The 12 things to do in New Orleans

Visit New Orleans: What are the best things to do and see in this famous "The Big Easy" city?

Since Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans in Louisiana has returned to the spotlight and we are increasingly interested in her. This city which has a common history in the United States and France always fascinates, seduces, charms forever. It is the French heart of the USA: visiting New Orleans does not resemble the visit of any other American city or even French. Between the French Quarter, the old cathedral, the multitude of jazz clubs, the streets still on holiday, the antiques, New Orleans offers an incessant and stubborn tourbillon that makes it so appealing.

But what are the best things to do in New Orleans? What to find out? Where are the best spots not to make like the mass of badauds and tourists? We help you organize your stay with our top visits to New Orleans.

1. La visite du Quartier français

The French Quarter is inevitably one of the best places to visit in New Orleans: also called the Old Square, it is through its architecture that you will discover it with its clearly Hispanic influence. With wrought iron balconies, private lessons, fountains, gardens, patios, how not to feel in paradise in the heart of a tumultuous, vibrant and charming city like New Orleans? For lovers of antiques, art objects like paintings or sculptures, you will be in the right place.

2. A cruise on the Mississippi

What if you take a little walk on the Mississippi? With 3 boats that share the area, the Creole Queen, the Cajun Queen and the Natchez, you will be able to sail on a ship that still has a bee wheel at its stern while enjoying a delicious local meal. You will discover New Orleans with an original point of view: between the French quarter, a visit to the port, the different historical battlefields of the early 19th century, this ballad will leave you an indelible mark in your heart of French.

3. Walk on Moonwalk along the Mississippi

Still talking about a walk, why not do Moonwalk's? It runs along the Mississippi River and you will be able to imagine what was the time (not so far) at the time of the plantations. And when the night falls on this Promenade, it is then a new vi(ll)e that animates and an effervescence takes hold of Bourbon Street until late in the night at the sound of jazz music, blues and the festive atmosphere.

4. The jazz club Preservation Hall

To stay in this festive atmosphere, you have to go to Preservation Hall : this old building that dates from the beginning of the 19th century, with its old wooden facade, is today a true conservatory of jazz. Every day, a different orchestra comes to play and gives concerts until midnight for the greatest pleasure of amateurs but also for the neophytes who can do nothing but immerse themselves in this magic. The relaxed aspect of the building, both inside and outside, is carefully maintained to keep the charm of old.

5. Superdom

Whether you’re a football fan or not, you have to discover the gigantism of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome stadium, simply nicknamed the Superdom by the locals. Today is the stage of the Saints’ team in American football. With an area on the ground of 25,000 m2, an interior volume of 3.5 million cubic meters, a capacity of 87,500 spectators, a height of 77 meters and a diameter of 207 meters, it is a very unique place not to be missed.

6. Garden District

Garden District is a neighbourhood that owes its name to its gardens and parks. We recognize this unique neighbourhood thanks to the magnificent neo-renaissance-style residences and typically Victorian. Today, many American stars like Brad Pitt or Sandra Bullock have their foot-to-door in this neighborhood.

7. Art District

The Art District is located close to the French quarter: it is LE quartier très en vogue actuellement. In fact, this former quarter of warehouses was rehabilitated and then transformed to accommodate the various museums in New Orleans, as well as art galleries and workshops for artists. Let’s not forget the famous restaurants that have now gabled on the street in this very trendy place.

8. Cimetière Saint-Louis

It may not be very common to propose a cemetery as a place to visit in New Orleans for a tourist stay but that of Saint-Louis is to be discovered, especially for its tombs that are above the ground. It is located north of the French Quarter and is surely the oldest cemetery in the city. While traditionally tombs and other caves are buried here, everything seems above the level of the ground because it is necessary to know that the city is built under the sea level and that the land is extremely swampy. The different tombs and crypts are like small houses well rowed and aligned with various architectural styles. Try a guided tour where you will be told stories of voodoo, haunted houses and other supernatural tales.

9. City Park

For those who want to enjoy a small moment of serenity, the City Park is the place to go.Long about 4 km and 1.5 km wide, it is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The park is home to oaks of several centuries, an art museum, a botanical garden and even a stadium! Finally, it is also in City Park that the highest point of New Orleans, called ironically The Mountain (16 m above sea level).

10. Museum of voodoo

In Creole culture, voodoo holds a very important place, it is a very anchored belief in local minds and memories. There is also a museum of voodoo in New Orleans! This small atypical museum offers various objects of worship, human skulls, stuffed alligators, dolls, snakes in formol, grigris, oils supposed to be magical... what to feed the imagination of all, right?

11. Attend a gospel mass

New Orleans is also the South and the South, these incredible Gospel messes last at least 2 hours. By making you to the Greater Saint Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church , you are assured to be able to attend a mass not like the others to 2000 faithful. The choir is beautiful, enjoined, and we take a Mass that looks more like a speech oratory rather than a traditional Mass. A great event to live absolutely.

12. Other things to do in New Orleans

But can visit New Orleans summarise all this? Of course not: discover the aquarium, the insectarium and the zoo and taste specialities based on insects! Visit the museum Tuesday-Gras to discover tanks of all beauty from the old carnivals! Or the Conti Wax Museum, which is a wax museum, retraces the history of the city with 40 unique pieces between the appearance of jazz, the importance of voodoo, the sale of Louisiana by Napoleon 1st, etc... You can also board the red tram of Canal Street and the green tram of Charles Street.

How to get to New Orleans?

New Orleans is served by all American airlines and Air France with a stopover. There are no direct flights from France. You can find a cheap flight to New Orleans on our partner's website Ulysses .

Where to stay in New Orleans?

If you come to visit New Orleans choose a hotel located in French Quarter, Marigny or Tremé . Avoid the surroundings of Bourbon street which is a very lively street is very noisy at night. To find a cheap hotel in New Orleans, search our Compare hotels .

Have you ever visited New Orleans? What did you think?

Main photo credit: Flickr – .distracted