New Orleans – a three-century-old city deeply rooted in its culture while it so beautifully embraces everything that is new. It is a city that has preserved every bit of its past and takes it along in its journey to become a millennial city and one of the most sought-after world tourist destination. If you have not been to New Orleans, you haven’t really seen the world enough.
When it comes to traveling, we talk about two things – places to visit and things to do. Visiting places will give you some glimpses of the place you visit. However, most of it gives you a rather superficial feel. Instead, if you get to involve into some activity, be a part of it, it will help you to experience the place and give you moments that will remain etched in your heart all through your life. Not all tourist spots give you such experience. But, New Orleans does. So let us see the things to do in New Orleans that will add a completely new dimension to your trip.
Top things to do in New Orleans that you must try
1. Attend the Jazz & Heritage Festival
Image Courtesy: concertfix.com
New Orleans is the birthplace of the famous American music – Jazz. Jazz music is an integral part of the culture of this city and will take you very close to its roots. The Jazzfest attracts five lakh visitors every year and it is one of the things to do in New Orleans. It will surely prove to be a life-defining moment for you if you are a music lover. And even if you are not a music lover, you can surely groove with the crowd and feel the beat right inside your hear and enjoy some of the delectable dishes at the restaurants of New Orleans. Block your dates for the coming year… Jazzfest is coming to rock you on 5th of May 2023.
Must Read: The Largest Mall In USA Is All Set To Open & It’s The ‘American Dream’ You Always Wished For!
Looking To Book An International Holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
2. Spend a few days at the French Quarter Festival
Image Courtesy: chuckcredo.com
A four-day event that takes place during summers at the French Quarter is marked with completely unadulterated and unlimited music, food and fun. If you’re looking for some cool things to do in New Orleans French Quarter, you shouldn’t miss this one. The entire place comes to live with bands performing at every corner of the streets and the finest of the restaurants putting up their stall to serve people with their delectable platters. Scheduled on the second week of April, this festival aims at giving the tourists the real feel of the city that knows how to live life to the fullest.
Suggested Read: 10 Incredible Places To Visit In New Orleans On Your Trip With Family And Friends
3. Lose yourself in the fun Mardi Gras carnival
Image Courtesy: media4news.com
The ever so magnanimous and larger than live carnival that takes place in New Orleans is Mardi Grass, which is undoubtedly among the fun things to do in New Orleans for couples. It starts on the Twelfth Night from the Christmas that is 6th of January. Its inception dates back to the year 1699. It has some specific streaks that are being carried on through the centuries. A lot of stories revolve around each and every tradition, for example, Flambeaux lighting up the carnival sky during the Mardi Gras parade ever since 1857, the special story behind King Cakes, Twelfth Night that marks the beginning of Mardi Gras and so on.
You get to see the rich culture and heritage of this city at the best. The three-century-old city that has so many stories to tell gets unwrapped in front of the visitors as each and every event unravels itself. The city puts on the crown and boasts its most enchanting self to the visitors. If you happen to visit New Orleans during the winters, make sure not to miss Mardi Gras.
Suggested Read: You Can Enjoy A FREE ENTRY To The Public Gardens In The USA This Month & Here’s How!
4. Walk with the dead and get some edgy experience at Voodoo Museum
While the rest of the world tries to put everything related to the dark, black magic or such things under the carpet, the beauty of this city is that it wears its dark history like a badge. Home to the deadliest black magic Voodoo that was brought to this land by an African slave, New Orleans is proud to share the experience of the occult and dark with its visitor. In a peculiar trend, the city has all its cemeteries constructed above the ground instead of putting it under the ground. There are many hunted tours, walks through the cemeteries and visit to the Voodoo Museum that will make you live those moments, walk with the dead and get some edgy experience. This is one of the things to do in New Orleans at night.
Suggested Read: Toronto Nightlife: 10 Hotspots For An Electrifying Night
5. Explore the glorious history of the city
Image Courtesy: nps.gov
What is the point in visiting a historical place, if you don’t come to know about its magnanimous journey through the ages? All the events that have given the city its unique character has been curated by the city with a lot of care. Delve deep into the city’s cultural and historical layers to get the true essence of the city. Political history, cultural history, music history, and architecture – every aspect has a distinct story of its evolution. You can explore Chalmette Battlefield, Basin Street Station, Lafayette Cemetery, St. Louis Cathedral, Garden district etc on your historical journey through New Orleans. This is one of the essential things to do in New Orleans.
Suggested Read: The USA Gets Its First Dark Sky Reserve In Idaho & It’s A Visual Treat For Stargazers
6. Enjoy a boat ride in The Swaps
Image Courtesy: fattiretours.com
The city is surrounded by water bodies that give you some exotic wet and wild experience. You can enjoy boat rides to get up and close with water animals such as alligators and snakes while maneuvering your boat through the water body strewn generously with trees and green growth all around.
While the swamp takes you in an exotic ride, spending some time on the Mississippi River will have a tranquilizing effect on your nerves. The silently flowing river has been a witness to the changing times of this city since its very inception. Take a cruise or a steamer boat ride on the river and just feel the calmness that the river exudes.
7. Treat the art lover within at Museum of Art
The Museum that began with merely nine pieces is now home to atleast 40,000 works of art. It showcases Asian and European works from 16th & 20th centuries. Adjacent to the museum is a park which holds 64 sculptures created by the artists that you cannot afford to miss out on! This is one of the best things to do in New Orleans in june.
Further Read: 15 Best Beaches In USA That Will Awaken Your Inner Water Baby In No Time!
The city is too old to be encapsulated in a brief write up such as this one. There are a lot more to explore and enjoy which you will get to know when you set foot in the city. So be prepared to celebrate ‘good times’ in New Orleans and plan your US trip with TravelTriangle right away. Bon Voyage!
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Looking To Book A Holiday Package?
Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
A journalism graduate with a love for reading, writing, and travel, Kiran has trekked through various offbeat paths in the Himalayas. She writes travel stories and indulges in landscape photography every now and then, which, considering where you’re reading this, makes perfect sense.
