New Orleans is an extraordinary city, and with its unique culture and history, it has long enchanted a wide variety of visitors with a yearning for the romantic, the spiritual, the beautiful or the off-beat.
New Orleans offers something for everyone…riverboats, museums, Creole cuisine, quaint shops and narrow streets in the French Quarters filled with bars, restaurants and nightlife. Make sure and enjoy a traditional jazz club and stop for coffee and beignets at Cafe de Monde.
Although it doesn’t begin to cover it all, here are 10 Things to See in Do in New Orleans.
National WWII Museum
Even those that are not history buffs can enjoy this museum. It has a large collection of artifacts as well as educational films to watch. There are oral recantations of experiences of both soldiers and civilians. A popular 4-D movie to watch while there is “Beyond All Boundaries”. It was produced and narrated by Tom Hanks. The museum is located on Magazine Street in the Warehouse District. In order to see all of the exhibits, artifacts and films, you should set aside at least 3 hours.
St. Louis Cathedral
Located in the French Quarter, this is North America’s oldest cathedral even though it’s the third cathedral on the site. The first cathedral was built in the 1700s and was destroyed as was the second one that was built. The third cathedral, which stands today, holds religious services and free concerts. Even if you don’t want to attend one of the services, you should still take a look inside as the architecture is absolutely stunning. The St. Louis Cathedral is located on Pere Antoine Alley.
Frenchmen Street
This street is a great place to visit if you want to escape some of the more touristy areas of New Orleans. Here you will find everything from nightclubs to art galleries. For a good time, The Spotted Cat and Three Muses are great choices. Frenchmen Street is similar to Bourbon street, but is trendier, less crowded and often times cheaper. If you are there after 7 p.m., check out the Frenchmen Art Market that’s open daily until 1 a.m. It features jewelry and handcrafted art.
Royal Street
Royal Street is located basically a few feet from Frenchmen Street and within walking distance of the French Quarter. Here you will find a lot of boutiques and antique shops. There are a number of elegant hotels and restaurants here as well. One of the things that makes this street so unique is the architecture. Many of the buildings date back to the 18th century.
Jackson Square
Located on Decatur Street in front of St. Louis Cathedral, this square got its name from the three bronze statues of Andrew Jackson that can be found in the square. The area itself consists of both restaurants and shops and residential apartments. There’s also an open-air artist colony where artwork is display on an iron fence.
French Quarter
When most people think about New Orleans they associate it with the French Quarter. It’s considered to be the heart of the city and is a National Historic Landmark. It has deep roots and was established in 1718 by the French. In fact, many of the cobblestone streets have French names. The Faulkner House, Cabildo and of course, Bourbon Street, are all interesting places to visit. During the day the area can be relatively tame, but at night it can get pretty wild.
Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World
You don’t have to come to New Orleans during Mardi Gras to take part in it thanks to Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World. Visitors can see real floats and costumes used in Mardi Gras parades up close. It’s actually a warehouse that allows you to take a self-guided tour and watch a few multimedia presentations about the event itself. Visitors can even try on a Mardi Gras costume before they leave. Mardi Gras World can be found in the lower Garden District.
Garden District
The Garden District can be found about 3 miles from the French Quarter. It’s a residential neighborhood filled with gardens and trees. It’s a very peaceful atmosphere and has a variety of cafes and shops. It’s also home to the famous Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. If you have time, stop at Commander’s Palace Restaurant which is one of the busiest restaurants in the city.
Mississippi River Paddlewheel Cruise
For a unique way to see the Mississippi River, go on a paddlewheel cruise. At one time you could only get to New Orleans by boat so paddlewheel steamboats played a huge part in the development of the south. Cruises leave daily and often offer meals onboard and narration as well.
Ride A Street Car Down Canal Street
Riding on a street car down Canal Street has become a favorite thing for tourists to do. It’s one of the best ways to see the city and fare is only $1.25 currently. The Canal Streetcar route is about 5 ½ miles long and goes through the Central Business District and the Mid-City area and City Park. Once you get to the end, hop off and walk around the New Orleans Museum Of Art. Here you can see some of the most famous artwork in New Orleans. Also nearby is the Pitot house which features a 1799 plantation home. The streetcars are air conditioned so you don’t have to worry about sweltering in the heat even in the scorching summer months.
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