Events and Festivals

There is always a party on Bourbon Street in the scenic and historic French Quarter. During Mardi Gras, which begins as a season in January and runs until Fat Tuesday, the area is in high-gear. All year long, you will find renowned jazz clubs, street performers, unparalleled nightlife, and some of the finest dining spots in the city within this storied neighborhood. Famous spots to enjoy live music include One Eyed Jacks and Preservation Hall.

Offered on the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May, the premier festival known as Jazz Fest is a great reason to visit New Orleans, all on its own. Taking place at the New Orleans Fair Grounds, this beloved annual event features both music and food, arguably the two best parts of any culture! A sold-out event each year, Jazz Fest books in all-star entertainers and dozens of food booths, selling local seafood, regional specialties, and delectable desserts. Other large annual festivals include the Voodoo Music and Art Experience, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, and Emeril Lagasse’s fundraiser, Boudin, Bourbon and Beer.

Tours

Because New Orleans is almost completely flat, it is perfect for a relaxed bicycle ride or walking tour. The Garden District tours should not be missed! Offered as group or private tours, the walking tours will take you throughout the many historic mansions and above ground cemeteries that the Big Easy is known for. Opting for a horse-drawn carriage tour is a fantastic way to see a bit more in a day and maybe scout out the city for tomorrow’s destinations. Day cruises on the Mississippi River or through the swamp and bayou offer a unique way to see new sights and experience the regions wildlife.

For a tour around landmarks and historic sights, plan to visit Jackson Square where you’ll surely encounter charming street performers and artists, Frenchmen Street where the music never stops, and the St. Louis Cathedral (New Orleanians have worshipped on this spot since 1727). The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is the top-rated tourist destination in the city and houses a compelling blend of immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories. Seeking a spookier historical tour? Stay out late for a nighttime Ghosts & Spirits Walking Tour to learn about the legends that made New Orleans famous.

Shopping

Elegant Uptown/Garden District offers distinctly luxurious shopping in plenty of high-end boutiques, whether you are in the mood to shop for clothing, home goods, or new art for your collection. The Garden District area used to be several plantations, and so longstanding oak trees line the streets of historic homes, while fragrant blooms fill the air with memories of the region’s antebellum past. Located within historic Uptown is also the Audubon Nature Institute, where you can visit the Zoo, Nature Center, Aquarium, and Insectarium (famous for butterflies).

Food and Dining

A trip to New Orleans could be planned around the food offerings, alone. With its own famous Creole food culture, the flavors from Spanish, French, Caribbean, and African influences shine through, while featuring fresh Louisiana ingredients and hospitality. Highly-awarded, historic restaurants draw crowds all year-round, such as the Café du Monde for their offering of fresh coffee and beignets 24/7 in the French Quarter; or the six-time James Beard award-winning Commander’s Palace with their trademark New Orleans dining in the Garden District. Opened in 1918, Arnaud’s specializes in classic Creole cuisine with a jacket-encouraged dress code for the main dining room and a more relaxed Jazz Bistro next door. After enjoying a historic meal, stop into their Mardi Gras Museum to view over two dozen lavish costumes and other fascinating artifacts. Newer hot spots like Justine, owned and operated by James Beard award-winning chef Justin Devillier and his wife Mia, offer decadent brasserie menu items such as bone marrow bordelaise and foie gras torchon. For a taste of the south, visit Toups South, located in the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Chef Isaac Toups of Top Chefrenown serves dishes from all over the south, and has a special four-course, off menu brunch every second Sunday. And for fresh-as-can-be seafood, you can’t miss Peche, in the Warehouse District, where you will find an oyster bar and the day’s fresh catch being roasted over a live fire.

It is fabled that the cocktail was first created in New Orleans, and there are today many places to enjoy a finely mixed drink in the Crescent City. The Sazerac Bar, located in the lobby of the Roosevelt hotel, is swanky and full of notable historical wonders, which help make this a standout bar. The Victorian Lounge at Columns Hotel is a converted 19^th-century mansion, with a veranda overlooking picturesque St. Charles Avenue. Enjoy al fresco cocktails or steal inside for a drink where the carved mahogany walls and gilded bronze chandelier await. If you’re more into visiting dive bars and experiencing local flavor, Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge in Uptown cannot be missed. Named by Anthony Bourdain as one of the country’s best dive bars, this small, late-night neighborhood bar fills nightly with all types.