Look, if you're searching for "things in new orleans" right now, chances are you're planning a trip and drowning in info. Been there. Lived in NOLA for five years after Katrina, bartended on Frenchmen Street, got lost in the Quarter more times than I care to admit. This ain't some fluffy brochure listing obvious tourist traps. It's the straight dope on what's actually worth your time and money when you're hunting for the best things in New Orleans to do, eat, see, and hear. Forget generic lists – we're diving deep into specifics: prices, hours, how not to get ripped off, and spots where locals actually hang.

Stuff You Gotta Eat (Seriously, Don't Skip This)

New Orleans runs on its stomach. But where do you go beyond the overhyped spots? Here's the real deal, warts and all.

The Can't-Miss Classics (& Where to Get 'Em Right)

Had my first muffuletta at Central Grocery back in '06. Huge mistake getting a quarter – ended up going back for a whole one the next day, no regrets. That olive salad... it's addictive. Parkway's shrimp po'boy? Still dream about it. But skip the tourist traps selling "$5 Quick Gumbo" – tastes like salty dishwater.

Making Tracks: Getting Around Without Losing Your Mind

Okay, let's talk logistics. New Orleans streets aren't a grid, parking is hellish, and summer heat turns sidewalks into frying pans. How do you cope?

• Walking: Essential in the French Quarter and Garden District. Things in New Orleans are often closer than they look on maps... but humidity is brutal. Wear comfy shoes and hydrate like your life depends on it. Seriously, get a reusable water bottle.
• Streetcar: Charming but SLOW. The St. Charles line ($1.25 per ride, exact change!) is iconic, rolling past mansions. The Canal Street lines go towards City Park/Cemetery. Useful, scenic, but not speedy. Don't rely on it if you're in a hurry.
• Rideshares (Uber/Lyft): Your best bet for longer distances or late nights. Surge pricing hits hard during festivals, rain, or peak French Quarter chaos. Expect to wait longer outside downtown.
• Biking: Blue Bikes (rental kiosks everywhere) are great for exploring Marigny, Bywater, or along the crescent park. Helmet required by law, but enforcement is... sporadic.
• Driving: Only if you're staying outside the core areas or doing day trips. Parking costs $20-$40/day downtown. Read signs religiously – tow trucks are vicious. Seen many a tourist weep over that mistake.

Beyond Bourbon: Music, Museums & Must-Sees

So much more than beads and daiquiris. Finding authentic things in New Orleans takes a little digging.

Sights That Actually Deliver

Worked a block from Preservation Hall. Those shows? Pure magic. Tiny, hot, no AC, no drinks inside – just pure, raw jazz. Worth every penny and the stiff neck from craning to see. The WWII Museum is genuinely world-class, but it's huge. Allocate a whole morning or afternoon. Don't rush it.

Live Music: Finding the Real Deal

Forget Bourbon Street cover bands. Here's where you find the soul:

• Frenchmen Street: The local's answer to Bourbon. The Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen St) for traditional jazz (small cover charge, cash only). d.b.a. (618 Frenchmen) for blues/funk (great beer selection). Snug Harbor (626 Frenchmen) for serious jazz (reserve ahead). Start around 8pm. Cover charges usually $5-$15.
• Tipitina's (501 Napoleon Ave): Legendary Uptown spot. Bigger acts & local funk legends. Check their calendar. Ticket prices vary wildly ($20-$60+).
• Maple Leaf Bar (8316 Oak St): Uptown dive. Famous for Rebirth Brass Band Tuesday nights (packed!). Cover ~$15.
• Backstreet Cultural Museum (1531 St Philip St): Tiny Treme museum focused on Mardi Gras Indians and Jazz Funerals. Feels like stepping into someone's living room. $15, Closed Mon/Tue.

Caught Rebirth at the Maple Leaf once. Place was jumping, sweat dripping off the ceiling, pure energy. One of those quintessential things in New Orleans you just can't script. Bar across the street sells cheap tallboys if the line's too long inside.

Planning Smart: When to Go, Staying Safe, Saving Dough

NOLA isn't Disneyland. It's a real city with grit and charm. Planning makes all the difference.

Timing Your Trip (The Good, Bad, & Sticky)

• Best Weather: February-April, October-November. Milder temps, less humidity. Also peak season prices.
• Festival Season: Mardi Gras (dates vary, Feb/Mar - INSANE crowds/prices), Jazz Fest (late April/early May - huge, awesome music but $$$). Book a YEAR ahead.
• Summer (June-Aug): Brutally hot & humid. Thunderstorms daily. BUT hotel prices drop sometimes 50%. You'll sweat through your clothes by 10am. Seriously consider.
• Hurricane Season: June 1 - Nov 30. Peak Aug-Oct. Travel insurance is wise. Watch forecasts.

Safety Sense: Keeping It Real

Look, New Orleans has crime issues like any major city. Don't panic, but be street smart:

• Stick to well-lit, populated areas at night. Especially solo travelers. Garden District/Uptown are generally fine walking at night on main streets.
• Avoid deserted streets. Even in the Quarter. If a street looks empty, turn around.
• Watch your drinks. Never leave one unattended. Bourbon Street is notorious.
• Don't flash valuables. Keep phones/wallets secure. Pickpockets operate in crowds.
• Be VERY cautious walking alone late at night (especially beyond the Quarter/Marigny). Ubers are cheap insurance.
• Listen to your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

Lived Uptown, felt safe walking my dog at night. But wouldn't wander Central City alone after dark. It's about situational awareness.

Saving Money Without Missing Out

NOLA can drain your wallet fast. Here’s how locals stretch it:

• Happy Hours: Gospel. Bars like Bacchanal (Wine Garden, Bywater) or Columns Hotel (St. Charles Ave) have great deals. $5 cocktails? Yes please.
• Free Music: Abundant! Frenchmen Art Market atmosphere, street performers in Jackson Square, afternoon sets at spots like The Maison (Frenchmen St, cover later). Check WWOZ Livewire calendar online for free/cheap listings.
• City Park: Massive and free. Wander sculpture garden, see ancient oaks, watch locals. Cafe du Monde outpost there too. Rent a bike to explore it properly.
• Ferry to Algiers Point: $2 each way. Killer views of the skyline, quiet historic neighborhood on the other side. Cheapest "cruise" ever.
• Cheap Eats: Po'boys are filling. Central Grocery muffuletta feeds multiple people. Grab fried chicken from Brothers Food Mart (dive convenience store, 1201 Canal St - surprisingly great).

Digging Deeper: Beyond the Basics (Hidden Gems & Neighborhood Vibes)

Want authentic things in new orleans experiences? Venture outside the Quarter.

• Bywater/Marigny: Artsy, colorful houses, hipster cafes/bars. Bacchanal (wine shop/backyard live music), Elizabeth's Restaurant (incredible brunch - praline bacon!), St. Roch Market (food hall). Walkable from Frenchmen Street.
• Magazine Street (Uptown): 6 miles of shops, restaurants, bars. More locals, less chaos. Take the St. Charles streetcar to Washington Ave and walk down. Ignatius Eatery (local comfort food), Sneaky Pickle (vegan/veg creative), Rue de la Course (old bank turned coffee shop).
• Garden District: Mansions, mansions, mansions. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (currently closed for renovations, check status). Stroll Magazine Street or ride the streetcar down St. Charles. Free self-guided walking tour maps online.
• Treme: Birthplace of jazz. Visit St. Augustine Church, catch a second line parade if timing works (check WWOZ calendar), explore the Backstreet Cultural Museum. Respectful tourism appreciated here.

Sunday afternoons at Bacchanal in Bywater are my happy place. Grab a bottle from the shop, some cheese, sit outside listening to brass bands while the sun sets. Perfection. Magazine Street browsing is way more chill than Decatur Street chaos.

Stuff People Actually Ask (FAQs That Aren't Fluff)

What are some unique things to do in New Orleans besides the usual?

Try a Swamp Tour (Cajun Encounters is solid, ~$55, pickups downtown). Visit the Pharmacy Museum (weird & fascinating, $10, 514 Chartres St). Take a Cooking Class (New Orleans School of Cooking, ~$32 for demo). Catch a Second Line Parade – check WWOZ radio's calendar for Sundays. Tour Music Box Village (interactive sound sculptures, Bywater, $15).

Is New Orleans safe for tourists? Like, really?

Most tourist areas (French Quarter, CBD, Garden District, Uptown near streetcar, Frenchmen Street, Marigny/Bywater core) are heavily patrolled and fine during the day and busy evening hours. Use standard city smarts: stay aware, don't wander deserted streets at 3am drunk flashing cash, secure belongings, use rideshares at night outside well-lit cores. Violent crime rarely targets random tourists in main zones, but property crime (thefts, pickpocketing) happens anywhere crowds gather. Be smart, you'll be fine.

How many days do I really need in New Orleans?

Minimum? 3 full days. Day 1: French Quarter exploration + Jackson Square + Cafe du Monde + maybe a cemetery tour. Day 2: Garden District/Magazine Street + WW2 Museum OR City Park. Day 3: Music focus (Frenchmen Street clubs) + food deep dive + maybe a swamp tour or unique museum. 4-5 days is better to relax, explore neighborhoods like Bywater, and catch specific music acts without rushing.

What should I absolutely avoid in New Orleans?

Hand Grenades (super sugary, gut-rot tourist trap drink). Overpriced, empty Bourbon Street "clubs" with aggressive hawkers. Souvenir shops selling cheap "voodoo" kits (real practitioners don't sell like that). Walking alone down dark side streets late at night (especially beyond the Quarter). Driving in the French Quarter if you can avoid it (parking nightmare). Expecting everything to run on time (it's NOLA, embrace the slow).

Best area to stay for first-timers?

French Quarter: Most central, walkable to major sites. Can be noisy/smelly near Bourbon. CBD/Warehouse District: Quieter, close to WW2 Museum, streetcar lines, modern hotels. Short walk or cheap Uber to Quarter. Garden District/Uptown: Beautiful, residential, quieter. Streetcar access to downtown. More B&Bs/inns. Marigny/Bywater: Hip, great food/music, walkable to Frenchmen St & Quarter edge. More guesthouses. Avoid: Areas far from streetcar lines without easy transport unless you have a car and know the city.

Are cemetery tours worth it?

Yes, if you're into history or architecture. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the most famous (requires a licensed tour guide, ~$20). Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (Garden District) is currently closed for renovations – check status. Tours explain burial practices, society tombs, and famous residents. Good guides make it fascinating. Don't go expecting spooky thrills; it's more historical. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

What's the deal with Mardi Gras? Should I go?

It's an experience! But know this: It's CROWDED. Hotels book out a year+ in advance and prices triple. Parades are amazing, but involve hours of waiting/public transport chaos. French Quarter during Mardi Gras is... intense. If you want the spectacle, go, but book EARLY and embrace the madness. If you dislike huge crowds and logistical headaches, pick another time. "Shoulder season" (Jan, late Feb post-Mardi Gras, Sept/Oct) offers better deals and parades without the biggest insanity.

Final Musings & Practical Bits

New Orleans isn't perfect. The streets are bumpy, some areas are struggling, the heat can be oppressive, and yes, it has problems. But the soul? The music pouring out of doorways? The smell of roux cooking? The way people celebrate life even when it's hard? That's real. That's what makes the messy, magical things in New Orleans worth seeking out.

Quick practical hits:

• Tipping: 20% standard in restaurants/bars (yes, even at the bar). Tip musicians in buckets at clubs.
• Sales Tax: High. ~10.45% on purchases/food/drinks. Budget accordingly.
• Comfortable Shoes: Non-negotiable. Cobblestones are brutal.
• Hydration: Carry water ALWAYS. Especially April-Oct.
• Cash: Still king in many smaller places (dives, street vendors, small music clubs). ATMs charge fees, hit your bank before.

Honestly? My favorite thing in New Orleans wasn't on any list. It was sitting on a stoop in the Marigny as the sun went down, listening to a trumpet player practice down the block, smelling jasmine and maybe a little garbage, chatting with neighbors. That messy, real heartbeat. Go find yours.