New Orleans is a Mississippi River port city of about 384,000 people in southeast Louisiana, known for the French Quarter, jazz and brass bands, Creole and Cajun food, Mardi Gras, above-ground cemeteries and the streetcar-lined Garden District.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in New Orleans.
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1
French Quarter and Jackson Square
Tip: Arrive before 10:00 AM on weekdays to see the Quarter without crowds. · Wear comfortable shoes; sidewalks and cobbles are uneven. · Check the Jean Lafitte visitor center for free ranger-led programs. · Carry water in summer; heat and humidity are intense. · Keep valuables secure in crowds, especially on Bourbon Street at night. · Open containers of alcohol are permitted in the Quarter but not glass containers on the street.
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2
St. Louis Cathedral
Tip: Visit on weekday mornings for fewer crowds and quieter interiors. · Dress modestly and remove hats; this is an active place of worship. · Check the cathedral website for mass and wedding times before visiting. · Donations are welcome; entry is free. · Photograph the facade from the center of Jackson Square for the best angle. · Combine the visit with the Cabildo and Presbytere next door.
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3
The National WWII Museum
Tip: Buy timed tickets online to skip the line. · Arrive at opening, 9:00 AM, on weekdays for the lightest crowds. · Allow four to six hours; some visitors split it over two days. · Reserve the 4D film or Freedom Theater when buying admission. · Take the St. Charles streetcar to Lee Circle, then walk five minutes. · Wear comfortable shoes; the galleries involve a lot of walking.
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4
Garden District and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Tip: Ride the St. Charles streetcar to Washington Avenue to start. · Confirm cemetery hours and tour requirements at saveourcemeteries.org. · Visit in the morning for the quietest streets and best light. · Do not climb on or touch the tombs. · Bring water and insect repellent in warm months. · Most mansions are private; view them from the sidewalk.
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5
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Tip: Book a licensed guided tour ahead; independent entry is not permitted. · Join an early morning tour to avoid heat and crowds. · Do not mark, touch or lean on tombs. · Bring water, sunscreen and a hat; shade is limited. · Wear sturdy shoes for uneven ground. · Confirm tour times with the operator before arriving.
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6
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
Tip: Visit Wednesday evening for later hours. · Louisiana residents pay a lower rate; ages 19 and under are free. · Pair the visit with the free Besthoff Sculpture Garden. · Check special exhibition ticketing in advance. · Ride the Canal Streetcar City Park line to the terminus and walk five minutes. · Confirm photography rules in each gallery.
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7
Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Tip: Entry is free; donations are welcome. · Go in late afternoon for soft light and thinner crowds. · Combine with NOMA for a half-day visit. · Do not climb on or touch the sculptures. · Wear comfortable shoes and bring water in summer. · Check noma.org for current hours and any closures.
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8
New Orleans City Park
Tip: Arrive on spring or fall mornings for the best weather. · Check neworleanscitypark.org for attraction hours and seasonal closures. · Rent a bike or paddle boat to cover more ground. · Park entry is free; Botanical Garden and rides charge separately. · Bring water and insect repellent. · Take the Canal Streetcar City Park line to the end and walk.
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9
Audubon Zoo
Tip: Arrive at opening for active animals and thinner crowds. · Check for combo tickets with other Audubon venues. · Bring sunscreen and water; shade varies by exhibit. · Ride the St. Charles streetcar to Audubon Park and walk through the park. · Check the website for hours; the zoo is closed Mondays in many seasons. · Rent a stroller if visiting with small children.
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10
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Tip: Buy tickets online and check combo options with the Insectarium or Zoo. · Arrive at opening on weekdays to avoid crowds. · Use no flash when photographing the tanks. · Allow two to three hours. · Walk Woldenberg Park along the river before or after. · Check the website for seasonal hours and closures.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Historic
French Quarter and Jackson Square
The 1718 grid of Creole and Spanish-era streets around Jackson Square, with the Cathedral, Cabildo and Presbytere.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Tremé's walled cemetery of above-ground tombs, visited by licensed guided tour.
Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square
Site where enslaved and free people of color gathered to drum and dance on Sundays.
Museum
The National WWII Museum
Multi-pavilion museum covering the American experience in World War II, with immersive films and a submarine experience.
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
Louisiana's oldest art museum, in City Park.
The Cabildo and Presbytere
Louisiana State Museum buildings telling Louisiana and Mardi Gras history.
Mardi Gras World
Working float-building studio with guided tours and king cake.
Architecture
Garden District and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Antebellum mansions and live oaks along Prytania and First Streets.
Garden
Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Free sculpture garden of about 90 works among live oaks.
Longue Vue House and Gardens
Country-place estate with Spanish-style gardens.
Music
Preservation Hall
Intimate traditional jazz hall in the French Quarter.
Frenchmen Street
Live-music strip in the Marigny with a weekend night market.
Nature
New Orleans City Park
1,300-acre park with oaks, bayou paths, botanical garden and NOMA.
Audubon Zoo
Zoo in Audubon Park with a Louisiana swamp exhibit.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums open about 9:00-10:00 AM and close 4:00-5:00 PM; several are closed Mondays; Mardi Gras Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas closures are common. Confirm each venue website before traveling.
- Fees
- Free highlights include the French Quarter, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Louis Armstrong Park, the riverfront Moonwalk and live music on Frenchmen Street.
- Best Times
- October through May is mild; Mardi Gras (Carnival season ends the day before Ash Wednesday) and Jazz Fest (late April-early May) are peak periods; June to September is hot and humid with hurricane season.
- Booking
- Book the National WWII Museum, Preservation Hall, cemetery tours, plantation tours and the Steamboat Natchez ahead online, especially at weekends and during festivals.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Group sights by area: French Quarter and Jackson Square; Warehouse District and the WWII Museum; Garden District and Magazine Street; City Park and NOMA.
The St. Charles streetcar costs $1.25 (US$1.25) exact cash or via the Le Pass app; the 1-day Jazzy Pass is $3 (US$3).
Open-container drinking is allowed in plastic cups on the street, but not glass.
Cemetery tours are licensed; unlicensed entry to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is not permitted.
Carry water and sunscreen from April to October; summer heat index often exceeds 100 F (38 C).
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free attractions in New Orleans?
The French Quarter, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral exterior, the Moonwalk riverfront, Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Louis Armstrong Park, Frenchmen Street music and the St. Charles streetcar ride (a small fare) are the best low-cost sights.
How many days are needed for New Orleans?
Three days covers the French Quarter, the National WWII Museum, the Garden District and one music night; five days adds City Park, a plantation or swamp trip and Frenchmen Street.