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Top things to do in New Orleans

See all 231 things to do in New Orleans

#1The New Orleans Sightseeing Flex Pass

Indulge in the rich opulence of historic New Orleans, the Cajun jewel of Louisiana with the Sightseeing Flex Pass. Keep the good times rolling, selecting fro...

recommend80% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$54
per adult
The New Orleans Sightseeing Flex Pass

#2Steamboat Natchez Daytime Jazz Cruise

Hop aboard an authentic steam-powered sternwheel paddle boat bound for the Mississippi and waterfront views of The Big Easy. While you cruise, experience the...

recommend90% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$36
per adult
Steamboat Natchez Daytime Jazz Cruise

#3City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Discover New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, by way of an around-the-city ride on a hop-on hop-off bus. Looping through the city's finest sights and diverse...

recommend84% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$39
$36
per adult
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City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

#4Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise

Step aboard one of last authentic steam-powered sternwheelers for a memorable cruise around New Orleans on the Mississippi River. Hear stories of the Big Eas...

recommend86% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$49
per adult
Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise

#5New Orleans Ghosts, Voodoo, and Vampire Tour

Catch sight of spirits and tantalize yourself with tales of witchcraft during a walking tour of the French Quarter. Travel to several of the city's most haun...

recommend88% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$17
per adult
New Orleans Ghosts, Voodoo, and Vampire Tour

#6Cajun Bayou & Swamp Tour - New Orleans

Just outside New Orleans, you can explore Cajun culture in an exotic bayou filled with thriving flora and wildlife. From the comfort of a 22-passenger boat, ...

recommend94% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$29
per adult
Cajun Bayou & Swamp Tour - New Orleans

#7Royal Carriages History & Haunts Nighttime Carriage Tour

Royal Carriages is the premier carriage tour company in New Orleans, and the History & Haunts nighttime tour is a thrilling insider's view of the French ...

recommend90% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$40
per traveler
Royal Carriages History & Haunts Nighttime Carriage Tour

#83-Hour New Orleans City Tour

Sit back and relax in an enclosed air-conditioned minibus that transports you throughout the city of New Orleans, revealing all this magnificent city has to ...

recommend86% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$36
per adult
3-Hour New Orleans City Tour

#9Court of Two Sisters Jazz Brunch Buffet

Listen to the Courtyard King while you feast on a true Cajun-Creole brunch with over 60 menu items, including local favorites such as eggs benedict, grits an...

recommend82% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$52
$49
per adult
Save!
Court of Two Sisters Jazz Brunch Buffet

#10Creole Queen Jazz Cruise with Optional Dinner

The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen invites you to step back in time as you board her open-air decks to the drifting sounds of live jazz as the sun slips behind t...

recommend82% of travelers recommend

Free Cancellation Free Cancellation

$52
per adult
Creole Queen Jazz Cruise with Optional Dinner

Top things to do by category

Adventures (1) Air, Balloon & Helicopter Tours (3) Attractions (16) Cruises & Water Tours (19) Day Trips & Excursions (11) Family friendly (109) Food & Drink (23) Hop-on Hop-off (2) Likely to sell out (34) New on Expedia (9) Nightlife (3) Private Transfers (3) Private tours (8) Sightseeing Passes (4) Tours & sightseeing (112) Walking & Bike Tours (99) Water activities (6)

What To Do in New Orleans

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Things To Do in New Orleans

Known for coming alive during Mardi Gras, the Big Easy actually has far more to offer than colorful beads and lots of partying. Things to do in New Orleans include enjoying live jazz music, going on paddlewheel river steamboat tours, walking through sculpture gardens, and eating lots of local Creole and Cajun cuisine. There is a great deal of history in this southern city, a fact that will appease both history buffs and patriotic travelers alike. And you will never have a shortage of haunted attractions in New Orleans, where both the historical significance and strong spiritual vibe of the city and Louisiana lend themselves to lots of ghostly stories.

Areas & Neighborhoods

A trip to NOLA has made its way onto more than one bucket list, appealing to night owls, families, and foodies alike. Whether you want to take a walk though streets and attractions steeped in rich tales or sit down at a new trendy restaurant, New Orleans is ready to welcome you with open arms on your next vacation.

French Quarter — This well-known district stands out for its colorful history and raucous bar scene, making it a popular stop on any vacation to New Orleans. Things to do here include touring historical homes and the famed Bourbon Street.

Art District — If you’re artistic, a walkabout in the art district is in order. In this unique stretch of New Orleans, industrial buildings have been transformed into vibrant open spaces.

Lakeview — Just a short distance from downtown, Lakeview gained its moniker from its location near Lake Pontchartrain. This neighborhood is a must-stop destination for anyone visiting New Orleans who has an interest in throwing a line in the water or taking a lazy, thoughtful stroll along the shore.

New Orleans tours and day trips are always available to take you through the most popular areas.

What to See in New Orleans

Once upon a time, the cabaret shows in The Big Easy were frowned upon, but these days they are definitely something to see while you’re in New Orleans. Other sites that attract people from around the country include the New Orleans Opera and the Chickie Wah Wah jazz and dance club.

Things to Do & Attractions in New Orleans

People-watch on Bourbon Street, eat lots of Creole food, and pay a visit to the Voodoo Museum. There is lots for tourists to do in the heart of Louisiana. Home to St. Louis Cathedral and its fair share of above-ground cemeteries, New Orleans is worth its weight in history and you’ll never find a better bowl of gumbo anywhere else. Don’t leave without a visit to French Market, which is the oldest public market in the nation, and eat a delicious beignet at Café Du Monde. Tour Jackson Square and catch some of the best jazz performances in the world on Frenchmen Street. Thankfully, tours in New Orleans make it easy to see this memorable city, so you don’t have figure out how to cram it all on in your own.