Are you planning a trip to New Orleans? Are you looking for the best things to do in the Crescent City? Scroll on down for all my picks for an amazing trip to New Orleans, Louisiana!

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Bob Dylan once said, “There are a lot of places I like, but I like New Orleans better… The city is one very long poem.”

And, there’s a reason this ornate, wild city has inspired centuries of artists, musicians, and mouth-watering cuisine: there’s just a magic in New Orleans that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

That vibrant and sometimes dark magic swirls through the jazz solos and jasmine-covered wrought iron, it winks at you from massive crystal chandeliers and sequined masks, and it whispers to you from silent, haunting cemeteries.

There are a million ways to explore and experience this rich, unique place, and you’ll find some of my favorite things to do in New Orleans below. This is, of course, by no means a comprehensive list, but they’re things we’ve actually done and enjoyed - not a regurgitated, generic list. For more highlights from our New Orleans trips, you may enjoy these posts on iconic NOLA cocktails, classic New Orleans cuisine, the best things to do in Marigny, and the perfect Garden District itinerary.

I believe you could spend a lifetime exploring NOLA, and blessed are those who do! Happy exploring, and let me know if you discover another must-try experience. Cheers!

A Tried-and-True List of My Favorite Things to Do in New Orleans

Sip and spin on the Carousel Bar.

As an avid carousel connoisseur, my version of heaven is sipping a French 75 and nibbling beignets while twirling around the Carousel Bar, which is located inside the opulent Hotel Monteleone.

The Carousel Bar & Lounge opened in 1949 and has been one of New Orleans’ most iconic watering holes ever since, which is saying something in a city known for its over-the-top bar scene. The vintage carousel makes a full rotation every 15 minutes, and the 25 colorful painted bar stools are highly coveted, so be patient and move quickly if you see a spot open up. (Also, don’t be shocked when the bartenders literally climb over top the bar to get on and off the carousel.)

The beverage menu features iconic New Orleans cocktails like the Sazerac and Pimm’s Cup, but you’d be a fool not to order a Vieux Carre at the Carousel Bar: Hotel Monteleone bartender Walter Bergeron invented the Vieux Carre in the 1930s. While the expertly mixed drinks, spinning bar, and live music are much-touted, the Carousel Bar beignets are some of my favorites in the city.

Carousel Bar & Lounge (inside the Hotel Monteleone)

214 Royal Street,

New Orleans, LA 70130-2227

Catch live jazz at Preservation Hall.

Preservation Hall is famous for a dang good reason: it’s been one of the coolest music venues in New Orleans since 1961. The pint-sized venue is located in the heart of the French Quarter, and you can read up on Preservation Hall’s rich history here. Duck through the darkened doorway, and you’ll find a rustic listening room filled with no-frills pews to the right and a small courtyard straight ahead.

The music is world-class, the performances are down-to-earth and intimate, and the vibe is unlike any other. Whenever we hit the Big Easy, a show at Preservation Hall is always on our list. Be sure to get tickets in advance.

Preservation Hall

726 Saint Peter Street

New Orleans, LA 70116

Get a tarot card reading.

Between the city’s famed voodoo roots, its plethora of ghost stories, and its place in modern gothic fiction like Interview with a Vampire and American Horror Story, there is a palpable witchiness to the Crescent City.

You’ll find tea leaf, palm, psychic, and tarot card readings down many alleys and side streets in the French Quarter, but we opted for one of the colorful card-table-and-umbrella-toting mediums at Jackson Square. Was this my husband’s idea? Yes. Was I skeptical at first? Totally. Did Velvet, our tarot card reader, totally knock my socks off? Absolutely. I have no idea how she did it, other than just pure intuition, but it was one of the most entertaining and goosebump-inducing experiences of our trip.

Tour a house museum.

While the Garden District is known for its giant mansions, you’ll find the historic house museums on the fringes of the French Quarter. Each historic home has its own particular charm and unique history, but it’s a great way to step back into the Big Easy’s storied past.

I recommend a tour of the Gallier House, which boasts several engineering innovations thanks to its original owner, famed architect James Gallier. The Gallier House Tour runs 6 days a week (no tours on Tuesdays at this time) on the half-hour from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm.

Visit the Sazerac House.

Admittedly, I wasn’t sure about visiting the Sazerac House due to its location in the unabashedly touristy section of town, even if the Sazerac is one of New Orleans’ most iconic cocktails. Don’t judge this book by its neon-sign neighbors, however, and drop in for the free tour (must be at least 21 years of age).

The glossy displays, interactive exhibits, and tiny cocktail samplings made this experience one of our favorites during our most recent trip, and it was a relief to do something enjoyable and informative and free.

Catch music on Frenchmen Street.

Is it even a trip to New Orleans if you didn’t catch some jazz? Frenchmen Street is one of the best places for jazz in a city that’s globally renowned for live music. Frenchmen Street is nestled in Faubourg Marigny, an adorable and fabulously funky New Orleans neighborhood. Expect a lively crowd on the weekends, and plan to wander from venue to venue for a full evening of local music.

I also highly recommend ducking into the Frenchmen Art Bazaar (open 7pm til late) for locally made art, gifts, and more. And, if you end up with the late-night munchies after all that booging and boozing, grab a gourmet hot dog and those addictive seasoned fries from Dat Dog, a New Orleans institution.

Make reservations for an epic brunch.

Are you looking for eggs benedict with a side of swing? Book reservations for a jazz brunch, but get them in advance! Commander’s Palace and Antoine’s are renowned for their jazz brunches, but you’ll find elegant and casual jazz brunches tucked throughout the city. (We hit Antoine’s, New Orleans’ oldest restaurant, last time, and it was a blast.)

Are you looking for something a little extra and little spicy to pair with your Bloody Mary? Opt for a drag brunch! You literally never know what you’re going to find, and I certainly did not expect to find myself getting spanked with a riding crop, but I laughed until I cried.

Do you need some Jesus after last night’s antics on Bourbon Street? I can’t help you there, but I have heard that the House of Blues is bringing back their famed gospel brunch soon, so stay tuned.

Indulge in a few craft cocktails.

My recipe for success in New Orleans is to avoid the three Hs: Handgrenades, Hurricanes, and Hangovers.

I do love a craft cocktail, however, and few places have mastered the art of an adult beverage quite like the Big Easy. There’s no shortage of delightful drinks on every street corner, but I’ve really enjoyed learning about (and sampling) traditional and iconic New Orleans cocktails… and checking out the fun and bougie places to get them.

Are you looking for truly traditional NOLA originals? Try the Carousel Bar or Antoine’s Hermes Bar. Do you love a gorgeous, historic locale that’s off the beaten track? The Elysian Bar inside Hotel Peter & Paul is an absolutely stunning hideaway. Are you looking for rooftop views and live jazz? We love the Pontchartrain Hotel’s Hot Tin for a contemporary cocktail with rooftop vistas. (Get the Rita Hayworth!) For jazz, take the elevator downstairs to the Bayou Bar and order a Pimm’s Royale.

Buy a Mardi Gras mask.

Listen, there’s nothing practical about a Mardi Gras mask, but there is something incredibly fun about picking out one to call your very own.

The masks in New Orleans range from cheap and frivolous to stunning, handcrafted works of art, and you’ll find them all over the French Quarter. Even if you don’t have Mardi Gras, masquerade, or Carnival plans (yet), you’ll surely find an excuse to wear yours next Halloween.

Chow down on New Orleans cuisine.

If you make it out of your weekend in New Orleans without gaining ten pounds, please tell me your secret… just kidding, actually. I’m here for the beignets, étouffées, and Eggs Sardou. I can eat lettuce at home.

Rich Creole and spicy Cajun cuisine reign supreme in NOLA, but the culinary industry also serves up deliciously creative takes on traditional Louisiana classics. Check out my bucket list of must-try quintessential New Orleans dishes, and make your dinner reservations in advance!

We’ve enjoyed exceptional eats at Herbsaint, Basin Seafood & Spirits, Red Dog Diner, and the Elysian Bar.

Buy tickets for a burlesque show.

For a tit-illating good time, hit one of New Orleans’ burlesque shows! Performances range from coy and sexy to hilarious and downright raunchy, and it can be a really fun way to spend an evening. Just don’t forget to bring some cash for the entertainers!

We hit the Allways Allways Lounge and Cabaret last time we stayed in Marigny, but the midnight pop-up burlesque performances at Mahogany Jazz Hall.

Take a long walk and admire the houses.

If you’re into architecture and design, you’re going to love New Orleans. Beautiful mansions, colorful Creole cottages, and historic buildings dot every street corner, and enjoying a long walk is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to explore the city. However, it’s always best to be aware of your surroundings in a new place, and when in doubt, consult with a local before wandering off.

I felt completely safe wandering the artsy, colorful Faubourg Marigny neighborhood and the glamorous Garden District.

Ride the Saint Charles Avenue Streetcar.

The Saint Charles Avenue Streetcar is part of the oldest continuously operating street railway system in the world, dating back to 1832. Download the Le Pass app and buy a one-way or day pass ($1.25 or $3 respectively), and hop aboard one of the delightfully loud, vintage cars for an affordable and unique way to see the city. Plop down on an antique wooden seat and pull the chain whenever you’re ready to hop off and explore!

Wander the art galleries.

It’s no wonder that this culturally rich city that’s so known for its music and creative cuisine is also awash in amazing art galleries. Plan to spend some time dropping in the local galleries during your stay!

Have you been to New Orleans, Louisiana? Tell me about your favorite things to do, bars, and restaurants in the comments below!