Things to do in New Orleans for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in New Orleans
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Designated by Congress as the official World War II museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world. Learn why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today.
Discover the diversity of cultures in the historic New Orleans French Quarter guided through its bustling streets by this in-app audio tour! First, you will learn about the decisive role of New Orleans in the War of Independence at Jackson Square. Admire the artworks by street artists, wow street performers, and, maybe, have your fate predicted by a fortune-teller! One of the city’s notable landmarks and a real mix of Greek, French, and Creole styles, is also here — the fairytale-like St. Louis Cathedral. The city’s connection with France is everywhere, from architecture to food! You may verify this in the Café Du Monde that you may stop by while walking along the mighty Mississippi River. Next, head over to the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, which celebrates the musical legacy of the city. Here, you will learn and see how Creole rituals shaped this vibrant music style. New Orleans is widely known for its unique architecture, and you will see why when looking at its colorful houses with exquisite balconies such as the Gallier House. The iconic haunted Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar will be a nice start for a walk along the bustling Bourbon Street filled with the vibes of Mardi Gras. Don’t miss the Voodoo Museum to learn about this mysterious cult! Finish the tour at the Cabildo house, the best representation of New Orleans' connection with both Spanish and French cultures. Some amazing artifacts can be found here, like Napoleon’s death mask!
This self-guided audio walking tour explores the history, legends, and street life of the French Quarter in New Orleans. It is ideal for first-time visitors who want a vivid introduction to the city’s oldest neighborhood, with its iron balconies, shaded courtyards, Creole flavors, and layered past. Your route begins in the French Quarter itself, where narrow streets, bright shutters, and the sound of music spilling from doorways set the scene. From there, you continue to Muriel’s Jackson Square, a grand 19th-century building facing one of the city’s most iconic squares. The walk then leads to the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, noted as the oldest building in the city and a rare example of French colonial architecture. After that, you head to the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, housed in an 1823 apothecary filled with early medical tools and curious remedies. The tour ends at the LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street, one of the Quarter’s most talked-about historic homes. Along the way, you will encounter elegant facades, hidden galleries, stories of faith and medicine, and one of New Orleans’ most haunting legends. Expect memorable moments in Jackson Square, the calm of the convent’s historic setting, and the striking contrast between the Quarter’s beauty and its darker tales.
Embark on an audio journey through Esplanade Ridge, the Creole heart of New Orleans. This self-guided tour is a treasure trove for lovers of architecture, history, and cultural narratives. With the convenience of an in-app experience, users can immerse themselves in the stories and landmarks at their own pace, making it ideal for curious travelers seeking a deep dive into the essence of this storied neighborhood. The route begins at the historic Ashton's Bed and Breakfast and weaves through the picturesque streets, ending at the lush tranquility of Fortier Park. Along the way, explore stately creole cottages, marvel at neoclassical mansions, and discover the rich tapestry of New Orleans' past with stops at key landmarks, including the Widow Casteneda's House, the Spanish Custom House, and the hauntingly beautiful St. Louis Cemetery #3. The path traces the evolution of the city's social and architectural narrative, from the banks of Bayou St. John to the bustling life along Esplanade Avenue. Expect to encounter the echoes of famous residents, the legacy of Spanish and French influences, and the hidden gems of Creole cuisine. The highlights include standing before the Degas House and reflecting at Chef's Corner - places that encapsulate the spirit of New Orleans. This audio tour is not just about seeing; it's about experiencing a place where history, culture, and natural beauty intertwine to create an adventure that's as enriching as it is educational.
Immerse yourself in the historical heartbeat of New Orleans with this self-guided audio tour of Tremé, designed for explorers keen on cultural richness and bygone narratives. Ideal for history buffs, music lovers, and cultural connoisseurs, the tour offers an in-depth exploration of the oldest African American neighborhood in the United States, where the past reverberates in every corner. The journey begins at the historic Congo Square and culminates at the sobering Tomb of the Unknown Slave, charting a route of profound history and vibrant stories. Along the way, travelers will tread the streets once pulsating with jazz progenitors, pay homage at St. Augustine Catholic Church, and unearth the cultural gems safeguarded by the Backstreet Cultural Museum. Highlights include visual tributes to musical legends and poignant memorials that poetically capture Tremé's triumphs and tribulations. This tour isn't just a walk; it's a passage through living history, inviting participants to traverse a neighborhood that remains a bastion of cultural heritage. You'll leave with resonant memories of soul-stirring music, architectural splendor, and an unshakable connection to the enduring legacy of Tremé.
Feel the taste and the spirit of the French Quarter, the cultural center of New Orleans, guided by your own in-app audio tour! French Quarter is a historic heart of New Orleans, famous for its vibrant nightlife, street art, colorful buildings, and abundance of places to eat, drink and listen to music. The tour starts at Jackson Square, where you will learn the history of the city through the story of Andrew Jackson, commemorated in a glorious monument, and magnificent gothic-style St. Louis Cathedral. Next, you will walk along the Mississippi River and enjoy the views of New Orleans, works by street artists, and sounds of street musicians. The French Market will plunge you into the diversity of local street food, culture, and crafts. After that, follow the route and the story of famous Mardi Gras parades walking along the bustling Bourbon Street. Drop by the iconic eateries, bars, and clubs, such as Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, Famous Door, Galatoire's, Corner Oyster House. They offer an authentic atmosphere and the French Quarter specialties like Gumbo, Jambalaya, oysters, beignets, Sazerac and Voodoo Daiquiri. Marvel at the Beaux-Art building of Orpheum Theater and take a ride on a charming historic streetcar along lively Canal Street. Stroll through the Woldenberg Park and hear the other side of the story while observing the Holocaust Memorial, Monument to the Immigrant, and Steamboat Natchez. The finishing stroke of the tour is the Corner Oyster House.
Take this in-app audio tour to get into the most haunted bars of New Orleans while listening to the creepiest stories told by a local Quay Fraizer, who passionately reveals the unbelievable details you won't find on the Internet! Grab a drink or two, and take a walk through the French Quarter of New Orleans, the most haunted city in America. This Ghost, Vampire, and Voodoo Pub Crawl starts from the oldest U.S. Mint, once the place where people used to hang flags and ... other people. Next, you will visit the Balcony Music Club and hear how the staff coped with its ghost. Then, you will walk to the house connected to the legendary 12 Years a Slave. Another must-visit attraction is the huge LaLaurie Mansion, but be ready to hear a spine-chilling horror story about a beautiful woman who owned this house. The most excellent preserved building of the French Quarter, the Ursuline Convent, will turn out not to be as pleasant as it seems but soaked with blood. Try to relax at John Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar while sipping the famous Voodoo Daiquiri and getting to know the terrifying story behind its owner. Walking along the bustling Bourbon Street, you'll also learn about the religion of Voodoo and its deep connection to the city of New Orleans. The tour finishes at the bar with a unique atmosphere symbolically called the Dungeon.
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About New Orleans
The best indoor tours in New Orleans for rainy days are:
The must-see attractions in New Orleans for a first visit are:
The best tours to do in New Orleans with kids are:
Insider tips for visiting New Orleans
Alexandra Sam is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2022 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of New Orleans on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to New Orleans.
When I’m in New Orleans, I always split my time between the Marigny, the Garden District, and Uptown. For me, the Marigny has some of the most characterful attractions in New Orleans—live music spills from Frenchmen Street, but the quieter residential blocks are just as worth wandering for their painted Creole cottages. In the Garden District, I like walking early to catch the light on the old mansions and stopping on Magazine Street for cafés and local shops. Uptown is where I send people asking what to see in New Orleans beyond the usual sights. Even many tours in New Orleans miss how lovely Audubon Park feels at sunset.
When I visit New Orleans, I always mix the classics with neighborhood favorites. Some of my favorite things to do in New Orleans are riding the St. Charles streetcar, lingering in Jackson Square at dusk when the musicians come out, and catching live jazz on Frenchmen Street instead of staying on Bourbon all night. For attractions in New Orleans, I love the Garden District’s oak-lined streets and the back courtyard at the Pharmacy Museum. If friends ask what to see in New Orleans, I also suggest a slow walk through City Park and beignets afterward. Even many tours in New Orleans skip those quieter local moments that really define New Orleans.
When I visit New Orleans, I mostly get around on foot, then use the St. Charles streetcar or a short rideshare when distances stretch. In my travel guide New Orleans advice, I always tell people the French Quarter, Marigny, and CBD are easiest to explore by walking because you notice the iron balconies, corner bars, and hidden courtyards. If you plan to visit New Orleans and head Uptown, the streetcar is part of the experience, not just transport. For things to do in New Orleans at night, I avoid driving entirely—parking is frustrating, and after rain some streets flood faster than visitors expect in New Orleans.
If you want to visit New Orleans during its most memorable seasons, I’d time it around Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or French Quarter Festival. Mardi Gras in New Orleans isn’t just big parades on Canal—I love catching the smaller Uptown routes and neighborhood walking krewes where locals really show up. Jazz Fest brings some of my favorite things to do in New Orleans: live music, crawfish bread, and long afternoons at the Fair Grounds. In any travel guide New Orleans, I’d also include second lines in fall and the holiday season, when New Orleans feels festive without the spring crowds.
For couples, one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans is an evening walk from the French Quarter into the Marigny, then lingering on Frenchmen Street for music. I usually recommend starting earlier with the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, which feels far more intimate than the busier attractions in New Orleans, then heading to Bayou St. John for a quiet stretch by the water. If you’re deciding what to see in New Orleans together, sunset along the Moon Walk is simple and genuinely romantic. Many tours in New Orleans miss these softer corners, but to me they show New Orleans at its most charming.
In my travel guide New Orleans advice, I usually recommend at least three full days, but four or five lets you settle into the city’s rhythm. When I visit New Orleans, one day goes to the French Quarter and Marigny, another to the Garden District and Uptown, and a third to City Park or a swamp outing. That pace leaves room for the best things to do in New Orleans without rushing from one stop to the next. If you only visit New Orleans for a weekend, focus on walkable neighborhoods and long meals—New Orleans is a place that rewards slowing down.
When I visit New Orleans for food, I usually send people to the Marigny, Uptown, and the stretch of Magazine Street through the Lower Garden District. In New Orleans, the Marigny is great for casual bites before live music, while Uptown gives you old-school neighborhood spots and some of the city’s best po’ boys. If you visit New Orleans wanting a fuller food picture, I’d also make time for Mid-City—locals know the mix of Creole favorites and newer kitchens there is excellent. In my travel guide New Orleans notes, I always say eating well is one of the essential things to do in New Orleans, especially beyond the French Quarter.