New Orleans may be Louisiana's largest city, but the Big Easy doesn't take itself too seriously. From throwing the country's best-known Mardi Gras celebration to hosting NFL and NBA teams, this charming city on the Mississippi River knows how to have a good time. There's a reason the phrase "Laissez le bon temps rouler" is associated with New Orleans. Translated to Cajun French, it means, "Let the good times roll." We’ll share some suggestions for fun things to do in New Orleans, from catching live music to watching the New Orleans Saints play in their hometown.
Culture in the Crescent City
From catching a musical at Saenger Theater or taking in an exhibit at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art to absorbing multidisciplinary works at the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans' cultural offerings alone can easily fill your leisure time. The arts are a big factor here, and you can spend a given day or night at the opera, a poetry reading, the theater, a photography exhibit, the ballet or a symphony. The city even hosted the country's first recorded opera in 1796. However, being a patron of the arts here doesn't require you to dress up; Jackson Square is home to talented artists drawing and painting in every style under the sun. Festivals like Art for Art's Sake are another great way to sample the city's vibrant arts scene.
Embrace the City's Spooky Side
Whether or not you buy the hype, many claim New Orleans is home to a hair-raising number of ghosts. While we can't guarantee that you'll catch a glimpse of one, you can boost your odds by visiting sites said to host visitors from the spirit world. Pay a visit to the Bourbon Orleans Hotel or the Haunted Hotel. The latter is said not only to be haunted, but to have hosted a serial killer called the Axeman. Enjoy a drink at Old Absinthe House or Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, where the customer at the next barstool may not be among the living. Here are some other spooky things to do in New Orleans:
- Stroll haunted Jackson Square
- Watch for tortured spirits at the LaLaurie Mansion
- Explore St. Louis Cemetery and other raised graveyards
- Spend some time at the delightfully morbid Museum of Death
- Work your way out of escape rooms at Mortuary Haunted House
Haunted New Orleans hotels and bars aren't the only places for a good scare. The Big Easy is also home to plenty of ghost-themed tours, making it easy to scope out the city's most chill-inducing locales. These tours aren't just for visitors; you can learn a lot of fun facts about your city while enjoying a good scare.
The Best New Orleans Food
In this pleasure-seeking city, dining takes center stage. New Orleans food options range from traditional Cajun and creole to ramen shops and Roman-style pizzerias, so you're sure to find something to please your palate. That said, here's our list of classic New Orleans foods to sample in the Big Easy:
- Gumbo
- Oysters
- Po boys
- Pralines
- Muffalettas
- Bananas Foster
- Crawfish etouffee
While eating beignets is practically a requirement in New Orleans, the city's best bakeries and chocolatiers also offer beautifully made sweets like Windowsill Pies' namesake dessert, whimsically designed morsels at Piety and Desire Chocolate, and gorgeous meringues from Lord of Meringues. And given the warm weather in New Orleans, it comes as no shock that al fresco dining and culinary tours are both popular activities.
Sports in the Big Easy
Sports fans will find plenty of exciting things to do in New Orleans. If you're lucky enough to score season tickets, you're in for an exciting fall packed with New Orleans Saints games at the Caesars Superdome. The Super Bowl XLIV winners aren't the only game in town, though. If you're into basketball, you'll love catching the Pelicans playing NBA home games at the Smoothie King Center. Tulane University's Green Wave plays NCAA football, and the city is represented by many college basketball teams. Professional baseball's first spring training sessions were held here, and the Big Easy originated the practices of issuing rain checks and protecting the field from rain with tarps.
A Musical Note
As the birthplace of jazz, it isn't surprising that New Orleans is an amazing city for live music. If you want to see up-and-comers playing alongside big-name musicians, head to Frenchmen Street. Located in the Marigny neighborhood not far from the French Quarter, area clubs are nestled amongst restaurants and homes demonstrating a lovely mix of architectural styles. Speaking of the French Quarter, Bourbon Street is awash in live street music in addition to historic New Orleans hotels, bars and restaurants.
Or, make your way to the Uptown neighborhood for a show at the famous Tipitina's. The venue presents events ranging from Abba-inspired disco nights and Allen Toussaint tributes to concerts by the Indigo Girls. Grab a bite before the show at one of the area's outstanding restaurants, or admire the many pooches walking their owners as you stroll through this dog-friendly, highly walkable neighborhood.
Spring is the ultimate time for music lovers; the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival offers over a week's worth of top-tier jazz music alongside diverse offerings from the likes of the Who, Ziggy Marley, Ludacris, Willie Nelson and Death Cab for Cutie. Festival organizers typically work with New Orleans hotels to offer special deals on lodging and shuttle transportation, so give your music-fan friends from around the country a heads-up when Spring rolls around again.
Store Your Stuff
There’s no secret that there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy activities in New Orleans, which can lead to developing new hobbies. As you become accustomed to the New Orleans culture and expand your collection of belongings, your storage space may start to run thin. Luckily, Safeguard Self Storage provides New Orleans with reliable storage solutions.
Stash everything from off-season clothing and furniture to holiday decorations and business equipment at our Erato Street facility in New Orleans. Covered loading areas, climate-controlled units and sitewide security measures make storing your belongings easy and worry-free so you can make the most of life in the Big Easy. Rent or reserve your New Orleans storage unit today to get started!