How To Beat the Crowds in New Orleans

Hidden gems in New Orleans are easy to find if you know where to look. Sometimes, just getting off the main drag, away from famous walkways such as Bourbon Street and the shops of Magazine Street, lets you stumble upon quiet patios to discover local eateries and family-run boutiques.

Some of the less touristy things to do include taking a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking or diving deep into the New Orleans jazz scene. To experience more offbeat attractions in New Orleans, consider enjoying a picnic in the verdant Audubon Park or taking an eerie stroll through the Metairie Cemetery.

Related: 15 of the Top Things To Do in New Orleans

Getting skip-the-line tickets for some of New Orleans’ most coveted attractions means you’ll spend less time waiting and more time exploring. Beat the heat at air-conditioned museums by booking all-access admission to the Storyville Museum and the National WWII Museum, among others.

Purchasing a New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass offers fast-track access to several of its 25 attractions. You can also prebook admission tickets to separate attractions such as the Audubon Aquarium or the Vue Orleans Observation Deck.

If you’re ready to brave intense heat and humidity, avoid the crowds in New Orleans by visiting in the low season, from June through September. Although New Orleans offseason travel means you might get a little sweaty or sunburned, it’s worth it when you can experience some of the city’s most popular attractions without millions of other tourists.

Walking sans crowds through NOLA’s central Jackson Square, home to the towering St. Louis Cathedral, means you’ll get the perfect photo op, and you’ll be able to wander Bourbon Street and Royal Street without standing shoulder to shoulder with others.

New Orleans is surrounded by swamps, and discovering this unique landscape can be a welcome escape from city crowds. Swamp and bayou boat tours are easy to come by, and these half-day tours often include round-trip transport. One of the top peaceful getaways in New Orleans is the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Here, you can boat around cypress swamps to spot turtles, alligators, snakes, and other marshland wildlife.

New Orleans plantation tours outside of town are another way to learn about regional history. The Whitney Plantation Museum and Oak Alley Plantation both offer reflective exhibits related to slavery and the US Civil War.

You’re more likely to experience quiet neighborhoods in New Orleans if you get out and about early in the morning. It’s one of the best times to visit bustling Jackson Square and other popular venues, especially if you’re traveling with children or simply want to avoid the chaos of crowds that typically arrive by afternoon.

Be the first to chow down on beignets at Café Du Monde (the café’s most famous Decatur Street location opens at 7:15 am). You can take an early-bird tour of the French Quarter or stroll alongside the Mississippi River at sunrise before hopping aboard a paddle-wheel riverboat for a jazz brunch cruise.

For a local New Orleans experience, head out after dark, when many tired tourists have completed a long day exploring. You’ll learn about NOLA’s spooky history on a ghost tour—one of the most thrilling things to do after the sun has set. Similarly, New Orleans voodoo experiences (religious practices that date back to the 19th century) often feel more mysterious at night. You can even combine voodoo with ghost and vampire tours all in one.

Evening is also one of the best times to explore New Orleans culture and food with a tour of culinary classics. Or, get acquainted with the jazz scene along Frenchmen Street, lined with music venues and pub crawls.

For less touristy things to do in New Orleans, veer away from the French Quarter to more underrated districts. Start in Mid-City, a neighborhood of local residents and home to the welcoming green space of New Orleans City Park, where you can also get to know the zone’s art galleries and Irish pubs.

The Ninth Ward, an area easily explored on a city sightseeing tour, is rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina with some special claims to fame, such as the Vietnamese po’ boy sandwich and exhibits related to Indian Mardi Gras culture.

Related: 10 of the Best Neighborhoods in New Orleans and How To Visit

Booking a steamboat cruise on the Mississippi River or an airboat tour that explores waterways like Lake Pontchartrain allows you to see an entirely different view of New Orleans and its surroundings. Hop aboard the New Orleans steamboat Natchez or Creole Queen both of which offer a Southern-inspired riverboat adventure complete with an emblematic paddle wheel. Don’t forget to snap photos of Jackson Square (and beyond) from the boat.

Insider tip: Taking water tours and boat cruises on weekdays means you’ll enjoy the experience alongside fewer tourists.

Some people might argue that the best time to visit New Orleans is during its most famous festival: Mardi Gras. However, this springtime celebration is also one of the most crowded times of year to experience New Orleans. It may not be ideal for families or travelers looking to relax, as it’s a nonstop party. If you’d prefer a quieter trip, visit outside of Mardi Gras dates, which usually fall in February or March. While summer is the offseason, consider the shoulder seasons (May and September) for slightly cooler and less humid weather without as many crowds.