Louisiana attractions

Spread out over 127 acres (51 hectares), Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery has some of the finest examples of marble tombs in the city. Highlights include a large 2-level mausoleum with a beautiful stained-glass window and a tomb inspired by the ancient Egyptian pyramids, complete with a sphinx statue guarding its entryway.

Touting itself as a "cultural funhouse," JAMNOLA is an immersive gallery that focuses on the city's rich heritage through interaction and play. The "JAM" in JAMNOLA stands for joy, art, and music, a theme guiding the space’s 17 vibrant installations, created through collaborations with around 30 talented artists.

The Contemporary Arts Center is New Orleans’ main museum for works by contemporary artists, and showcases everything from photography exhibits to immersive installations. Many of the works displayed here are by artists from New Orleans and elsewhere in the Gulf region, and visiting is a great way to get an introduction to the area’s arts scene.

Celebrated in New Orleans and beyond for its piping-hot beignets (airy dough fritters covered with powdered sugar) and chicory-infused coffee, Cafe du Monde is possibly the city’s best-known culinary attraction. It opened in 1862 in the French Market, and while there are plenty of branches around town (and at the airport) with the same offerings, visiting the original location is part of the quintessential NoLa experience.

Surrounded by rowdy bars housed in elegant, Gallic houses adorned with wrought-iron balconies, the Hard Rock Cafe blends right into its Bourbon Street surroundings while still staying true to its all-American roots. It's all about the burger-adjacent fare, the drinks, and the music memorabilia at this branch of the famous chain.

Blue herons, snowy egrets, and spoonbills are just a few of the birds that make their homes and nests in swamp-wrapped Lake Martin. It’s no surprise that the Lake Martin Rookery is a big destination for bird-watchers, but there’s more to see here, as well. The rookery is part of the larger Cypress Island Preserve that encompasses ancient cypresses, bottomland hardwood forest, and plenty of lounging alligators.