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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Feb 13 - Feb 19
New Orleans: Steamboat Natchez Daytime Jazz Cruise with Lunch
718 ratings
2.5 Hrs.
Explore the history of New Orleans with a ride aboard the Steamboat Natchez, the city’s only authentic steam-powered paddle wheeler. Arrive early for a calliope concert atop the boat. Enjoy captivating views and informative narrative, delicious food, Jazz music performed by the Steamboat Stompers in an outside area, and a history of jazz. Also get an opportunity to check out the steam room to see how the boat operates. Let the good times roll on the Steamboat Natchez! Book your spot now!
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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!
New Orleans: Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Buffet
414 ratings
2 Hrs.
Step aboard one of last authentic steam-powered sternwheelers for a memorable cruise around New Orleans on the Mississippi River. Hear stories of the Big Easy's rich history, sit back, relax and enjoy the New Orleans atmosphere as the smooth jazz of the world-acclaimed Dukes of Dixieland fills your ears. This cruise from the heart of the French Quarter will take you along the graceful Mississippi River. Book today!
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New Orleans: Creole Queen Jazz Cruise with Optional Dinner Buffet
356 ratings
2.5 Hrs.
Join an unforgettable experience in New Orleans 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 NOLA from the water. Book today!
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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.
New Orleans: Haunted Cemetery Bus & City 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 Large Airboat Tour with Optional Transportation
224 ratings
2 Hrs.
Prepare for some excitement in the swamps with an 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! Experience a thrilling ride on this [New Orleans](https://www.tripshock.com/attractions/New-Orleans/) Large Airboat Adventure, where expert guides bring this unique ecosystem to life. 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!
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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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New Orleans: Historical Mississippi River Cruise with Optional Lunch
141 ratings
2 Hrs.
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!
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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.
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Honey Island Swamp Boat Tour With Optional Transportation from New Orleans
146 ratings
2 Hrs.
See the untamed beauty of Louisiana with the Honey Island Swamp guided swamp boat tour. On smaller, 22-passenger boats, you will enjoy up-close interactions with the local wildlife and premium opportunities for photos and videos of the action as it unfolds right before you. Some of wildlife to be expected include alligators, raccoons, and even hogs. With limited availability, secure your seat on these small boats in Honey Island Swamp today and see one of few remaining preserved wetlands in Louisiana. Book today!
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The Cajun Experience - Combo Swamp & Plantation Guided Tour with Transportation From New Orleans
119 ratings
7 Hrs.
From rugged Louisiana bayou to refined Southern majesty, this combination of wildlife and plantation tour delivers the best of both worlds all in one. Adventure out to the Manchac Swamp to visit alligators and other regional wildlife like eagles, hogs, and cranes and then make your way up the historic River Road for a plantation tour packed with amazing scenery and compelling history. Choose between Laura Plantation: A Creole Heritage Site or the iconic Oak Alley Plantation. Don't miss your chance to learn all about culture and the critters of Lousiana, 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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4-in-1 Ghost, Voodoo, Vampires & French Quarter Tour
355 ratings
2 Hrs.
Join a spine-tingling adventure through the haunted streets of the French Quarter, where New Orleans' spooky past comes alive. The city is infamous for its tales of voodoo, vampires, ghosts, and the French Quarter, and the 4-in-1 Ghost, Voodoo, Vampires & French Quarter Tour is the perfect way to experience it all. Your expert guide will show you the quickest routes around the Big Easy, saving you time and energy as you explore the eerie streets. Walk if you dare, through the beautiful yet haunting streets of the French Quarter on this unforgettable walking tour. Book your spot today!
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.
