14 Top Tourist Attractions in New Orleans: A First-Timer’s Guide

The Big Easy is easy on fun: from steamboat rides on the Mississippi to guzzling Hand Grenades on Bourbon Street to elegant Southern mansions, New Orleans has it all. Whether you only have a weekend or a full week, make sure you hit these top tourist attractions in New Orleans!

For Americans, New Orleans is an easy long weekend getaway, perfect for girl’s trips, or an awesome spot to hit up on your own. Follow along for the top tourist attractions in New Orleans and where to find them.

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Map of Locations

Here is a full map of all locations mentioned in the post to give you a visual of the attractions. You can zoom in on the map to get better detail and plan your own list of activities to do in New Orleans.

Map provided by Wanderlog, for itineraries on iOS and Android

1. Eat a Bowl of Gumbo

You can’t go to New Orleans and not eat a bowl (or several) of gumbo. On the first night, I went to the Gumbo Shop in the heart of the French Quarter and fell in love with their gumbo. I was only in town for a few days, but you better believe I went back, possibly more than once. I tried the seafood gumbo (delivious), chicken andoullie gumbo (also delicious), and the Shrimp Creole (still delicious). The trend was…everything is delicious. Eat there.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

2. Take a Steamboat Ride

Take a boat ride on the Natchez steamboat down the Mississippi. Bonus points if you go for the brunch and jazz cruise. I opted for the brunch buffet and promptly stuffed myself with everything from cheesy grits to bread pudding…make sure you schedule some nap time after your ride. Also maybe hire someone to roll you out of there—yes, there’s that much food. And no, I have no willpower…

Food plus boat combines for one of the top tourist attractions in New Orleans.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

3. Explore the French Quarter

This is probably one of the most obvious top tourist attractions in New Orleans. My suggestion? Spend some quality time wandering around the streets, taking in the unique architecture, and checking out the shops. If you’re so inclined, there are some delicious food tours and really cool voodoo tours around the French Quarter. I ended up taking myself on a little mini photo tour of the area, and trust me, it was downright gorgeous.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

Pro tip: It’s best to avoid Bourbon Street in the morning before the cleaning trucks spray the street. It smells like a combination of beer, puke, and general disgustingness. Save that for later in the day, you’ll thank me.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

Really, just go to town snapping photos in the French Quarter–the houses are some of my faves around the world! For some other awesome colorful houses, check out Havana, Cuba and Burano, Italy. Yes, I know I have an obsession…

top tourist attractions in New Orleans

Yet another pretty house for your viewing pleasure…

top tourist attractions in New Orleans - French Quarter

4. Chill at Jackson Brewery

For some low key afternoon drinks, head to Jackson brewery and sip on some local brews. There’s an upper deck with river views. For the steamy NOLA days, hang out inside and make friends with the bartender. The bar brings in a ton of local beers from around Louisiana, so you can up your beer knowledge.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

5. Bar Crawl down Bourbon Street

Unless you live in a hole, you probably know that Bourbon Street is one of the top tourist attractions in New Orleans. Head here once the sun goes down, and grab some signature New Orleans drinks. Can’t miss beverages are the Hand Grenade, Purple Drank, and Hurricanes. If you’re feeling social, join a bar crawl down Bourbon.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

6. Listen to Jazz on Frenchman street

If you want a more authentic (read: less crazy) New Orleans experience than Bourbon Street, head over to Frenchmen Street. There’s amazing live jazz most nights; check out my favorite –the Spotted Cat!

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

7. Visit the Frenchmen Art Market

While you’re in the neighborhood, swing by the Frenchmen Art Market. I happened upon the market by surprise, but has such an awesome atmosphere. Twinkling white lights run overhead, music plays in the background, and the market features authentic art from local and regional artists. It’s a nice spot to take a break as you’re hopping from one jazz club to the next down.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

8. Tour an Above-Ground Cemetery

Stroll through the city’s famous above-ground tombs. Yes, it’s a bit creepy to go on a casual walk through a cemetery, but they tombs are embellished with incredibly ornate designs. You can walk wander through on your own, or take a guided tour of the cemetery, where you can learn about some of the city’s most infamous residents!

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

9. Eat at Café du Monde

Indulge in fresh beignets and café au lait to start your morning. For those that don’t know (I didn’t), beignets are deep fried pastries dipped in powdered sugar. I would highly recommend not wearing a dark shirt, because you will look like a powdered sugar covered disaster by the time you’re done. Arrive early, because the line will quickly be out the door! This is definitely one of the top tourist attractions in New Orleans.

Note: there are multiple locations of the legendary Café du Monde, so pick whichever location best fits with your itinerary.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

10. Take a Streetcar

Hop on a streetcar, and take an epic ride to another part of the city. It’s nice to give your legs a rest, as you get a new view of the city. I headed over to the Garden District to explore for the afternoon.

11. Wander through the Garden District

The Garden District is home to jaw-dropping Southern mansions. You can take a guided walking tour, but it’s also very easy to walk around gaping at the mansions on your own. In any case, the houses have some beautiful historic architecture.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

12. Watch the Street Musicians & Performers

Check out the quirky and eclectic street musicians and performers throughout New Orleans. My favorite was definitely the silver man that danced on  a crate…sounds a bit odd, but he was very captivating! There are also a ton of drummers, singers, and a whole host of other characters. For me, this was one of my highlights and definitely on the list of top tourist attractions in New Orleans.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

13. Visit Jackson Square

One of the iconic sites of New Orleans, Jackson Square is home to the St. Louis Cathedral. Fun fact: St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest Catholic Cathedral in continual use in the United States! It’s prominent positions overlooking Jackson Park makes it an iconic New Orleans site. If you’re craving some greenery or just want to check out some Big Easy history, definitely swing by the square during your visit.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

14. Relax in Armstrong Park

Located just across the street from the French Quarter, Armstrong Park honors the great jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Keep an eye out for the iconic arched entrance. Inside the park, there’s plenty of space to relax and unwind. Bring a book, and chill for a bit—especially after a long night out!

top tourist attractions in New Orleans - Armstrong Park

Logistics

Hotel Deals: My top choice is probably Expedia – I’ve found some insanely cheap (beautiful) hotels.  If you’re looking to avoid hotels, definitely check out VRBO! I would opt for a rental in the middle of the French Quarter. Personally, I ended up with an adorable little loft, conveniently located restaurants, Bourbon Street, and Frenchmen Street. I was able to walk everywhere at night without having to worry about a cab!

top tourist attractions in New Orleans - French Quarter

Cheap flights to New Orleans: I’d recommend searching through eDreams.net. They scan tons of different travel discount sites and feature special flight deals. You can typically find decent flights into New Orleans, and then it’s just an easy cab ride into the French Quarter.

Discover top tourist attractions in New Orleans! From steamboat rides to the French Quarter to live jazz, New Orleans has it all!

So, I hope you found this guide to the top tourist attractions in New Orleans helpful; it was seriously one of the most delicious and architecturally unique cities I’ve ever visited. If you haven’t been, it should definitely be on your bucket list!

top tourist attractions in New Orleans - French Quarter

 Tell me—have you visited New Orleans, Louisiana and loved it as much as me? What are your top tourist attractions in New Orleans? Let me know in the comments!

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40 Comments

  1. We hit 12 of your 14 list so am feeling pretty happy we covered NOLa. Great tip re avoiding Bourbon Street before clean-up and the Spotted Cat was also my fave. We stayed at Dauphine Orleans, a beautiful hotel with a checkered history. We absolutely loved New Orleans! 🙂

  2. Wow so many incredible things to see and do – I really loved New Orleans and managed a few things on your list but I also visited The National WW2 Museum which was definitely a highlight, Some fantastic tips and I will definitely try and visit the brewery next time! Did you do the ghost tour?

    1. I wanted to do the WW2 museum, so I’ll definitely have to fit it in next time! Also, had plans to go to a ghost tour, but ended up spending way too much time at dinner, so another thing I’ll have to add to the list for the next visit 🙂 Always love to hear suggestions!

  3. Would love to visit New Orleans and work my way through the list! Saving as one day I am sure we will visit! #feetdotravel

  4. I loved my many visits to New Orleans and you have definitely captured the 14 best places to visit. I of course love my Cafe du Monde and just walking around the quarter. Stunning photos, great guide and thanks for sharing 🙂

  5. I’ve never been to New Orleans, and its only 6 hours away. My friends either love it or hate it. I’ll have to go down and decide for myself!

    1. That’s so crazy, you’ll definitely have to check it out and report back! For me, it was an awesome weekend destination, but I can’t imagine staying there for too long…and you definitely have to be in the right mood to visit!

  6. This may be a first-timer’s guide but… we’ve been there tons of times and still love doing all of these! Each one is a big part of the classic New Orleans experience that we just love. Thanks for sharing on #FeetDoTravel!

  7. Never forget the delicious muffaletta sandwiches at the Central District Grocery Store on 200 block of Decatur street. Other highlights are Lake Front seafood places, Audubon Park, Mother’s for breakfast and Michaud’s at 7th and Magazine for country Cajun food and good fun (learn the Cajun two step.) Antique fans will love Magazine Street.
    Kay Gonsoulin

    1. So many amazing places to eat! I didn’t get to try all of them while I was there, so thank you very much for the suggestions! Can’t wait to go back again one day

    1. Hey there! I’d make sure to walk through the French Quarter (and Bourbon Street, which is part of the French Quarter). Plus I loved the jazz on Frenchman street! Great spot to spend the early evening 🙂

  8. going for honeymoon so excited, we like to have a good time and explore. Plus I’ve always felt the need to visit this place since I was young, I love the culture and mystery that surrounds Nola!!!

  9. Im glad I came across your article!

    My 5 friends are planning a New Orleans trip this year in October, and we have never been before. Thank you for all the Helpful suggestions!

  10. The WWII Museum is one of the very best. Also like Magazine Street if you have time for shopping (and eating).

  11. Thanks for the refresher list. My husband and I are planning a little getaway in a couple weeks to NOLA. It is one of our favorite places to visit. I was wondering though if you would mind sharing where you stayed at. We have been looking at AirBNB for the first time and are wanting to stay in or around the French Quarter instead of a hotel. We usually just get room closer to the superdome because we are coming for a concert but this time it is just a mommy/daddy vacation. No kids! ??? Thanks!

    1. Hope you enjoy your getaway! I can’t find the exact address for my Airbnb, but it was a couple blocks south of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. If you can find somewhere within the French Quarter, but not quite right on Bourbon (loud at night), you should be set! There are a ton of Airbnb options to choose from in the area!

  12. Hi Melissa!

    Great article, and all around good recommendations. I like the spotted cat as well, if you go on Sunday stick around for Pat Casey and the New Sound, one of the best bands in New Orleans. If you ever come back down you should come check out WIld Louisiana Tours http://www.wildlouisianatours.com We offer kayak swamp tours to the historic Manchac Swamp right outside of New Orleans. Its a beautiful paddle through the swamp and eco friendly as well!

  13. Hi Melissa!

    Great article. If you go to spotted cat on a Sunday stick around till 10 for Pat Casey and the New Sound, one of the best bands in Nola. If you are ever back in the big easy we’d love for you to come try our daily kayak swamp tours at Wild Louisiana Tours. Kayak through the bayou, see cypress trees, alligators, and more on an eco-friendly kayak trip!

    1. Hi Joshua – thanks for reaching out! I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the band next time I’m in New Orleans. The kayak tour also sounds like quite an adventure, and love that it’s eco-friendly! I’ll definitely shoot you a note if I plan another trip to New Orleans 🙂

  14. I’ve never been to New Orleans, and it’s just 6 hours away. My companions either love it or disdain it. I’ll need to go down and choose for myself!

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