Louisiana attractions

Focusing on the processional traditions of New Orleans and the cultural history of the city’s African-American community, the Backstreet Cultural Museum is a fantastic place to see costumes, photos, and other festive folk memorabilia. Located in the vibrant Tremé neighborhood, the museum also hosts periodic tours and other events, which offer an immersive way to experience some of the city’s living traditions.

Degas House is the former home and studio of the influential French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building now operates as a museum dedicated to Degas’ life and works. In addition to exhibitions, the site also hosts private events such as weddings, and even offers visitors the chance to stay overnight, as it’s also a bed and breakfast.

The New Orleans School of Cooking is a local institution where visitors can learn how to prepare classic Cajun and Creole dishes such as shrimp etouffee, jambalaya, bread pudding, and pralines. Led by chefs, the school offers small-group, hands-on classes, as well as demonstration sessions where you simply watch, learn, and eat. It’s a go-to spot for anyone wanting to master authentic Louisiana cooking.

The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is a must-visit landmark for history buffs and those looking for an introduction to New Orleans culture. The site comprises 13 historic French Quarter buildings showcasing historic photos and documents, all with a goal of recording and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Gulf Shore. Learn about Creole, Cajun, French, Haitian, and Afro-Caribbean influences in New Orleans during a visit to this free collection.

When in New Orleans, there’s no better way to experience the mighty Mississippi than on a river tour aboard the Steamboat Natchez. Owned by the New Orleans Steamboat Company—among the world’s oldest passenger cruise companies—this reliable vessel provides an atmospheric way to enjoy city views while listening to live jazz and dining on lunch, brunch, or dinner.

A National Historic Landmark built in the 1930s for the philanthropic Stern family, Longue Vue House and Gardens is today one of New Orleans’ most notable—and scenic—house museums. Known for its classical revival style and 8 acres (3 hectares) of lavishly landscaped gardens, Longue Vue is a great destination for architecture and history fans, as well as nature lovers.

Get insight into New Orleans cocktail culture at Sazerac House, an interactive museum with spirits tastings. Visitors learn about the history of the famous Sazerac cocktail during a visit to this local landmark, which also offers tours, cocktail-making classes, and pairing workshops. Expect complimentary samples, interactive exhibits, and even a glimpse of a whiskey distillery at this well-known New Orleans temple to local drinking culture.

Kids and adults intrigued by all things creepy-crawly won’t want to miss a visit to New Orleans’ fascinating Audubon Insectarium. A museum centered on bugs, butterflies, and beyond gives visitors the chance to learn about the lifecycles of these tiny critters through engaging interactive exhibits. Plus, there’s the added appeal of walking through the butterfly garden, where colorful butterflies flutter around freely.

This small pocket park hidden in New Orleans' French Quarter is a great place to take a break from the bustle of Bourbon Street and celebrate the city's renowned musical heritage. Local jazz, blues, and funk musicians play free performances in the courtyard, while a café dishes up beignets, cocktails, and Southern comfort food for a no-fuss meal and a show.

St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 is a fine example of the signature New Orleans cemetery architecture: Cemeteries here are built above ground, consisting of tombs and mausoleums, thanks to the city’s high water table. Established in the 1850s, the cemetery site continued to expand well into the 20th century. It’s one of the most accessible historic cemeteries in the city, thanks to its location close to the enormous New Orleans City Park.

The French Quarter’s Napoleon House is loaded with history—and fabled to have been part of a daring plan to rescue the French emperor from exile. Today, it’s one of the city’s most well-known restaurants and bars specializing in NOLA cuisine. While it’s popular for its cozy ambiance and relaxed patio dining, the bar’s real claim to fame is bringing the Pimm’s Cup to the United States—a gin-based liqueur cocktail that’s now a Crescent City staple.

Named after two sisters who once ran a shop in the same Royal Street building, the Court of Two Sisters is a popular New Orleans restaurant. Beloved for its romantic courtyard and atmospheric setting, the restaurant is most famous for its jazz buffet brunch. With Cajun and Creole specialties, visitors can enjoy dishes such as chicken and sausage jambalaya and Louisiana shrimp pasta, all while listening to a talented live band.

You might forget that you’re in bustling uptown New Orleans as you stroll past stalking jaguars and swinging spider monkeys at the Audubon Zoo. The massive facility is home to more than 2,000 animals from around the world, including Asian elephants, rare leucistic white alligators, and chattering sea lions. A top destination for families, the zoo also hosts special after-hours events just for adults.

Voodoo Authentica is a snug shop in the heart of the French Quarter that sells handmade voodoo objects such as dolls, gris gris bags, and potion oils. True to its name, Voodoo Authentica is one of the only shops in the French Quarter that’s fully owned and operated by voodoo practitioners, making it an authentic place to learn more about religion and spiritual crafts.

A 4-star hotel dripping with old-time charm, Hotel Monteleone is a luxury lodging that first opened to New Orleans visitors in 1886. The hotel is best known for the Carousel Bar, a rotating cocktail bar featuring live entertainment five nights a week, and for its beautiful Beaux-Arts style exterior. It’s also popular among the literary crowd for its ties to renowned Southern writers.

In a city heralded as the birthplace of jazz, there’s nowhere better to learn about it than the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Engage with interactive exhibits that bring jazz history to life and browse through the massive collection of more than 25,000 artifacts. Housed in the historic Old US Mint, you can also view exhibits that showcase modern and historical coins.

Head south from the French Quarter and you'll soon find yourself in the Warehouse District, home to some of the best museums in New Orleans, including the National WWII Museum, Mardi Gras World, and the Contemporary Arts Center. This hip neighborhood is also home to loads of art galleries and boutiques, along with plenty of award-winning restaurants.

At more than 250 years old, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar on Bourbon Street is often considered the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States—and it’s as vibrant as ever. Visit to try its signature purple “Voodoo” daiquiri, alongside New Orleans classics including sazeracs and hurricanes, while listening to live piano, all in a building that dates from 1722.

The New Canal Lighthouse, perched on the shores of Louisiana’s scenic Lake Pontchartrain, dates back to 1838. While the structure was damaged by both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it has since been rebuilt, and today largely draws visitors for its educational and ecological programs. Inside the lighthouse is a science and history museum featuring interactive STEM exhibits that teach about Southeast Louisiana's environment.

Vue Orleans Observation Deck offers some of the best views in the Big Easy from its indoor and outdoor observation decks on the 33rd and 34th floors of the Four Seasons Hotel. While the 360-degree vistas overlooking the Mississippi River are the main draw, there’s also a café and plenty of interactive exhibits with audio-visual elements.

With a variety of hands-on activities and exhibits, the Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) has something for every age and interest. What really sets it apart is its location in New Orleans City Park: The museum spans over 8 acres (3 hectares) of green space. Featuring a suite of thoughtfully curated exhibits that encourage play and learning both indoors and outdoors, its unique experiences include a fog sculpture and sensory gardens

Renowned as one of the wildest and most pristine swamplands in the United States, Honey Island Swamp is just a quick trip from New Orleans, and is best explored by boat tour. The atmospheric swamp is prime habitat for native wildlife, including alligators and wild boar. Plus, according to local folklore, it houses an even more menacing resident—the notorious Honey Island Swamp monster.

The Audubon Nature Institute is a family of 10 museums and parks that celebrate the natural world, located across New Orleans. Comprising highlight attractions including the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Park, Audubon Insectarium, and Audubon Aquarium, the institute provides locals and visitors with the chance to enjoy a wide range of nature experiences and see all kinds of animals, from big game to tiny insects.

Living history draws visitors to this recreated 19th-century village along Bayou Vermilion, where costumed educators share Cajun, Native American, Acadian, and African American traditions. Seven restored original homes dot the 23-acre (9.3-hectare) grounds among mature trees and gardens, while artisans offer demonstrations of historic crafts. On some weekends, you can catch live performances of zydeco, Cajun, and Creole music included with admission.

The Port of New Orleans ranks as one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States, with over 1 million cruise passengers passing through each year. It is a key departure point for Caribbean cruises and riverboat journeys along the Mississippi, while its location—around 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the French Quarter—makes it easy for visitors to explore New Orleans’ top attractions before or after a voyage.

Hermann-Grima Historic House is a 19th-century home-turned-museum built in the federal architecture style. Inside, you'll find a courtyard, intact horse stables, and the quarters of enslaved people who worked in the home prior to Emancipation. There's also an open-hearth kitchen where you can watch seasonal cooking demonstrations that showcase dishes that were eaten in the city in the 1830s.

One of the decisive clashes between US and UK troops during the War of 1812 took place in Chalmette, just east of downtown New Orleans, along the banks of the Mississippi River. Today, the Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National Cemetery are preserved within a national historical park, honoring those who fought and died, and chronicling the events of this legendary Battle of New Orleans.

On the northern end of the Charity Hospital Cemetery, in an area where many of New Orleans' famous cemeteries are located, this memorial honors the lives of those lost during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While many people who died during the hurricane were buried elsewhere, the memorial houses the remains of people whose bodies were unidentified or unclaimed.

Congo Square might look like a typical plaza, but this corner of Louis Armstrong Park holds a significant role in Louisiana Black culture and music history. For much of the 19th century, this site was the only open space in New Orleans where Black people were allowed to play drums—which helped preserve African rhythms and laid the foundation for modern jazz.

Gain a newfound appreciation for Southern cuisine at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB), which offers visitors a taste of culinary traditions from across the region: Learn about the origins of beans and rice in Louisiana, the real story behind Kentucky Fried Chicken, and what makes Tennessee whiskey so special. Whether you love history, cooking, or just good food, the museum provides a deep dive into the flavors that define the South.