---
title: "Things to Do in New Orleans"
url: "https://viatravelers.com/things-to-do/new-orleans/"
type: "archive"
---

# Things to Do in New Orleans

> New Orleans — Thing to Do on ViaTravelers
15 curated places in New Orleans, with what makes each one worth your time.Planning the trip? Read the New Orleans destination guide →

- [Lafayette Square](https://viatravelers.com/places/lafayette-square/) — Lafayette Square is where locals actually spend their Wednesdays — live music, picnic blankets, and none of the French Quarter crowds.
- [Old Absinthe House](https://viatravelers.com/places/old-absinthe-house/) — The absinthe frappe was invented here in 1807. The business cards still cover every wall. Order at the copper bar, not the tourist side.
- [Marie Laveau House](https://viatravelers.com/places/marie-laveau-house-new-orleans/) — Marie Laveau wasn't just a Voodoo Queen — she was a hairdresser, healer, and power broker in a city that ran on all three.
- [Joan of Arc Statue](https://viatravelers.com/places/joan-of-arc-statue-orleans/) — New Orleans' Joan of Arc Statue was cast by the same sculptor behind Paris' version — that detail alone reframes the whole French Quarter.
- [Hotel Monteleone](https://viatravelers.com/places/hotel-monteleone/) — Step into a world where history whispers from every corner and ghosts roam the halls. This grande dame of hotels boasts a rotating bar that'll make your head spin—literally.
- [Louis Armstrong Park](https://viatravelers.com/places/louis-armstrong-park/) — A 31-acre park dedicated to Louis Armstrong that is home to historic Congo Square, Mahalia Jackson Performing Arts Center that plays hosts to concerts, films, and other events.
- [Jackson Square](https://viatravelers.com/places/jackson-square/) — A park established in 1721, surrounded by historic buildings, serves as a venue for artists and performers to practice their crafts.
- [Napoleon House](https://viatravelers.com/places/napoleon-house/) — Step into a living history book at Napoleon House, where centuries-old walls whisper tales of emperors and ghosts. While you're here, try authentic Creole flavors amidst Napoleon-themed decor.
- [The National WWII Museum](https://viatravelers.com/places/the-national-wwii-museum/) — Seven pavilions, one city that built the Higgins boat. The Liberation Pavilion and AI veteran interviews alone justify a full day here.
- [Frenchmen St](https://viatravelers.com/places/frenchmen-st/) — Frenchmen Street is where locals actually go. The Spotted Cat alone — no cover, world-class jazz — makes it worth leaving the French Quarter behind.
- [Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar](https://viatravelers.com/places/lafittes-blacksmith-shop-bar/) — Experience the haunting charm of Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, a historic New Orleans gem. Enjoy drinks in a cozy, candlelit atmosphere rich with pirate lore.
- [Cafe Du Monde](https://viatravelers.com/places/cafe-du-monde/) — Cafe Du Monde has served the same three things since 1862. The beignets hit your shirt before they hit your mouth — order anyway.
- [St Louis Cathedral](https://viatravelers.com/places/st-louis-cathedral/) — St. Louis Cathedral has stood over Jackson Square since 1794 — the Louisiana Purchase was signed in its shadow.
- [Bourbon St](https://viatravelers.com/places/bourbon-st/) — Bourbon Street is louder and more touristy than locals admit — but Pat O'Brien's at midnight still delivers something you won't find anywhere else.
- [New Orleans Pharmacy Museum](https://viatravelers.com/places/new-orleans-pharmacy-museum/) — Leech jars, voodoo potions, and a preserved apothecary counter — this 1823 Creole townhouse is the strangest 45 minutes in New Orleans.