Things to do in New Orleans

Pierra

From Pierra's guidebook

Plans were drawn up in 1967 by the New Orleans modernist architectural firm of Curtis and Davis and the building opened as the Louisiana Superdome in 1975. Its steel frame covers a 13-acre (5.3 ha) expanse and the 273-foot (83 m) dome is made of a lamellar multi-ringed frame and has a diameter of 680 feet (207 m), making it the largest fixed domed structure in the world.[6] The Superdome has routinely hosted major sporting events; it has hosted seven Super Bowl games (and will host its eighth, Super Bowl LIX, in 2025), and five NCAA championships in men's college basketball. In college football, the Sugar Bowl has been played at the Superdome since 1975, which is one of the "New Year's Six" bowl games of the College Football Playoff (CFP). It also traditionally hosts the Bayou Classic, a rivalry game played between the HBCUs Southern University and Grambling State University. The Superdome was also the long-time home of the Tulane Green Wave football team of Tulane University until 2014 (when they returned on-campus at Yulman Stadium), and was the home venue of the New Orleans Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1975 until 1979. In 2005, the Superdome housed thousands of people seeking shelter from Hurricane Katrina. The building suffered extensive damage as a result of the storm, and was closed for many months afterward. The building was fully refurbished and reopened in time for the Saints' 2006 home opener on September 25.

The Natchez

From The Natchez's guidebook

Famed home of the New Orleans Saints. If it's good enough for Beyoncé it's good enough for you. Who Dat!

Vcay

From Vcay's guidebook

Caesars Superdome (2.6 miles, ~5 minutes by car) A world-famous sports and entertainment venue that hosts major events, including NFL games, concerts, and conventions. Home to the New Orleans Saints, the Superdome is a must-see for sports fans and event-goers alike. Address: 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr, New Orleans, LA 70112

The Natchez

From The Natchez's guidebook

Home of the New Orleans Pelicans and great stadium concerts.

Alexei

From Alexei's guidebook

Catch a Pelicans game, concert, or live show at this major arena — a fun spot for big events and a lively night out in New Orleans.

Adam

From Adam's guidebook

Catch the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans. Try stubhub right before gametime for dirt cheap seats

Russell

From Russell's guidebook

A short ferry ride away! Located on the Mississippi River adjacent to the French Quarter Audubon Aquarium of the Americas immerses you in an underwater world. The colors of a Caribbean reef come alive in our walk-through tunnel, while our penguins and Southern sea otter enchant you with their antics. Touch a sting ray, feed a parakeet, and marvel at our gigantic sharks, tarpon, and rays in the 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Exhibit. Watch for sea turtles throughout the Aquarium—as coordinator of the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program, we prepare many of them for release to the wild.

Edward

From Edward's guidebook

Located on the Mississippi River adjacent to the French Quarter, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is consistently top ranked, voted as one of the top five in the country in the USA Today “10Best” reader poll and ranked as one of the top things to do in New Orleans. The Aquarium transports visitors to an underwater world from the Caribbean, to the Amazon Rainforest, to the waters that give New Orleans its lifeblood: the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. With more than 3,600 animals from more than 250 species, including endangered species, such as African penguins, and rare animals, such as white alligators, the Aquarium offers you an experience you'll never forget.

Cathy

From Cathy's guidebook

126 local Airbnb hosts recommend Looming large against the Mississippi River is the extraordinary Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, one of the top museums of its kind in America. Here the visitor finds 15,000 sea life creatures, representing nearly 600 species, living happily in a state-of-the-art facility. The world-renown Audubon Aquarium is home to fish and sea life of all kinds and visitors can get up close, eye-to-eye if you please, with some of the most fascinating creatures of the ocean. The Caribbean Reef tunnel, for example, is 30 feet long and allows the visitor a view of the Caribbean sea life viewed only by divers. Located on the Mississippi River adjacent to the French Quarter.

Edward

From Edward's guidebook

Located in historic Uptown New Orleans Audubon Zoo cares for animals from around the globe, engaging educational programs, and hands-on animal encounters. Unique natural habitats such as the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle showcase the relationship between people and nature. Don't miss the daily animal presentations, chats and feeds; our highly endangered whooping cranes, Amur leopards, and orangutans; our tiger; and our mysterious white alligators. Audubon Zoo is consistently one of the country’s top-ranked zoos, voted as one of the top ten zoos in the country in the USA

Jamie And Jeff

From Jamie And Jeff's guidebook

The zoo is forever immortalized in song by The Meters "I went on down to the Audubon Zoo And they all asked for you!" We love going to the zoo as a family. Our favorite place besides the lions, is the famous Monkey Hill that kids have been rolling down for generations. Legend has it that Monkey Hill was built so the children of New Orleans (which is below sea level) would know what a hill looked like. There is also a new slide, bronze lion sculptures, wading pools and plenty of "room to roll" down.

Iwona

From Iwona's guidebook

Spend an afternoon at one of the top zoos in the country. The Audubon Zoo has world-class exhibits featuring animals from Asia, Africa, and South America. You’ll also see seals, reptiles, and a glimpse of the Louisiana swamp. Located behind Audubon Park, the zoo is dotted with majestic oak trees (keep an eye out for resident peacocks). In the summer, the Cool Zoo water park offers a respite from the heat.

Kenny

From Kenny's guidebook

The Fairgrounds race track is the second oldest continually operating race track in the country. Established in 1837, it is a longtime staple of the neighborhood and the home of Jazz Fest since the late 1970s. Generations of New Orleanians traditionally patronize the racetrack on both Thanksgiving day and the Louisiana Derby Day wearing traditional hats, dresses, and suits. Otherwise, it's a fairly casual outing unless you'd like to dress up. The racetrack has very comfortable grandstands, an off-track betting system, and small casino inside. Consult the website for the live racing schedule. Look out for the twilight series and exotic animal races where you can even bet on ostrich races.

Amber

From Amber's guidebook

The fair grounds is a fun place to come to watch horse racing and sometimes exotic animals races.

Christine

From Christine's guidebook

Home of Jazz Fest. Live horse racing November - March. Casino open all year long and 24 hours, but maybe not during Jazz Fest.

Dartanion

From Dartanion's guidebook

Similar to some European markets, this historically charming open-air market features shopping, dining, music and local tradition that is uniquely New Orleans. From Caf� du Monde near Jackson Square to the flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue, the French Market includes five blocks of local produce, specialty art, handmade crafts, retail shopping and more.

Antoinette

From Antoinette's guidebook

"The French Market, open seven days a week includes our Flea Market featuring over 200 vendors and our Farmers Market with eateries, fresh produce, baked goods, garden décor, and café style seating Since 1791, the historic French Market has remained an enduring symbol of pride and progress for the people of New Orleans. In over 200 years of existence, the Market has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt many times over, but what remains unchanged is the Market’s central spirit of commerce, community, and culture that is irresistible to visitors from near and far."

Vaughn

From Vaughn's guidebook

The French Market is a market and series of commercial buildings spanning six blocks in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded as a Native American trading post predating European colonization, the market is the oldest of its kind in the United States.

Bradley

From Bradley's guidebook

New Orleans may seem like an odd location for The National WWII Museum, but the Higgins boat, the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in World War II, was designed, built, and tested in Southeastern Louisiana. Dwight Eisenhower called designer Andrew Jackson Higgins "the man who won the war for us." The museum is very popular. The WWII Museum is the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and the number 2 rated tourist destination in the United States on Tripadvisor. It is also huge. You should give yourself at least half a day to explore the Museum’s 6 acre campus.

Litouri

From Litouri's guidebook

The National WWII Museum is the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S., and an unforgettable way to experience World War II—from industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American servicemember abroad. Offering a compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail, the Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories to take visitors inside the story of the war: why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Beyond the galleries, the Museum offers unique access to experiential history, including an opportunity to tour and ride on an authentically restored PT-boat, tours behind the scenes to handle artifacts alongside Museum curators, and an impressive collection of restored and working macro-artifacts to discover.

Joshua

From Joshua's guidebook

Offering a compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail, The National WWII Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories, taking visitors inside the story of the war that changed the world. Beyond the galleries, the Museum's online collections, virtual field trips, webinars, educational travel programs, and renowned International Conference on World War II offer patrons new ways to connect to history and honor the generation that sacrificed so much to secure our freedom.

Phillip

From Phillip's guidebook

We love NOMA and the Sculpture Garden attached to it. There's a diverse range of art, including an entire room devoted to Faberge eggs, plus a rotating exhibit of really interesting art. The Sculpture Garden is free and a great place to just be for a while. NOMA is located inside of City Park, the largest park in the city with nice views and a great running path. Right next door is Morning Call in the Park, for coffee and donuts (aka, cafe au lait and beignets, a New Orleans staple!).

Cathy

From Cathy's guidebook

259 local Airbnb hosts recommend NOMA features French and American fine art, photography, glass, and African and Japanese works, pottery and more. There is a gift shop, a cafe and outside is the Sculpture Garden. Also, there are great interactive programs for children like "Baby Arts Play Story Quest and Studio Kids!" It is reasonably priced from $6 to $12. Some events are free and others have higher prices. The outdoor Sculpture Garden is free. Look at their website for more info and then, Van Gogh! (***On Wednesdays NOMA offers FREE admission for Louisiana residents.) We love NOMA and the Sculpture Garden attached to it.

Lauren

From Lauren's guidebook

Only a 10 minute walk from the house, the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), the city’s oldest fine arts institution, opened on December 16, 1911 with only nine works of art. Today, the museum hosts an impressive permanent collection of nearly 50,000 artworks. The collection, noted for its extraordinary strengths in French and American art, photography, glass, and African and Japanese works, continues to expand and grow, making NOMA one of the top art museums in the South.

Samantha

From Samantha's guidebook

Boasting the most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is Smithsonian-affiliated and celebrates the culture and aesthetic of Southern artists dating back to 1733. The permanent collection showcases more than 4,000 pieces from 15 states.

Kimberly

From Kimberly's guidebook

Located in the vibrant Warehouse Arts District of downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern art and is recognized for its original exhibitions, public events and educational programs which examine the development of visual art alongside Southern traditions of music, literature and culinary heritage to provide a comprehensive story of the South.

Sarah

From Sarah's guidebook

On Thursday nights Ogden After Hours has live music and drinks in the gallery. Their roof top provides an amazing view of the city. The gallery is only five blocks from Cochon, a wonderful restaurant that you'll have to pass if you travel from the Ogden to the French Quarter.

Lloyd

From Lloyd's guidebook

History and costumes of Black carnival maskers called "Mardi Gras Indians. The adaption of West African bead and feather craft in honoring Native American tribes who took in and adopted escaped slaves.

Jamie

From Jamie's guidebook

Learn about Black Masking Indians (Mardi Gras Indians), Jazz funerals, Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs and so much more. This museum is a hub for African American cultural cornerstones of New Orleans.

Lauren

From Lauren's guidebook

The Backstreet Cultural Museum holds the world’s most comprehensive collection related to New Orleans’s African American community-based masking and processional traditions, including Mardi Gras Indians, jazz funerals, social aid and pleasure clubs, Baby Dolls, and Skull and Bone gangs.

Jenee

From Jenee's guidebook

The Sculpture Garden is a 12-acre outdoor art park in New Orleans' City Park, adjacent to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), featuring over 90 modern and contemporary sculptures set in a landscape of live oaks, lagoons, and native plants. It is known for its free admission, meandering paths, and significant works by artists like Rodin, Bourgeois, and Maya Lin, with a major expansion completed in 2019 that added a pavilion and amphitheater.

Wendy

From Wendy's guidebook

Beautiful outdoor walk amongst world-class sculptures behind NOMA in City Park. Free and open to the public. Then stop for cafe au lait and beignets in the park afterward.

Lindsay

From Lindsay's guidebook

The Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art holds more than 60 sculptures collectively valued at $25 million. These incredible works of art are nestled along meandering footpaths, reflecting lagoons, and 200-year-old live oaks inside the garden.

Russell

From Russell's guidebook

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, located in the U.S. Custom House on Canal Street, encourages you to use all five senses as you explore North America’s largest museum devoted to insects and their relatives. You’ll discover why insects are the building blocks of all life on our planet and along the way, you’ll be shrunk to bug size; wander through a mysterious Louisiana swamp; join the active audience of an awards show for bugs, by bugs; and be captivated by thousands of butterflies in an Asian garden. Voted "A top museum for you and your kids” by CNN.com, 2009.

Jeff

From Jeff's guidebook

Checking in at over 23,000 square feet, the Audubon Butterfly Garden is the largest free- standing American museum dedicated to insects. Offering more than 50 exhibits and multimedia presentation, the Butterfly Garden will give you a new perspective on the creepy crawlies that populate our planet.

Natalie

From Natalie's guidebook

Right near the ferry terminal, this insectarium includes a butterfly room! Great discounts offered by the Audubon Combo Ticket: Insectarium, Aquarium, IMAX, and Zoo.

Kenny

From Kenny's guidebook

Bacchanal is a wonderful wine bar, wine shop, and outdoor venue. It's the older sister to Nightbloom and under the same ownership. Located at the furthest reach of the Bywater on Poland Ave and Decatur in an early to mid-19th century exposed brick creole storehouse, Bacchanal started as a little wine shop in 2002 in the very early days of what some would call either the bywater's revival or gentrification. Bacchanal's shop has hundreds of wines including one of my favorites from a local family with a California vinyard called Tableaux. They have a large outdoor courtyard and stage with group round tables and string lighting where bands frequently serenade patrons. The courtyard is first come first serve. If the courtyard is full, there is a great little private upstairs portion in the main building which overlooks the river. They also have a full menu and kitchen. However, the real key is building your own charcuterie plate and wine selection. Staff will prepare for your board for you based on your selection of their vast amount of cheeses and cured meats in the market. Build your plate, ask about some bottles to match, and spend the evening imbibing with local music. Bacchanal is open 4pm-10pm on weekdays and 12pm-11pm on weekends.

Matthew

From Matthew's guidebook

A unique spot with great live music and excellent food. When you walk in, it will seem like a wine and cheese shop. You buy your wine or cheese and then head out back where the outdoor stage is. You will then be brought a plate of your cheese with a bunch of great crackers, veggies and spreads. They also have a changing menu. It is a very fun spot that feels special and secret.

MarineLayer

From MarineLayer's guidebook

One of the best bars in the city - pick out your bottle of wine and your cheeses from the market, then venture out to find a table on their large patio. Enjoy live music under the oaks, your fabulous cheese plate, and grab bites and cocktails from the bar upstairs if you need a little extra!

Amy

From Amy's guidebook

Cafe' du Monde, 1862, is the original beignet stand well-loved across the world. It's across from Jackson Square and has some of the best people watching in the French Quarter. There is a side window for to go orders. Jazz musicians, street performers, and the occasional telescope appear and disappear on this corner. Tips: don't breathe in the confectionery sugar, the French Quarter location is cash only.

Dre

From Dre's guidebook

Iconic New Orleans spot for beignets. Dine in and get full service or take out from the window around the back. Also recommend their cafe au lait to drink. If it's busy, try Cafe Beignet on Royal St or on Bourbon St (in Musical Legends Park) - beignets are as good ( or nearly as good) and the wait is a fraction of Cafe du Monde during peak times.

Charles

From Charles's guidebook

This is a local and tourist FAV. A must do when in N.O. be prepared it is busy all the time. They are open 24hrs. so go early in the am hours like after1am but before 10am and you will get in without the 1 to 2 hour wait. Serving Cafe' au laits, Chicory Coffee & Beignets since 1862. If you really enjoy it, you can buy 1lb tins of the Chicory Coffee and the Beignet Mix to take home and enjoy a little taste of N. O. while looking through your photos and sharing the memories of stay in The Big Easy.

Rj

From Rj's guidebook

If you're a real jazz fan, make reservations and buy tickets to come here. You can have dinner in the front and then head into the jazz club in the back for a sit-down show. Best place to find heady jazz in Nola and it's a venue where patrons really listen to the music (not a party vibe like the rest of frenchman).

Kenny

From Kenny's guidebook

For the true modern jazz lover, Snug Harbor will usually be the best option in the city to see it. It’s one of the oldest clubs on Frenchmen. There is a small restaurant in the front, but the music room is the main event and does not allow food inside. Tickets usually run about $30, which is quite a bit higher than your average cover charge, but it is the best low-lit jazz lounge in the city and worth every penny to sit and listen to some truly amazing musicians. Opened in the mid 1980s, it is one of the original wave of venues on the street.

Erica

From Erica's guidebook

An incredible modern jazz joint with a special back listening room. Also serve great burgers, seafood and steak in a seperate bistro. Book tickets in advance because they sell out, especially on weekends - $15-35 tickets, well worth it on a non-touristy part of Frenchmen Street and they pay the musicians well!

Cathy

From Cathy's guidebook

185 local Airbnb hosts recommend Great music and inexpensive drinks make this Frenchman St. spot a favorite of locals and travelers alike. On any given night catch two sets of blues, jazz, latin, or any of their various permutations. The space is small and the energy is contagious—it can get packed, but it's all part of the experience. CindyFrom Cindy's guidebook Frenchman Street is a live music buffet. This isn't Bourbon. It is about the music. You can drink, of course. Start at Spotted Cat, get a drink, listen to some great New Orleans old school jazz and work your way down the street. Clubs up and down the street offer live music seven days a week. You can go down early and eat and hang

Carrie Anne

From Carrie Anne's guidebook

No cover, 2 drink minimum. Local jazz every single day from the afternoon into the evening! The place is small and can get quite crowded once the dance floor gets going!!! The Spotted Cat is a local favorite of the swing dance community. Perfect starting point for a night of exploring Frenchman St.

Cynthia

From Cynthia's guidebook

Great music and inexpensive drinks make this Frenchman St. spot a favorite of locals and travelers alike. On any given night catch two sets of blues, jazz, latin, or any of their various permutations. The space is small and the energy is contagious—it can get packed, but it's all part of the experience.

John

From John's guidebook

Think Food Trucks (13 of them), but instead of a food trucks they are food stalls selling everything from Char-grilled Oysters to Pork Belly Bao Buns in the old St. Roch Market turned Food Hall. Something for everyone, good anytime of day, and they have a bar in the back.

Georgia

From Georgia's guidebook

At the corner of my block, the St. Roch Market offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Complete with food vendors, produce, local products, a wine bar, oyster bar, coffee bar, sweets and entertainment. This is a historic landmark brought back to life.

Maison

From Maison's guidebook

Cool spot to try for breakfast lunch or even dinner (great food) & craft cocktails is The St Roch Market. It's super nice food hall with many "kiosks" stalls of small restaurant stands so everyone in your party can have a different type of meal and in the far back is a good sized bar and they really do make good drinks. They have a happy hour too from 4-6pm (double check hours).

Christopher

From Christopher's guidebook

Great bar located in East Carrollton. One of NOLA's best brass bands plays here every Tuesday night (show starts around 11pm and gets packed!). Check out their calendar for other shows throughout the week. Food trucks set up outside so go hungry!

Linda

From Linda's guidebook

Long and narrow, with a handsome tin ceiling that glows gold under soft-lit sconces, Maple Leaf Bar hosts some of the city’s best acts nightly. Tuesday nights with the Rebirth Brass Band are a floor-stomping citywide institution, while Sunday evenings feature the more laid back Joe Krown Trio. The bar offers a free crawfish boil that’s been known to include odds ‘n’ ends such as sausage, pork chops and even a whole pig’s head. Located in New Orleans’ stately Uptown district, Maple Leaf is a nice departure from the French Quarter scene.

Leonardo

From Leonardo's guidebook

Rebirth Brass Band plays at Maple Street Bar every Tuesday night. A true New Orleans cultural experience, worth to see it!

Bradley

From Bradley's guidebook

Surrounded by giant oak trees and its paths for walking, jogging, and bike riding, Audubon Park features a par 62 golf course with views of the Holy Name Church bell tower on the Loyola University campus, playgrounds, riding stables, tennis courts, and even a public pool. It also includes one of the country’s best zoos, Audubon Zoo, and the Fly, a lovely stretch of park on the river where you can hang out and watch the boats pass by.

John

From John's guidebook

I love both of the large 19th-Century Ohlmstead-designed parks in New Orleans, but I spend more time in the uptown spot: Audubon Park. It has a two-mile paved walkway that circles the Magazine-Street-to-St. Charles-Avenue section of the park and I can be found there several afternoons each week walking the dog. It's lagoons and isles are roosting spots for an astonishing number of birds, and you can have a great time people watching on its allées of ancient live oaks, shelters, and playgrounds. Audubon Park is open to the public and also features tennis courts, riding stables, soccer fields, the Whitney Young Pool, Audubon Clubhouse Café and Audubon Golf Club.

Russell

From Russell's guidebook

Located in historic Uptown New Orleans Audubon Zoo offers an exotic mix of animals from around the globe, engaging educational programs, hands-on animal encounters and lush gardens. Unique natural habitat exhibits—such as the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle—showcase the relationship between people and nature. Don't miss the daily animal presentations, chats and feeds; our highly endangered whooping cranes, Amur leopards and orangutans; our tiger; and our mysterious white alligators. Audubon Zoo is often ranked among the country’s best for innovation and entertainment value!

Jim

From Jim's guidebook

Right in the middle of City Park is the Couturie Forest hiking trail.Couturie Forest is the perfect place to escape from the city without ever leaving town! Combined with Scout Island, the 60-acre Couturie Forest is a nature-lover’s haven filled with native trees, scenic waterways and fascinating wildlife—all in the heart of New Orleans.

Jeff

From Jeff's guidebook

City Park is truly a sight to behold and offers an entire day of great sightseeing. Encompassing 1300 acres, City Park was founded in 1854, and is home to 800-year-old live oak trees, botanical gardens, museums, a historic carousel, and much, much more.

Trevor

From Trevor's guidebook

My favorite place in New Orleans! City Park is 1,300 acres and is approximately 50% larger than Central Park in New York City! Enjoy beautiful walks, majestic live oak trees, putt-putt golf, playgrounds, museums and more! Bonus: there is a less crowded Cafe Du Monde in City Park!

Tim And Kaelyn

From Tim And Kaelyn's guidebook

The view, the entertainers, fortune tellers, and artist in the streets, and the horse carriages are what makes Jackson Square so attractive to all. Also home to the historical Cafe Du Monde with its powdery beignets and coffee; always open and don’t forget to bring cash!

The Natchez

From The Natchez's guidebook

Jackson Square is home to St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest Cathedral in the U.S. and one of the most beautiful sights on the city. It is right across the street from the riverfront, and a great place to pick up a carriage ride or enjoy local street artists.

Cathy

From Cathy's guidebook

A historic park in the French Quarter about the size of a city block. There are walkways, benches, and Parisian-style landscaping. A statue of Andrew Jackson in front of the Saint Louis Cathedral. Beautiful and tranquil. Outside there are usually artists displaying their work and street musicians. Horse drawn carriages wait for tourists on Decatur St. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.Artists selling their paintings on the sides of the square. St. Louis Cathedral which is a Basilica and the oldest continuously operating Catholic Cathedral in the United States. Twin museums of history, The Presbytere and the Cabildo flank the St. Louis Cathedral.

Jenna

From Jenna's guidebook

Great place to walk around or just relax. Check out Congo Square and the Jazz in the Park concert series Thursday nights starting at 6pm in the Spring and Fall. Big name local artists perform for free with great food trucks and local craft vendors.

EsplanadeMansion

From EsplanadeMansion's guidebook

Just steps from the French Quarter sits this public park that honors the jazz great Louis Armstrong. Look for the iconic, arched entrance"”inside you'll find sites like Congo Square (a historic meeting place for slaves in the 1800s), sculptures, duck ponds and lots of open spaces for relaxing.

Leonardo

From Leonardo's guidebook

Armstrong Park Located in Faubourg Treme, just north of the French Quarter, Louis Armstrong Park is part of the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, operated by the National Park Service. Armstrong Park includes several landmarks of early jazz, most notably Congo Square. Also known as Place Congo and Place de Negres, Congo Square was an early gathering point for African slaves, free peoples of color and their descendants.

Cynthia

From Cynthia's guidebook

At the end of Elysian Fields Avenue near the river you can enter Crescent park for a relaxing walk or bike ride. Look for the footbridge over the train tracks. There's an elevator if you want to take your bikes. You'll find some of the best views of the city here, seats are scattered through the park where you can stop for a break. The park follows the river to Chartres Street in the Bywater neighborhood where there is a free parking lot if you wanted to drive. In the Bywater you can stop for lunch at The Joint for barbecue, Elizabeth's for breakfast or lunch or Bacchanal fine wine & spirits for great al fresco music and dining.

Cathy

From Cathy's guidebook

This new park runs along the river, through the Bywater and Marigny and drops you off in the French Quarter right at the foot of Esplanade and Decatur. Great for biking and jogging. The pedestrian bridge at Piety street takes you right to Pizza Delicious. Look for the footbridge over the train tracks. There's an elevator if you want to take your bikes. You'll find some of the best views of the city here, seats are scattered through the park where you can stop for a break. The park follows the river to Chartres Street in the Bywater neighborhood where there is a free parking lot if you wanted to drive. In the Bywater you can stop for lunch at The Joint for barbecue, Elizabeth's for breakfast.

Christopher

From Christopher's guidebook

This is Nola's version of the High Line. A newer park that runs along the Mississippi River from the edge of the French Quarter to the end of the Bywater neighborhood. They have integrated some of the industrial landscape into the park, so expect to see trains and an old wharf in addition to the river and plantings. Great for running and also perfect place to see the city skyline and watch the boats on the river.

Brooke

From Brooke's guidebook

This riverfront spot is right behind the Audubon Zoo. Bring some po-boys or crawfish and enjoy a picnic lunch on the river watching the barges float by on the Mighty Mississippi.

Anna

From Anna's guidebook

A wonderful place to bring a bottle of wine and watch the sunset over the Mississippi River. A short walk from the house!

Spencer

From Spencer's guidebook

Just outside of Audubon park is what locals call "the Fly," which is a small park directly on the River. Popular among college sunbathers on sunny days!

Jennifer

From Jennifer's guidebook

Visit the historic French Quarter in New Orleans, a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from Beauty on the Bayou. The French Quarter is best to see from a horse drawn carriage, then walk to Cafe du Monde for coffee and beignets, walk to St. Louis Cathedral and see sidewalk merchants selling art, face painting and other wares. Visit Pat O'Briens for a famous hurricane while you listen to dueling piano's. Some of the best restaurants in New Orleans are located in the quarter.

Kisha

From Kisha's guidebook

The French Quarter is about an hour and a half from AquaHub, making it a perfect day trip for guests who want to dive into the heart of New Orleans. I recommend this spot because it’s the city’s most iconic neighborhood filled with music on every corner, historic architecture, and restaurants serving some of the best Creole and Cajun food you’ll ever taste. Strolling through the French Quarter gives you a real taste of New Orleans culture, from the lively energy of Bourbon Street to the charm of Royal Street’s art galleries and antique shops.

Kimberly

From Kimberly's guidebook

A day in the Historic French Quarter would not be complete without eating at one of the amazing local restaurants service PoBoy sandwiches, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Shrimp and Grits or Bokled Crawfish! Catch a Jazz band performing at Preservation Hall or watch street artists painting at Jackson Square. Need a drink? Visit one of thd famous bars along Bourbon Street like Pat O'Brian's (Inventor of The Hurricane), Bourbon House for a Bourbon Punch or Acme Oysters for a cold beer and raw oysters. For dessert you must hit Cafe du Monde for Beignets and Chicory Coffee.

Christopher

From Christopher's guidebook

In the charming Garden District, oak-shaded streets are lined with a diverse mix of homes, from single-story cottages to the grand historic mansions and lavish gardens of St. Charles Avenue, on the Mardi Gras parade route. Leafy Lafayette Cemetery is filled with ornate, 19th-century tombs. Boutiques and antique shops sit alongside fine-dining restaurants, casual cafes and local bars on and around Magazine Street.

Iwona

From Iwona's guidebook

Upriver from the French Quarter lies the Garden District. Take a tour of this neighborhood’s grand mansions and historic cemeteries or just stroll around on your own. The houses and history are a draw, but the neighborhood also offers a wealth of shops and cafes, as well as Commander’s Palace, one of New Orleans’ best restaurants.

Natasha

From Natasha's guidebook

DAYTIME - walking distance (6 blocks) just on the other side of ST Charles Ave Garden District. Take a gander at these BEAUTIFUL houses, this a free self guided tour that is sure to leave you feeling inspired by the spirit of New Orleans.

Christopher

From Christopher's guidebook

Uptown/Carrollton is a laid-back residential area known for its oak trees and landmark restaurants like the late-night Camellia Grill and the iconic Jacque-Imo’s, serving Creole cuisine. Venerable live music venues include the Maple Leaf Bar, for brass bands, bayou tunes and dancing. Quirky bookstores and indie clothing boutiques line Oak Street, while Palmer Park has a popular monthly art market. Freret Street is like the uptown version of Frenchman street in the Marigny but not as many music venues. Freret does offer fabulous restaurants, bars and some hopping! Magazine street goes all the way from the end of the french quarter at Canal Street to the tip of Uptown, it's about a 6.5 mile stretch! Magazine street is a must see!

Kate

From Kate's guidebook

Take a ride on the street car on St. Charles Avenue to see Uptown, the ‘American’ part of town with beautiful historic villas in the Garden District, shops and restaurants on Magazine street, Tulane and Loyola historic campuses, Audubon Park and Audubon ZOO.

Sukari

From Sukari's guidebook

Nearby Uptown/Carrollton is a laid-back residential area known for its oak trees and landmark restaurants like the late-night Camellia Grill and the iconic Jacque-Imo’s, serving Creole cuisine.

Tim

From Tim's guidebook

Our favorite neighborhood after the Bywater. Don't miss strolling in Coliseum Square Park, Hivolt for coffee and breakfast sandwiches, The Avenue Pub for the city's best beer bar, and shopping on Magazine Street.

Owen

From Owen's guidebook

Best neighborhood in the city! Beautiful Victorian and Greek Revival architecture, majestic live oak trees, Coliseum Square park, Annunciation Square park, Magazine Street restaurants and retail, St Charles Avenue streetcar line.

Albert

From Albert's guidebook

The home is two blocks from St Charles Ave and the main parade route. 4 Blocks from Magazine Street and all the great shopping and local fun. This is why folks love New Orleans and this location so much. Walking distance to the Super Dome or WW ll museum. Great bars and restaurants on almost every block. Breakfast: Birdy's, Cafe Porche, Surry's, and Margert Place's Rising Sun. Bearcat. Willa Jeans. Lunch: Central City BBQ, Butcher ( behind Cochon), Cafe Reconcile. Houston's, Daily Beet, District Donut Dinner: The Bower, Blue Giant, Leguna Madre, Tito's Ceviche and Pisco, Le Chat Noir Cocktails and Beer: Happy Raptor, Pontchartrain Hotel rooftop, Courtyard Brewery, Barrel Proof.

Donny

From Donny's guidebook

The Marigny is one of New Orleans’ most vibrant and eclectic neighborhoods, where history, creativity, and nightlife blend seamlessly. Nestled just downriver from the French Quarter, the Faubourg Marigny (its full name) is a place where 19th-century Creole cottages stand alongside colorful murals, live music spills out from hidden courtyards, and locals gather at funky cafés and dive bars. This neighborhood has long been a haven for artists, musicians, and free spirits. It’s home to Frenchmen Street, the city’s premier live music corridor, where intimate jazz clubs, brass bands, and blues joints keep the energy pulsing late into the night. The streets are lined with quirky bars, Creole restaurants, and art markets, making it a must-visit for those who want an authentic, less touristy taste of New Orleans.

Royal Sunshine

From Royal Sunshine's guidebook

Faubourg Marigny was actually the 1st subdivision in New Orleans that developed from a factory area to the culturally rich neighborhood filled with Creole cottages that it is today. The City of New Orleans started with just the area now known as the “Vieux Carre,” or the “French Quarter.” New Orleans grew north from Rampart Street into what is now Faubourg Treme, eventually linking up to Bayou St. John, in what is now “Mid City.” As the city continued to grow, plantation owners began breaking up their tracts of land into smaller lots to sell to newcomers. The first plantation owner to do this, Bernard Marigny de Mandeville, owned the land just downriver from Esplanade Avenue. As more and more French people came to the area, the demand for residential property became greater. By 1805, exiles from both France and Haiti flocked to the city in the wake of revolutions. Forty years of Spanish control of Louisiana attracted a number of people from Spain and her colonies. Buyers would build small creole cottages on those lots. As the neighborhood grew, residents would purchase adjacent lots and build larger homes, mostly in the Greek Revival style. By the late 1820s, Faubourg Marigny was its own small town, the “Third Municipality” of the city of New Orleans. Creole families built homes. Businessmen opened shops along Frenchmen Street. Because of the railroad connection on Elysian Fields, light industry and manufacturing developed along that street rather than shops and small businesses. The Marigny attracted factory workers, like the Germans who worked at the Columbia Brewery in the 1890s. When the city constructed a municipal sewer system in 1914, residents with some means left the Marigny, building homes in neighborhoods where they could install indoor plumbing. The older houses they left behind became rental properties, attracting factory workers and others needing low-cost housing. This trend of Faubourg Marigny as a “low-rent” neighborhood continued through the Great Depression and World War II. The next big transition in Faubourg Marigny began in the 1970s, as young professionals began the “gentrification” process. Recognizing the potential of the old single and double shotguns as homes and small offices, young families began to acquire these properties. Dedicated homeowners in Faubourg Marigny have worked hard over the years to preserve the neighborhood’s character, while at the same time, working with the city to add improvements (such as the new streetcar line). Restaurants, clubs, and B&Bs, particularly on Frenchmen Street and nearby blocks add an important commercial component to the area Bernard Marigny de Mandeville is usually thought of as a Creole dandy who brought the dice game Hazard (we now call it “craps”) to North America, but his long-lasting contribution to the city he loved is the New Orleans’ first subdivision.

Drei

From Drei's guidebook

The offbeat Marigny district is known for its Cajun bistros, bohemian bars and jazz clubs, especially along Frenchmen Street. Sidewalk musicians and brass bands add a block party vibe to the nighttime Frenchmen Art Market, which sells local artwork and handicrafts. Quieter spots include Washington Square where the lawns are shaded by old oak trees. The Marigny Opera House offers an eclectic program.

Alleshia

From Alleshia's guidebook

Bywater has great vintage shopping, lots of funky small businesses, and is arguably the most creative neighborhood in the City. Bacchanal is a favorite wine bar. The Country Club is known for drag brunch (you'll need reservations!). Chance in Hell snowballs (seasonal) is also a must.

Royal Sunshine

From Royal Sunshine's guidebook

The streets, parks and architecture of the Bywater Historic District still strongly suggest its historic origins as an area where residential, agricultural and industrial uses co‐ existed. It remains a quiet neighborhood of small‐scale residences peppered with corner stores, bars and restaurants catering primarily to locals. Industrial buildings in the blocks closest to the Mississippi River reflect the historical interdependence of New Orleans on the River. They currently house both long‐established businesses and newer art studios and community non‐ profits. The eclectic architecture of the neighborhood is dominated by shotguns and Creole cottages. The District also includes the Lombard House, a glimpse into the area’s early 19th century character of small suburban farms. The Bywater’s early inhabitants were much like those of other downriver Creole Faubourgs—free people of color, working class creoles, families who took refuge in New Orleans from the violence in Saint‐Domingue (Haiti) and immigrants from Europe, many from Ireland and Germany. The relatively small, close‐set residences that form the fabric of the neighborhood reflect the modest means of most original residents. The Bywater area was originally called Faubourg Washington, and was nicknamed “Little Saxony” after an influx of German immigrants in the mid 19th century. The area was popularly referred to simply as a part of the Ninth Ward until the 1920s and the construction of the Industrial Canal. The origins of the name “Bywater” have been variously attributed to the telephone exchange (BYwater), the name of the local post office and a competition among local schoolchildren to establish a neighborhood name sponsored by local businessmen in 1948

Joe

From Joe's guidebook

Crescent park is the main attraction, along with Bacchanal and Pizza Delicious. Swing by Rosalita's for some awesome tacos.