Things to do in New Orleans

Due to the damage inflicted on New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, many of these descriptions may no longer be accurate. Please take this into account when making your travel plans.

Bourbon street

Bourbon Street is by far New Orleans’ most famous and popular tourist attraction. Bourbon Street was named in honour of the House of Bourbon, the ruling party in France at the time of the city’s founding. It’s like no other street in the world. On Bourbon, visitors will find everything from five-star hotels to strip joints. The street is open 24 hours. Though largely quiet during the day, Bourbon Street comes alive at night, particularly during the French quarter’s many festivals.

The most frequented section of Bourbon Street is Upper Bourbon Street, an eight-block section of popular tourist attractions. One of the oldest and most popular restaurants on Bourbon Street is Galatoire’s, which was founded in 1905. Known for years by its typical line snaking down Bourbon Street, guests would wait for hours just to get a table, especially on Friday nights.

City Park

Once the site of Allard Plantation and facing Bayou St John, City Park’s 1,300 acres offer visitors a sample of the city’s riches, both in fine art and natural splendour. City Park is home to the New Orleans Museum of Art and the largest collection of mature live oaks in the world. Trees in the oldest grove are over 600 years old. A popular place to picnic, play sport, wander through its gardens or take a boat ride, the park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. The first parcel of land was acquired in 1854, making it one of the country’s oldest parks. Phone: +1 504 482 4888; website: www.neworleanscitypark.com/index.html.

The 1850 House

This historical landmark is located in the middle of the French quarter, on one of the city’s busiest streets. It was designed by James Gallier Sr, whose Gallier House is also a historical landmark. Both the upper and lower areas are an excellent representation of life in New Orleans in the mid-1800s. The interior illustrates the striking disparity between the lifestyles of an upper-middle class family and the servants who worked for them. This well-preserved townhouse is one of two historic structures previously owned by Baroness Micaela Pontalba. There is a gift shop and bookstore on the first floor. Phone: +1 504 568 6968. 

Audubon Zoo

From the reptile filled swamps of Louisiana to the plains of Africa, you can explore some of the Earth’s most fascinating habitats and the animals that inhabit them at this world-class zoo. Rated as one of the top zoos in the United States, it features two rare white tigers as well as two komodo dragons. One of the newest exhibits, Jaguar Jungle, focuses on the people and animals of Central America including the mysterious Mayan culture. 

There are live animal presentations at the Shell’s Wildlife on Stage amphitheatre and hands-on encounters with a variety of animals at Discovery Walk and the Embraceable Zoo. In addition to the amazing animals and show-stopping exhibits, you can ride the Endangered Species Carousel, Simulator and Swamp Train. Phone: +1 504 581 4629; website: www.auduboninstitute.org.

Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World invites visitors to take a look behind the magic of Mardi Gras. Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World is New Orleans’ showcase of carnival, with thousands of sensational sculptured props and breathtaking giant figures on display year-round. Don’t forget to bring your camera and picture yourself next to King Kong, Marilyn Monroe, the giant Bacchsaurus and thousands of other props and sculptures. The floats appear as colourful and animated as any imaginative Hollywood movie, with strings of lights tracing their outlines to illuminate them at night. Phone: +1 504 361 7821; website: www.mardigrasworld.com/index.html.

Louis Armstrong Park

This park, made of green hills and lagoons, was named after world-famous musician and native son Louis Armstrong. His statue, by Elizabeth Cartlett, is near the brightly lit entrance on the outer margin of the French quarter. Paradoxically, Armstrong was not allowed to play the now well-known clubs during his career, due to segregation. Other landmarks including Congo square and the Morris FX Jeff Municipal Auditorium surround the park. Phone: +1 504 589 4841.

Louisiana Superdome

Having gained worldwide infamy for the scenes after Hurricane Katrina struck, the Super Dome is one of the largest stadiums in the country and seats 87,500. This is where thousands of refugees from their own city sought shelter from the storms, and had to endure hot, squalid conditions for days on end, before state assistance arrived. The dome is home to the New Orleans Saints football team, the Tulane University Green Wave and the annual Sugar Bowl Classic football game. The dome also hosts conventions, exhibits and concerts. You can tour the frequently used Super Bowl site on days when there are no scheduled events. Phone: +1 504 587 3810; website: www.superdome.com/site.php.

Lafayette Cemetery

From the gates of this famous cemetery, visitors can see the sumptuous above-ground vaults and tombs of the families that once lived in the neighbouring Garden district mansions, built by American newcomers when the French Creoles made them unwelcome in the older part of the city. Gates are open during working hours, but it is not advisable to walk about the grounds alone. Guided tours are offered by Save Our Cemeteries. Fans of Ann Rice’s gothic novels will be fascinated by the cemetery, which was featured in the movie version of Rice’s Interview with a Vampire and, more recently, in the movie Double Jeopardy.