New Orleans

New Orleans, also known as the “Big Easy,” is a vibrant city in the heart of Louisiana. The city is famous for its colorful history, rich culture, and mouth-watering cuisine. Visitors can stroll along the historic streets of the French Quarter, listen to live jazz music in the city’s many bars and clubs, or sample the local Creole and Cajun cuisine. New Orleans is also home to a number of world-renowned festivals, including Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway or an adventure with friends, New Orleans is a destination that promises to leave a lasting impression.

City

New Orleans

Known for

Food, Music, Culture, Festivals​

Popular Trip Type

Music, Vacation, Bachelor/Bachelorette​

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Local Activities

French Quarter
The heart of the city's cultural and historic district, the French Quarter is home to iconic landmarks such as Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cathedral. This neighborhood is the perfect place to sample some of the city's most famous food, including beignets and gumbo, at restaurants like Cafe Du Monde and Gumbo Shop.
Alligator Tours
A unique and exciting way to experience the Louisiana swamp, take an alligator tour through the bayous and see these fascinating creatures up close. Cajun Encounters and Airboat Adventures are two popular tour companies.
Mardi Gras
One of the city's most famous festivals, Mardi Gras is a celebration of music, parades, and indulgence. The festival is held in late February or early March and attracts millions of visitors from around the world.
Music Festivals
New Orleans is also home to a number of world-renowned music festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.
Riverboat Cruise
Take a scenic cruise down the Mississippi River on an authentic paddlewheel steamboat, such as the Steamboat Natchez. Enjoy live jazz music and stunning views of the city skyline.


Restaurants

Cafe du Monde
A New Orleans institution, known for its famous beignets and cafe au lait.
Commander's Palace
Garden District: A fine dining institution, serving up classic Creole dishes with a modern twist, like turtle soup and pecan-crusted Gulf fish.
Cochon
Warehouse District: A rustic, Southern-style restaurant that features dishes like fried alligator, rabbit and dumplings, and cochon (pork) with turnips and cabbage.
Galatoire's
French Quarter: A classic Creole restaurant known for their rich, buttery dishes like oysters Rockefeller, shrimp etouffee, and turtle soup.
Acme Oyster House
French Quarter: A lively seafood restaurant that specializes in fresh Gulf oysters, as well as other classic New Orleans dishes like po' boys and gumbo.
Jacques-Imo's
Carrollton: A quirky, eclectic restaurant known for its bold, flavorful Creole dishes like alligator sausage cheesecake, fried chicken livers, and blackened redfish.


Neighborhoods

Garden District
This neighborhood is known for its elegant mansions, tree-lined streets, and beautiful gardens. It's a great place to go for a walk and admire the historic homes or browse the upscale boutiques and art galleries.
Bywater
This is a bohemian and artsy neighborhood that has been experiencing a resurgence in recent years. It's home to funky art galleries, independent coffee shops, and trendy restaurants and bars.
Tremé
This historic neighborhood is known as the birthplace of jazz music and has a rich cultural heritage. It's a great place to explore the local music scene, as well as historic landmarks like the St. Augustine Church.
Mid-City
This neighborhood is known for its laid-back vibe, beautiful parks, and classic New Orleans restaurants. It's home to the beautiful City Park, as well as some of the city's best po' boy sandwiches at Parkway Bakery and Tavern.
Uptown
This neighborhood is home to Tulane and Loyola universities, as well as some of the city's best antique shops and restaurants. It's a great place to explore the local history and culture, as well as the beautiful oak-lined streets.


Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

Take a cocktail tour
New Orleans is famous for its cocktails, so why not take a tour of the city's best bars and mixology spots? Some popular tours include the New Orleans Cocktail Tour and the French Quarter Cocktail Crawl.
Visit Bourbon Street
No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Bourbon Street, known for its lively atmosphere and party scene. Enjoy drinks, live music, and people-watching at iconic spots like Pat O'Brien's and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop.
Attend a music show
New Orleans is home to some of the best music in the world, especially jazz and blues. Catch a live show at a popular music venue like Preservation Hall, Tipitina's, or the Maple Leaf Bar.
Visit a museum or art gallery
New Orleans is home to several great museums and galleries, including the National WWII Museum, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and the Contemporary Arts Center.
Take a cooking class
Learn how to cook like a local with a New Orleans cooking class. Try the New Orleans School of Cooking, where you can learn to make jambalaya, gumbo, and pralines.


Music Festivals

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
This festival is held over two weekends in late April and early May and is one of the most well-known music festivals in the world. The lineup features jazz, blues, rock, and zydeco musicians, and the festival also showcases local food and crafts.
French Quarter Festival
This festival is held in April and is dedicated to celebrating the music and culture of the French Quarter. Over 20 stages are set up throughout the neighborhood, and visitors can enjoy jazz, blues, and zydeco music, as well as food and art vendors.
Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
Held in October, this festival is a three-day celebration of music, art, and culture. The lineup features a mix of local and national acts across a variety of genres, and the festival also includes interactive art installations and food vendors.
Bayou Boogaloo
This festival is held in May along the banks of Bayou St. John and features local and regional musicians performing a mix of jazz, blues, and zydeco. Visitors can also enjoy food and craft vendors, and paddleboat races.


Jazz Venues

Preservation Hall
Located in the French Quarter, this legendary venue is known for its traditional New Orleans jazz performances in an intimate and historic setting.
The Spotted Cat Music Club
This popular music club in the Marigny neighborhood features live jazz music seven nights a week and a lively, laid-back atmosphere.
Maison
This Frenchmen Street venue is known for its eclectic mix of music genres, including jazz, blues, and funk, with multiple stages and a lively atmosphere.
Three Muses
This intimate music venue in the Marigny offers a mix of jazz, blues, and swing music, along with a small plates menu and craft cocktails.
Blue Nile
Another Frenchmen Street staple, the Blue Nile features live music seven nights a week, with a mix of jazz, funk, and other genres, along with a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.


Hotels and Accomodations

The Roosevelt New Orleans
A historic and luxurious hotel in the heart of the city, known for its stunning architecture and world-class amenities. This hotel has hosted many famous guests, including Louis Armstrong and Marilyn Monroe.
The Pontchartrain Hotel
A boutique hotel in the Garden District that was originally opened in 1927 with a chic, vintage-inspired vibe and stunning rooftop bar.
The Ace Hotel
A hip and trendy hotel in the Warehouse District, known for its unique design and cool, artsy atmosphere. Features a rooftop pool and bar, a popular restaurant, and a live music venue.
The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery
A stylish boutique hotel in the Warehouse District that is located in a renovated warehouse and features an on-site art gallery.


Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is an annual festival celebrated in New Orleans, which culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. The festival is a celebration of life, music, and culture, and is characterized by colorful parades, lively music, and festive costumes. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a unique and vibrant experience that attracts millions of people from all over the world. It is a time of revelry and excess, with participants indulging in food, drink, and merrymaking. The celebration lasts for several weeks, with parades and parties taking place throughout the city. It is truly a one-of-a-kind event that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

Mardi Gras parades are a major part of the celebration in New Orleans. Parades feature colorful floats, costumes, music, and throws, which are small trinkets or items that riders on the floats throw to the crowds. These throws can include beads, doubloons, stuffed animals, and other small souvenirs. Each parade is organized by a krewe, which is a social organization that plans and hosts the event.

There are dozens of parades during the Mardi Gras season, which runs from Twelfth Night (January 6) to Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday), which falls on a different date each year but is always the day before Ash Wednesday. The biggest parades take place during the final week leading up to Mardi Gras Day. Some of the most popular parades include the Krewe of Bacchus, the Krewe of Zulu, and the Krewe of Rex. Each parade has its own unique themes, floats, and traditions, and locals and visitors alike come out to celebrate and catch throws from the passing floats.