Louisiana attractions

Part of the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is home to more than 60 sculptures from renowned artists. The sculptures are set among magnolia trees and live oaks draped with Spanish moss, and visitors come to enjoy the art and the beauty of the surroundings.

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.

French impressionist painter Edgar Degas is synonymous with late 19th-century Paris, but another city also influenced his work: New Orleans. The place he once lived on Esplanade Avenue, the Degas House is now a museum dedicated to the painter that allows visitors to get a glimpse of the studio where he worked and get a feel for life in the Big Easy in the 1870s.

The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) seeks to record and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Gulf Shore, with its Creole, Cajun, French Acadian, Spanish, French, Haitian, and Afro-Caribbean influences. The site comprises 13 historic French Quarter buildings showcasing historic photos and documents.

Step back in time for a taste of New Orleans history at Longue Vue House and Gardens. One of the last Country Place Era homes to be built in the United States, Longue Vue represents a bygone era of Deep South luxury, with priceless antiques and 8 acres (3 hectares) of gardens.

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.

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.

If you (or your kids) love everything creepy-crawly, make sure to visit the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium in New Orleans. With different exhibits looking at the life of bugs, plus a walk-through butterfly garden, where bright butterflies swoop around you, the insectarium offers the chance to get to see nature’s smallest critters.

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 take to a small courtyard stage for free performances daily. A café inside the square 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.

In the heart of the French Quarter lies Napoleon House, a historic landmark named for the French emperor, part of a daring plan to rescue him from exile. Napoleon never visited the city, but the building—which now houses a restaurant serving classic NOLA cuisine—remains a testament to the ingenuity of the city’s inhabitants.

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.

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 luxury hotel dripping with antebellum charm, Hotel Monteleone is a family-owned slice of quintessential New Orleans. Built in the Beaux Arts style, this beautiful and stately building opened in 1886 and is now part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The local literary crowd loves the hotel and its revolving Carousel Bar for its ties to renowned Southern writers.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Renowned as one of the wildest and most pristine swamplands in the United States, the murky, algae-coated waters of Honey Island Swamp are a prime habitat for native wildlife, including alligators and wild boar. Plus, according to local folklore, the lake houses an even more menacing resident—the notorious Honey Island Swamp monster.

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.

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.

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.

During the War of 1812, one of the most decisive conflicts occurred on the Chalmette Battlefield. The Battle of New Orleans was fought here in January of 1815 and won by the United States, thus keeping New Orleans out of British ownership. Today, the site is a National Historic Park and National Cemetery open for visitors.

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.

Located on the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the New Canal Lighthouse has a long history, dating back to 1838. Damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it was rebuilt in 2012 with a mix of modern and historic materials, and today it’s the only working lighthouse containing a museum open to the public in Louisiana.