Top Destinations: New Orleans Cultural Attractions

New Orleans’ cultural heritage as a melting pot of traditions from French, Spanish, African, Creole, Cajun and American residents has inspired a passion and creativity in music, food, art, and architecture that is uniquely its own. Millions of visitors from around the world visit every year to experience New Orleans’ famous culture, and with a packed calendar of events, festivals, sporting events and conferences there is always something interesting going on.

In the words of Bob Dylan, “everything in New Orleans is a good idea,” and we couldn’t agree more. But with so many amazing things to see and do in the city, we thought we’d help out a bit by creating a list of the top ten must-see cultural attractions as ranked by popularity among Uber riders in the past three months. Keep reading for a list of top picks and local tips to help you make the most of any visit to the Big Easy.

One last word of advice: don’t stick too closely to an itinerary. Part of the magic of New Orleans is a spontaneous spirit of celebration. You never know what new experience you’ll have, whether it’s an invite to a neighborhood crawfish boil or catching a second line parade—travelers can always expect a bit of the unexpected in New Orleans.

1. Jackson Square | French Quarter

Jackson Square is the historic center of the French Quarter and home to iconic buildings including the St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytére, Cabildo, and the Pontalba Apartments. With a large manicured garden, shopping arcade, and open-air art market, there is plenty to see and do in the Square, making it a top destination for any visit to New Orleans.

Local Pro Tip: The Square is a great spot to people watch and be entertained by a regular crowd of brass bands, buskers, and street performers.

2. Bourbon Street | French Quarter

The infamous Bourbon Street is a well known hot spot for late night revelry in New Orleans. The stretch closest to Canal Street is home to old stand-bys like Pat O’Briens and the Chris Owens Club, and the blocks around St. Ann Street are famous for LGBTQ friendly bars and clubs. The street really comes alive with parades and street parties during major festivals and events like Mardi Gras, Halloween, Pride, and Southern Decadence .

Local Pro Tip: Walk a few block away from Bourbon Street before requesting an Uber for the fastest and most convenient pickup experience. The street is closed to traffic at night.

3. Frenchmen Street | Marigny

Frenchmen Street is often referred to as the local alternative to Bourbon Street, and is the epicenter for great live music by local and touring artists. Every night is a party on Frenchmen, and with three blocks packed full of venues and restaurants, there is something for everyone.

Local Pro Tip: Find a comprehensive schedule of live music performances on Frenchmen and elsewhere in New Orleans on the WWOZ Livewire.

4. Mardi Gras World | Warehouse District

Mardi Gras World keeps the spirit of Mardi Gras alive all year long, by offering visitors an exclusive look at all that goes into creating the spectacular floats that lead the biggest celebration of the year.

Local Pro Tip: In addition to the beautiful floats, don’t miss the incredible views of the river and Crescent City Connection Bridge.

5. National WWII Museum | Warehouse District

The National WWII Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories to take visitors inside the story of the war.

Local Pro Tip: Grab a bite and an expertly crafted cocktail before or after your visit at the American Sector restaurant onsite at the museum.

6. New Orleans Museum of Art | MidCity

The New Orleans Museum of Art collection includes nearly 40,000 works of art, and is particularly strong in French and American art, photography, glass, African, and Japanese works, plus a notable group of works by French Impressionist Edgar Degas, who visited his relatives in New Orleans in the 1870s and painted just 20 blocks from the museum.

Local Pro Tip: The museum’s First Fridays series offers free admission and special experiences every Friday evening from 5 pm – 8 pm.

7. City Park | MidCity

City Park has something for everyone with attractions like the botanical garden, mini golf course, Storyland amusement park, athletic fields, tennis complex, and miles of walking trails through open park space. City Park is also the location of the New Orleans Museum of Art (see above) and a number of major annual festivals and events like Voodoo Music + Arts Experience and Hogs For the Cause.

Local Pro Tip: Explore City Park’s lakes and waterways by renting a kayak, paddleboard, or paddleboat. Romantic gondola rides are also available.

8. French Market | French Quarter

Dating back to 1791, the French Market is the nation’s oldest operating open-air market for fresh produce and other goods. Today, the market is home to a unique collection of open-air eateries, craft vendors, and retail shops.

Local Pro Tip: Beignets and café au lait at Café du Monde in the French Market is a local tradition since 1862, and it’s open 24 hours.

9. Audubon Park and Zoo | Uptown

Audubon Park is a beautiful setting to relax among the oak trees and take in riverfront views of the Mississippi in the area of the park known to locals as “The Fly”. The park is also home to the Audubon Zoo, featuring animals from around the world and an award winning exhibit on local Louisiana ecosystems.

Local Pro Tip: Some of the largest and oldest oak trees in the city can be seen at Audubon Park.

10. Ogden Museum of Southern Art | Warehouse District

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world. A Smithsonian Affiliate, the Ogden has permanent galleries and changing exhibitions throughout the year, in addition to special events.

Local Pro Tip: Don’t miss Ogden After Hours events on Thursdays, which feature live music performances and access to all the galleries for the price of admission.

 

Want to see more top lists? Check out our Top Destinations: Fine Dining.