road is home to a number of eclectic Black-Owned businesses and shops.
V: Learn About Voodoo History and Culture in New Orleans
Forget what you think you know about Voodoo. New Orleans has you covered on the true history, customs and culture that go into this sacred practice.
The National World War II Museum has been ranked as a top museum in the world consecutively for several years. Historic artifacts, musical shows, 4D movies and interactive experiences will keep you entertained for hours.
X: Explore Xavier University and HBCU Culture in New Orleans
New Orleans is home to a rich tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with Xavier University of Louisiana at its heart. Experience the university’s legacy and explore the broader HBCU culture that shapes the city through campus events, cultural programs, athletics, and traditions.
Y: Practice Yoga at the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Yoga might not be unique to New Orleans, but doing down dogs in City Park’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden certainly is. Yoga in the park is just one of the many offerings, attractions, and activities that you can get lost in. From the New Orleans Museum of Art to the sculpture gardens and City Putt, there’s plenty to experience at City Park.
Z: Visit Audubon Zoo in New Orleans
The perfect outing for families, couples, or just a group of animal-lovers is a trip to the Audubon Zoo. Lions to lemurs, and elephants to anteaters all call Audubon home. For indoor nature experiences, visit the Audubon Aquarium or Audubon Insectarium located downtown.
You'll never run out of things to explore and do in New Orleans! If you're limited on time, three or four days can cover the basics. The more days you add, the more you'll get to experience authentic New Orleans.
Three to four days lets you cover the essentials without rushing. Two days is enough for the French Quarter and one or two meals you'll remember. Five days or more opens up the Garden District, City Park, Algiers Point, and a swamp tour beyond the city limits.
New Orleans is best known for Mardi Gras, jazz, and Creole and Cajun cooking. It's the birthplace of jazz, home to the country's largest free festival in Mardi Gras, and the origin point of dishes including gumbo, jambalaya, po-boys, and beignets.
What is the best time of year to visit New Orleans?
February through May is the sweet spot, with mild weather and the heaviest festival calendar, including Mardi Gras, French Quarter Fest, and Jazz Fest. October and November bring cooler air and smaller crowds. Summer can be hot and humid, but hotel rates drop, and the city stays busy with ESSENCE Festival and Satchmo SummerFest.
Plenty of the city's best experiences cost nothing. Wander Jackson Square and the French Market, catch street performers on Royal Street, walk the Mississippi riverfront, tour the Garden District's architecture on foot, and hear live music spilling out of French Quarter doorways.
The French Quarter, Marigny, and the Central Business District are highly walkable and connect easily on foot. For the Garden District, City Park, and Uptown, the streetcar, the Algiers Ferry, and Blue Bikes bike share cover nearly everything a visitor needs without a car.
The short list: beignets, gumbo, a po-boy, red beans and rice, char-grilled oysters, and a praline. Crawfish is seasonal, running roughly January through June, and a King Cake is only available between January 6 and Mardi Gras day.
