Are you planning an upcoming weekend in New Orleans? Fear not, because there is plenty to do in the Crescent City. Whether you want to tour the historic streets or party like a local, The Big Easy has plenty to offer – so let’s laissez le bon temps rouler!
Dining out should be number one on the list – after all, New Orleans is the capital for Creole and Cajun cuisine. On the cheaper side, there’s the ultimate NOLA must have – the po-boy sandwich. There’s no shortage of po-boy places in New Orleans. Try the fried shrimp po’ boy From Parkway Bakery and Tavern, or the cochon de lait po-boy from Walker’s BBQ.
If you’re about the finer things in life, New Orleans has plenty of fine dining options as well. Head to the garden district for Commander’s Palace, a New Orleans landmark since 1983. Try Coquette for locally sourced and contemporary southern cuisine, or check out the upstairs Séance Room at Muriel’s Jackson Square.
The French quarter streets are always abuzz with jazz-playing locals, but New Orleans has plenty of indoor venues as well. Catch touring acts at One Eyed Jacks, Tipitina’s, or House of Blues New Orleans. If you’re more into the dive bar scene, there’s Gasa Gasa in uptown or Dragon’s Den off of Esplanade Ave. Cruise down Frenchman St. and catch live music at d.b.a or The Maison. If you prefer a bit of opulence, there’s touring acts and Broadway shows at the historic Saenger Theater.
When it comes to personal style in New Orleans, anything goes. Don’t be surprised if you see people in costume all year round. To catch a bit of that New Orleans eccentricity, be sure to check out the shops on Magazine St. The Funky Monkey and Miss Claudia’s Vintage and Costume offer vintage clothing and costumes, which is a perfect place to start if you’re outfitting yourself for Mardi Gras. Trashy Diva is a New Orleans-bred boutique offering uniquely designed, pin-up style clothing and lingerie. For upscale shopping, there’s Canal Place, where you’ll find stores like Michael Kors and Saks Fifth Avenue. After catching all the unique scenery in the French Quarter, head to the historic French Market for local vendors and souvenirs.
Go easy on those hand grenades on Bourbon St – some bars in New Orleans stay open all night long, so it’s important to pace yourself. Come nightfall, there are plenty of establishments to patronize in this decadent city.
Check out the rotating bar at Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone if you’re in the mood for something quirky and classic. Make requests at the piano bar at Pat O’Brien’s or, if you’re feeling brave, sip on absinthe at the Ole Absinthe House. Have a cocktail in an old library at Bar Marilou in the Maison de La Luz guest house. Walk a couple of blocks over to Frenchmen St and catch some live music and snacks at Three Muses or the Spotted Cat Music Club.
New Orleans may be the Big Easy, but they sure know how to party hard! There’s not just Mardi Gras, but numerous parades and festivals all year round. There’s the Red Dress Run and Decadence in August, or the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in the Irish Channel neighborhood in March. NOLA also boasts a busy festival season – There’s Jazz Fest, Beignet Fest, Oktober Fest, and New Orleans Reggae Fest, just to name a few. Whether you want to dance to EDM at Buku Fest or catch headlining acts like Guns n Roses and Post Malone at Voodoo Festival, there’s definitely something for everyone.
There are many things to do in New Orleans, so if you’re not sure where to start, let Crescent City Tours take care of all the planning and guesswork for you. If you want to take in New Orleans’s unique scenery, rich cultural history, and colorful art and architecture, then the New Orleans City Tour is the way to go. Sit comfortably while a licensed tour guide shows you all the city’s highlights: Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the French Market. You’ll also get to peer at the wonderful French architecture and historical homes along Esplanade and St. Charles Avenue.
Want to do it like the locals do? There are many other tours catered to your unique interests while learning all the best about New Orleans’s distinct neighborhoods. Explore historic mansions and cemeteries while checking out local Cajun and Creole hot spots in the Eat Like a Local – New Orleans Garden District Food & History Tour. For the beer and meat lovers, there’s the Eat Like a Local – New Orleans Bywater Food, Art, & History Tour. Or go bar crawling through the music-field streets in the New Orleans Nightlife & Live Music Tour of Frenchman Street. Crescent City Tours makes it easy to discover all the best New Orleans has to offer, so book now and your weekend will be stacked with all the sites, music, food, and drinks that the city has to offer.
Crescent City Tours offers swamp tours and plantation tours including round-trip transportation! This option is ideal for those without a car, as taxis and ride-shares do not operate in those areas, meaning that you cannot return unless your ride waits for you: adding extra costs to an already expensive ride!
We offer single plantation tours as well as combination plantation tours to Oak Alley Plantation, The Whitney Plantation Museum, and Laura Plantation. As for swamp tours, we offer stand-alone airboat tours, that can be combined with a plantation tour.
When it comes to celebrating the spooky season, no place compares to Halloween in New Orleans. New Orleans is notorious for being one of the most haunted cities in the United States (if not the most haunted). The city has gained this title due to its extensive history and role in shaping North America. We’d […]
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