Things to do in New Orleans (because there’s more to the city than Mardi Gras)

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

Think New Orleans is just about Mardi Gras?  Think again.  Here are my suggestions of things to do in this vibrant city.

New Orleans.  The American city that stole my heart.

Yes, New Orleans is known for Mardi Gras.  But there’s so much more to the city than that.

NOLA, as it’s affectionately called, has both verve and personality.  There’s colourful architecture, flavourful food, and soulful music that seems to emanate from every fold and crevice of the city.

And then… There’s the Southern hospitality (and accents) which can’t help but make you smile.  There’s the rich history, which is absolutely captivating. And, of course, there’s the beauty and tenacity of the city’s people, who have survived the worst (Hurricane Katrina), and yet have still managed to turn lemons into lemonade.

Y’all, I have SO many things to say about New Orleans, but so little time and space.

Liebling and I travelled there last month on assignment for the tourism board and let me tell you– they kept us busy with loads of activities.

However, to keep things organized and (semi) succinct, in this post I’m only going to share my top picks for things to do in New Orleans besides going to Mardi Gras.  Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll chronicle where and what to eat in this amazing city!

Why you should visit New Orleans, Lousiana

Hold up. Did you read my intro?  The city is gorgeous and exciting and vibrant and tasty (OMG I ATE SO MUCH FOOD WHILE I WAS THERE). The historical center is also pretty compact, making New Orleans the perfect long weekend trip.

Moreover, there are loads of things to do and see in New Orleans– what I liked the best was that there was something for every age level and interest.

Because I know what you’re thinking:  New Orleans is a party city strictly for youngins.

Don’t get me wrong, though.  New Orleanians know how to throw down.  But as someone who a) doesn’t drink alcohol and b) likes to go to bed early (#GrandmaTings)  I was pleasantly surprised by the range of interesting activities that didn’t involve partying ’til the wee hours of the morn.

It’s not only for frat boys looking to blow off steam; the city is so much more than Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras.

So without any ado, here are my recommendations for things to do in New Orleans.

What to see and do in New Orleans, Lousiana

Walk around the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street.  Let’s start with one of the easiest and cheapest things to do in New Orleans, shall we? New Orleans’ French Quarter and Frenchmen Street are visually stunning architecturally, not least because of their comely colonial architecture. Once under French and Spanish rule, the blend of architectural styles, with a dash of American Victorian thrown in, makes the whole area a sight for sore eyes (and ridiculously Instagram-mable).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdAVIx3nMpg/?taken-by=oneikatraveller

And if all the visual stimulation weren’t enough, there’s enough happening in the streets to keep you entertained sonically.  From buskers to “second lines” (outdoor parades replete with marching bands and spontaneous energy like nothing you’ve seen), the wide array of free entertainment available will quite literally have you dancing in the street.

Do an organized tour (by foot or by segway). If you want a deeper understanding of the city’s architecture, history, and vibe, I have two organized tours for you.  The New Orleans Segway Experience Tour was a bit daunting at first, but it was fun to see New Orleans’ most popular sights whilst perched atop a motorized vehicle.

The Faubourg Marigny Walking Tour took us past old Creole mansions and through the Creole suburb known as The Marigny, all while explaining legacy of the Haitian refugees and Free People of Colour that once populated the area.

Go on a food tour and stuff yourself with local cuisine. Po’ Boy sandwiches.  Beignets.  Crawfish etoufee. There’s so much great food in New Orleans that a long weekend isn’t enough to try them all. Trying to scope out the best places to eat in such a short amount of time can be also be, well, trying… If not completely intimidating.

This is why I heartily recommend doing a food tour to “get your bearings”; it rates high on my list of things to do in New Orleans (or any city I’m visiting, really). I generally enjoy doing food tours because a) someone has already picked where we’re going to eat (I am soooo indecisive!) and b) I get to sample loads of different foods, many of which I wouldn’t have normally tried.

We did the Dr. Gumbo Food History Tour, which not only offers a delicious journey through New Orleans, but also has a lot of information about Louisiana’s rich culinary history. A quick FYI, though: there are up to 7 stops on this tour– and the portions are pretty sizable– so come hungry.

Do a cemetery tour. The Dead Sexy St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 & Storyville Walking Tour took us through the city’s oldest above-ground cemetery, one of the most attractive and well-known burial grounds in the U.S. The tour also explained how the practice of voodoo came to the city and took us to view the final resting place of Marie Laveau, the so-called Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.

See a jazz show (or three).  Jazz music is a way of life in New Orleans, so not seeing a jazz show while there is a major disservice.  We attended a performance at the Jazz Playhouse by Michael Watson & The Alchemy and it was exquisite.

Visit Mardi Gras World.  You can’t come to the home of Mardi Gras and not visit Mardi Gras World! Here you can learn the story of how and why this epic parade started in New Orleans.  However, my favourite part by far was getting to snoop around in the warehouse where they construct all the floats.

Party on Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street.  No trip to NOLA is complete without at least a stroll along Bourbon and Frenchmen Streets after dark! It’s the ultimate sensory experience and not one to be missed.  If partying ain’t really your thing, go for the people watching– I promise it won’t disappoint!

Where to stay in New Orleans

A short stay in New Orleans likely means you’ll want to be in the thick of the action.  We stayed at the Royal Sonesta, a luxury property located smack on Bourbon Street. While I had my reservations about staying right on “the party street” (I figured it would be noisy), it wasn’t an issue at all.  

 

The Royal Sonesta was not only spacious and well-appointed, but went all out with their Christmas decorations.  You know I love a great backdrop, so I couldn’t resist getting my picture with one of the trees!  

 

Working with a lower budget? Search for accommodation outside of the French Quarter as it will be far cheaper.  However, if possible, try to refrain from using Airbnb: while it’s completely legal outside of the French Quarter, it contributes to a long-term housing shortage which is pricing residents out of the area.

After all, tourism is great (and necessary to the livelihood of the city), but not when it has negative effects on the locals who make the destination awesome in the first place!  Please read this article for more insight on the effect of Airbnb on the New Orleans rental market.

New Orleans is the perfect weekend getaway

There’s no doubt about it: NOLA’s got it going on.  More importantly, as evidenced above, it has something for everyone. I repeat: it has something for everyone! There are so many things to do in New Orleans no matter the age, taste, or interest.  So if you were hesitating about putting it on your travel list: don’t.  New Orleans is a place to visit again and again.

Are you a foodie? Stayed tuned for my next post in this series, where I’ll show you all the things I ate in New Orleans!

Have you ever been to NOLA?  Would you like to go?  And do you have any additional recommendations for what to do or see?

PIN and SHARE with all your friends!

This content was created in partnership with Visit New Orleans, but all opinions expressed are my own.

SHARING IS CARING

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

124 Comments

  • Great, its really amazing place and that building is looking so amazing. Great photos you shared of that beautiful place.

  • I went to New Orleans for Jazz Fest the first time and got hooked. It’ll turn anybody into a foodie. The beignets at Cafe DuMond are an experience in themselves! And I’d recommend a fancy brunch at Brennan’s and some time checking out the art galleries on Magazine Street. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

    • Ooh, merci for all these recs! Now I have yet another few reasons to go back!

  • Great post! I’m going back in July. Do you mind if I tag this article in my blog post? I started my blog mainly to keep track of my travels and to use it as an outlet to feed my travel bug. Can’t wait to see the next post about what you ate while in NOLA.

    • Thanks so much! Yes, please feel free to tag!! And I ate WAY too much lol.

  • I fell so much in love with New Orleans, I moved there. Thanks so much for mentioning about Airbnb its a problem in many cities. Landlords have stopped renting apartments to tenants and only doing Airbnb. There are very interesting walking tours offered also. New Orleans is a walking city, it has a very good public transportation system that’s reasonable. I enjoy eating at The Palm Court owned by a woman whose husband owned a jazz record label. Love peering into the Courtyards as I walk to where I have to go. Had a Dominos delivery at 2am.

  • One of my favorite cities. You captured it well. What’s interesting is I have never had a desire to go during Mardi Gras or the Essence Festival but I have been at least 5 times including for New Years twice.

  • Sooo happy you did this piece on my fave city!! And you stayed at one of my fave hotels too! The Richelieu is another great hotel walking distance from Frenchnan St and the French Market. Check out The Rock ‘n Bowl fir a bowling experience like no other!!

  • ‘Love the piece.

    I haven’t been to this part of America yet, but I would certainly want to! I’ve seen enough of the French Quarter on “American Horror Story” and “The Originals” to want to see the locations myself. Am I weird to be interested, only ‘cos of the historical horror aspect rather than the music?

    Ah well, I’m into Puritan Salem too. Eek!

  • Found your post interesting to read. This article is really effective too. Good Luck for the upcoming update. – shirdi flight package, best shirdi tour package from chennai

  • It looks a wee bit colder there than when we went! We were there in August, and I was wearing as little clothing as possible and sweating from more orifices than I knew I possessed 😉

  • One of my favorite cities. You captured it well. I have been at least 5 times including for New Years twice.

  • New Orleans is one of my favorite cities to visit! I visit the city almost yearly and find myself always trying something new and different. Great work on your article. It was well thought out and had valuable content. Whenever you are in Austin Texas, be sure to check out my blogs for things to do. https://nautisideboatrentals.com/blogs/

  • I do accept as true with all the ideas you’ve introduced in your post.

    They’re really convincing and can certainly
    work. Still, the posts are very short for novices.
    May you please prolong them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.

  • Hi, I wish for to subscribe for this web site to get
    latest updates, thus where can i do it please help.

  • Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?

    I mean, what you say is valuable and everything.
    But think about if you added some great photos or video
    clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content
    is excellent but with images and videos, this blog could certainly be
    one of the most beneficial in its field. Terrific blog!

  • I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.

    I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

  • Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your site.

    You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.

    Please send me an e-mail if interested. Regards!

  • I think what you composed was very logical.
    However, consider this, what if you composed a
    catchier title? I mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your website, but what if you added a headline that
    makes people want more? I mean Things to do in New Orleans (because there's
    more to the city than Mardi Gras) – Oneika the Traveller is a little plain. You could glance at Yahoo’s home page and
    note how they create article headlines to grab people to open the links.
    You might add a related video or a related picture
    or two to get people excited about everything’ve
    written. Just my opinion, it could make your blog a little livelier.

  • Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came
    to go back the prefer?.I’m attempting to in finding issues to enhance my site!I suppose its adequate
    to make use of a few of your ideas!!

  • Hello to every one, the contents existing at this site are really awesome
    for people experience, well, keep up the good work fellows.

  • I do believe all the concepts you have introduced to your post.

    They’re really convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are very brief for novices.
    May you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

  • Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger,
    and I was wondering your situation; we have developed
    some nice methods and we are looking to trade solutions with others, why not shoot me an email if interested.

  • you’re in reality a excellent webmaster. The website loading pace is incredible.
    It kind of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick.
    Also, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a excellent process on this subject!

  • I enjoy what you guys are up too. Such clever work and coverage!
    Keep up the superb works guys I’ve included you guys to my
    blogroll.

  • I simply could not leave your web site before suggesting that I really loved the standard information a person provide
    for your visitors? Is going to be again ceaselessly in order to investigate cross-check new posts

  • May I simply just say what a relief to find somebody that truly knows what they are discussing on the net.

    You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make
    it important. More people really need to check this out and understand this side of
    your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular
    since you definitely have the gift.

  • Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer,
    it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, very good blog!

  • Spot on with this write-up, I really feel this website needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the information!

  • Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your
    site on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you
    present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded
    on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..

    Anyways, very good site!

  • Heya this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding knowledge so I wanted
    to get guidance from someone with experience.
    Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  • I do believe all of the ideas you have presented for your
    post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are too short for starters. Could you please extend them a little from subsequent time?
    Thank you for the post.

  • Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us valuable information to work
    on. You have done a outstanding job!

  • I go to see daily a few web pages and blogs to read
    content, except this blog provides quality based
    writing.

  • Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am inspired!
    Very helpful information particularly the final phase 🙂 I maintain such info a lot.
    I used to be seeking this particular information for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  • If some one wants to be updated with newest technologies then he must be go to see this site and be up to date everyday.

  • Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of info on your page.

    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hi there, You have performed a great job. I will certainly digg
    it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m sure they will
    be benefited from this web site.

  • Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I in finding It truly useful & it helped
    me out a lot. I hope to offer something again and help others
    such as you helped me.

  • We are a group of volunteers and starting a brand
    new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us
    with valuable information to work on. You have performed a formidable process and
    our whole neighborhood can be thankful to you.

  • Hi, I desire to subscribe for this website to take hottest updates, so where can i do it please assist.

  • Greetings I am so happy I found your site,
    I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Google for
    something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to
    say cheers for a incredible post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I
    don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and
    also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read
    much more, Please do keep up the great b.

  • It’s very effortless to find out any matter on web as compared to textbooks, as I found this
    paragraph at this site.

  • It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things
    or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I desire to read even more things about it!

  • Excellent goods from you, man. I have bear in mind your stuff previous to and you’re just too great. I really like what you have acquired right here, really like what you’re stating and the best way during which you are saying it. You’re making it entertaining and you continue to care for to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read much more from you. That is actually a great web site.

  • It’s actually a great and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  • That is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.Simple but very precise info… Thanks for sharingthis one. A must read post!

  • Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!Extremely useful information specifically the final part I care for such info a lot.I used to be looking for this certain info for a very lengthytime. Thanks and good luck.

  • I really like and appreciate your blog.Really thank you! Really Cool.

  • Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It as on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!

  • wonderful issues altogether, you simply gained a emblem new reader. What could you recommend about your post that you simply made a few days in the past? Any certain?

  • Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you

  • It’s nearly impossible to find experienced people about this subject, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  • I read your whole Blog and I found that blog is full of informative content. I get all information that I want

  • Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before butafter browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me.Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I came across it and I’ll bebook-marking it and checking back frequently!

  • My name is Tom cam!!! i am very grateful sharing this great testimonies with you all, The best thing that has ever happened in my life,  is how i won the Powerball lottery. I do believe that someday i will win the Powerball lottery. Finally my dreams came through when i contacted Dr. OSE and tell him i needed the lottery winning special numbers cause i have come a long way spending money on ticket just to make sure i win. But i never knew that winning was so easy with the help of Dr. OSE, until the day i meant the spell caster testimony online, which a lot of people has talked about that he is very powerful and has great powers in casting lottery spell, so i decided to give it a try. I emailed Dr. OSE and he did a spell and gave me the winning lottery special numbers 62, and co-incidentally I have be playing this same number for the past 23years without any winning, But believe me when I play the special number 62 this time and the draws were out i was the mega winner because the special 62 matched all five white-ball numbers as well as the Powerball, in the April 4 drawing to win the $70 million jackpot prize…… Dr. OSE, truly you are the best, with Dr. OSE you can will millions of money through lottery. i am a living testimony and so very happy i meant him, and i will forever be grateful to him…… you can Email him for your own winning special lottery numbers now oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com OR WHATSAPP him +2348136482342
    http://www.facebook.com/Dr-odion-spell-temple-110513923938220

Comments are closed.