Airboat Ride

Embark on a thrilling, family-friendly airboat ride through New Orleans’ wild bayou country, where you’ll explore the moss-draped cypress swamps near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. As you glide along the lush, forested shoreline, a native guide provides lively commentary, enhancing your adventure with fascinating insights into the local wildlife and the rich history of the area.

• More info:

  Alligaators are most commonly spotted in the summer months.

Audubon Aquarium

The Audubon Aquarium is adjacent to the French Quarter, right on the Mississippi River, which adds to the Aquarium's intrinsically inspiring aura. It displays, among other things, a vibrant world of Caribbean coral reef with a walk-through tunnel, sea otters and penguins engaging in play, and a 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Exhibit which allows you to visit the gigantic sharks, tarpon, and rays. Guests are even encouraged to feed the parakeets, and get up close and personal with a sting ray.

• Web:

  https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium

• Address:

  1 Canal Street, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 504 565 3033

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5pm

Audubon Zoo

Located in the picturesque Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, the Audubon Zoo engages guests with animals from around the world. The zoo features immersive natural habitats, including the Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle, along with lush gardens. Visitors can enjoy spectacular presentations featuring elephants and sea lions. Highlights of the zoo include rare and endangered species such as Amur leopards, whooping cranes, orangutans, the white tiger, and the elusive white alligators.

• Web:

  https://audubonnatureinstitute.org

• Address:

  6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 504 861 2537

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5pm

Backstreet Cultural Museum

The Backstreet Cultural Museum celebrates New Orleans' vibrant street culture and rich Mardi Gras history. It showcases an impressive collection of Mardi Gras Indian costumes and a variety of musical artifacts. Visitors can delve into the city’s artistic and cultural heritage through its exhibits, as well as enjoy live music and dance performances.

• Web:

  www.backstreetmuseum.org

• Address:

  1531 St. Philip Street, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 504 657 6700

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 10am–4pm, Sun & Mon closed

Caesars Superdome

Home to the championship New Orleans Saints and the Tulane University Green Wave, the Caesars Superdome is one of the largest stadiums in the nation. Beyond football, the Superdome hosts world-class concerts, conventions, and exhibits. It has been the venue for seven Super Bowls and is also the site of the college football Sugar Bowl.

• Web:

  www.caesarssuperdome.com

• Address:

  1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 800 756 7074

Canal Street

The legendary Canal Street is often referred to as New Orleans' "Main Street." It serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the Crescent City, with scenic and historic sights just steps away. Many of Canal Street's historic buildings now house upscale hotels, such as the Ritz-Carlton, while the Shops at Canal Place offer a range of well-known brands. Canal Street also comes alive with parades during Mardi Gras and dazzles with stunning holiday lights during Christmas, making it a must-visit destination for travelers.

• Address:

  Canal Street, New Orleans

Christmas New Orleans Style (December)

Christmas in New Orleans is truly magical, with carols and live jazz filling the air as the city welcomes Papa Noël, Louisiana’s own Santa Claus, who travels by alligator-pulled boat instead of a sleigh. Take the opportunity to enjoy a four-course Réveillon Dinner and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere beneath the twinkling lights of City Park’s centuries-old oaks.

COOLinary New Orleans Restaurant Month (August)

Good food is at the heart of New Orleans’ inextinguishable joie de vivre, and there is hardly a better month than August to explore all the city’s culinary delights. Throughout the entire month, diners can indulge in special prix-fixe menus at over 100 participating restaurants, offering lunch, dinner, and brunch at irresistible prices. These culinary experiences are spread across the city, allowing you to savor the diverse flavors of New Orleans in iconic neighborhoods like the French Quarter, Uptown, and the Central Business District.

• Web:

  www.neworleans.com/coolinary

French Quarter Festival (April)

Another noteworthy music festival is the French Quarter Festival, a celebration of New Orleans music that has been running annually since its inauguration in 1983. Music genres represented include blues, jazz, zydeco, and others. Attendance is free of charge.

• Web:

  https://frenchquarterfest.org

Mardi Gras (January–February)

Mardi Gras in New Orleans isn’t just a single day—Fat Tuesday—but a month-long celebration that kicks off on Twelfth Night, January 6. The city immerses itself in a whirlwind of festivities, including eating, costuming, bead-tossing, and parading, with excitement building as Ash Wednesday approaches. Throughout the weekends leading up to Fat Tuesday, parades roll through various neighborhoods, featuring bands, marching groups, boats, and costumed riders who toss beads and other trinkets to the crowds. The celebration is also family-friendly, with Uptown and suburban parades offering kid-friendly fun.

• Web:

  www.mardigrasneworleans.com

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April–May)

The annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, commonly known as Jazz Fest, is an eight-day celebration of the city’s rich musical and cultural traditions, second only in importance to Mardi Gras. Held in late April and early May, the festival attracts bands and performers from across the country, showcasing genres integral to Louisiana’s art scene, including jazz, blues, Cajun, Afro-Caribbean, and zydeco.

• Web:

  www.nojazzfest.com

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (June)

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE) is a premier five-day festival that draws culinary experts and foodies from around the globe who come to the city to savor Louisiana’s finest cuisine. As implied by its name, NOWFE also hosts wine-tasting events, on which hundreds of fine wines from around the world are offered.

• Web:

  www.nowfe.com