Must Dos in New Orleans – A First Timer’s Nola Guide

Welcome to the vibrant city of New Orleans, where the soulful rhythms of jazz fill the air, and the tantalizing aroma of Creole cuisine beckons from every corner. Nestled along the mighty Mississippi River, it’s an enchanting city that offers a unique blend of rich history, cultural diversity, and a lively atmosphere that captivates with sensory overload in all the right ways. Whether you’re a music lover, a food enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking an unforgettable experience, the must-dos in New Orleans promise to leave an indelible mark on your heart and soul.

It’s hard narrowing down must do New Orleans experiences because the city is so unique. You could easily stack a whole itinerary with must-see attractions and restaurants, but it truly is best explored by following your nose, admiring the architecture, and seeing where you end up by getting lost in the right direction. But that just means you’ll need a return trip, right?

If you are more of a planner, here are some of the must-dos:

Walk Around Bourbon Street and Royal Street

One of the world’s most famous pedestrian throughout fares, Bourbon Street, is the debaucherous heart of Nola’s iconic French Quarter. Grab a frozen drink and slice of pizza, listen to the street performers, pop into Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, and enjoy the tunes at Ticklers Piano Bar as you bar hop and people watch. Fair warning, though, daytime and nighttime are entirely different experiences – and after-dark is only for the faint of heart. For a tamer, less X-rated experience, Royal Street runs parallel and is home to the best shopping in Nola including unique boutiques, art galleries, and antiques.

Meander the French Market

The O.G. outdoor food hall/shopping bazaar of your dreams, the French Market, has been around for 200+ years. Skirting the water not far from Jackson Square, eat your way through the vendor stalls searching for corn in a cup, crepes, crawfish etouffee, gumbo, fresh squeezed lemonade, and handmade artisan crafts for souvenirs.

See Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral 

Originally known in the 18th century as “Place d’Armes,” Jackson Square was later renamed to honor Battle of New Orleans hero Andrew Jackson. A National Historic Landmark, artists and street performers line the square with unique wares and talents, and you’ll find fortune tellers, tarot card readers galore. Pop into the church to be wowed by the architecture of the oldest cathedral in North America. For the bibliophiles, Faulker’s home was turned into one of the best bookstores in the world hidden in the alley next to the church with rare and vintage books where only six are allowed to peruse at a time.

Catch a Concert at Preservation Hall 

One of the most unique spots to hear authentic New Orleans jazz, Preservation Hall has been the place for intimate concerts since the ’60s, an art gallery turned industrial venue where musicians would gather to practice their craft. Pro Tip: With seating for less than 100, it’s an intimate experience and tickets go fast (especially for bench seating over the GA standing room only). The three nightly concerts are short (45 minutes), which is just long enough since it’s essentially a sweatbox without AC.  

Celebrate Fat Tuesday Anytime at Mardi Gras World 

The place to experience Mardi Gras year-round, Mardi Gras World houses 80% of the biggest and best floats from parades in years past and serves as a warehouse space to build and decorate over 500 new designs each year. For more Fat Tuesday fun, the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture gives another look into the fabulous festival culture.

Take a Streetcar Around the Garden District

Touring by trolley is one of the most nostalgic ways to see the incredible architecture and flowery live oaks of the Garden District. Hop on the St. Charles Streetcar, the city’s longest route, and the world’s oldest continuously operating street railway system. When you’re ready to stretch your legs, Magazine Street runs parallel and has some of the best boutiques in the city.

Stretch Your Legs at City Park 

Bigger than Central Park in NYC, City Park is home to some of New Orleans’s most iconic attractions, the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Couturie Forest and Arboretum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Louisiana Children’s Museum, and the largest grove of mature live oaks in the world, some of which are nearly 800 years old and perfect for a photo shoot.

If You Have More Time…

Louis Armstrong Park 

A beautifully manicured green space with bridges galore, the park is dedicated to jazz great Louis Armstrong.

Steamboat Natchez

A two-hour jazz cruise along the Mississippi River, there are lunchtime and nighttime boat rides that include music and meals.

National WWII Museum

Since its opening day on D-Day, the museum was designated by U.S. Congress America’s official WWII Museum and a must-see for history lovers. 

Take a Cajun Cooking Class

Voted the #2 food experience in the world, the New Orleans School of Cooking has daily hands-on classes and demonstrations for signature dishes like jambalaya, bread pudding, etouffee, gumbo, and pralines.

Go for a Ghost Tour

See the city’s spooky side with a walking tour of the history of the hauntings. Ground zero is St. Louis Cemetery, where voodoo queen herself Marie Laveau resides.

Get a Drink at Carousel Bar

Located inside the iconic Hotel Monteleone, no, you’re not just tipsy; the bar really is rotating.

Plantation and Swamp Tours 

Go for an airboat ride along the bayou or experience life in an antebellum Louisiana mansion.

Where to Eat in New Orleans:

Café Du Monde – Beignets

A landmark destination famous for its fried dough coated in powdered sugar and café au lait, a chocolatey, sugary coffee mixed with milk, Café Du Monde is a casual café that always has lines around the block and pigeons flocking for a rogue bite.

Olde Nola Cookery – Taste of New Orleans

The best of the best, their Taste of New Orleans plate is a sampler of the holy trinity of tasty bites — gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and red beans and rice with smoked sausage. They all might look like different shades of brown mush, but it’ll be the best-tasting, most unphotogenic mush you’ll ever put in your mouth.

Ruby Slipper – Brunch

With locations all around the city, brunch is big business at Ruby Slipper. Mix and match any two bennies, opt for one of their decadent pancake or French toast creations (hello white chocolate bread pudding), or splurge on the trifecta, their three best sellers: eggs cochon, chicken St. Charles and bayou shrimp. Pro Tip: Join the waitlist online before heading over.

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar – Chargrilled Oysters

Usually, I’m a raw oyster purist, but these babies are flash fired in front of your eyes and genuinely life-changing.

For a Splurge Meal – G.W. Fins

Say it with me, scallibut (scallop halibut). This weird hybrid fish is one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth and the lobster dumplings are also a must-order app.

For Another Iconic Meal – Galatoire’s

An institution since 1905, Galatoire’s has been one of the fine dining, white table cloth meals for over a century. If the seasonal pompano is on the menu it’s a must, but you can’t go wrong with anything (crab sardou is a personal favorite). They also pioneered the iconic turtle soup.

The Best of the Best – Commander’s Palace

There’s a reason their iconic Tiffany Blue facade tops every list, including earning a whopping seven James Beard Awards. The service is impeccable (each table has 2-3 dedicated servers) and herbs are grown in-house in their own garden. A number of the Nola dishes got their start there from the tableside flambeed bananas foster to their signature soufflé. They are also one of the last remaining restaurants to do a jazz brunch, one of the hottest tables in town. According to Southern Living, the restaurant is so beloved multiple fans have written clauses in their wills calling for loved ones to enjoy a meal at Commander’s in their honor.

C