A QUICK GUIDE: BEST THINGS TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA (FOCUSING ON FRENCH QUARTER)

New Orleans is a city in Louisiana that sits on the Mississippi River and proudly boasts of being the party hub of people from all over the world—epic nightlife, delectable local cuisine, and a perfect blending of American, French, and African cultures. There are so many different things to do and various places to see in New Orleans, most of which are in and around the French Quarter (the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans founded in 1718, with colorful townhouses and distinct-looking courtyards).

It is easy to get around New Orleans, especially the French Quarter. It’s best to walk if you are staying in hotels around the neighborhood, or you can hop on one of the horse carriages readily available in the streets. If you are driving, parking is available but during busy seasons like Mardi Gras, it is difficult to find unoccupied parking spaces.

BOURBON STREET

Bourbon Street is probably one of the most famous streets in the United States. This is a hot spot for tourists and other travelers to New Orleans, whether it’s during Mardi Gras or other quiet times in New Orleans. Many people are drawn to Bourbon Street to eat, drink, and lounge in the many restaurants, food shops, bars, and nightclubs that are located here. 

During Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street is the epitome of a rowdy party gathering—dancing, shouting, parading, singing, and all things noisy.

JACKSON SQUARE IN FRENCH QUARTER

Jackson Square is a park that stands in the French Quarter and harbors best-known places such as the Pirate’s Alley, St. Louis Cathedral, and Café Du Monde Café. The square itself is a place that attracts visitors to New Orleans to go hang out and admire the city’s best gems. There are artists at the square who offer painting and drawing services to tourists. The location of Jackson Square is 701 Decatur Street. 

ST LOUIS CATHEDRAL 

St. Louis Cathedral is a catholic church that has been standing since the 1700s; it is one of the first buildings in the city and was dedicated to the king of France, King Louis IX. 

The cathedral is a functioning church with services held here. Tourists usually just want to take pictures outside the church. The beautifully designed façade and the statue at the front give a good backdrop for tourists’ photography. There is a gift shop at the church where tourists can purchase souvenirs. The location of St. Louis Cathedral is 615 Pere Antoine Alley. 

PIRATES ALLEY AT JACKSONS SQUARE

Pirate’s Alley (formerly Orleans Alley) is an alley in the French Quarter neighborhood that really served as a passageway in the old days but now it is more of an attraction with legendary mythical stories about pirates. This area is busy with tourists as is within proximity to other well-known places, such as the St. Louis Cathedral (at one end of Pirate’s Alley) and Cabildo (Old Spanish Governor’s Mansion). To find Pirate’s Alley, head over to Jackson Square or St. Louis Cathedral.

FRENCH MARKET

For general shopping head over to French Market located at 1008 N. Peters Street. At the market, you will find a farmers market, restaurants, cafes, art shops, local crafts, and other retail shops. French Market starts from Café du Monde, very close to Jackson Square, and goes all the way to Esplanade Avenue where the flea market is located. The best places to see at the Market are (1) Dutch Alley, (2) Café du Monde, for their famous beignets, (3) Farmers Market Pavilion, for fresh produce, food, and crafts, and (4) The Flea Market, for boutiques, specialty shops, crafts, and souvenirs. 

HOTEL MONTELEONE

Hotel Monteleone is a functioning hotel in New Orleans that has become an attraction in its own right, because of the beautiful front. This white architecture surely brings the ultimate beauty to the streets of New Orleans. There is a nice restaurant at the hotel, Criollo Restaurant, Carousel Bar with a lounge (named one of 20 best bars in the world), and valet parking is available. Hotel Monteleone is located at 214 Royal Street in the neighborhood of the French Quarter. Royal Street is known for antique shopping and other stores. 

MARDI GRAS WORLD 

Mardi Gras World was created to give visitors to New Orleans an all-year-round experience of the Mardi Gras. This is not the actual Mardi Gras event that happens once a year in New Orleans—it is a place where artists and other planners of the Mardi Gras event are working on actual things to be showcased at the event. Visitors take a guided tour of the warehouse. The location is 1380 Port of New Orleans Place.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS 

The City Park: This is one of the relaxing places in New Orleans, as you can find green space to sit and take in the beauty of the surroundings. There are a few things to see and do within proximity to the park, such as restaurants, cafes, and museums. Kids love the amusement park here.

New Orleans Museum of Art: The museum carries American art as well as French art. 

Louis Armstrong Park: This Park located at 701 N Rampart Street, near the French Quarter, is a relaxing green space as well as a place to remember and celebrate African heritage, at Congo Square. The park was named after a Jazz musician, Louis Armstrong.

Southern Food & Beverage Museum: The museum showcases local traditional food and cocktails. 

LOCAL FOOD TO TRY AT BEST RESTAURANTS IN NEW ORLEANS IN AND OUTSIDE THE FRENCH QUARTER

GUMBO AT LI’L DIZZY’S CAFE AND COMMANDER’S PALACE RESTAURANT 

Gumbo is made from onions, celery, okra, shrimps, beef, and other ingredients. Gumbo is Creole cuisine—a quintessential dish of New Orleans served in many restaurants. 

Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe: This café has very tasty but cheap Gumbo. This is a Creole restaurant with a buffet setting serving breakfast and lunch at a reasonable price when compared with other restaurants in New Orleans. Li’l Dizzy’s Café is located at 1500 Esplanade Avenue. Price range: $

Commander’s Palace Restaurant: Located in the Garden District, it is known for its delicious Creole cuisine. Their Gumbo is very good. Price range: $$$

Antoine’s Restaurant: This is one of the oldest restaurants in America known for their traditional cuisines like the Oyster Rockefeller and Gumbo, among other Creole delights. Price range: $$$

BANANAS FOSTER AT PALACE CAFE 

Bananas Foster is a famous dessert in New Orleans made from brown sugar, bananas, butter, cinnamon, rum, and ice cream. This dessert was created at Palace Café, a Creole restaurant located at 605 Canal Street. For 70 years this restaurant has been operating in New Orleans and is known for its desserts, especially the Banana Foster. Price range: $$

BEIGNETS AT CAFE DU MONDE

A beignet looks like a donut sprinkled with sugar. It is a popular food in New Orleans but has origins in France and Europe. Beignets are found at different cafes but Café du Monde is specifically known for making the best beignets. Café Du Monde is one of the most visited food spots in Louisiana. This place has the simplest menu but the food is the best. You can sit in or order to take out—be advised that lines can be very long, stretching to the main road, however they tend to serve quickly and sometimes queues move faster. For a once in a lifetime experience, the wait is worth it. The location of Café Du Monde French Market is 800 Decatur Street. Price range: $

PO-BOY SANDWICH AT JOHNNY’S PO-BOY

The Po-Boy Sandwich is crispy bread stuffed with different fillings such as oysters, shrimp, roast beef, and etcetera. Oysters sandwiches are popular. These sandwiches are sold at Johnny’s Po-Boy, located in the French Quarter. They have been operating since 1950 and are a family business. Price range: $

DRINKS AND COCKTAILS AT PAT O’BRIEN’S

Pat O’Brien’s: Located at 718 St Peter Street, off the famous Bourbon Street and the shopping road called Royal Street, Pat O’Brien’s is a cocktail bar with a restaurant and live music. It is known for its hurricane cocktails. 

MUFFULETTA AT CENTRAL GROCERY 

Muffuletta is an Italian sandwich neatly stuffed with different ingredients such as salami, ham, cheese, and delicious olives salad. In New Orleans, these delights are sold at Central Grocery, located at 923 Decatur Street. Price range: $