New Orleans, the vibrant heart of Louisiana, is a city that pulses with life, music, and history. Known for its rich cultural tapestry and festive spirit, it would be a waste for a traveler to omit this place. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a music lover, New Orleans is the kind of city to sate any desire you harbor inside. For first-time visitors, it could be slightly overwhelming to navigate through this dynamic location, given how it is exquisitely packed. So, for ease of it, here’s a comprehensive guide to make the most of your trip.
1. Explore the French Quarter
There is no visit to New Orleans without a walk through ‘The’ French Quarter. This is the city’s oldest neighborhood, a neighborhood much loved for its French, Spanish and Creole-inspired architecture. One will wander the slowly narrowed cobbled streets where you’ll find impressively pretty-looking buildings with wrought iron balconies, courtyards and shops, restaurants and bars.
The Quarter’s most famous thoroughfare is a lively artery of activity, featuring live jazz and blues, eclectic nightlife and everything in between. For a good lazy evening, head to Royal Street, since there are art galleries there, antique shops, and street performers… to keep your restless feet occupied.
- Pro Tip: Visit Café du Monde for their iconic beignets and coffee – a quintessential New Orleans treat.
2. Indulge in New Orleans Cuisine
In New Orleans, that would be food if happiness is language. It serves a cuisine like no other — it’s a distinct one, having a blend of cultures. The city overflows with culinary delights from hearty Creole and Cajun dishes to sugary treats.
Savory senses fill a spoonful of this stew in a bowl of gumbo. It is a simple dish really but has no idea it is. The jambalaya here is also packed with fats, meats, spam and seafood. If you’re craving something a little lighter, try taking the po’boy sandwich route with a shrimp or oyster-stuffed variety.
You will miss a sampling of beignets at Café du Monde. These dried sugar-coated pastries go well with a cup of chicory coffee. If you find yourself in Mardi Gras season, try a slice of King Cake for dessert.
3. Immerse Yourself in the Music Scene
New Orleans is the home of jazz — known as the birthplace of jazz — and you’ve heard of no music second to none. This city is easy to the music, and there are many ways to experience it in person.
For many music clubs and bars playing nightly performances head to Frenchmen Street. Featuring local talent from jazz to blues and funk, the Spotted Cat Music Club and Blue Nile have shared the stages.
Preservation Hall — the venue for the legendary authentic New Orleans jazz experience in an intimate setting — is the place you’ll want to visit for that traditional experience. Then there is the New Orleans’ signature impromptu street performance.
4. Take a Mississippi River Cruise
New Orleans, of course, is part of the history and culture of the great Mississippi River. One of the best ways to express the significance of it is through a river cruise. Both the Steamboat Natchez and Creole Queen give tours on vintage paddlewheel boats.
They all have live jazz, Creole dining options and spectacular views of the skyline. For some, go daytime cruise to hear the story of the river’s development and role in the city, or for romance, choose an evening jazz cruise.
- Price: Starting at $35 per person
- Timing: Daytime and evening cruises available
5. Visit the Garden District
Switch up the scenery and head to the Garden District as it is famous for its well-preserved antebellum mansions and green spacious tree-lined streets. Porch-covered, column-wrapped, garden lush, this is a transparent slice of the city’s past wealth.
Start a self-guided walking tour of the district, or join a guided one to hear about the district’s history and architecture. Visit Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, one of New Orleans’ world-famous above-ground cemeteries, to learn the tales of the city’s storied past and explore its unique tombs.
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6. Experience Mardi Gras (or Visit Mardi Gras World)
If your visit unfortunately takes place during the Mardi Gras season, you are in for an experience for your lifetime. Should you be celebrating this world-famous festival, this is a festival of music, parades and revelry held in late February or early March. For a city that prides itself on a joie de vivre so infectious its infectiousness infects itself, then it is entirely appropriate that Mardi Gras is such a spectacle, from the elaborate floats to the dazzling costumes.
Mardi Gras World is open to those who can’t make it in person during the season and lets you get a look behind the scenes of the festival. In this workshop, where the floats are designed, you can tour the building and find out the history and traditions of Mardi Gras.
- Price: $22 per adult
- Timing: Tours run daily
7. Discover the City’s Unique Cemeteries
New Orleans is famous for its above-ground cemeteries also called “Cities of the Dead.” But these cemeteries are not only resting places, they are architectural landmarks.
Marie Laveau’s tomb is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the most famous and oldest of the cemeteries. Fascinating insights into the city’s burial customs and their importance in local culture are provided by guided tours of these cemeteries.
8. Explore the National WWII Museum
For an old history buff like me, don’t blink past the National WWII Museum. Located right here in Brattleboro, the American Post WWII World Class Museum does the job, of shaving a comprehensive and immersive look at the American experience during World War II with interactive exhibits, personal stories and immersive experiences.
Covers include the 4D film Beyond All Boundaries, narrated by Tom Hanks, and the impressive displays of wartime artifacts — aircraft and tanks.
- Price: $31.50 per adult
- Timing: Open daily, 9 AM – 5 PM
9. Enjoy a Swamp Tour
Swamp tour into the Louisiana Bayou. These tours provide one reason to be able to see up close this unique ecosystem in the region containing alligators, turtles and bird species. Perfect city life escape!
Guided boat tours on airboats for an exciting ride are available through several operators.
10. Shop at the French Market
For a taste of local commerce and culture, visit the French Market in the French Quarter. This historic open-air market dates back to the late 18th century and features a mix of food vendors, artisan goods, and souvenir shops.
Browse for unique items such as handmade jewelry, local artwork, and spices. Be sure to sample some Crawfish Étouffée or grab a freshly shucked oyster from one of the food stalls.
11. Relax in City Park
End your trip with a relaxing visit to City Park, a sprawling green space that’s larger than New York’s Central Park. You could stroll here, spread a tacky tablecloth for a picnic, or paddle down the lake.
New Orleans Museum of Art in this park and the enchanting Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden feature a collection of contemporary sculptures set among live oaks and lagoons. Kids and families will enjoy the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and the Louisiana Children’s Museum, both located within the park.
New Orleans is a picturesque place, providing a fragrant promise of life, food, adventure and tranquility. Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of the French Quarter, cruising along the Mississippi, or savoring a plate of beignets, there are endless things to do in New Orleans. For first-time visitors, this writer promises that this shall be an unforgettable vacation spot.
