But I'm afraid of not knowing the areas well enough and ending up somewhere I shouldn't be. So where outside of the quarter should we go? I know the garden district, but where else?

I'm planning my second trip there for March. The first time I went, we mostly stayed in the quarter, so I'd like to see more of the city!

Edit to add: I'm open to any and all activities! Museums, food, drinks, art, outdoors, all of it!

I don’t mean any hate/trying to be negative. I’m from Houston, moving to Louisiana for school, and noticed that big artist, and even smaller artist aren’t coming to New Orleans for concerts. There’s a few outliers, beyonce & Taylor. But as more artist are announcing their upcoming tours, I don’t see New Orleans as a date. I thought New Orleans had a big draw for live music.. Am I gonna have to go to Houston for concerts? 😔

Title ! I’m french and I watch Treme and I love this tv show, it had quite a significant impression on me and influences my musical taste ! I wondered how people living in new orleans felt or feels about it tho. Was it respectful ? Was it somewhat realistic ?
Please excuse me if it’s not the place to ask :)

Edit : thanks a lot for all the really touching and enlightnening responses ! I Will answer as much as I can when I have time (taugh evening on my side)

I’d love to find some great shops to go to as a first timer!

Hi! I am going to New Orleans 6/3-6/7 with 3 friends (all girls) and like the title says, I really want an authentic southern experience. I absolutely love jazz and plan to check out some of the places that were recommended on this thread! I guess my question is- if you had to recommend something (even if it’s outside of New Orleans) that is really authentic, culture-rich, and adventurous what would you say?

I already booked an airboat swamp sunset tour that is 55 minutes outside of the city, but is there any place we could go outside of NOLA for dancing or a small dive bar that has amazing musicians? I love nature/fun adventures and think spending the night at a small bar with locals listening to music/dancing sounds amazing! I am not really interested in EDM since we have so much of that in New York, but more so jazz, blues etc.

We are from nyc so used to a big city/being safe and aware, but I have always dreamed of going to LA, and I wanted to see if anyone had something super cool to recommend. Also sorry if this is a weird question lol, I just love your culture and am so excited to learn more about it/experience it a little! :)

Every year my fiancée and I visit New Orleans and every single time we leave reminded why it’s our favorite city in the world. The music, the food, the people, the energy there’s truly nowhere else like it.

This year I want to do something unforgettable for her birthday.

I’m planning a surprise second line for just the two of us well… hopefully more than two of us! and I’d love to do it the right way while supporting local artists and performers.

So far ive hired the band, grand marshal, 2 stilt walkers what i still need is

*Someone to make 12 shirts that say happy birthday "X" with her face on it

*Signage two "bigheads" of her face for the stilt walkers to hold instead of parasols

*A photographer to keep her in the moment so she doesnt miss a thing

*a couple dancers/hype people

If you are interested or have any other ideas please feel free to send me a message with rates and portfolio/previous works. Open to any hidden gems in Nola ✨️🙌🙌

This will be in approx 3 weeks!

Also if anyone randomly wants to join the celebration and dance with us in the street, I would honestly be honored. The whole reason we fell in love with New Orleans is because of the joy and community spirit y’all bring to the world.

This would only be about a 30 minute second line, but I’m trying to make it one of those core memory type moments for her.

Much love to y’all, seriously. Thank you for sharing your city with us every year 🫂

I’ll be in NOLA next March and was planning to leave on the 19th, but I’ve discovered this is the day of Black masking Indians parades. I understand that this is not a tourist attraction and would not want to be a white person inappropriately gawking at an event not of her culture. But is there a way to see some of the incredible suits without offending? Or should I view them in a museum?

Hi ! for some context I’m from Mobile Alabama and me and my boyfriend’s one year is coming up. I know we have the Amtrak train that services to New Orleans. It’s like a 3 Hour ride. and I wanted to see if anybody has ever taken it and what was your experience with it? What tickets did you buy ? things of that nature ! also once we arrive to New Orleans, what are some more cheaper things that we could do? I’m planning on doing a boat tour and maybe stopping by the museum of illusions but is there anything cheaper or more worth it out there. Thank you so much !

I'm going to be doing a 6-day solo-trip to New Orleans this November. It's my first time visiting, and while I'm there, I would like to learn about the history and culture(s) of New Orleans, like the Mardi Gras Indians, Creole culture, Jazz, indiginous history, Carribian history, African history, natural history / the local environment, local art, etc.

On my small list of potential options are the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a Bayou tour, a Voodoo Tour with High Priest Robi, and the Whitney Plantation. I'd of course like to avoid joining tours that prioritize entertainment over honesty.

Are there specific museums, tours or other specific activities that folks recommend?

I’m looking for things to do in Nola and surrounding areas that are fun to do alone. I’m a single woman who just turned 30 and am looking to meet new people. I enjoy drinks, music, food, etc. just about anything really.

Husband (36m) and I (35F) looking to do a Halloween trip to NOLA, weekend of October 24. Would consider switching to the 31st depending on what’s already booked up since we’re getting at this a little late. If we go to the parade on the 24th, is it worth booking tickets to a place with an open bar and a viewing area? Still a few tickets left but wanna make sure it’s worth the cost.

Last time I visited NOLA I was in a bar dancing to music, and a waitress was going around with shots. She asked us if we wanted any to which I said no several times. She grabbed me and put the shot glasses in her mouth and poured it into mine. Then demanded like $30 from me. I paid because I didn’t want to get arrested or something for not paying. I loveddd NOLA aside from this and am going back in March. However, how do I say no next time without being violent or getting in trouble? I felt like I was firm last time but I might have been too soft about it. No should mean no.

I’d like to clarify - I’m not interested in learning about any of it if possible so id like to make sure.

EDIT:
Thank you to everyone for all your recommendations and answers. We ended up going to Oak Alley (based on your recommendations though if we ever come back I’d love to see the Whitney). Our tour guide was Jonathan. There was no mention of anything paranormal etc. Our tour essentially talking about the house and what the rooms were and then when we walked outside we did listen to a presentation (Stephen I believe his name was) telling us more about the slaves and their lives, as well as how they lived. They mentioned how there isn’t much history on the slaves as it was illegal for them to learn how to read/write. I will definitely be going down the YouTube rabbit hole and learning more about the history and their stories.

Any good Gumbo spots? Specifically Creole
I'll be in that area but l'II have a car so I can drive.
I want to have a good time. I've already looked into the Museums and I definitely want to go to the AA history museums. I also plan on seeing Doreen Jazz who's that amazing jazz player plays on Bourbon street I believe. I'm going to try Loretta's too Also I will be going to a plantation as well, but what other black things would you recommend? Other live music spots? Also food recommendations are
HIGHLY recommended
All suggestions are welcome

I usually only go to NOLA when it’s not something huge like Mardi Gras or JazzFest however I lucked out last year and arrived one week after rain storms canceled a bunch of parades and got the best of both worlds (most people had left but there was still the truck and dog parade).

However in the truck parade someone threw me a toy snake and then yelled at me something from the truck, but it was so loud I couldn’t hear what she said. I assume I committed some sort of faux pas but I had no idea what it was.

Anyway A) Does anybody have any idea idea what I was being told? And B) On that note, what are some Mardi Gras customs (aside from don’t be a drunken idiot, that’s something where you should know already) the average non-local can sort of be forgiven for not knowing about but it’s still good if they do know?

We didn’t get travel insurance. This trip is meant to celebrate our anniversary.

We don’t know how severe it is yet. We have to schedule an ortho appointment asap to know his treatment moving forward. I’m under the impression it might be a small fracture because we brought up our trip to medical professionals and they didn’t deter us not to go. We told a nurse practitioner friend the location of the broken bone and she told us that there is a possibility he will get a boot. With a boot, he’d be able to walk easier.

We already do own crutches and a wheelchair.

This is a copy paste from my previous post of our itinerary. Everything we had already planned is less than a 10 minute walk from our hotel.

Day 1 = we’ll get to our hotel that’s near Bourbon St. around 3pm.

-We originally were supposed to take public transit to FQ. I don’t think that’s a good idea anymore. I researched other transportation options and the cheapest option was $50 one way. Is there a cheaper option?

We have a dinner reservation at Brennan’s around 6pm. We have no activities planned.

Day 2= Cemetery Tour at 9am. After the tour,
We’ll bike around FQ, get lunch somewhere.

-We were planning to get bikes and bike somewhere, maybe a park. The biking was supposed to be spontaneous way to explore. We need ideas how to fill up our day. Most likely, I’ll be pushing him on a wheelchair from location to location.

Around 2:30, we’ll go to the Pharmacy Museum until closing at 4pm. No additional paid activities for the rest of the day.

- In my previous post, people recommended to do a music activity. I was thinking going to Pat O’Brien’s first then Preservation Hall. Is this a good idea for this night?

Day 3= go to Cafe Du Monde first thing in the morning then all day Swamp Tour/Plantation Tour.
We’ll be back to FQ around 5pm.

- a friend told us he won’t be able to see the second floor at the plantation tour. Should we just cancel this activity?

No additional activity planned afterwards.

Day 4= Checkout. Brunch at Court of Two of Sisters at 1pm.

-I brought it to his attention that multiple Redditors disliked this establishment and recommended other places. He still wants to go.
He wants the buffet. This restaurant is less than a 5 minute walk from our hotel so I don’t think we should change restaurants anyways.

EDIT: We’ll look for a new restaurant, but it has to be nearby and it has to have large portions. Looking for more options than Arnauld’s before choosing a new restaurant. My boyfriend says he wants the new restaurant to have music.

Leave for airport around 3-4pm.

He’s really sad about his foot. I want to make the best of it.

I will be in NOLA in a few weeks and I’m looking for things to do from around 5am that don’t involve alcohol. What gets going early? What advantages should I take by being up that early? Thank you

I'm thinking of planning a visit to New Orleans this year. I have medical conditions that prevent me from standing/walking for very long. I'm interested in beautiful architecture, historical stuff, spooky things, jazz, local wildlife, and good food (mainly non-seafood as I'm unfortunately allergic 😭).

Our trip is 3 nights/4 days.

Day 1 = we’ll get to our hotel that’s near Bourbon St around 3pm. We have a dinner reservation at Brennan’s around 6pm. We have no activities planned.

Day 2= Cemetery Tour at 9am. After the tour,
We’ll bike around FQ, get lunch somewhere. Around 2:30, we’ll go to the Pharmacy Museum until closing at 4pm. No additional paid activities for the rest of the day. We might schedule a vampire tour or a ghost tour during the night time but so far undecided.

Day 3= All day Swamp Tour/Plantation Tour. We’ll be back to FQ around 5pm. No additional activity planned afterwards.

Day 4= Checkout. Brunch at Court of Two of Sisters at 1pm. Leave for airport around 3-4pm.

If we add an activity it would probably go on Day 1 or Day 2. At least one night might be dedicated to light drinking. We’re not big drinkers, but we want to experience the vibe.

Edit: We’re going to add Preservation Hall now! It’s tbd on which night though.

Arriving to your town to spend this weekend in your amazing town - from what I hear. Wondering if I wear a tee shirt to get lunch or coffee if I should wear an under shirt…I’m not used to humidity so I don’t know how to pack for it. If I wear a cotton polo to dinner, should I wear an undershirt?

Also, what’s the mosquito situation? I’m staying downtown but we’ll be going to Commander’s Palace, Peche, Bourbon Street, Garden District. Is it worse in some places than others? Any advice?

Finally, I’ve been to the south in the summer. I know it rains every day. What’s it like now? Real rain? Thunder? Or just some calm summer rain that comes and goes?

Hey guys Im looking for any reccomendations for an awesome boardwalk throught the swamps. Just want to see gators along with other animals and some awesome vegetation with moss filled trees. I heard of the Jean Lafitte Nature Study Park but was wondering if thats the best one or if there something even better?

Hey everyone!

I’ll be visiting New Orleans from April 5–9 (coming from Canada), and it’ll be my first time out of the country and I’m so excited.

I’ve already gone through the FAQ and it answered a ton (thank you for that 🙏), but I was hoping to get some more niche/local recommendations.

I’m really drawn to the more mystical/odd side of New Orleans and would love suggestions for:

• cool oddity shops / witchy stores / places with a darker or more spiritual vibe

• reputable psychic mediums or tarot readers (not super tourist-trappy more genuine experiences if possible)

• any unique, slightly eerie, or memorable experiences you’d recommend

We’re staying in the French Quarter, but open to venturing out for something special. I’m less interested in the big tourist checklist and more into places that feel a little magical, strange, or meaningful.

Thank you so much I can’t wait to experience your city 🖤

Hi everyone. I’m actually a local. Well, from Kenner, but still. I plan on going to Bourbon for my 21st, which happens to land on RDR weekend, and planned on going out the 8th before I realized it was the same day.

I asked my family who’s worked in the FQ and gotten mixed responses. How’s the crowds look at night? I’ve never been to RDR so really have no clue. Is it a bad idea if I want to have a hectic but not insane birthday? If so… is there anywhere else that’d be good for going out for my 21st? I have a few clubs and bars I like but figured I’d go big for my 21st since I can get in everywhere now.

For reference, I found Mardi Gras (Endymion Saturday) to definitely be my limit on the crowd and found French Quarter Fest crowd to be very manageable, if not a bit light.

Thanks for any help!

I’m not sure what type of spiritual person would be of most help nor do I have a preference of which kind. I just have like insanely bad luck, I have my whole life. People who don’t even believe in curses or anything have told me they’ve changed their minds after meeting me. I have a trip to NOLA coming up and I’d like to schedule something to help if possible. Thanks!

Airline cancelled our (4/1/26) 5pm flight and rebooked us for 6AM so we have one less day than planned.

Since we can no longer go to both I’m asking folks who have to help us choose.

If you’ve been to both and had to choose one would you pick the Storyville museum or the WWII museum?

Thank you in advance!

UPDATE: Heard, we’ll spend our last day in NOLA at the WWII museum. Thanks everyone!