Things to Do in New Orleans: Neighborhoods, Food, Museums, and Outdoor Activities.
Sep 9, 2026 / Public Storage
New Orleans, Louisiana, is a city that pulses with rhythm, history, and culinary delights at every corner. From jazz spilling out of French Quarter bars to the tantalizing aroma of beignets and gumbo, the city offers a sensory adventure like no other. Known for its vibrant festivals, Creole and Cajun cuisine, and eclectic architecture, New Orleans draws travelers seeking culture, fun, and unforgettable experiences. Visitors can explore historic streets, savor world-class food, enjoy live music, and embrace the city’s unique spirit that has endured for centuries.
With a population of near 400,000, New Orleans has a compact and walkable downtown, making it easy to explore the city on foot or by streetcar. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) connects the city to major destinations across the U.S. and beyond, while buses, ferries, and rideshare services ensure smooth travel within city limits.
New Orleans offers jazz, Creole and Cajun food, historic architecture, museums, riverfront parks, and neighborhood festivals. Plan your visit around the French Quarter, Garden District, Uptown, Mid-City, Tremé, City Park, and the Mississippi Riverfront to combine nearby attractions in one day.
New Orleans Travel Essentials:
- Explore the French Quarter, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and Frenchmen Street.
- Visit City Park, New Orleans Museum of Art, Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Audubon Park, and Crescent Park.
- Try beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, muffulettas, seafood, and Creole cuisine.
- Ride the St. Charles Avenue streetcar and explore Magazine Street, Uptown, and the Garden District.
- Visit the National WWII Museum, Cabildo, Presbytère, New Orleans African American Museum, and local galleries.
- Take a Mississippi River cruise or paddle on approved Bayou St. John routes.
- Use streetcars, buses, ferries, walking, biking, rideshare, or a car based on your route.
New Orleans Travel at a Glance:
What Are the Best Things to Do in New Orleans?
The best things to do in New Orleans include walking through the French Quarter, hearing live music on Frenchmen Street, trying Creole food, visiting City Park, and exploring local museums. Visitors can also ride the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, take a Mississippi River cruise, or visit the Garden District and Uptown.
Plan each day by area. Combine French Quarter landmarks, Jackson Square, nearby museums, and Frenchmen Street in one itinerary, then plan a separate day for City Park, Mid-City, Uptown, or the Garden District.
What Can You Do in the French Quarter?
The French Quarter offers historic streets, live music, restaurants, museums, public art, and Mississippi River access. Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market, and Frenchmen Street are common stops for first-time visitors.
French Quarter attractions include:
- Jackson Square: Public art, street performers, historic buildings, and views of St. Louis Cathedral
- St. Louis Cathedral: Historic architecture and a central Jackson Square landmark
- French Market: Food vendors, local shopping, crafts, and market activity
- Café du Monde: Beignets and café au lait
- The Cabildo: Louisiana history and museum exhibits
- The Presbytère: Louisiana history, Mardi Gras, and Hurricane Katrina exhibits
- Frenchmen Street: Live jazz, blues, local music venues, and nightlife
What Museums and Cultural Attractions Are in New Orleans?
New Orleans museums include the National WWII Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, Cabildo, Presbytère, New Orleans African American Museum, and local art galleries. These attractions provide history, art, music, cultural exhibits, and educational programs.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in New Orleans?
New Orleans outdoor activities include walking, biking, park visits, river cruises, kayaking, and neighborhood tours. City Park, Audubon Park, Woldenberg Park, Crescent Park, Bayou St. John, and the Mississippi Riverfront provide common starting points.
Popular outdoor activities include:
- Walking through Jackson Square and the French Quarter
- Riding or walking along St. Charles Avenue
- Visiting City Park and Besthoff Sculpture Garden
- Exploring Audubon Park
- Walking along the Moonwalk and Woldenberg Park
- Taking a Mississippi River sightseeing cruise
- Kayaking or paddleboarding on approved Bayou St. John routes
- Walking Crescent Park in the Bywater neighborhood
Bring water, sun protection, and lightweight clothing during warm-weather visits. Check weather, river conditions, tour schedules, and park guidance before outdoor activities.
What Can You Do in City Park and Mid-City?
City Park and Mid-City offer museums, gardens, walking paths, local restaurants, Bayou St. John access, and family activities. City Park includes the New Orleans Museum of Art and Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
City Park and Mid-City activities include:
- Visiting the New Orleans Museum of Art
- Walking through Besthoff Sculpture Garden
- Exploring park paths, gardens, and public green space
- Visiting Bayou St. John for waterfront views
- Kayaking or paddleboarding on approved waterways
- Trying local restaurants, coffee shops, and neighborhood food
- Attending seasonal events and outdoor programming
What Food Is New Orleans Known For?
New Orleans is known for beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, muffulettas, red beans and rice, seafood, Creole cuisine, and Cajun dishes. The French Quarter, Central Business District, Garden District, Uptown, Mid-City, and Bywater offer varied dining options.
Common New Orleans food experiences include:
- Beignets and café au lait
- Gumbo and jambalaya
- Po’boys
- Muffulettas
- Red beans and rice
- Seafood, oysters, and Gulf Coast dishes
- Creole and Cajun restaurants
- Local bakeries, coffee shops, and neighborhood markets
Plan meal stops around your route. Pair French Quarter sightseeing with a café or Creole restaurant, or combine a Magazine Street visit with Uptown dining.
Which New Orleans Neighborhoods Should Visitors Explore?
New Orleans neighborhoods offer different options for music, history, food, museums, shopping, parks, and riverfront views. The French Quarter, Tremé, Garden District, Uptown, Mid-City, Bywater, and Marigny are practical places to start.
Consider these areas:
- French Quarter: Historic streets, restaurants, music, museums, and Jackson Square
- Marigny: Frenchmen Street music venues, local art, restaurants, and nightlife
- Tremé: Black history, music culture, museums, and historic streets
- Garden District: Historic homes, oak-lined streets, and nearby Magazine Street access
- Uptown: Magazine Street shopping, restaurants, streetcars, and Audubon Park
- Mid-City: City Park, museums, Bayou St. John, and local dining
- Bywater: Crescent Park, public art, neighborhood restaurants, and Mississippi River views
- Central Business District: Hotels, museums, restaurants, and event venues
What Festivals and Events Take Place in New Orleans?
New Orleans hosts festivals focused on music, food, culture, film, and Mardi Gras traditions. Mardi Gras season includes parades, music, costumes, and neighborhood events, while the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival feature local and national music.
Check official event websites for current dates, ticket requirements, parade routes, and transportation guidance.
How Should You Get Around New Orleans?
Use streetcars, buses, ferries, walking, biking, rideshare, or a car to get around New Orleans. The French Quarter, Marigny, Central Business District, Warehouse District, and parts of the Garden District are easier to explore on foot when you group nearby stops.
Streetcars provide a practical way to travel between Downtown, the Garden District, and Uptown. Use a car or rideshare for destinations farther from central neighborhoods, including City Park, Audubon Park, and some coastal or swamp-tour locations.
Plan Your New Orleans Visit or Move.
Explore New Orleans by combining historic neighborhoods, live music, museums, local food, parks, and riverfront activities into a clear daily route. Public Storage can help you put away permitted, clean, dry household items while you organize a move or settle into a New Orleans home.
Start with the music. Stay for the flavor.
New Orleans Travel FAQs
What Are the Best Things to Do in New Orleans?
Popular New Orleans activities include exploring the French Quarter, visiting Jackson Square, hearing live music on Frenchmen Street, trying Creole food, and visiting City Park or the National WWII Museum.
What Food Is New Orleans Known For?
New Orleans is known for beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, muffulettas, red beans and rice, seafood, Creole cuisine, and Cajun dishes. The French Quarter, Uptown, Mid-City, and Bywater offer varied dining options.
What Neighborhoods Should First-Time Visitors Explore in New Orleans?
First-time visitors can explore the French Quarter, Marigny, Tremé, Garden District, Uptown, Mid-City, Bywater, and the Central Business District. These areas offer music, historic sites, restaurants, museums, parks, and local shopping.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in New Orleans?
New Orleans offers walking tours, park visits, riverfront walks, Mississippi River cruises, biking, kayaking, and paddleboarding. City Park, Audubon Park, Bayou St. John, Woldenberg Park, and Crescent Park provide common outdoor options.
Do You Need a Car to Visit New Orleans?
You can walk, use streetcars, ride buses, bike, or use rideshare services for many central New Orleans destinations. A car or rideshare is useful for parks, attractions, and tours outside the French Quarter and Downtown.
