Things to do in New Orleans
New Orleans is a feast for the senses where world-class food, live jazz, and vibrant culture come cheap compared to other major American cities. Free music on every corner, affordable Creole cuisine, and a walkable historic core make it one of the best-value destinations in the USA.
Why go to New Orleans
French Quarter
The beating heart of NOLA, beguiling architecture, street performers, and non-stop energy day and night.
Preservation Hall
Legendary intimate jazz venue where authentic New Orleans jazz has been performed live every night since 1961.
National WWII Museum
One of the finest museums in America with immersive exhibits that will leave you genuinely moved.
Garden District Walking Tour
Stroll past jaw-dropping antebellum mansions and the celebrity-studded Lafayette Cemetery for free.
Frenchmen Street
The locals' answer to Bourbon Street, three blocks of live music venues with no cover and authentic NOLA soul.
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Good to know in New Orleans
- The Jazzy Pass streetcar day pass is $3 and covers the St. Charles and Canal lines, skip Uber for most sightseeing.
- Tipping is important in NOLA's service-heavy culture; budget 18-20% at sit-down restaurants and $1-2 per drink at bars.
- Tap water is safe to drink in New Orleans, carry a reusable bottle to avoid paying $4-5 for bottled water in the Quarter.
- The New Orleans Museum of Art offers free admission on Wednesdays from 10am-noon, and Besthoff Sculpture Garden is always free.
Trip essentials
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