WHAT TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS (BESIDES DRINKING)

 

New Orleans is typically associated with all the debauchery of Mardi Gras and lost wallets, dignity and stomach contents on Bourbon Street, but the truth is that you’re missing out on some of the best parts of NOLA if you’re not exploring beyond the bars and clubs. Here’s the best part: you can still do most of these things with a drink in hand (or not). Here’s your ultimate guide to what to do in New Orleans (besides drinking):

1. Walk around the French quarter near the LaLaurie Mansion and check out the cute houses. The traditional architecture, complemented by galleries overhanging the sidewalks, painted wooden shutters, and hanging greenery, is often brick or painted a bright and cheerful color. Also make note of the LaLaurie Mansion; we’ll revisit this one on the haunted tour!

 

2. Go on a swamp tour to see gators, boars, snakes, cranes, raccoons, and nutria (think very large rats). I went with Cajun Encounters and had an absolute blast cruising the swamp near Honey Island for an hour while our friendly guide pointed out critters and lured them in with hot dogs and boar calls (think “pig sueyyyy!”). Pro tip – sit in the back seats by the captain for the best view with the fewest neighbors and don’t forget to tip your captain.

 

3. Go on a haunted tour to check out historical sites in the neighborhood at night, learn their significance, and drink along the way (if you’re so inclined). Since you’re allowed to wander with drinks in hand and there’s an intermission at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, the longest continuously open bar in the US, if you need to refresh, there’s no short of booze for those who want it. We did ours with Haunted History, featured on several television programs. They also offer haunted pub craws who want to focus more on the booze. Our guide was fantastic and told us about the historical significance of some of New Orleans’ most notorious hauntings.

 

4. Scope out the gorgeous, vintage interiors of some of the most beautiful hotels in the city. I recommend visiting the swanky Roosevelt Hotel and if the mood strikes you, sample their namesake drink at the Sazerac Bar. If arty and kitschy is more your vibe, drink and dine at any of the fabulously decorated restaurants in The Pontchartrain Hotel in the Lower Garden District, such as The Caribbean Room or the rooftop bar, Hot Tin.

 

5. Ride a street car! The St. Charles Line is the oldest and goes through a beautiful tree-lined area, starting from the edge of the French Quarter and traveling all the way up St. Charles Avenue and onto Carrollton Avenue. You can also catch the Canal, Riverfront, and Rampart streetcars, all of which sport a different design. The fare is $1.25 cash one way, so be sure to have exact change on you, and ride with a friend if you’re unfamiliar with the city.

 

6. Some of the most impressive sights in New Orleans are simply the beautiful greenery and colorful buildings and the way to see them is to get out and pound the pavement. Walk Magazine, Esplanade, and Canal Streets during the day to eat, shop, and scope out Victorian buildings and old oak trees. Consider making a stop at some of the houses that offer tours or booking a house tour if you’re worried about plotting your own route.

 

7. If you’re down to drive outside of the city, check out Oak Alley Plantation. This stunning plantation is about an hour outside of New Orleans and offers daily tours of the inside of the house, as well as the former slave quarters and the oak-lined path from which it draws its name. Not only is it beautiful, but it is a slice of history.

 

8. Want to get a little closer to the biggest party in the south without fighting the crowds? Scope out Mardi Gras World, a museum and work space where all the Mardi Gras floats are created, painted, and stored, near the port. You can quite literally wander at leisure through these works of art, watch them being carved out of a solid block, and catch artists at their work stations painting away. There are also tours every half hour, but they aren’t mandatory for viewing if that’s not your style.

 

9. Want something steeped in history sans the museum aspect? Head over to the French Quarter and get a palm, tea leaf, or tarot card reading. I had a palm and tarot card reading done at Bottom Of The Cup, which also doubles as a quaint tea shop. While there are definitely more authentic readers than the gentleman who did mine, the experience itself is worthwhile and I went home with a CD recording of my first foray into the world of readings.

 

10. New Orleans is renowned for its gorgeous above-ground cemeteries. Because the water table is so high, the deceased must be encase in cement or buried in mausoleums in order to remain put. This tradition gave rise to the vast rows of mausoleums you see stretching whole city blocks throughout the city. If you think they look incredible from the street, you’ll be blown away by the history, the inhabitants, and the shift in grave style over the centuries. I recommend Lafayette #1 or St. Louis #3 for sheer beauty, but St. Louis #1 is the oldest above-ground cemetery in the city and where Nicholas Cage’s future tomb lies in wait. Be prepared to pay (they accept cash or card) and walk with a tour guide to insure the protection of these historic and personal sites.

 

11. Head over to Preservation Hall and listen to some of the best live jazz music in the city! Bring your own booze, as they don’t serve any, and use the restroom before you go. I’d also consider purchasing your tickets online so you’re guaranteed entry to the show you want. While they are $45 online and only $15 in person, it is worth every single penny to have the guarantee of a seat in the front row for one of the best shows in the city. There’s a show at 5pm, 6pm, 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm every night and you can purchase tickets here: http://preservationhall.tunestub.com/eventList.cfm. Bring cash or a card and walk away with a few of your new favorite songs on vinyl or some commemorative memorabilia.

 

12. If you want to get some fresh air and take in some art and culture, head over to City Park and stroll through the oak trees, grab a beignet at Morning Call, and visit the New Orleans Museum of Art. There is ample free parking, and the park provides a bit of serenity away from the madness of the city.

 

Still need a few more reasons why your next trip should be to New Orleans? Now that you know what to do in New Orleans, check out 20 Photos To Inspire You To Visit New Orleans.

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