{"id":47405,"date":"2020-10-26T10:57:18","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T17:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=47405"},"modified":"2025-08-14T18:47:37","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T01:47:37","slug":"new-orleans-city-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/new-orleans-city-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA ULTIMATE CITY GUIDE"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Orleans is a city that has to be seen to be believed. Also known as the Big Easy, or NOLA, the city is unlike any other city in the United States. Known for its live-music scene, all-night parties, culture, and spicy cajun cuisine, a visit to New Orlans is a must!<\/p>\n

New Orleans is a mix of French and Spanish Creole architecture, filled with cross-cultures and a multi-lingual heritage. The city has some of the countries biggest festivals and events, the biggest of which is Mardi Gras. <\/p>\n

In this article, I share why I love New Orleans, my favourite things to do in the city, the best places to stay, and tips for a visit to the city!<\/p>\n

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New Orleans Background<\/h2>\n

The city has a rich history all of its own, with both French and Spanish influences, that can still be seen throughout the city today. <\/p>\n

New Orleans has had its fair share of disasters with the most well known being Hurricane Katrina<\/a> in August 2005, where over 80% of the city was flooded due to the levee system failure. New Orleans is primarily located below sea level and has a levee system that stops the water from flooding the city.<\/p>\n

Today you can still see traces and lines of how high the water level was in some parts of the city. There are also whole neighbourhoods which were abandoned after Katrina and people never returned, as well as an abandoned Six Flags theme park<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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When To Visit New Orleans<\/h2>\n

New Orleans is a great city to visit year-round with plenty going on throughout the year.<\/p>\n

For a once in a lifetime experience you can visit the city during Mardi Gras (spring), this season runs from January to March every year with different parades on the weekends in the run-up to Mardi Gras<\/a>. The weather in spring is also cooler than other times of the year. <\/p>\n

Summer in the city is very warm with temperatures averaging 80-110 degrees Fahrenheit (26-43 degrees Celcius). During the summer or late spring, you can find live music throughout the city and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival<\/a> (April\/May).<\/p>\n

The fall is another great time to visit the city with parades and events for Halloween such as Voodoo Festival<\/a> and the New Orleans Saints play in the Superdome during American football season. <\/p>\n

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Things To Do In New Orleans<\/h2>\n

There are plenty of things to do in New Orleans<\/a>. I have visited the city many times and each time I visited I found something new to do.<\/p>\n

I do have my favourite activities and must-see recommendations which I have listed below:<\/p>\n

1) Visit A Festival Or Watch A Parade<\/h3>\n

New Orleans has over 130 festivals<\/a> and events every year, including food festivals, art festivals, music festivals, multicultural festivals, and much more. There are parades in the city through the year for Mardi Gras, Easter, St Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and many more. <\/p>\n

2) Eat Beignets And Have A Cafe Au Lait At Cafe Du Monde<\/h3>\n

Visit the most famous restaurant in New Orleans Cafe du Monde<\/a>, where you should try the cities famous beignets (deep-fried pastry) and a cafe au lait (coffee with milk). Cafe du Monde is a great place to sit and relax after exploring the city or get a coffee and beignet to go. <\/p>\n

3) Have A Hurricane (Drink) While Walking Down Bourbon Street<\/h3>\n

New Orleans famous alcoholic drink is called a Hurricane<\/a> which is often served in a unique plastic cup. In the city particularly on Bourbon Street people move from one bar to the other with many bars having large opening and spilling onto the street.<\/p>\n

Many bars are combined and serve their drinks in a reusable plastic cup which can then be refilled by a different bar to where the drink was originally purchased. Bourbon Street itself is a party with people dancing to live music in the street.<\/p>\n

4) Head To Magazine Street For Brunch<\/h3>\n

Magazine Street<\/a> is another area of the city which is a street of 6 miles long and home to several bars, restaurants, boutique shops, and unique brunch spots. <\/p>\n

5) Walk Around Jackson Square And See The Street Performers And Artists<\/h3>\n

Jackson Square is one of the most noticeable squares in the city, with the St Lewis Cathedral<\/a> on one side, and a park in the centre.<\/p>\n

Surrounding the park various artists set up stalls selling paintings and souvenir items. Around this area, you can also find a variety of street performs and musicians playing an instrument and live music. <\/p>\n

6) Catch A Saints Football Game (Fall)<\/h3>\n

The New Orleans Saints<\/a> football team play in the fall at the city’s Superdome.<\/p>\n

The whole American football experience is unique especially to those who are not from America, with tailgating and the whole atmosphere of the game. The Superdome holds 76,000 fans each game and is a covered stadium with air conditioning. <\/p>\n

7) Take An Airboat Tour<\/h3>\n

Just outside of the city you can take a swamp airboat tour<\/a> to see an abundance of wildlife in the Louisiana swamps, such as alligators, bald eagles, pelicans, osprey, wild pigs, turtles, owls, and other swamp wildlife. <\/p>\n

Other Things To See in New Orleans:<\/h3>\n