New Orleans · updated june 2026
What to do in New Orleans right now
209 source-backed places, routed walks, and stories that play as you move — the must-sees, where to eat, the spots locals keep naming, and what’s on today.
Quick answers
New Orleans, straight to the point
How should I start planning New Orleans?
Start with places like Arnaud’s, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Park, and Audubon Park, save what fits, then turn the shortlist into your New Orleans plan.
What kinds of things does Gyde include?
Gyde includes places, events, walking tours, stories, restaurants, reservations, tickets, and other bookable experiences when they belong in the plan.
How are these recommendations different from a list of attractions?
Gyde gives short reasons, source-backed place pages, and map-ready routes so you can decide what belongs in your New Orleans day.
Source-backed place · Museums
The National WWII Museum
America's official National WWII Museum is a world-class campus in downtown New Orleans, featuring immersive exhibits, 4D cinemat…
Dive into the nation's top-rated WWII museum with immersive exhibits, aircraft, and the home front story.
Source-backed place · Landmarks
Jackson Square
The historic heart of the French Quarter, this National Historic Landmark served as a military parade ground and the site of the…
Roam the historic park anchored by the cathedral, featuring statues, a fountain, and local artists painting live.
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Louis Armstrong Park
A 31-acre cultural sanctuary honoring jazz legend Louis Armstrong, featuring the historic Congo Square and the Mahalia Jackson Th…
Relax in the green escape near the Quarter with jazz musician sculptures, duck ponds, and a peaceful fountain.
Source-backed place · Religious sites
St. Louis Cathedral
The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, is a historic Catholic landmark and the seat of the Archdiocese of New Orl…
Peep the oldest continuously used cathedral in the US with its iconic three black spires and white Spanish facade.
Source-backed place · Museums
Mardi Gras World
Step inside a massive 300,000-square-foot working warehouse to witness the artistry and craftsmanship behind New Orleans' most ic…
Watch workers build massive Mardi Gras floats and peek at spectacular creations from past parades.
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Audubon Park
A sprawling 350-acre municipal oasis in New Orleans's Uptown neighborhood, featuring historic live oaks, serene lagoons, and a le…
The classic Uptown oak-shaded stroll, perfect for bikes, jogs, and lazy river-adjacent afternoons.
Source-backed place · Food and drink
Café du Monde
A legendary New Orleans landmark on Decatur Street, famous for its open-air seating and iconic powdered-sugar beignets paired wit…
Beignets and café au lait in the French Quarter are the city’s most famous sugar rush.
Source-backed place · Bars and nightlife
The Spotted Cat Music Club
Located on Frenchmen Street, The Spotted Cat Music Club is a quintessential New Orleans jazz venue known for its intimate atmosph…
A cash-only, no-cover Marigny favorite packed with locals and tourists for nightly jazz, blues, and funk.
Source-backed place · Bars and nightlife
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
A premier jazz club and Creole bistro located in a historic 1800s brick building on Frenchmen Street, featuring daily performance…
The polished grand dame of Frenchmen Street offering ticketed seated jazz shows with full Creole dining in a separate room.
Source-backed place · Food and drink
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant
A legendary Treme institution and Civil Rights landmark, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant serves authentic Creole and soul food in a hist…
Legendary Creole plates and red beans served in a historic Black New Orleans institution.
Reservations ResySource-backed place · Markets
French Market
Established in 1791, this historic open-air market is a cornerstone of the French Quarter, offering a vibrant mix of internationa…
Browse the oldest open-air market in the US for local crafts, food, and the famous historic flea market.
Source-backed place · Food and drink
Napoleon House
A French Quarter icon and National Historic Landmark, this European-style café is famous for its Pimm's Cups, warm muffulettas, a…
Grab a Pimm’s Cup in a gorgeous old Quarter landmark with a gloriously timeworn atmosphere.
Source-backed place · Bars and nightlife
Carousel Bar & Lounge
A world-famous, rotating bar located within the Hotel Monteleone, featuring an ornate canopy and cocktails that spin you through…
Spin slowly on a 1920s carousel while sipping classic cocktails in Hotel Monteleone's legendary lounge.
Reservations Resy
Source-backed place · Museums
Backstreet Cultural Museum
A vibrant community-led museum in Faubourg Tremé documenting the African American parading and masking traditions of New Orleans,…
Hidden gem in Treme showcasing Mardi Gras Indian costumes, jazz funeral artifacts, and Baby Doll traditions.
Source-backed place · Bars and nightlife
Bacchanal Wine
A quintessential corner wine shop in the Bywater neighborhood, blending a curated wine cellar with a lively, open-air backyard pa…
Outdoor jazz courtyard with the kind of easy, neighborhood energy tourists rarely plan for.
Source-backed place · Bars and nightlife
Jewel of the South
An award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant housed in a restored 1835 Creole cottage, blending historic French Quarter charm wit…
Ranked #6 in North America's 50 Best Bars, serving a legendary Brandy Crusta in a temple to NOLA culture.
Reservations Resy
Source-backed place · Bars and nightlife
Cure
Located in a restored 1905 firehouse, Cure is a legendary New Orleans mainstay credited with pioneering the city's craft cocktail…
Modern classic cocktails done right in the bar that helped define New Orleans’ cocktail revival.
Reservations Resy
Source-backed place · Shopping
M.S. Rau
A legendary French Quarter landmark founded in 1912, M.S. Rau is a world-renowned gallery specializing in 18th- and 19th-century…
Museum-grade antiques, fine art, and rare treasures in a jaw-dropping Royal Street showroom.
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