Top 11 Best Places To Go In New Orleans

To truly feel New Orleans, you need to go beyond the postcards. The Best Places To Go In New Orleans lead you into a city where jazz spills from street corners, history whispers through wrought-iron balconies, and every block hums with soul.

Whether you're here for the music, the magic, or the mystery—this guide takes you deeper into the places that make the Crescent City unforgettable.

1. French Quarter: America's Most Authentic European Experience

The French Quarter transports you to 18th-century Europe without crossing an ocean. Narrow streets lined with Creole cottages and Spanish colonial buildings create an architectural timeline spanning three centuries. Royal Street showcases the finest antique shops and art galleries, while side streets reveal hidden courtyards where banana trees grow behind ornate iron gates.

I discovered the Quarter's true character during a Tuesday morning walk before tourists arrived. The soft light filtering through oak branches onto weathered brick revealed details invisible during crowded afternoons. Local residents walked their dogs past the same doorways their great-grandparents once called home.

The Quarter covers just 13 blocks, but each block contains enough history for an entire afternoon. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water—New Orleans heat intensifies between buildings, and authentic exploration requires time.

2. Bourbon Street: Organized Chaos with Purpose

Bourbon Street earns its reputation as America's most famous party destination, but timing determines your experience entirely. During daylight hours, families explore souvenir shops and traditional New Orleans architecture. After sunset, the street transforms into an adult playground where inhibitions dissolve with each hurricane cocktail.

The real magic happens in the side rooms of historic bars. At Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, pirates once planned expeditions by candlelight. Today, that same candlelit atmosphere creates intimate conversations impossible on the crowded sidewalks outside.

Avoid Bourbon Street entirely if you're seeking quiet cultural experiences. Embrace it completely if you want authentic New Orleans nightlife. There's no middle ground on this legendary stretch of hedonistic history.

3. Garden District: Antebellum Dreams Made Manifest

The Garden District showcases America's most magnificent collection of antebellum mansions, each one a testament to pre-Civil War wealth and architectural ambition. Magazine Street forms the district's commercial spine, but residential streets like First and Third contain the real treasures.

During my April visit, azaleas bloomed in impossible shades of pink and purple while Spanish moss draped ancient oak trees like nature's own curtains. The contrast between Greek Revival columns and tropical vegetation creates a uniquely Southern aesthetic found nowhere else in America.

Take the St. Charles streetcar for $1.25 instead of expensive carriage tours. The antique streetcar provides authentic transportation while offering identical views of mansions that once housed sugar barons and cotton merchants. Walking tours occur daily, but self-guided exploration allows personal discovery at your own pace.

4. Jackson Square: Living History in Motion

Jackson Square functions as New Orleans' outdoor living room, where street performers, artists, and fortune tellers create daily entertainment against the backdrop of St. Louis Cathedral. The square's formal French design contrasts beautifully with the spontaneous creativity happening within its borders.

Every morning at 8 AM, artists claim their spots around the square's perimeter, transforming iron fence sections into outdoor galleries. By noon, jazz trios compete for attention with tarot card readers and human statues. This organized chaos represents New Orleans culture in microcosm.

The best viewing spot sits on the cathedral steps during sunset. From this elevated position, you can observe the entire square while the setting sun illuminates the Mississippi River just beyond the French Market. Arrive early for prime positioning—locals know this secret too.

5. St. Louis Cathedral: Spiritual Anchor of the Quarter

St. Louis Cathedral stands as America's oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral, its triple spires piercing the New Orleans skyline since 1718. The current structure, completed in 1850, represents the third cathedral built on this sacred ground.

Inside, natural light filters through stained glass windows, creating ethereal patterns across marble floors worn smooth by centuries of faithful footsteps. The cathedral maintains an active congregation, so respect ongoing services while exploring this architectural masterpiece.

Free tours occur on weekends, but private contemplation often provides more meaningful experiences. The cathedral remains open daily for visitors, offering respite from Quarter crowds while providing spiritual connection to New Orleans' Catholic heritage that shaped the city's unique character.

6. Magazine Street: Six Miles of Authentic Discovery

Magazine Street stretches six miles from Canal Street to Audubon Park, creating New Orleans' longest shopping and dining corridor. Unlike tourist-focused Royal Street, Magazine serves actual residents, making it ideal for authentic cultural experiences.

The street's personality changes dramatically by neighborhood. The Lower Garden District section features funky antique shops and used bookstores. Uptown Magazine becomes more upscale, with boutique clothing stores and gourmet restaurants catering to Tulane University families.

I spent an entire day walking Magazine Street's full length, discovering hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving authentic po'boys alongside high-end galleries featuring local artists. This diversity reflects New Orleans' economic and cultural spectrum better than any tourist attraction could manage.

7. Frenchmen Street: Where Music Lives and Breathes

Frenchmen Street represents authentic New Orleans jazz culture without Bourbon Street's tourist commercialization. Local musicians perform nightly in intimate venues where chairs touch and conversations happen between sets. This three-block stretch contains more musical talent per square foot than most entire cities.

The Spotted Cat Music Club exemplifies Frenchmen Street's character perfectly. No cover charge, cash-only bar, and world-class jazz happening seven nights a week. Musicians come here after finishing gigs elsewhere, creating impromptu collaborations that never happen in formal concert halls.

Arrive before 9 PM to secure seating in popular venues. Street parking requires patience and quarters for meters. The music typically continues until 2 AM on weekends, making Frenchmen Street perfect for serious jazz enthusiasts seeking authentic experiences.

8. Audubon Aquarium: Underwater Journey Through Louisiana Waters

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas showcases Louisiana's unique aquatic ecosystems alongside exotic marine life from around the globe. The Mississippi River Gallery replicates the river's journey from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, featuring native species most visitors never see in their natural habitats.

The Caribbean Reef Tunnel provides 360-degree underwater views as sharks, rays, and tropical fish swim overhead and around you. This immersive experience rivals any aquarium in America while maintaining focus on Gulf Coast marine conservation.

Plan two hours minimum for thorough exploration. Combination tickets with the nearby Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium provide significant savings. The aquarium's air conditioning offers welcome relief during summer visits when outdoor sightseeing becomes challenging.

9. World War II Museum: America's Premier War Memorial

The National WWII Museum earns recognition as America's finest military history institution, transforming six city blocks into comprehensive examination of the war that changed everything. The museum's immersive exhibits place visitors inside historical events rather than simply displaying artifacts behind glass.

The Road to Berlin and Road to Tokyo pavilions use original footage, personal testimonies, and interactive technology to recreate the European and Pacific theaters respectively. Standing inside a recreation of the Normandy landing craft while listening to actual D-Day radio transmissions creates emotional connections impossible through traditional museum displays.

Reserve entire day for complete exploration. The museum's 4D theater presents “Beyond All Boundaries,” narrated by Tom Hanks, providing perfect introduction to exhibits. Advanced tickets prevent disappointment—this museum attracts visitors worldwide and sells out frequently during peak seasons.

10. Cafe du Monde: Coffee Shop That Became Legend

Cafe du Monde has served coffee and beignets at the same French Market location since 1862, creating New Orleans' most enduring culinary tradition. The simple menu offers just coffee, cafe au lait, beignets, and soft drinks—perfection requires no complications.

Beignets arrive hot from the fryer, buried under enough powdered sugar to coat everything within arm's reach. The chicory coffee provides the perfect bitter contrast to sweet pastry, creating a flavor combination that locals crave daily and visitors remember forever.

Expect lines during peak tourist seasons, but turnover happens quickly since most customers eat standing at outdoor tables. Early morning visits before 8 AM offer the most authentic experience alongside locals starting their workday with this quintessential New Orleans breakfast.

11. French Market: Historic Commerce Continues

The French Market extends from Cafe du Monde toward the Marigny, encompassing farmers markets, flea markets, and food vendors in buildings dating to the 1790s. This six-block complex represents continuous commercial activity longer than any other American marketplace.

Local vendors sell everything from handmade jewelry to Louisiana hot sauce alongside imported goods from around the world. The covered pavilions provide shade during summer heat while maintaining the outdoor market atmosphere that defined New Orleans commerce for centuries.

Saturday mornings bring the largest crowds and best vendor selection. Negotiating prices is expected and welcomed—vendors enjoy the interaction as much as customers appreciate the savings. Bring cash for optimal bargaining power and faster transactions.

Your journey through the Best Places To Go In New Orleans promises memories that will last a lifetime. Each destination offers its own unique perspective on this magnificent city's character.

From the jazz-filled nights on Frenchmen Street to peaceful mornings in Jackson Square, New Orleans rewards those who embrace its rhythm. The city doesn't rush anyone—it invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and discover magic hiding around every corner.

Pack comfortable walking shoes, bring your sense of adventure, and prepare for a city that will capture your heart completely. New Orleans isn't just a destination—it's a love affair waiting to begin.