Top 10 Must Do Things in New Orleans
If this is your first visit to The Big Easy then this top 10 must-do things in New Orleans list is definitely for you. New Orleans, or NOLA as it is often called, is one of my favorite destinations. The city offers something for everyone. History buffs, foodies, music lovers, and party-goers alike can all find something to love about this city.
I want to start this off by letting you know that New Orleans isn’t a large city. You can easily get around without the need of a car. There are plenty of transportation options to choose from. The have a sophisticated public transportation system that is easy to use. So let’s get to the top 10 must-do things in New Orleans.
1. Swamp Tour – $32pp
There are many companies that offer great swamp tours. I use Ultimate Swamp Adventures. They have multiple tour times and you can choose between an airboat or pontoon style tour. They also have a hotel pick-up service for an extra cost.
Touring the bayous and watching all the gators follow the boat to get a marshmallow (yes, a marshmallow) was a pretty amazing experience. You can most definitely expect to see the American Alligator, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and turtles. You might even spot an otter. Make sure you bring your camera because you won’t want to miss the action!
2. Cemetery Tour – $30pp
This is probably my favorite tour. Learning about the unique burial practices and seeing some of the oldest cemeteries in our country (oldest cemetery in New Orleans is St. Louis #1, 1789) is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Just like the swamp tour, cemetery tour companies are in abundance. We use Haunted History Tours. The guides are very knowledgeable on the different types of burials and you get to visit more than one cemetery. While visiting these Cities of the Dead you also learn some New Orleans history, folklore, superstitions and get to visit the Katrina Memorial. Some people think these tours are a little grim, but I found it fascinating.
3. Ghost/Vampire Tour – $30pp
An absolute must do! We had an amazing guide for this tour. She dressed and played the part. We booked through Haunted History Tours and they didn’t disappoint. If you are looking to bring your kids this tour isn’t scary. It does have some gruesome parts, but it won’t keep them awake all night.
The storytelling was outstanding and you will definitely see some of the most infamous spots of the French Quarter. Make sure to bring your camera to see if you can catch some spirits.
4. History/Voodoo Tour – $22pp
If you are interested in hearing about some NOLA history or want to really know what Voodoo is, then make sure to book a history/voodoo tour. It is a pretty neat tour to get some background of the city you are vacationing in. And to find out that almost everything you thought you knew about voodoo and the dolls are wrong.
We booked our tour through French Quarter Phantoms. They were pretty great about answering any questions you might have and had a great performance for storytelling.
5. Garden District Tour – FREE
For those of you who love architecture or just want to see some really pretty houses, I suggest a tour of the beloved Garden District. There are a lot of companies to book this tour through. My husband and I didn’t book this tour, we opted to do it ourselves. I had done the research on the different buildings we wanted to see and we just wander around ourselves. But if you don’t want to take the time to look everything up I suggest booking through Free Tours By Foot. They offer name-your-own price tours. Basically you pay what you think the tour was worth.
The Garden District is just a short street car ride away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. So if you are looking for some peace and quite and want to see some famous homes then this tour is right for you. Make sure to check out the Buckner Mansion and Anne Rice’s House.
6. Ride The Streetcar – $1.25pp
Don’t leave New Orleans without riding the oldest streetcar in America. A single ride cost $1.25. I suggest getting a Jazzy pass. They cost $8 for a 3-day pass or $15 for a 7-day pass. If you purchase the Jazzy pass it includes buses, ferries, and streetcars. And you can use this pass as much as you like.
Now that we have covered the simply cost of using the famous New Orleans streetcars, ride one. It has that “back in the day” feel to it. Plus it makes it easy to get around the city. Hop on and off wherever you like. Try riding the scenic St. Charles streetcar. It goes past the beautiful Garden District all the way past the zoo. And make sure to download the Le Pass app for times & maps.
7. Bourbon Street
Famous Bourbon Street. Everyone has heard of it. And yes it is full of activity. Lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels. Bourbon Street is packed full of fun and people. Don’t go to New Orleans without stepping onto this street. For the party-goers, head down to Tropical Isle and order a famous Hand Grenade cocktail or Pat O’Brien’s for a Hurricane.
8. Music
If you are lucky enough to see a street band marching down the French Quarter then you will have had the full New Orleans music experience. Whether or not you get to experience this you should check out some of the jazz clubs for some live music. And hit up the Jazz Museum while in town as well.
9. Voodoo Shop
The French Quarter is littered with Voodoo shops. Check one out and talk to the people working there. Some of them have neat stories or can give you some good history on Voodoo. Make sure you bring home a Voodoo doll souvenir.
10. Cafe Du Monde
It goes without saying that Cafe du Monde will be on every New Orleans list that you look at. This is because they really do have amazing beignets. For those of you who don’t know, a beignet is square deep fried dough heavily sprinkled with confectioners sugar. GET ONE…or 3 since that is how many come in an order. Cafe du Monde isn’t just a coffee shop that serves the best “doughnuts” you will ever have, but they are a New Orleans tradition. The original stand is located by the French Market and has been there since 1862. There are several locations in the New Orleans area. Don’t let the long lines talk you out of stopping by. The service is quick with no chit-chat, so you won’t wait very long.
A Few Things to Remember
Now that our top 10 must-do things in New Orleans list is done I’d like to give you some advice for your New Orleans experience. Just a few tips to make it easier once you are there.
- Book tours in advance. There is nothing worse than the tour you had your eye on being filled.
- Make sure to tip your guides. Most of the tour guides don’t make a lot of money giving you that special experience. So if you think the tour was worth it, tip. $5 per person is decent.
- Think about purchasing a Gocity Card. It is one low price based on the number of days you want and can save you big money if you plan of booking a lot of tours.
- Download the Le Pass app. This is your transportation app. You can easily see where street cars are and where they are going so that you can plan your day accordingly. You can also purchase your Jazzy pass from the app and have your ticket on your phone.
- Most of all, have a great time. There is so much to do in this great city. Enjoy the time you spend in The Big Easy. Make memories and plan your return trip, because you’ll want to come back.
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