So you're planning a trip to New Orleans and wondering what to actually do here beyond the obvious? Smart move. Having lived here six years, I've seen tourists miss half the good stuff because they only follow those generic "top attractions in New Orleans" lists. Let's fix that. We'll cover everything from jazz joints to creepy cemeteries - including the stuff locals actually enjoy. I'll even tell you which spots might disappoint (looking at you, Bourbon Street).
French Quarter: More Than Just Mardi Gras
Yeah yeah, everyone tells you to visit the French Quarter. But most rush down Bourbon Street, hate the smell of spilled beer, and leave thinking that's all there is. Big mistake. The real gems are hidden in plain sight. Jackson Square? Gorgeous, especially at sunrise when the street artists haven't even set up yet. Café du Monde for beignets? Absolutely - but go at 3am when there's no line. Want my favorite hidden courtyard? Head to Pirate's Alley behind St. Louis Cathedral. Feels like stepping into 1820.
| Spot | Address | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café du Monde | 800 Decatur St | 24/7 (yes, really) | $4 for 3 beignets |
| Preservation Hall | 726 St Peter St | Shows at 5pm, 6pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm | Standing room $25 |
| French Market | 1008 N Peters St | 9am-6pm daily | Free entry |
Local Tip:
Never pay for a "ghost tour" - just walk down Royal Street around 9pm when the crowds thin. Those wrought-iron balconies get properly spooky with gas lamps flickering.
Garden District: Instagram vs Reality
Those pastel mansions look amazing in photos, right? Here's what bloggers won't tell you: walking Magazine Street in August feels like wading through soup. Start early. Take the St. Charles streetcar ($1.25 exact change) and hop off at Washington Avenue. Skip the paid tours - the prettiest houses are between Coliseum Street and Prytania. See that bright pink one? Story goes a 19th-century merchant painted it after losing a bet. Lafayette Cemetery #1's reopening keeps getting delayed (thanks, bureaucracy), but the exterior gates are still photo-worthy.
Streetcar Reality Check
Charming? Absolutely. Efficient? Ha. The St. Charles line breaks down constantly. Give yourself double the time Google Maps suggests. And if someone offers you a "faster" tourist shuttle? Scam.
National WWII Museum: Worth Your Time?
Honestly? This is the best museum in the South. But you need strategy. Buying tickets same-day means you'll wait 90 minutes minimum. Book online a week ahead. The "Beyond All Boundaries" film? Skip it unless you love 4D effects (jerking seats, fake snow). Focus instead on the Road to Berlin exhibit - those personal letters from soldiers wreck me every time. Parking's brutal - take the Rampart Street bus.
| Exhibit | Time Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Road to Tokyo | 1.5 hours | Pacific Theater buffs |
| US Freedom Pavilion | 45 minutes | Seeing actual bombers |
| Campaigns of Courage | 2 hours+ | Deep history dive |
Saw a kid cry last week when he realized the Higgins boat display was like the one his granddad stormed Normandy in. Powerful stuff.
Frenchmen Street vs Bourbon Street
Look, Bourbon Street is like Times Square - you gotta see it once, then escape. Frenchmen Street is where musicians actually hang out. Three spots not to miss: The Spotted Cat for gypsy jazz (cover charge varies), Bamboula's for brass bands (no cover, cheap beer), and Dat Dog for insane sausage creations (try the alligator sausage). Starts hopping around 8pm.
Inside Scoop:
Bourbon Street bars charge $15 for watered-down hurricanes. Walk two blocks to Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop - oldest bar in America, same drink $9, and they use real fruit juice.
Bayou Adventures: Swamps and Gators
Half those "swamp tours" near the airport are tourist traps with lethargic gators in tiny ponds. For the real deal, drive 40 minutes to Jean Lafitte National Park. Their free ranger-led tours beat any paid experience - last month I saw a wild boar family crossing the trail. If you insist on a boat tour, Cajun Encounters is legit ($29 for 1.5 hours).
What to Actually Expect
Don't believe brochures showing you hand-feeding gators. Ethical operators keep 10+ feet away. You'll mostly see birds and turtles. And mosquitoes? Oh yeah. Bring industrial-strength repellent.
City Park: Giant Oaks and Miniature Trains
Larger than Central Park, but most tourists only see Café du Monde's satellite location. Mistake. The real magic is in the Sculpture Garden (free!), the antique carousel ($4 rides), and Morning Call coffee stand - better beignets than the French Quarter, fight me. Rent bikes at Bayou Bike Rentals ($15/hour) - best way to cover ground.
Proposal tip: Under the Singing Oak tree at sunset. Hundreds of wind chimes in the branches. Trust me.
Mardi Gras World: Behind the Beads
Worth visiting year-round? Surprisingly, yes. Watching artists sculpt giant King Cake babies is mesmerizing. $22 admission includes free shuttle from downtown. Downside? The "unlimited king cake samples" are tiny cubes. Still fun though.
Audubon Zoo: Not Just for Kids
That jaguar exhibit? Mind-blowing. But avoid weekends when it's jammed with strollers. Thursday afternoons are golden. Skip the overpriced cafe - bring a po'boy from Parkway Bakery.
| Exhibit | Coolest Feature | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar Jungle | Underwater viewing tunnel | Feeding time (10am) |
| Swamp Encounter | White alligator | Afternoon naps |
| African Savanna | Giraffe feeding platform | Early morning |
Steamboat Natchez: Corny But Essential
Yes it's touristy. Yes the calliope music is loud. But cruising the Mississippi at dusk with a Sazerac in hand? Magical. Dinner cruises aren't worth the premium - do the 2pm jazz cruise instead ($48). Bring earplugs if steam whistles bother you.
Where Locals Eat Near Top Attractions
French Quarter: Avoid restaurants with hawkers outside. Go to Verti Marte on Royal Street - looks like a bodega, makes insane All That Jazz po'boys ($14 cash only). Near WWII Museum: Turkey and the Wolf's fried bologna sandwich will change your life ($12). Garden District: Commander's Palace requires jackets (not worth hassle), but their bar room serves same turtle soup without dress code ($9 cup).
Top Attractions FAQ
What's the most overrated attraction in New Orleans?
Bourbon Street after 10pm. It's just drunk people and sticky pavement. Walk it once during daylight, then bail.
Which top attractions in New Orleans are free?
Jackson Square, French Market, St. Louis Cathedral interior, Sculpture Garden at City Park, and watching street performers on Royal Street.
Is it safe to visit cemeteries alone?
St. Louis Cemetery #1 requires paid tours now. Others like Lafayette #2 are safer in groups. Never go at dusk - security patrols thin out.
What's the best month for these top attractions?
November. Summer is brutal, Mardi Gras is chaotic, but November has perfect weather and jazz fest vibes without crowds.
Can I do top New Orleans attractions without a car?
Easily. Streetcars cover most areas, and Uber/Lyft abound. Only swamp tours require wheels.
Any top attractions good for rainy days?
WWII Museum (allow 5+ hours), Pharmacy Museum in French Quarter ($10, weirdly fascinating), or jazz brunch at Arnaud's.
Look, no list of top attractions in New Orleans can capture the real magic - it's in the unexpected moments. Like when a second line parade suddenly turns down your street, or when you find that perfect hole-in-the-wall jazz club. Use this guide as a starting point, then wander off-script. That's when New Orleans truly gets under your skin. Still got questions? Hit me up on Twitter @NOLAlocal - I answer every DM.
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