The Best Things To Do In New Orleans
If you are looking for a city that is full of vibrancy, wonder, and a little bit of trouble, then look no further and come down to New Orleans! In this historic city there is Jazz, creole food, alligators, parades, and a lot of Cajuns. While it is very easy to get overwhelmed by all the things to do in New Orleans, we hope that this blog will offer you some peace of mind while we outline some of the unique options and experiences you can choose from when visiting the Big Easy this fall season. So, sit back and relax while we help you build the perfect itinerary for your trip to New Orleans, let’s go!
A City Full of Festivals
New Orleans is famous for its festivities such as Mardi Gras and parade season, but did you know that there are fun festivals all year round? During fall these are the three biggest festivals going on in the Big Easy.
- Southern Decadence: Southern Decadence is a festival that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in New Orleans and how New Orleans history is rich with LGBTQ+ culture. The celebration lasts from Thursday to Sunday and includes a variety of dance parties and drag shows all around the quarter.
- Krewe of Boo: Krewe of Boo is probably the closest you are going to get to a Mardi Gras parade during the fall season. If the name hasn’t given it away, Krewe of Boo is a Halloween parade and one of the best things to do in New Orleans.
- Celebración Latina: Celebración Latina is an annual event that celebrates Latin and South American culture. The event is held at the Audubon zoo and happens every fall.. The event has tons of cultural activities and delicious South American food!
- Freret Street Fest: Freret Fest is a festival that happens every spring on Freret street. This festival is free and features artists, food, and music from all around New Orleans. Moreover, there are many restaurants on Freret street that offer deals and specials to go along with this festival.
- Jazz Fest: The famous jazz fest happens every year around spring time. This is a renowned music festival that people from all over the world flock to every year. At this festival you can find local food, artists, and big name headliners performing music. Kids under 12 get in for free and it is one of the best things to do in New Orleans for anyone and everyone!
Haunts and Jaunts
Fall is the perfect season to get a little spooked (October is spooky season after all) and New Orleans has no shortage of spooky things to do for everyone to try. New Orleans is one of the oldest cities in the United States so it’s no surprise that we have collected some ghostly stories and lingering souls. The best way to see all these spooky sights is by going on a Haunted New Orleans Pub Crawl in the French Quarter. On your haunted pub crawl you will see all the haunted sights of the French Quarter while being able to enjoy refreshing drinks and learning all the history about the ghostly inhabitants that call these spots their final resting place. As one for the most haunted cities, you are guaranteed to find many spooky things to do in New Orleans.
Plantation Tours
New Orleans is one of the oldest cities in America, thus it has been around for most of American history, this unfortunately includes America’s dark past with slavery. Throughout the New Orleans countryside are plantation homes where former enslaved people would be forced to work. Today, these grand homes are open to the public to learn about the history of slavery in Louisiana. There are a few plantation homes to visit such as Oak Alley and Whitney plantation, at these sites you can get a better understanding of life in Antebellum Louisiana and learn about the lives of the people that used to live there. Going on a plantation tour is a humbling experience where you get to honor the bravery and perseverance of the enslaved people who labored in these historical sites.
Historical Homes
As you may be able to tell by now, New Orleans is very old. Another great thing to do in New Orleans is explore some of the many historical homes that surround the city. The Gallier House and Hermann-Grima House are historical homes in the French Quarter that people can tour to learn more about life in the days of early New Orleans. The Hermann-Grima house features federalist architecture and an urban slave quarters. What is especially interesting about the Hermann-Grima House is the urban slave tour where you can learn about the life of a slave in an urban setting and how that differs from those who lived in rural settings. On the other hand the Gallier House is a french style house where you can learn about the history of the home, how it came to be built, and the lives of enslaved people who lived there. These historical houses offer a keen insight into the lives of people who lived in old New Orleans and are some great examples of things to do in New Orleans.
Art in the American South
The Ogden Museum of Southern art is a captivating museum that features artists who are form the American South. Exploring the exhibits of the Ogden Museum is a great thing to do in New Orleans, especially if you are interested in historical art. The museum has the most expansive and comprehensive collection of Southern art in the United States. Moreover, the museum constantly updates its exhibits so there is always something new to check out when you visit the museum. Visit the Ogden Museum and get a better understanding of the cultural relevance of Southern art as well as doing one of the best things to do in New Orleans.
Bayou Living
If you want to get more in touch with the nature of New Orleans, there are many things to do in New Orleans and we recommend going on a swamp tour! On this swamp tour you will learn about the ecosystem of the New Orleans swamplands and how it plays a huge role in preserving the local flora and fauna. A skilled and knowledgeable tour guide will tell you all about the Bayous that run through Louisiana and the importance of preserving this natural landscape. As a bonus, we are sure you will see some local wildlife on this tour such as alligators, raccoons, herons, turtles, and maybe even a Nutria, or as we like to call them, swamp rats.
Steamboat Ride Down the Mississippi River
Before we had electric engines, the best way to get up and down the Mississippi river was through steam-powered steam boats. This steamboat jazz cruise is your opportunity to experience the Big Easy in a totally different perspective. You will be able to enjoy jazz music, a delicious creole meal, and the unique experience of being on one of the last remaining steam-powered boats in New Orleans. Steamboat rides are a given when it comes to things to do in New Orleans
Mardi Gras Year Round?
Although Mardi Gras always falls in February or March, there is a way to experience a taste of the parade season year round, and that is by visiting Mardi Gras world. At Mardi Gras world, you will be able to experience the behind the scenes happenings of Mardi Gras. You will see the process of how floats are made, local traditions, and a guided tour of the different floats for each krewe. This is a great way to scratch that Mardi Gras itch while avoiding all the craziness of actual Mardi Gras, as Mardi Gras is certainly one of the top things to do in New Orleans.
WWII Museum
Are you a history buff? Well, you’re bound to find some historical things to do in New Orleans. Along with all the history that New Orleans has to offer just by being one of the oldest cities in America, it is also home to the famous WWII museum. Visiting the WWII museum is a great way to learn about how WWII shaped the world into what it is today and the effects we still see today from the aftermath of WWII. The exhibits highlight the impressive sacrifices men and women made to achieve extraordinary feats during this pivotal time in American history.
Boozy Brunch Bar Crawl
If you are more of a foodie, then this is definitely the thing to do in New Orleans: A Boozy Brunch Crawl around the French Quarter! Enjoy classic New Orleans cocktails while exploring the French Quarter and visiting the iconic restaurants around the historic neighborhood. Hurricanes, oysters, beignets and so much more wait for you on this mouth-watering brunch bar crawl.
New Orleans: A City for Everyone
As you can see, there is no shortage of unique and interactive things to do in New Orleans.. Whether you want to stuff your face with delicious food, explore the swamp ecosystem, spot a spooky friend, or even just walk around the historic French Quarter, New Orleans offers activities for any and all, so come on down to the Big Easy and fall in love with New Orleans, like we have!
FAQ’s about New Orleans
What is the best time to visit New Orleans?
The best time to visit would be from March to May, where there is an abundance of things to do in New Orleans. This is during the spring time and the heat of summer has not set in yet. The temperature is still cool and you get to experience Mardi Gras, Jazz fest, and a variety of other festivals that happen in late Spring. Fall is also great, as the summer heat dissipates and it being spooky season, as there are many spooky things to do in New Orleans.
What is the weather like in New Orleans?
New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate. We have hot summers and mild winters. The weather fluctuates all the time but a good range of temperatures is 65-95 degrees.
How do I get around New Orleans?
New Orleans is a very accessible city. The streetcar takes you down Canal street and St. Charles street which are two very popular avenues that go through the city. Ubers and Lyfts are completely accessible and will take you anywhere you need to go. The city of New Orleans itself is not that big so the longest time it would take to get from one side to the other is about 20 minutes. Please note that if you are going on a New Orleans airboat or swamp tour, you will not be able to uber/lyft back from the location, but many tour companies offer transportation to and from the location of the tour.
What notable events are happening in New Orleans?
There is always something happening in New Orleans but this fall has some events that stand out. Firstly, Taylor Swift will be performing her iconic Era’s tour this October. The city is gearing up for her visit and preparing for the influx of excited Swifties. Additionally, the Caesar’s Superdome has been chosen to host the 2025 Super Bowl.