Top 25 Must-Do Activities in New Orleans: Streetcar Rides & Bar Crawls

With its storied history, traditions, culture, and energy, New Orleans is an incredibly exciting U.S. destination. If you’re heading to this Southern city, experiencing its bold flavors, memorable sights, and spirited sounds through various events is essential.

Mardi Gras is undoubtedly one of the most famous events on New Orleans’ calendar; however, the Big Easy offers much more than the nearly month-long celebration. According to Nathalie Jordi, co-owner of Hotel Peter & Paul, a perfect weekend in New Orleans includes: “Walking around the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods, a tour with Know NOLA, vintage shopping on Magazine Street, dancing behind a second-line, relaxing under live oak trees at City Park, catching a jazz set at Snug Harbor, and enjoying drinks and music in the garden at Bacchanal.”

Moreover, food is a crucial aspect of New Orleans’ identity. Iconic culinary creations range from hearty gumbo to sweet, fluffy snoballs. There are a couple of menu items Jordi insists you can’t leave without trying: “a muffuletta from Central Grocery and a French 75 from Chris Hannah at Jewel of the South.”

Although one could spend weeks in this vibrant city and hardly scratch the surface, a three-day weekend can still give first-time visitors a taste of what it has to offer. Whether you’re in New Orleans for a quick trip or a leisurely extended vacation, here are 25 best things to do in the Big Easy.

01. Paddle on Bayou Saint John

If you want to give your legs a break while still sightseeing, head to Bayou Paddlesports on one of the city’s most iconic waterways, Bayou Saint John. If you’re wary of the hot Louisiana sun, consider opting for an evening paddle, then enjoying a live music show with a cold drink nearby.

02. Cycle in the Garden District

History and architecture flourish throughout New Orleans, particularly in the highly walkable and picturesque Garden District. Cover more ground by renting a bike, and make sure to pause occasionally to admire the sights, like the striped awnings of Commander’s Palace, and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (currently closed for repairs), among all the vivid, grand homes in the area.

03. Have a Po’ Boy

Whether you prefer yours filled with shrimp, fried oysters, or roast beef, a po’ boy is the perfect post-walking tour, pre-cocktail hour meal. Every New Orleans resident has a favorite po’ boy spot, but Parkway and Domilise’s are two of the best options.

04. Stroll Along Magazine Street

Running parallel to the Mississippi River, Magazine Street boasts six miles of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, hosting various segments of Mardi Gras parades. If you’re on the hunt for souvenirs, check out vintage finds at Funky Monkey or paper products at the Lionheart Prints flagship store.

05. Ride the St. Charles Streetcar

The St. Charles Streetcar has been following the same route for more than 150 years, taking passengers from the French Quarter to the Garden District. The journey lasts about 45 minutes each way, offering one of the best views of New Orleans architecture and some of the city’s renowned landmarks, including Audubon Park, Tulane, and Loyola Universities—all for a mere $1.25 per ride.

06. Have Beignets at Café du Monde

Yes, it’s touristy, but enjoying beignets and a café au lait from Café du Monde is a must-do New Orleans experience. To avoid crowds, consider skipping the French Quarter location for the Café du Monde at Riverwalk Mall, which offers the same menu without the overwhelming lines.

07. Zip Line Across a Swamp

Experience something unique while taking in skyline views by signing up for a zip line tour through the Maurepas Swamp. If you look down, you’ll likely spot alligators, snakes, turtles, and other wildlife native to Louisiana.

08. Make Perfume at Tijon

Consider commemorating your trip with a custom fragrance at Tijon. Scent is a powerful sense; thus, this souvenir will instantly transport you back to the Crescent City whenever you wear it.

09. Meander Through a Museum

Every traveler can find a museum for their interests in New Orleans, from the National WWII Museum and the New Orleans Museum of Art to the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. If you desire something more unusual, consider visiting the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum or the Museum of Death.

10. Curate Your Own Bar Crawl

The absence of an open container law is among New Orleans’ most well-known features, though you’ll need to be in the French Quarter to take full advantage (while being responsible). The historic Royal Street is filled with charming stores, restaurants, art galleries, and bars; thus, grabbing a drink while you wander up and down the street offers another quintessential New Orleans experience.

11. Catch a Show at the Spotted Cat Music Club

Music is at the heart and soul of New Orleans, so relax as you take in the city’s sounds. If you’ve been to the Spotted Cat on Frenchman Street and want to explore something new, check out venues like Tipitina’s, Maple Leaf Bar, Gasa Gasa, or Preservation Hall.

12. Visit City Park

City Park is one of the oldest and largest urban parks in the United States, featuring the New Orleans Botanical Garden, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the largest grove of live oak trees globally. Spanning more than 1,300 acres, this outdoor attraction accommodates every type of traveler, offering gondola rides, putt-putt golf, and kid-friendly activities.

13. Enjoy a Frozen Drink

With the unbearable Louisiana humidity, especially during leisurely walks in July, a refreshing cool drink is essential. Indulge in a frozen daiquiri at Bevi Seafood Co or a frozen Irish coffee at Molly’s at the Market.

14. Attend a Festival

This includes Mardi Gras, of course, but you can also dive into New Orleans culture and entertainment by attending Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, or Bayou Boogaloo. With over 130 festivals and celebrations occurring each year, it’s likely that your trip will coincide with at least one of them.

15. Try a Snoball

A snoball (also spelled as snowball or sno-ball) should not be confused with a snowcone or shaved ice. The ice in a New Orleans snoball is fluffier, and the syrups and other toppings are more evenly distributed throughout. These delightful treats can be found across the city, but be sure to visit Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, which has been serving these famous desserts since 1939.

16. Go on an Airboat Tour

Enjoy both a change of scenery and an unforgettable adventure when you take a swamp tour on an airboat. Look for local wildlife, such as alligators, egrets, snakes, and turtles, as you zip across bayou country.

17. Visit Mardi Gras World

If you can’t make it to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, don’t fret. You can still experience a taste of the celebration at Mardi Gras World. This attraction offers tours every day of the week and gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the design and construction of the spectacular floats that grace the city streets during the parades.

18. Explore Bourbon Street

No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Bourbon Street, the famed road in the heart of the French Quarter. After indulging in the festivities, consider stopping by Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for the Voodoo Daiquiri or opt for a fine dining experience at the renowned Galatoire’s Restaurant.

19. Take a Ghost Tour

New Orleans offers various historical tours, but a cemetery tour is a thrilling way to explore the city’s darker, ghostly side. You’ll likely visit above-ground tombs while learning about burial customs, procedures, and famous New Orleans hauntings.

20. Enjoy the New Orleans Art Scene

Given the city’s creative and lively spirit, it’s no surprise that the art scene is extraordinary. Be sure to visit JAMNOLA or Studio Be to appreciate the diverse works from local artists showcased through immersive, rotating exhibitions.

21. Hang Out at a Great New Orleans Hotel

This city is rich in incredible hotel options. For an elevated take on Southern hospitality, consider staying at iconic establishments such as Hotel Saint Vincent, Pontchartrain Hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, or Hotel Peter and Paul. Even if you’re not spending the night, throw on your finest attire and visit the bar for an aperitif or digestif.

22. Have a Muffuletta

This iconic sandwich, featuring ham, salami, provolone cheese, and olive dressing, was first developed at Central Grocery in the French Quarter. While you can find the muffuletta at other locations, this is the original.

23. Visit the Cabildo Building

Erected during Spanish rule between 1795 and 1799, the Cabildo was the site of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer. Though it has served various purposes over the years, it has promoted the education of Louisiana history since 1908. Today, it features a variety of exhibitions open to the public.

24. Eat Chargrilled Oysters

No visit to New Orleans would be complete without trying chargrilled oysters, a menu staple. Savor a dozen of these delicious bites at Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar, a beloved establishment with several locations throughout the city.

25. Sip on a Sazerac

Considered by many as the world’s first cocktail, the Sazerac was invented in the mid-1800s by Creole apothecary Antoine Peychaud, and it is the official cocktail of New Orleans. Opened in 2019, the Sazerac House is a museum dedicated to this renowned cocktail, where guests learn about its origins and the city’s cocktail culture, and can even sample the concoction on-site.