posted on July 9, 2026
New Orleans (affectionately known as “The Big Easy”) in Louisiana is a clash of Creole and Cajun culture. In fact, this US city is shaped by French, Spanish, West African, and Southern influences, creating a vibrant and distinctive identity.
When it comes to the best things to see in New Orleans, it’s important to look beyond the French Quarter (widely considered the city’s cultural heartbeat). From music spilling out into the streets to signature soul food dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, New Orleans is a famed destination for foodies, music lovers, and history buffs alike.
In this guide, we’ll be covering:
- What you need to know before visiting New Orleans
- The best things to see in New Orleans
- Top things to do for every kind of traveler
- Frequently asked questions
What you need to know before visiting New Orleans
New Orleans is a bustling city: it’s the birthplace of jazz, the US home to Mardi Gras, and boasts rich historic and cultural roots. Before visiting New Orleans, brush up on these top tips.
- Closest airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is approximately 30 minutes from the French Quarter. On Turo, you can rent a car for pick-up directly from the MSY terminal’s permitted parking locations for a smooth start to your trip.
- Best time to visit New Orleans: February to May is widely considered the best time to visit New Orleans. The weather is mild, the French Quarter Festival and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival are happening, and crawfish season is in full swing.
- What you’ll love about New Orleans: The city’s rich blend of French, Spanish, and African influences means New Orleans is best known for its delicious Creole cuisine, stunning European-inspired architecture, and world-class live jazz music.
- Getting around: The French Quarter and neighboring areas are very walkable. The historic St. Charles streetcar line is a scenic and affordable way to reach the Garden District and Uptown. A car is useful for day trips beyond the city and reaching areas not covered by the streetcar. Browse Turo to discover vehicles available to rent in New Orleans.
- Heat and humidity warning: New Orleans summers are intensely hot and humid; June through September regularly exceeds 95°F with high humidity. Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening.
- Carry cash: Many smaller bars, some restaurants and legendary French Market shops like Café Du Monde are cash-only.
The best things to see in New Orleans
From historic streets and grand architecture to live jazz, local markets, and celebrated restaurants, New Orleans offers no shortage of memorable attractions. Knowing which sights to prioritize can help you make the most of your visit.
1. The French Quarter
Slow down and stroll your way through the French Quarter, the historic center of New Orleans’ and the city’s most visited spot. Across a 13-block grid, you’ll find an abundance of 18th and 19th-century buildings, each boasting iron-lace balconies, hidden courtyards, and capturing the soulful energy of New Orleans.
Head to Bourbon Street for jazz clubs, bars, and a neon-drenched street that draws massive crowds, with party-goers hopping between venues with plastic “go-cups”. Royal Street offers a more elevated experience and the most architecturally stunning block in the quarter, while the French Market is a must-visit for food vendors, souvenirs, and crafts from local artists.
- Best for: Breathtaking architecture, live jazz performances, and historic open-air markets
- Don’t miss: Grabbing beignets at the iconic Café Du Monde, a pillowy fried doughnut dusted with powdered sugar. Don’t forget to bring cash!
- Best time to visit: Early morning, before the crowds and heat of the day; the Quarter at 8 am has a completely different energy.
Tip from the author: Royal Street is the French Quarter’s most beautiful and least rowdy stretch. Gallery hop in the morning, then walk one block over to Bourbon Street if you want to see the contrast.
2. Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral
History buffs: there’s a reason over 2 million tourists and locals visit Jackson Square every year. The 2.5-acre square is one of the most recognizable landmarks in New Orleans, even earning National Landmark status in 1960.
The public plaza is set overlooking the Mississippi River, located next to the iconic St. Louis Cathedral (one of the oldest cathedrals in the US) as well as historical sites like the Cabildo and Presbytère museums. Throughout the square, you’ll also find everything from live jazz to magicians to tarot card readers, making this a vibrant gathering spot in the heart of the French Quarter.
- Best for: Epic street performers, historic architecture, and lush landscaped gardens
- Don’t miss: Local painters and artists showcasing their work along the square’s cast-iron fence (a perfect chance to stock up on local souvenirs).
3. Café Du Monde and beignets
This is one of the great food pilgrimages in the US and deserves its own slot as a must-see spot in New Orleans.
Established in 1862, Café du Monde on Decatur Street has been serving hot beignets dusted in powdered sugar and café au lait (French for “coffee with milk”) for decades. It’s the original French Market coffee stand in New Orleans, serving up dark-roasted Chicory Coffee (cut with the root of a chicory plant, famous for its woody and nutty flavor).
If the lines are too long at Café Du Monde, consider venturing to Café Beignet, Morning Call Coffee Stand, or Loretta’s Authentic Pralines (each known for serving up delicious beignets).
- Best for: Specialty sweet treats and a quintessential New Orleans dining experience
4. Frenchmen Street
Are you a fan of brass, jazz, and blues? Look no further than Frenchmen Street, situated in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. While Bourbon Street is a hot spot for visitors, Frenchmen Street has a distinctly local feel, brimming with jazz clubs, bars, and restaurants.
Live music fans: head to The Spotted Cat Music Club for world-class jazz acts, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro for a sit-down supper club experience, or d.b.a. New Orleans for craft beer with a side of brass and blues.
- Best for: Iconic jazz clubs, late-night eats, and open-air night markets
- Don’t miss: The Frenchmen Art Bazaar, an incredible market running nightly after dark.
- Best time: After 9 pm on weekends.
5. Preservation Hall
Want to step back in time and experience one of the most iconic live music venues in the world? Preservation Hall is a must-see. For over six decades, this venue has been hosting traditional New Orleans jazz performances. Expect a rustic, intimate space where you’ll sit down feet away from world-class musicians while enjoying unplugged acoustic sets.
What’s unique about Preservation Hall is that no food, drinks, or photography is permitted. The space is small and shows usually run around 45minutes. For jazz music fans, hearing a full brass band perform in such a cozy space is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.
- Best for: Intimate, live acoustic jazz performances in a rustic 1960s French Quarter venue
- How to book: Tickets available at preservationhall.com; make sure to book well in advance as spots tend to sell out fast.
6. The Garden District
Enjoy strolling through lush gardens, oak-shaded streets, and spotting 19th-century mansions? The Garden District is one of the most spectacular areas in the South. Meander along Prytania Street and St. Charles Avenue or visit the galleries and high-end shopping dotted along Magazine Street.
Another must-visit spot is the historic 1833 Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. It’s one of the city’s most famous above-ground cemeteries, featured in numerous iconic films and works of literature.
- Best for: Breathtaking mansions, lush oak trees, and upscale shopping and dining
- Don’t miss: The district’s historic architecture, including a mix of Greek Revival and Victorian mansions (such as Buckner Mansion, featured on American Horror Story).
Tip from the author: The St. Charles streetcar line is one of the oldest continuously operating streetcar lines in the world. Riding it from the French Quarter through the Garden District and into Uptown is a scenic journey not to be missed.
7. The National WWII Museum
Situated in the city center of New Orleans you’ll find The National WWII Museum (one of the best museums in the United States). This world-class institution showcases America’s experience of World War II through a mix of immersive exhibits, period artifacts, and even large-scale installations.
This museum tends to exceed first-time visitors’ expectations, located in the Warehouse Arts District (just a short walk or streetcar ride from the French Quarter).
- Best for: History buffs curious about the American war effort in WWII
- How long to allow: 4 hours minimum; a full day for those with serious interest
8. The Mississippi River and Steamboat Natchez
Ready to venture along the Mighty Mississippi? The Mississippi River is one of the most defining spots in New Orleans (fun fact: the city bends around it, leading to its affectionate name of “Crescent City”).
There are endless ways to experience the river: stroll along the riverfront Moonwalk promenade for city views or take the Steamboat Natchez (one of the last authentic steam-powered sternwheelers operating on the river). Expect two hours of traditional jazz, delicious Cajun and Creole eats, and panoramic views of the historic French Quarter.
- Best for: A two-hour journey through the rich maritime history of New Orleans
- Don’t miss: The free Algiers Ferry across the river to the Algiers Point neighborhood; it’s an underrated way to see the river and the city from the water.
9. City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art
Spread over 1,300 acres, City Park is New Orleans’s largest park. Here you’ll find 800-year-old live oak trees, lagoons, world-class museums and more.
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is a must-visit, and its adjacent Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free and set among a spectacular collection of oak trees. If you’re traveling with kids, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park will keep the whole family entertained. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab your beignet fix away from the French Quarter crowds by visiting Café du Monde’s City Park location.
- Best for: Ancient oak trees, fine arts galleries, and family fun
- Don’t miss: The Besthoff Sculpture Garden; it’s free and beautiful.
10. A swamp tour
This has to be one of the most distinctly Louisiana experiences to try in New Orleans. Book a boat tour through the swamp ecosystems that surround the city and spot alligators, herons, and turtles in their natural habitat. Consider booking with a highly regarded operator such as The Honey Island Swamp Tour (located roughly an hour from New Orleans). Plus, aim to secure a morning tour for the best wildlife viewing and more pleasant temperatures.
- Best for: Nature lovers looking to experience the best of Louisiana’s untamed wetlands
- Booking: Book in advance as popular tours fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
Top things to do in New Orleans for every kind of traveler
From live music to delicious beignets, no matter the occasion, there is so much to see and do in New Orleans.
For music lovers
Iconic jazz, soulful blues, and vibrant funk music make New Orleans a must-visit destination for music lovers. In addition to the New Orleans Jazz Museum, check out:
- Frenchmen Street jazz clubs on a weekend evening: Don’t miss iconic clubs like Snug Harbor, The Spotted Cat, and Blue Nile.
- Preservation Hall for traditional New Orleans jazz: It’s an unmissable, intimate, acoustic experience.
- Bourbon Street for a different (rowdier) live music experience: Expect that party to spill out onto the street!
- Jazz Fest (late April/early May) or Essence Fest (July) for major festivals: Two unmissable moments on New Orleans’ live music calendar.
For food lovers
New Orleans is a melting pot of French, African, Caribbean, and Spanish influences, making it a must-see destination for foodies.
- Beignets and café au lait at Café du Monde: An iconic Southern sweet treat.
- Classic Creole cuisine (gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, po’boys): Expect rich flavors and unique ingredient combinations.
- Commander’s Palace in the Garden District: One of the great American restaurant institutions, it’s a famed Big Easy dining experience operating since 1893.
- The crawfish boil experience (spring season, late January–June): A messy, communal cultural event not to be missed.
For families
From parklands to family-friendly festivals, the kids will love a trip to New Orleans.
- Audubon Aquarium of the Americas on the riverfront: Don’t miss the large walk-through underwater tunnel.
- City Park Carousel Gardens and miniature railway: Take a scenic 2-mile journey through majestic oak trees.
- The National WWII Museum (suitable for older children and teens): An informative and educational historic experience.
Frequently asked questions about visiting New Orleans
What is New Orleans most known for?
New Orleans is most famous for its live jazz and brass band music scene, Mardi Gras (the annual carnival celebration), its deeply distinctive Creole and Cajun cuisine, and the historic French Quarter. The city’s unique cultural blend (drawing from French, Spanish, West African, Caribbean, and Southern influences) has produced a character unlike anywhere else in the US.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) offer the most pleasant weather. Mardi Gras (February or March) and Jazz Fest (late April/early May) are the two peak festival periods; bustling but expensive and crowded, so plan ahead. Summer (June–August) is hot, humid, and rainy, but offers lower hotel prices and a more local atmosphere.
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
Three to four days is a solid first visit to New Orleans: enough to cover the French Quarter, the Garden District, Frenchmen Street, a museum, and several excellent meals. A second visit typically goes deeper: more neighborhoods, day trips to the bayou, and longer evenings following the music.
Is New Orleans safe for tourists?
New Orleans is a major tourist city and the French Quarter, Garden District, and Frenchmen Street areas are well-trafficked and generally safe during the day and in the evening. As with any city, exercise standard urban awareness: be mindful of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas at night, and ask your accomodation for neighborhood-specific advice.
Is New Orleans walkable?
The French Quarter, Frenchmen Street, and the lower Garden District are all very walkable. The St. Charles streetcar line extends the walkable range significantly. A car is helpful for reaching City Park, the Warehouse District, and swamp tour departure points. For the most flexibility (including day trips to the bayou or plantation houses along the River Road), having a car in New Orleans is the best option.
Want to drive to Louisiana? Experience the Houston to New Orleans drive, one of America’s great Southern road trips.
Explore New Orleans at your own pace with Turo
New Orleans is a city that opens up the longer you stay and the further you wander from the obvious. The music is louder on Frenchmen Street, the food is better away from the tourist menus, and the neighborhoods beyond the Quarter have a quiet magic that most visitors never discover.
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Lucinda Starr
Lucinda Starr is a travel and automotive writer with 5+ years of firsthand experience road-tripping across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. She writes road trip guides for Turo, drawing on her experience behind the wheel to share practical insights on long-distance drives, destinations, and vehicles. Her travels have taken her across Australia’s East Coast, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, and both islands of New Zealand. One of her most memorable journeys was an 11-day, 2,600+ km route from Auckland to Punakaiki and Queenstown. Lucinda has a particular passion for classic, rugged 4WD vehicles and the freedom they bring to exploring new places.
