Things To Do When Not Celebrating
Cafe Du Monde
Hot, fresh beignets and amazing coffee, 24 hours a day. Cash only. This is a must!
City Park
City Park is as magical and unique as the city itself. The 1,300-acre outdoor oasis has enchanted New Orleanians since 1854. It offers something for everyone: gorgeous flora and fauna in the Botanical Garden, art in the open-air Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a sprawling green space, biking, jogging, and walking paths, a lake with paddleboat swan rentals - even an antique wooden carousel, a hand-carved marvel of “flying horses." Don't miss the world’s largest stand of mature live oaks, which includes an 800-year-old grand oak. These unique trees are known for their distinctive sculptural shape - totally 'gram worthy!
French Market Place
Similar to some European markets, this historically charming open-air market features shopping, dining, music and local tradition that is uniquely New Orleans. From Cafe du Monde near Jackson Square to the flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue, the French Market includes five blocks of local produce, specialty art, handmade crafts, retail shopping and more. The food stalls are great for a faster, less expensive meal than many restaurants but just as delicious! Also - during Mardi Gras, check the Dutch Alley for the Mardi Gras Mask Market. So many fun souvenirs!
Central Grocery and Deli
Go for their famous muffaletta sandwiches. These are HUGE rounds, sold in half or whole. One whole can easily feed four people! Get a bag of Zapp's New Orleans-style potato chips while you're at it. You can sit at the counter or bring it outside and find a bench and watch the Quarter go by... just bring plenty of napkins!
Museum of Art
The New Orleans Museum of Art is the oldest fine arts museum in the city of New Orleans. It is situated within City Park, a short distance from the intersection of Carrollton Avenue and Esplanade Avenue, and near the terminus of the "Canal Street - City Park" streetcar line. It was established in 1911 as the Delgado Museum of Art.
Palace Market Frenchmen
More commonly known as the Frenchman Art Market, this empty lot on Frenchmen Street was turned into an experimental night market to take advantage of the foot traffic that wandered the street between jazz clubs. It got so popular that it has expanded into the neighboring lot, its twinkling lights drawing in good crowds every night of the week. There's a rotating cast of vendors, from painters and jewelers to sculptors and leather producers. Photography prints and handicrafts are also well represented, and the friendly vibe and low prices help keep the place a great success. The market is open until midnight during the week, and until 1 AM on weekends.
Mardi Gras World
Mardi Gras World allows you to see firsthand what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life year after year. Walk through the hard work and extensive planning that goes into this grand event when you tour Blaine Kern Studios, an operating workshop that has created breathtaking floats for Mardi Gras and other parades around the world since 1947.
Ride the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar to Oak Street
With seven blocks and nearly every type of small business imaginable, Oak Street is the commercial center and pride of the city's Carrollton neighborhood. Occupying the historic buildings from the 20th century are a collection of coffee shops, art galleries, pizza joints, new and second-hand clothing boutiques, hobby shops, cozy dining establishments, vintage shops and other small businesses. The world-famous Jacques-Imo's restaurant is also located on Oak St (just be prepared for a wait!)
Jackson Square
Historic Jackson Square, known in the 18th century as "Place d'Armes" and later renamed in honor of the Battle of New Orleans hero Andrew Jackson, is in the heart of the French Quarter. This famous landmark facing the Mississippi is surrounded by historic buildings including the St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytere and Cabildo, as well as the Lower and Upper Pontalba Apartments, the oldest apartment buildings in the US. The Pontalba Apartments offer shops, museums, galleries and restaurants on the ground level; their second and third floors still house a selection of prestigious apartments. For well over a half-century, there has been an open-air artist colony at Jackson Square. Local artists paint, draw, create portraits, caricatures, and display their work on the square's iron fence. Some have been there for generations! The artists, restaurants, museums, merchants and the square itself make Jackson Square one of the FQ's most popular destinations. PS: Cafe du Monde is on the corner!
Basin Seafood and Spirits
Comfortable eatery serving Southern, Louisiana-style seafood, craft cocktails & small plates. A must-do for us on every trip!
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Located on the Mississippi River adjacent to the French Quarter, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is consistently top ranked, voted as one of the top five in the country in the USA Today “10Best” reader poll and ranked as one of the top things to do in New Orleans. The Aquarium transports visitors to an underwater world from the Caribbean, to the Amazon Rainforest, to the waters that give New Orleans its lifeblood: the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. With more than 3,600 animals from more than 250 species, including endangered species, such as African penguins, and rare animals, such as white alligators, the Aquarium offers you an experience you'll never forget.
Clover Grill
Because you might crave a greasy, delicious diner meal at 3 AM. It's small and cheap (and yeah, it's on Bourbon Street) but totally worth it if you can snag a table. We can both attest to the magical power of breakfast here in the middle of the night.
National WWII Museum
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
Brennan's
Brennan's Restaurant is a New Orleans restaurant tradition since 1946, and on Eater's "Best 38 Restaurants in America" list. One of the better meals we've had in NOLA!
Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo, located in historic Uptown New Orleans, offers an exotic mix of animals from around the globe, engaging educational programs, hands–on animal encounters and lush gardens. Unique natural habitat exhibits such as the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle showcase the relationship between people and nature. Audubon Zoo is often ranked among the country’s best for innovation and entertainment value.
Jacques-Imo's
Five-star food in a real New Orleans atmosphere. This funky spot located in the Riverbend-Carrollton area is a favorite for locals and travelers alike. Special creations include dishes like shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake. Expect a wait - but it's worth it.
St. Louis Cathedral
Located right on Jackson Square, the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France (also called St. Louis Cathedral) is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the oldest cathedral in what would become the United States, dedicated to Saint Louis, also known as King Louis IX of France. The first church on the site was built in 1718; the third, under the Spanish rule, built in 1789, was raised to cathedral rank in 1793.