Things to do
Things to do in New Orleans, LA
With endearing nicknames like "Big Easy" and "Crescent City", New Orleans has a culture all-its-own. Some of the most memorable things to do in New Orleans, LA, involve history and the creole/cajun culture. Sightseeing tours like Riverboat Cruises and Bus Tours reveal the many things to see, while food, drink, and ghost tours tell the story of NOLA in spectacular fashion. Don't forget to visit the area's many museums and local attractions including Plantation Country and Audubon Nature Institute.
Top New Orleans Attractions, Tours & Rentals
Featured New Orleans Activities
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Dec 1 - Dec 7
History & Haunts Nighttime Carriage Tour
362 ratings
1 Hr.
USE CODE CARRIAGE10 & SAVE 10%
Royal Carriages is the premier carriage tour company in New Orleans and the History & Haunts Carriage Tour is a thrilling insider's view of the French Quarter after dark. With a knowledgeable and hospitable tour guide, guests will trot around the Quarter's streets hearing tales of ghosts and ghouls. What a wonderful way to see the town, learn a bit of history, and experience a one of a kind adventure.
Creole Queen Jazz Cruise with Optional Dinner Buffet
356 ratings
2.5 Hrs.
USE CODE CREOLE10 & SAVE 10%
Join an unforgettable experience aboard the Creole Queen, a stunning paddlewheel boat that will take you on a cruise along the Mighty Mississippi River. With the swinging sounds of Sullivan Dabney, Jr. and the Muzik Jazz Band, you'll be transported back to the golden era of jazz music. Admire the city lights and soak up the romantic atmosphere under the stars as you walk along the deck. For an even more indulgent experience, indulge in an optional dinner buffet of Creole delicacies, carefully crafted by talented chefs. Experience the magic of New Orleans from the water and book today!
New Orleans Large Airboat Adventure
224 ratings
2 Hrs.
USE CODE AIRBOATS10 & SAVE 10%
Prepare for some excitement in the swamps with a New Orleans Large Airboat Adventure! Take part in a thrilling inside view into the wild bayous and backwater of south Louisiana. Inhabited by massive alligators and other marshland creatures like snapping turtles, wild hogs, raccoons, and more, there is never a dull moment! Floating on a large airboat, surrounded by the beautiful cypress trees covered in Spanish moss makes travelers appreciate the fierce beauty of this unique ecosystem. Book your adventure today!
Mardi Gras World Admission & Self-Guided Tour With Complimentary Shuttle Transportation
252 ratings
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Come see where and how Mardi Gras is made! This is the only a tour that offers a real, behind-the-scenes look at the one and only Mardi Gras! The fantastical floats are handcrafted by NOLA artists all year long and are the highlight of the party during parade season. This hour-long tour allows visitors to take a sneak peek at the newest designs! Learn about what makes New Orleans famous: Mardi Gras! Book your spot today!
New Orleans Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
516 ratings
USE CODE CITY10 FOR 10% OFF!
See New Orleans in a whole new way. City Sightseeing is the most convenient, fun, and affordable sightseeing tour around. Ride along on one of the classic red, double-decker, open-top buses with live guided commentary. You are free to exit the buses whenever and wherever, spending as much time as desired in your preferred locations. The tour route includes stops at all New Orleans’ top attractions, shops, and restaurants with discounts and deals all along the way, so don't miss the bus, hop on a New Orleans Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off Bus today!
BYOB Nightly Cemetery Bus Tour
218 ratings
2 Hrs.
Experience a BYOB Nightly Cemetery Bus Tour in New Orleans, LA. A visit to the famous “Cities of the Dead” has become a must-do during any visit to New Orleans. So many travelers want to see the hauntingly beautiful and elaborately ornate cemeteries at night. Expert paranormal investigators and tour guides provide stories of ghosts, past and present, which will chill guests to the core! Use EMF Meters in the cemetery to detect paranormal activity. Book now for a spooky cemetery tour guests don't want to miss!
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Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour with Optional Transportation
96 ratings
1.5 Hrs.
Take a fascinating boat trip into a Louisiana swamp with a Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour with Optional Transportation. Experience South Louisiana in a custom built swamp boat through part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. Native guides will reveal the mysteries of the swamps and the Cajun "joie de vivre' - joy of life. Observe the nesting grounds of alligators, egrets, raccoons, nutria, snakes, and more! Book today!
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Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Optional Dinner Buffet
414 ratings
2 Hrs.
Be a part of the action on this jazz cruise on an authentic steamboat! Enjoy dancing to Jazz music performed by the Grammy nominated Dukes Of Dixieland in an outside area, and a history of jazz. Take in the skyline of New Orleans from one of the relaxing decks as guests cruise the mighty Mississippi River. The dinner includes endless Creole and Cajun dishes to indulge in. Book your Jazz cruise today!
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New Orleans Original Cocktail Walking Tour
32 ratings
2.5 Hrs.
Take a tipsy stroll through the French Quarter with a New Orleans Original Cocktail Walking Tour. From the Sazerac and Pimm's Cup to the Hurricane and Hand Grenade, enjoy history through the lens of drinks and fine dining. Be entertained with classic stories of the unique concoctions made famous, and even go behind the scenes at the oldest restaurant in the city to visit the wine cellar and the private dining rooms. Guests will be shaken (not stirred) by the recipes of the city's most delicious and notable cocktails along the way. Book your New Orleans Cocktail tour today!
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Historical Mississippi River Cruise with Optional Lunch
141 ratings
2 Hrs.
USE CODE CREOLE10 & SAVE 10%
A river voyage aboard the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler is one of the most iconic activities to be enjoyed in New Orleans. View the French Quarter and the Port of New Orleans from the river, while enjoying historical narration and delicious Creole and Cajun cuisine! Disembark at the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, and tour the Chalmette Battlefield. Enjoy the history, nature, taste, and culture of New Orleans, all on one tour! Book now!
Manchac Swamp Tour with Optional Transportation from New Orleans
122 ratings
1.5 Hrs.
Immerse yourself in Louisiana's backcountry bayous and wetlands at the historical Manchac Swamp on this Swamp Tour with optional transportation from New Orleans. Venture where creatures of the swamp see boats daily and recognize them as part of the normal environment. As the boat drifts through the waterways guests will learn about the Louisiana wildlife in the swamp such as the American alligator, herons, eagles, wild boars, and more. Don't miss your chance to learn all about these critters, book your spot now!
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New Orleans French Quarter, Voodoo, and Cemetery Tour
182 ratings
2 Hrs.
Learn about Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans & discover the reason for the above cemeteries. This tour is led by a master storyteller that will captivate guests and teach travelers about the history of above ground burials. Tour guides also teach the history and culture of Voodoo as well as the rich history of the French Quarter. Guest will visit Congo Square in the beautiful Louis Armstrong Park. Book this tour today!
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The French Quarter & Marigny Carriage Tour
176 ratings
60 Min.
Hop aboard a comfortable carriage and see the French Quarter & its picturesque neighborhoods the way it was meant to be seen! These award-winning carriage tours feature licensed tour guides and are fully narrated, providing guests with a ride that is both scenic, entertaining, and fact-filled. This particular route travels through the quieter, lesser trafficked areas of the French Quarter and the neighboring areas known for its colorful Creole architecture and live jazz music venues NOT on Bourbon Street.
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French Quarter Ghost & Vampire Storytelling Walking Tour
131 ratings
2 Hrs.
Join New Orleans #1 award-winning haunted tour as you discover historical lore of hauntings and vampires with these master storytellers. Begin the tour in a voodoo lounge, with 2-for-1 hurricane cocktail specials. Walk the streets with your guide and find haunted homes like the Lalaurie Mansion and the Sultan's Palace, whose countless murders directly inspired, "American Horror Story: Coven." If you like history and paranormal activity, book now for an evening of frightful fun in NOLA's French Quarter.
Read moreFrequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best time of year to visit New Orleans?
February to May is the best time of year to visit New Orleans. The weather is warm, but not too hot and muggy, and there is plenty to do! Mardi Gras takes place during this time, and there is likely to be less traffic and congestion compared to summer.
2. Where are the best areas to visit in New Orleans?
There are tons of great places to visit in New Orleans. The most popular areas in New Orleans include the French Quarter, Frenchmen Street, the Garden District, Plantation Country, and the Audubon Nature Institute Parks
3. Is New Orleans safe?
Like most major cities, New Orleans is safe for most travelers. Most of the crime that tourists encounter is petty crime (stolen wallets, watches, purses). A few tips for safety: Do not walk alone at night, avoid dark alleys, and hide valuables in your vehicle.
4. How much money do you need in New Orleans?
New Orleans is not a very expensive city overall. Many of the popular tourist destinations like Harrah's Casino and French Quarter pubs and restaurants charge "tourist" rates, there are plenty of places to find affordable dining, shops, and souvenirs. Attractions like walking tours, pub crawls, and zoo tickets, range from $20-$40 per person. Between food, drink, activities, and transportation, it's recommended to budget around $100 per person, per day you are in New Orleans.
