So you're heading to New Orleans? Good call. But let's get one thing straight from my last trip - this ain't Disneyland. The humidity will slap you in the face when you step off the plane, jazz notes float out of random doorways like ghosts, and that beignet powder? It gets everywhere. Worth it though. After three visits and one messy encounter with a hurricane cocktail, here's what actually matters for your list of must do things in New Orleans.
French Quarter Non-Negotiables
Yeah yeah, it's touristy. Skip it and you've missed the point. The Quarter's where French, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures smashed together to create something completely new. Just wear comfy shoes - those cobblestones are ankle-breakers.
Jackson Square Madness
700 Decatur Street. Open 24/7 but the real action happens between 10am-6pm. Free to wander but bring cash for:
- Tarot readers ($20-50 for 15 minute readings)
- Street artists ($25-100 for portraits)
- That amazing brass band that plays near Café du Monde
St. Louis Cathedral towers over everything. You can pop in free daily 8:30am-4pm unless there's mass. Funny story: last visit I saw a bride in a giant tulle dress dodging a bicycle taxi. Only in NOLA.
Bourbon Street Reality Check
Between Canal and St Ann streets. Look, it smells like stale beer and regret by midnight. Still, here's how to do it right:
- Pat O'Brien's (718 St Peter St) for a Hurricane ($12) in the flaming fountain courtyard
- Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon) - dim lighting, piano bar, and they claim it's the oldest building used as a bar in the US
- The 24-hour daiquiri stands - try the frozen mango ($8)
Personal opinion? Two hours max unless you're 21 and bulletproof. The vomit smell gets old.
Pro Tip: Walk just one block parallel to Bourbon on Royal Street. Suddenly you're in antique shops and art galleries with wrought-iron balconies dripping flowers. The contrast is wild.
Food That'll Change Your Life
New Orleans eats aren't food - they're edible history. Don't waste meals on chain restaurants. Your stomach will thank me.
Beignet Face-Planting 101
Café du Monde (800 Decatur St) is the OG. Open 24/7 except Christmas. $4.50 for 3 beignets and coffee. Cash only! Powdered sugar war zone warning. Went last month at 2am - still packed with people in formal wear. Only here.
Alternative: Morning Call in City Park (56 Dreyfous Dr). Same $4.50 deal but with actual seating and less elbowing.
Po-Boy Perfection
Forget Subway. This is crusty French bread stuffed with magic. Essential spots:
| Restaurant | Address | Price | Must-Order | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domilise's | 5240 Annunciation St | $16 | Shrimp with extra gravy | 11am-7pm (Closed Sun/Mon) |
| Parkway Bakery | 538 Hagan Ave | $14 | Roast beef debris with BBQ shrimp on top | 11am-8pm |
| Verti Marte | 1201 Royal St | $18 | "All That Jazz" po-boy | 24 hours |
That Verti Marte creation? Fried shrimp, ham, Swiss cheese, and secret sauce. Ate one at 3am once - still dream about it.
Music That Moves in Your Bones
Jazz isn't background music here - it's the city's heartbeat. You'll hear more talent in a dive bar than most concert halls.
Frenchmen Street Unfiltered
Just east of the Quarter. Walkable stretch between Royal and Chartres. Best 7pm-2am. Cover charges $5-20. My ranking after last October's crawl:
- The Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen) - intimate, jazz trios, cash-only dive
- d.b.a. (618 Frenchmen) - craft beer selection with brass bands
- Snug Harbor (626 Frenchmen) - sit-down jazz with Ellis Marsalis tributes
Thursday nights have an insane art market outside. Bought a jazz portrait there that hangs in my living room.
Preservation Hall Commitment
726 St Peter St. Shows at 5pm, 6pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm nightly. $20-50 tickets. Book weeks ahead online. No drinks, no AC, benches only. Sounds miserable? It's not. The music transports you. Saw a 80-year-old trumpeter there last year who made grown men cry. Pure magic.
Confession: I almost skipped Preservation Hall because of the no-booze policy. Biggest mistake I avoided. That room hums with history.
Beyond the Quarter: Actual Local Life
If you only stay in the tourist zone, you missed half the city. These spots give you the real NOLA pulse.
Garden District Stroll Therapy
Take the St Charles streetcar ($1.25 exact change) from Canal Street. Get off at Washington Ave. Walking tour essentials:
- Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (Open daily 7am-2:30pm)
- Sandra Bullock's mansion (2627 Coliseum St)
- Commander's Palace (1403 Washington Ave) - jazz brunch is $45 but legendary
Pro tip: Rent a blue bike ($8.75/hour) to cover more ground. The mansions will make your jaw drop.
City Park Escape
1 Palm Drive. Open sunrise to sunset. Larger than Central Park! Highlights:
- Morning Call beignets ($4.50 for 3)
- Botanical Garden ($15 entry)
- Sculpture garden (free!) with 90 quirky installations
Rented a swan pedal boat last summer - $20 for 30 minutes. Surprisingly fun and shady.
Tourist Traps vs. Actual Magic
Not all experiences are created equal. Here's my take after wasting money so you don't have to.
Cemetery Tours Done Right
Above-ground tombs are mind-blowing but choose wisely:
| Cemetery | Tour Requirement | Price Range | Why Unique |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Louis #1 | Mandatory guided tour | $25-45 | Nicholas Cage's future pyramid tomb |
| Lafayette #1 | Self-guided allowed | Free | Beautiful decay in Garden District |
| Metairie Cemetery | Self-guided | Free | Elaborate mausoleums of millionaires |
Skip the vampire tours - cheesy and historically questionable. Save Our Cemeteries offers legit history tours ($20).
Swamp Tours That Don't Suck
Yes, you'll see gators. No, they won't eat you. Best options:
- Cajun Encounters - $56 for 2hrs, hotel pickup included
- Airboat Adventures - $70 for small airboat thrill ride
Took my nephew last year - he touched a baby alligator. Still talks about it. Worth the drive.
Rainy day hack: The WWII Museum (945 Magazine St) is phenomenal. $31.50 entry but plan for 4+ hours. Their Tom Hanks-narrated 4D film is worth the extra $7.
Festivals: Beyond Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is insanity (Feb/Mar). But locals know these gems:
| Festival | When | Cost | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz Fest | Late Apr/early May | $95/day | Music + crawfish bread |
| Voodoo Fest | Halloween weekend | $120+/day | Rock bands in cemetery |
| Po-Boy Fest | November | Free entry | 50+ po-boy vendors |
Po-Boy Fest secret: Go early. Lines get insane by noon. Ate a soft-shell crab po-boy there that ruined all other sandwiches for me.
Transportation Smarts
Getting around doesn't have to suck if you plan:
- Streetcar: $1.25 per ride (exact change). St Charles line is scenic but slow
- Jazzy Pass: $3 for unlimited rides all day
- Uber/Lyft: French Quarter to Garden District about $12
Parking tip: Hotels charge $40+/night. Use SpotHero app for cheaper lots. Found one near Canal Street for $22/day last trip.
Safety: Keeping It Real
Look, it's a city. Not a war zone but be smart:
- After dark: Stick to well-lit streets in groups
- Avoid empty areas near riverfront warehouses
- Watch for pickpockets on Bourbon Street
Personal rule: I never walk alone past Frenchmen Street after midnight. Better to spend $8 on an Uber.
Your Must Do Things in New Orleans Cheat Sheet
First timer? Prioritize this:
- Beignets at Café du Monde
- Preservation Hall jazz set
- St Louis Cemetery tour
- Po-boy at Parkway Bakery
- Frenchmen Street music crawl
Missed these and you missed the soul of the city. Trust me.
Burning Questions Answered
How many days do I need for must do things in New Orleans?
Four days minimum. Two for the Quarter, one for Garden District/City Park, one for tours or day trips. Longer if you want to breathe.
Is New Orleans worth visiting if I hate crowds?
Yes! Go December-February (except Mardi Gras). Early mornings in the Quarter are peaceful. Rent bikes and explore Bayou St John.
What's overrated on the must do things in New Orleans lists?
Fancy dinners at Antoine's ($75+ entrees). Mass-produced voodoo shops. Most Bourbon Street clubs after midnight.
Can I do New Orleans cheap?
Absolutely. Free stuff: street music, cemetery walks (some), riverfront views. Budget eats: verti mart po-boys, lucky dog hot dogs, grocery store king cake.
Final thought: New Orleans isn't about checking boxes. It's about losing track of time listening to a trumpet solo under flickering gas lamps. Get lost down backstreets. Eat things you can't pronounce. Let the city happen to you. That's the real must do thing in New Orleans.
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