Things to do in New Orleans and the French Quarter are almost endless. New Orleans is a romantic and historical city but she is playful and adventuresome as well. New Orleans has things to do for everyone including you. I have found that there are things to do in New Orleans to fit into any budget. New Orleans attractions range from taking a swamp tour to visiting Mardi Gras World. While exploring New Orleans you can take a ride on a New Orleans Streetcar, ride a Pedicab, visit the WWII Museum, get your New Orleans Old Time Photo taken, take a Louisiana Cooking class, and take as many New Orleans tours as your heart desires. This page just lists some of the New Orleans attractions available.
New Orleans Hop-on Hop-off a City Sightseeing Double-Decker Bus
The best way to see everything the Crescent City has to offer is on the City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. This bus tour includes a live tour guide narration as it meanders through the city on a continuous two hour loop. However, the best part of this attraction is the unlimited Hop on and Hop off access to the Double-Decker / Open-Top City Sightseeing Buses where you can stay as long as you like at any stop! These Double Decker buses run 7 days a week and visit each of their Hop on/Hop off stops every 30 minutes. This tour offer you access to your favorite sights & attractions throughout the city. This tour is probably one of the best things to do in New Orleans and offers maximum flexibility to see the city at your pace, conveniently getting you to all the most popular sites. Experience 3 Centuries of history, architecture, and culture on the City Sightseeing New Orleans tour, always narrated live in English by your very own Tour Host. For more info on the hop on/hop off double decker bus tour call (800) 362-1811. Stops include the French Quarter; the Garden District; Mardi Gras World; St. Louis Cemetery #1; Mercedes Superdome; National World War II Museum; Magazine Street Shopping; Harrah�s Casino; Canal St Ferry; Mississippi River; St. Charles Avenue; Paddlewheeler Creole Queen.
Take a ride on a New Orleans Streetcar
One of the �must� things to do in New Orleans is to take a ride on a New Orleans Streetcar; this is a New Orleans attraction for everyone. There are three streetcar routes: the most famous is the St Charles Line and then there is the Riverfront Line, and the newest route is the Canal St Line. Riding a streetcar is one of the best ways to get out and explore the Crescent City and is also a fun thing to do! For more information on New Orleans Streetcars visit my New Orleans Streetcar page
Take a New Orleans Tour
The guided tour is one of the most popular things to do in New Orleans. New Orleans tour experiences are almost unlimited and there is probably a tour that will interest everyone. Noteworthy tours include Walking Tours such as the French Quarter Night Walking Tour with Dinner and the Garden District Walking Tour; mule-drawn Carriage Tours of the French Quarter and the Garden District; bus tours such as the Hurricane Katrina Tour, New Orleans City Tour, and the Oak Alley Plantation Tour; limo tours; Segway Guided Tours; Bike Tours; Riverboat Tours; New Orleans Swamp Tours; and Airboat Tours. Visit my New Orleans Tours page for more infomation on the many New Orleans tours available. A tour is one of the best things to do in New Oleans.
Experience the Entergy IMAX Theatre * On the River Front
One of the popular indoor things to do in New Orleans is the IMAX Theater. Don’t just watch the movie but experience the journey at the New Orleans Entergy IMAX Theatre where the wonders of nature are magnified and where larger-than-life adventures explode with the help of the world's most advanced motion picture technology. The IMAX theater features a special six-channel, multi-speaker sound system and a silver screen reaching five-and-a-half stories tall. The IMAX Theater is right on the riverfront, next to the Canal St ferry, and one of the stops on the Riverfront streetcar line. The IMAX is located next door to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. 
Take a Plantation Tour
There are many plantations in southern Louisiana and a number of them are within easy driving distance of New Orleans, I refer to them as New Orleans Plantations. These elaborate plantation homes line the banks of the Mississippi River along the River Road. They were once the mainstays of the southern way of life. Many of these plantations are now open to the public and offer windows into the by gone past of the Old South. If you are interested in Old South history or architecture, a visit to these magnificent homes is a must. Visit my New Orleans Plantations page for more infomation on the many New Orleans area plantations. Visiting a plantation is one of the educational things to do in New Orleans.
Audubon Insectarium * CBD
Audubon Insectarium, located right on the edge of the French Quarter in the U.S. Custom House on Canal Street, encourages you to use all five senses as you explore North America’s largest museum devoted to insects and their relatives. You’ll discover why insects are the building blocks of all life on our planet in our newest one-of-a-kind attraction. Thousands of live and preserved specimens illustrate the vast diversity of shape, size and color of Earth’s largest group of animals. Within the Insectarium you will shrink to bug size; wander through a mysterious Louisiana swamp; join the active audience of an awards show for bugs; and be captivated by thousands of butterflies in an Asian garden. You can also touch a bug, shop in the Stanley W. Ray, Jr. Audubon Flea Market for unique insect-themed gifts or swing by the Termidor Tiny Termite Café for a bug-free bite to eat. This is one of the buggy things to do in New Orleans.
Visit Mardi Gras World * On the Riverfront
Visit Blaine Kern�s Mardi Gras World for an insider�s view on Mardi Gras. A tour of Mardi Gras World is one of the unforgettable things to do in New Orleans; here you can peek behind the curtain and see Mardi Gras in the making. Watch the artists of Blain Kern Studios- the world-renowned masters of Carnival sculpture and float building- at work in their shops. Visit the Mardi Gras World gift shop and take home a piece of Mardi Gras Magic. View their exclusive Mardi Gras video. Marvel at the artistry and technology of their signature mega- floats. Mardi Gras World now offers one of the only dining areas in New Orleans with a view of the Mississippi River. Come tour Mardi Gras World and stay for lunch in their new Mardi Gras World Caf�. Mardi Gras World in not within easy walking distance to any of New Orleans hotels but they do offer FREE hotel shuttle with purchase of tour tickets. This is a must see New Orleans attractions, especially if you enjoy Mardi Gras.
I recommended this class it is a hoot!
Take a Louisiana Cooking class * French Quarter
Learn to cook like a true Louisianan at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Their classes are entertaining and teach the basics of Louisiana Cooking in a way you'll never forget. They will teach you New Orleans specialties such as Gumbo, Jambalaya and pralines and you get to eat the awesome food they have prepared. When you are finished taking the class you can check out their general store where you can buy everything you will need to take home and impress your friends. The New Orleans School of Cooking and Louisiana General Store is located at 524 St Louis Street in the French Quarter, right down the street from Johnny's Po-Boys Restaurant. Taking a cooking class is one of the tasty things to do in New Orleans!
Visit the many Museums in New Orleans
There is a wide variety of museums in the New Orleans area to choose from. Regardless of your taste and interest I am sure that you will find a museum that you will enjoy. In the French Quarter you will find the Historic New Orleans Collection Museum, The Cabildo Museum and The Presbytère Museum (Hurricane Katrina exhibit). In the warehouse district you will find the World War II Museum, the Civil War Museum, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and for the children the New Orleans Children Museum. All of the warehouse district museums are within walking distance of each other and only a block off the St. Charles Streetcar line. You will find the New Orleans Museum of Art located in Mid City, actually it is located in New Orleans City Park. For more information on the museums in New Orleans check out my Museum page. Visiting a museum is one of the interesting things to do in New Orleans.
Visit the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park
The Botanical Gardens in New Orleans houses over 2,000 varieties of plants set among the nation’s largest stand of mature live oaks. The 12 acre site contains a water lily pond, and several themed gardens; Rose, Azalea, Camellia, Butterfly and horticultural gardens. My favorite theme garden is the Historic New Orleans Train Garden; it is the largest G-scale garden railroad layout in the Gulf South with a layout approximating the layout of the city itself. Visitors walk on a pathway representing the water surrounding New Orleans. Don’t miss the Tropical Rain Forest and Living Fossils exhibits in the Conservatory of the Two Sisters. Located at 1 Palm Drive the City Park Botanical Gardens is sure to delight everyone who visits. By Admission; Guided Tours available; for information call 504-288-6444. The Botanical Garden is a multitude of beautiful things to do in New Orleans. The Botanical Garden is about 5 miles from the French Quarter. You can take the Canal Streetcar City Park/Museum streetcar to City Park; it is the last stop at the end of the North Carrollton Avenue spur line. When you get off the streetcar the garden is about a 5-7 minute walk.
Tour the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas * On the River Front
The Aquarium of the Americas is located along the Mississippi River front and has been recognized as one of the leading aquariums in the United States. The aquarium features 10,000 animals representing 530 species. Major exhibits include a Carribean reef featuring a clear 30-foot-long visitor tunnel surrounded by a 132,000 gallon tank of sea life; an Amazon exhibit, encased in a glass cylinder that includes macaws, piranhas, and other specimens from the Amazon basin; a Mississippi River gallery, featuring catfish, paddlefish, and the famous white alligator; and Gulf of Mexico exhibit, featuring a 400,000 gallon, 17 foot tall tank of sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays from the Gulf. The Aquarium is one of the stops on the Riverfront streetcar line and is right next door to the Entergy IMAX Theater. Visiting the Aquarium of the Americas is one of the unforgettable things to do in New Orleans.
Tour a working New Orleans Rum Distillery
A unique thing to do in New Orleans is to see where and how Old New Orleans rum is made. Celebration Distillation offers daily tours and tastings at their distillery. The distillery tours last about 45 minutes and offer a close, detailed look at the distillation process from beginning to end. Enjoy a complimentary rum cocktail, as one of their employees shows you the inner-workings of the distillery and the alcohol production process. The Old New Orleans Rum Distillery is close to the French Quarter but not walking distance. If you are unable to book their courtesy transportation, you will to need drive or take a taxi. If you are driving, there is ample free parking available on the street. For more information about the Old New Orleans rum distillery tour visits their website or call (504) 945-9400. Celebration Distillery is located at 2815 Frenchmen St. (10 minutes from the French Quarter).
Spend a day at the Audubon Zoo * Uptown New Orleans
Audubon Zoo, located in historic Uptown New Orleans, offers an exotic mix of animals from around the globe, engaging educational programs, hands-on animal encounters and lush gardens. Enjoy unique natural habitat exhibits—such as the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle. Audubon Zoo is often ranked among the country’s best for innovation and entertainment value. Grab a bite in the air-conditioned Zoofari Café or Cypress Knee Café, then enjoy a ride on the Swamp Train. The Gottesman Family Endangered Species Carousel and Simulator Ride thrill all ages. Complete your visit with a souvenir from the fabulous Audubon Marketplace gift shop. The zoo is one of the top notch things to do in New Orleans.
You can get to the zoo by taking the St Charles streetcar and getting off at Audubon Park, however it is a 20 minute walk through the park to get to the Zoo entrance.
Tour New Orleans in a New Orleans Cruiser * French Quarter
Rent a New Orleans Cruiser and enjoy the freedom of a GPS self-guided tour of New Orleans! You are the driver in this talking car. New Orleans Cruisers are the first and only talking car Tour Company in New Orleans. Riding in our two-passenger Cruiser using GPS technology will allow you to visit over 60 points of interest in the Crescent City. You can also create your own tour or listen to your personal mp3 player and cruise to your jams. The Cruisers are efficient, practical and fun to ride. They will also make parking a breeze when visiting the hot spots in the French Quarters. Rentals are from 1 to 8 hours or multiple days if you would like. Renting a cruiser is fast and trouble-free. A driver must have a valid driver’s license and a major credit card to ride. Drivers must be 21 and agree to the terms and conditions by signing a standard rental contract. The Coupes are brightly painted carrying a 3 ft pole and an attached yellow flag stating, “Rent Me “with a contact number. You can contact New Orleans Cruisers at 504-523-9890. This is just one of the fun New Orleans attractions.
Have your New Orleans Old Time Photo taken * French Quarter
Make sure you stop by the French Quarter's Old Time Photos. Here you can travel back in time to Old World New Orleans and have your Antique Photo taken. Let your imagination go and become a Confederate Soldier, Southe rn Belle, Mississippi Riverboat Gambler, a saucy New Orleans Lady, a Pirate, a French Quarter Saloon Girl, or a New Orleans Gunfighter. Their backdrops include a Bourbon Street Jail, Old New Orleans Velvet Curtains, a French Quarter brick wall, or a French Quarter Parlor. The New Orleans Old Time Photos is located at 630 St Ann Street just a few steps off Jackson Square. For more information on New Orleans Old Time Photography call (504) 304-5571. An Old Time Photo would be among the fun and memorable things to do in New Orleans.
Rent a Bicycle! * 325 Burgundy St. French Quarter
The American Bicycle Rental Company, located at 325 Burgundy Street, invites you to tour America's Southern Jewel City of the South, New Orleans. Rent an AMERICAN BICYCLE made by American workers and customized for the streets of New Orleans. Their Classic Cruiser Bicycles come equipped with extra-wide seats to cushion your tush and extra-thick shock absorbing tires for a smooth ride. American Bicycle Rental Company is a local, family owned business who offer impeccable service, quality and reliable rental bikes and after hours returns. Come on down to the French Quarter, rent a bike and ...Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! For more information on renting bikes in New Orleans call their toll free number (866) 293-4037. You will discover that renting a bike is one of the a relaxing things to do in New Orleans.
Rent a Harley or a Vespa Scooter!
Tour New Orleans on a Harley Davidson motorcycle or enjoy sight seeing in the Big Easy on a Vespa Scooter. If you are 21 years old and have a valid motorcycle license either one can be rented from EagleRider Motorcycle Rental. Imagine touring New Orleans with the wind in your hair while you take in the sights of the Crescent City. Your destinations are unlimited. Take a drive through City Park; or along Lake Pontchartrain’s Lakeshore Drive; cross America’s longest causeway across Lake Pontchartrain and return to the city via Slidell and I-10; or cross the river to the Westbank and visit the swamps of the Jean Lafitte National Park. EagleRider New Orleans is located at 2830 Canal Street and their toll free number is 888-400-8882. Renting a Harley is just one of the exciting things to do in New Orleans.
Ride a New Orleans Pedicab
Pedicabs, you will see them throughout downtown New Orleans. Pedicabs offer a green eco-friendly way to explore New Orleans. If you need to get somewhere in the French Quarter, Central Business District, Arts District, and Faubourg Marigny or just want to take a ride then hop on a New Orleans Pedicab. Ride a Pedicab to the World War II museum, enjoy a New Orleans sunset on a Pedicab ride, or flag one down for a Pedicab ride back to your hotel. Enjoy a romantic Pedicab ride to your favorite restaurant. The possibilities are endless and the cost is minimal. As far as I know there are two Pedicab companies in New Orlans and they are NOLA Pedicabs and Need a Ride Pedicabs . The Pedicab is one of the newest things to do in New Orleans.
Rent a Pedalboat or Rowboat * City Park
There are few more enjoyable ways to explore a great urban park like New Orleans City Park than floating through its historic bayous and lagoons in a pedal boat or row boat. Pedal or row for an hour in the company of ducks, swans, geese and other aquatic wildlife. The boats are available on a first come first serve basis. Pedal boats seat 4; Row boats seat 3. Lifejackets are provided free with rental. No reservations are taken. You must present a valid driver's license or state ID and be a minimum of 17 years old to rent a boat. Life preservers must be worn at all times. The pedal boat dock is located on the North side of Big Lake (the right side when facing the New Orleans Museum of Art) 8 Friedrichs Avenue. For paddleboat/rowboat rental information, call (504) 483-9375. The City Park rowboats are about 5 miles from the French Quarter. You can take the Canal Streetcar City Park/Museum streetcar to City Park; it is the last stop at the end of the North Carrollton Avenue spur line. When you get off the streetcar the rowboats are about a 5 minute walk.
