Things to do in New Orleans

Best Things to do in New Orleans

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in New Orleans? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 644 activities in New Orleans, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 539, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to New Orleans in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

A Complete Guide to the Best Things to Do in New Orleans

About New Orleans

New Orleans is a city that carries music in its streets, flavour in its food, and history in every square. You’ll notice the mix of French, Spanish, and Creole influences the moment you step into the French Quarter, with jazz spilling out of bars and balconies draped in ironwork. Wandering here isn’t about strict schedules, you find your own pace as you stop for gumbo, peek into art galleries, or catch a brass band on a corner.

The Mississippi River curves gently along the edge, while the Garden District offers leafy walks past grand old mansions. Even small details like beignets with coffee in the morning or a second-line parade passing by make the list of things to do in New Orleans feel both simple and memorable.

Whether you’re here for the music, the food, or just to feel the energy of the streets, New Orleans opens itself up in layers, always leaving you with more to discover.

Unique Experiences

Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Walking Tour

This walking tour brings you into the heart of things to do in New Orleans when night falls and the stories lean spooky. You’ll step into alleyways and hear tales tied to the LaLaurie Mansion and other parts of the French Quarter.

• Where: French Quarter, walking route through spooky city corners
• Pricing: It starts from INR 2,900 per person
• Timing: About 1 hour 45 minutes total; slots available from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• When to Visit: Anytime, just pick evening when the lantern light and city quiet make it feel real

Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour

Gliding through the cypress-lined waterways in a kayak is quietly one of the top activities if you want a break from the music and streets. You'll paddle past wildlife and absorb swamp air, it’s something completely apart from usual things to do in New Orleans.

• Where: Manchac Swamp area, northeast of city
• Pricing: It starts from INR 8,400 per person
• Timing: Approximately 2 to 3 hours; slots available 10:15 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
• When to Visit: November to April when the air is cooler and bugs are fewer

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans

Sitting by the river, listening to jazz and watching the city lights glide by. That is the kind of gentle things to do in New Orleans that blends music, views, and calm all at once.

• Where: Board along the Mississippi River, historic paddlewheeler cruise
• Pricing: It starts from INR 5,400 per person
• Timing: About 2 hours 30 minutes total; departs at 7:00 PM
• When to Visit: Year-round, though spring and fall evenings feel especially magical

Top Attractions

French Quarter

The French Quarter is the heart of the city and one of the first stops when you’re listing things to do in New Orleans. Streets like Bourbon and Royal mix music, food, and architecture in a way you won’t find elsewhere. It’s busy, colourful, and full of surprises around every corner. It is also counted among the top tourist attractions in New Orleans.

• Where: Central New Orleans
• Pricing: Free to explore; museums and courtyards may have small entry fees starting from INR 400
• Timing: Always open; most shops and galleries run 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• When to Visit: Year-round, with evenings bringing more music and life

Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral

Jackson Square is a lively plaza framed by performers, painters, and the stunning St. Louis Cathedral. For many, this is among the top 10 things to do in New Orleans, as it blends history and culture in one spot. Standing here gives you a sense of how the city’s energy comes together.

• Where: French Quarter, near Decatur Street
• Pricing: Free to enter the square; Cathedral entry starts from INR 500
• Timing: Square is open 24 hours; Cathedral is open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM daily
• When to Visit: Mornings are calmest, afternoons are more lively with performers

Garden District

Leafy streets, grand mansions, and old cemeteries make the Garden District one of the more New Orleans interesting things to do. A simple walk here gives you a different pace from the French Quarter.

• Where: Uptown New Orleans, accessible by streetcar
• Pricing: Free to walk; some mansion tours start from INR 1,600
• Timing: Always open; guided tours usually run 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
• When to Visit: October to April for cooler weather, but pleasant year-round

Sightseeing Tours

New Orleans City Tour: French Quarter, Garden District & Cemetery

This half-day ride takes you beyond the lively streets of the French Quarter into the leafy Garden District and one of the city’s oldest cemeteries. It’s a smooth, solid way to tick off some things to do in New Orleans, with a mix of history, architecture, and local life.

• Where: Pickup in central New Orleans, travel by minibus through major neighbourhoods including French Quarter, Garden District, and cemetery area
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,600 per person
• Timing: About 3 hours total; slots available at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM
• When to Visit: November to March is ideal, cooler days make walking and window views more comfortable

New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

For a relaxed pace, this open-top bus lets you explore at your own rhythm. You can hop off near the French Market, Jackson Square, or Garden District, and hop back on when you're ready. It’s one of the easiest things to do in New Orleans when you want flexibility and clear city views.

• Where: Routes loop through central neighbourhoods, including the French Quarter, Garden District, and downtown
• Pricing: It starts from INR 4,600 per person for a 1-day ticket
• Timing: Buses run daily from about 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM; full loop takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes
• When to Visit: February to May offer mild skies and good light for photos

Day Trips

Oak Alley Plantation Tour

Walking down the oak-lined path at Oak Alley is a powerful experience. The 300-year-old trees frame a plantation house that holds layers of history. It’s one of those things to do in New Orleans that takes you outside the city and gives perspective on Louisiana’s past.

• Where: Pickup in New Orleans
• Pricing: It starts from INR 7,500 per person
• Timing: Tour starts at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM; about 5 hours and 30 minutes total, with free time to walk the grounds
• When to Visit: October to April, when the heat is lighter and exploring outdoors feels easier

Full-Day Plantation and Swamp Tour Combo

This longer outing takes in both historical and natural sides of southern Louisiana. You’ll visit an old plantation and then glide through a swamp, both parts show different but connected chapters of this region. It’s a thoughtful choice for things to do in New Orleans with texture.

• Where: Hotel pickup, then plantation site and finally, swamp boat ride
• Pricing: It starts from INR 11,300 per person
• Timing: About 7 hours 45 minutes total; slots available 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
• When to Visit: October to March for mild temperature and more comfortable touring

Boat Tours

New Orleans Airboat Ride

This airboat adventure combines speed, wildlife, and a stop at a fishing village in the bayou. It’s one of those New Orleans things to do with kids that blends energy and education, high vibes on water with quiet stories along the way.

• Where: Pickup in French Quarter, head for the airboat ride through wetlands and then return to same point
• Pricing: It starts from INR 5,300 per person
• Timing: About 2 to 4 hours; slots available from 9:45 AM to 4:00 PM
• When to Visit: September to April when humidity eases and water feels crisp

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

Start with a drive around historic neighbourhoods, then float down the Mississippi on a paddlewheeler with live jazz playing. If you’re seeking fun things to do in New Orleans for couples, this easy combo brings music, history, and the river into one sweet wrap-up.

• Where: Begins with a coach tour through key districts, then steps aboard the paddlewheeler for a river journey
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,900 per person
• Timing: Approximately 2 hours in total; slots available at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM
• When to Visit: Spring or autumn evenings, comfortable weather and a gentle breeze add to the charm

Getting Around

• Streetcars: The old streetcars are more than transport, they’re part of the city’s charm. They connect you to neighbourhoods like the Garden District and are handy if your day of things to do in New Orleans spans both sightseeing and casual exploring.
• Walking: Areas like the French Quarter and Jackson Square are best enjoyed on foot. Walking lets you stumble upon live music, small cafés, and even some of the best indoor things to do in New Orleans.
• Buses: They’re useful when you want to reach further spots on your list of things to do in New Orleans without relying on taxis.
• Taxis and private rides: These are the easiest option when you’re short on time or heading out at night and they’re good if your plan includes fun things to do in New Orleans for couples, like dinner in the Garden District followed by live jazz.
• Biking: The flat streets and designated lanes make biking simple in certain areas and it’s a relaxed way to cover ground while still catching details you’d miss in a car, adding variety to your things to do in New Orleans list.

Traveller Tips

• Stay flexible with weather: New Orleans can shift from sunny to rainy in minutes. If the rain sets in, swap outdoor walks for indoor things to do in New Orleans like museums or music halls.
• Evenings are the city’s highlight: The streets feel different at night, with jazz and second-line parades often popping up. Save energy for the evening for the things to do in New Orleans at night, as they’re worth it.
• Explore beyond Bourbon Street: The French Quarter is famous, but neighbourhoods like the Marigny and Bywater offer live music, art, and food with fewer crowds. Adding these to your things to do in New Orleans list keeps your trip balanced.
• Make time for quiet walks: The Garden District is calm and If you’re looking for fun things to do in New Orleans for couples, this is a lovely contrast to the city’s louder side.
• Use streetcars smartly: They’re scenic and practical for getting between areas like the Quarter and Uptown, and they add a local rhythm to your journey.