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.
Dancing - Rockin Dopsie & The Zydeco Twisters - Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do Do Stage - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2015
A: Attend a Festival
No matter the time of year or what you’re most interested in, in New Orleans, there’s a fest for that! From mega-festivals like Jazz Fest and ESSENCE to smaller neighborhood festivals like Gentilly Fest and Bayou Bacchanal, there’s always something to attend in the Crescent City.
B: Beignets
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. Check out a few of our favorites here.
C: Crawfish Boil
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.
D: Dine Around
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.
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp - Morrow’s
E: Engage with Locals
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: French Quarter
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.
G: Garden District
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.
New Orleans Garden District
H: Hurricane from 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: Irish Channel
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: Jackson Square
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: King Cake
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.
Treme Brass Band at d.b.a.
L: Live Music
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: Mardi Gras Indians
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: 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.
Steamboat Natchez
O: Outdoor Activities
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: 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: Queen of Creole Cuisine
The iconic Mrs. 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 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.
St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
S: Super Krewes
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: Tours
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.
U: Unique Shopping
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: Voodoo
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.
National World War II Museum
W: World War II Museum
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.
Y: Yoga in the 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: Zoo
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.
Compiled by NewOrleans.com, the city's official destination marketing organization.
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.
