What to Do on Your First Trip to New Orleans

I’m a New Orleans native, and one of my favorite things is helping visitors experience the city beyond the typical tourist checklist. Whether it’s your first trip or your fortieth, New Orleans has a way of pulling people back again and again. There’s truly nowhere else in the United States quite like it. From live music, walkable neighborhoods, world-class food, and dreamy oak tree-lined streets, New Orleans blends culture, history, and energy in a way that’s difficult to explain until you experience it yourself.

In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite recommendations for a first trip to New Orleans, including where to eat, what to see, and the experiences that are truly worth your time. And one quick tip before we begin: do not spend your entire trip on Bourbon Street. There’s so much more to this city than that, and I can't wait to share my thoughts with you.

New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in the country, and part of what makes it special is that no two trips (or even two days) ever feel exactly the same. One day might involve coffee and beignets in the French Quarter, and the next includes listening to a band playing in a small venue, wandering through the Garden District or French Quarter, or taking a streetcar ride through Uptown amongst the live oak trees that line the avenue.

No matter what type of traveler you are, be it a solo trip, a trip with your family, or a fun couples getaway, there's something for everyone here. That's what makes New Orleans worth coming to every single time. Let’s dive into some of the best things to do on your first trip to New Orleans.

Inside a Streetcar - the Green Line!

Ride the Streetcar (Not the Trolley or Cable Car )

Riding the streetcar is one of the best things to do on your first trip to New Orleans. The historic St. Charles streetcar line (or as we call it the green line), takes you down St. Charles Avenue, past our beautiful mansions and through several iconic neighborhoods, like the Garden District and Carrollton. For locals and visitors alike, it’s a relaxing way to see the city and totally worth your time. Bonus: it's a great way to avoid having to rent a car while you're here.

Devour Some Beignets

No first trip to New Orleans is complete without coffee and beignets. Most visitors head straight for beignets at Cafe du Monde, which is absolutely worth experiencing at least once. Sitting outside on the terrace with powdered sugar everywhere (please don't wear dark clothing) while the city is starting to come alive is simply tradition. I almost insist that you do this while you're visiting. There are plenty of places to get coffee and beignets throughout the city, and each local has his/her favorite spot as well (me included).

Eat Our Exceptional Foods

New Orleans is one of the best food cities in the country (and some might say THE best), so make room in your belly to eat well, and eat often. Whether you want classic dishes like gumbo and shrimp creole or casual staples like po’boys and muffulettas, there’s a restaurant here for you. You will get an incredible meal at most New Orleans restaurants. One piece of local advice: don’t wait in long lines. Some of the best meals in New Orleans happen at neighborhood spots without a massive crowd outside. Here's my guide of some of my favorite restaurants as a local.

Coffee with Chicory and Beignets - No, There is Not Enough Powdered Sugar Here

Stroll Through a Cemetery

You could take a tour to see Marie Laveau (or her tomb), but I also recommend taking a relaxing walk through one or two of our cities of the dead. Because they are unique to most of the country, it’s worth the experience when on your first trip to New Orleans. I personally love walking through Metairie Cemetery, which is conveniently located near Morning Call if you want to compare another classic beignet spot. Greenwood is a bit closer and large as well, and a great one to check out. The tombs look like mini houses, and some of them look as large as houses. If you do choose a tour, book with the best: Orion Couling. If you choose to not take a tour, many are easy enough to get to via public transportation, and you can stay as long as you’d like.

Listen to Live Music

Frenchmen Street used to feel more like a local secret, and then the world found out about it. It’s only fair to share, though, as the music couldn’t be better down there. It’s adjacent to the French Quarter, so you can walk across Esplanade Avenue and hear music pouring out of many of the establishments. Some of the best music experiences in New Orleans happen in a small venue where you’re standing just a few feet away from world-class musicians. Some of the favorites are d.b.a., Snug Harbor, and The Spotted Cat. No first trip to New Orleans feels complete without hearing live music.

Tour the Garden District

Hop on the green streetcar line and head away from the French Quarter to the iconic Garden District. The Garden District offers a quieter, slower side of New Orleans that many first-time visitors completely miss. One of the best ways to experience the neighborhood is with a guided walking tour, and I recommend DuPont and Company, where you will learn the history of the area, and modern day stories about the neighborhood and who lives there. If you enjoy history and architecture, a guided tour is totally worth it. Otherwise, touring yourself is also an option. Use the code RoamingWithRed to get a discount for your tour.

Metairie Cemetery - Used to be a Racetrack

Shop on Magazine Street

If you enjoy shopping, plan to spend at least part of a day on Magazine Street. It’s a pastime that we locals do, and I'd love to share it with you. Because Magazine Street runs from downtown to Audubon Park, you'll want to take a section at a time. If I had to choose an approximate section, I'd recommend between Louisiana Avenue and Napoleon Avenue, give or take a block or two. You won’t be able to see the entire street by foot on your first trip, but you can see quite a bit. Some of my favorite shops that are down there are: Alice and Amelia, Magpie Vintage, Zèle. There are also plenty of great restaurants and coffee shops along the way when you need a break from shopping.

Spend Some Time in City Park

Whenever I need a quiet afternoon in New Orleans, I end up in City Park. City Park is enormous - bigger than Central Park in NYC. Take your first trip to New Orleans in stride, and hit one or two of the more popular spots in the park. You’ll find me in the Botanical Gardens or New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) on Wednesdays when it’s free for Louisiana residents. During the warmer months, the gardens are hard to beat. Walk around Big Lake, which sits to the right of NOMA if you’re looking at it. Directly next to NOMA is the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Yes, it’s free! Take advantage, as it’s one of my absolute favorite spots in the entire city. And if you still have room for one more classic New Orleans stop, grab beignets at Café du Monde at the City Park location.

Snug Harbor Show

If you only have 24 hours in New Orleans, I'm going to stress that less is more, and jamming your day will not give you permission to enjoy it the way it should be enjoyed. You'll still get a lot of action in your day, but it won't feel like you've run a marathon afterwards. Here are my top ideas for a day in New Orleans.

Start Your Morning With Coffee And Beignets

A morning in New Orleans is complete with coffee and beignets. While there are several wonderful places around the city to devour these fried breads with copious amounts of powdered sugar, having beignets at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter is a classic New Orleans experience that is totally worth doing at least once. Grab a café au lait or hot chocolate, sit outside across from Jackson Square, and enjoy the people-watching. Oh, the characters you'll spot.

Spend Time In The French Quarter

Taking some time to peruse the streets of the Quarter is always a nice idea, especially in nice weather. Even locals still enjoy wandering it. Walk along Royal Street, listen to street musicians performing on the corners, pop into art galleries, and admire the historic architecture. While Bourbon Street gets most of the attention, the quieter streets nearby often feel much more magical. Locals never recommend Bourbon Street as the place to go in the French Quarter.

Ride The Streetcar Through Uptown

One of the best ways to see New Orleans in a short amount of time is by hopping on the historic St. Charles streetcar line. Riding beneath the shady oak trees while passing beautiful mansions and historic neighborhoods gives you a glimpse into a side of New Orleans many visitors miss if they only stay in the French Quarter. If you don't have a lot of time, this is one of my favorite ways to quickly experience the city beyond the Quarter.

The Penultimate Activity: A Ghost Tour

Book a ghost tour through the French Quarter with Orion Couling for a safe, respectful, and informative guided tour. New Orleans has a fascinating and spooky history filled with legends, hauntings, and centuries-old stories that make the city feel even more mysterious after dark. You'll get a local's perspective and some great stories to take home with you.

End the Night with Live Music On Frenchmen Street

No trip to New Orleans feels complete without hearing live music. Frenchmen Street is one of the best places in the city to experience it. You can wander from club to club and hear jazz, brass bands, blues, and more pouring out onto the sidewalks. Some of the best experiences happen in when you're least expecting it, and you never know who will show up to play on any given night. New Orleans musicians and visiting musicians love a good surprise.

Opera Guild House in the Garden District 

New Orleans earned the nickname “The Big Easy” because of its laid-back atmosphere, deep musical roots, and slower approach to life compared to many other major cities in the United States. The phrase became associated with the city’s jazz culture, where musicians historically found it easier to book gigs and make a living than in more competitive cities like New York. Over time, the nickname evolved into a broader reflection of the city’s personality and culture.

While we might be laid-back, we are far from boring. We boast the best show on earth, Mardi Gras, live music, delectable food, festivals galore, and nightlife. There’s something happening here every single night of the week without fail, and visitors love us for that. People in New Orleans (residents and visitors) often prioritize enjoyment, talking to neighbors and strangers, music, and community over rushing through life. It's a beautiful thing.

Alice & Amelia - A Favorite on Magazine Street

It's always good to gather some general travel tips to the place where you're traveling, and New Orleans is no different. Yes, you can just show up, but you'll have a much smoother trip if you know a few things.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

It's an important topic because I want you to be comfortable on your trip. New Orleans streets are grossly uneven in many places, and this is all over the city. Between old sidewalks with tree roots coming through, potholes, and long walking days, comfortable shoes are absolutely essential. I have a full guide as to what to wear in New Orleans that you can get some ideas from.

Prepare For Heat And Humidity

It's hot, y'all. The humidity in New Orleans can shock visitors, especially during the summer months. Lightweight and natural fiber clothing, water, and frequent breaks indoors can make a huge difference while exploring the city. Do not underestimate your need to take care of your body. And hey, take it easy on the booze - it will dehydrate you.

Leave Room In Your Schedule for Surprises

One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is cramming their days with activities. New Orleans is a city where some of the best experiences happen unexpectedly: hearing a band playing while walking down the street, peeping a beautiful courtyard that a resident invites you into, or finding great conversation with someone you may never see again at a restaurant or bar. Let the surprises enhance your trip.

Know the Different Modes of Transportation

We have multiple ways of getting around New Orleans, and it's important to map that out. Many people come here without a car, so knowing how to get around is key. We have anything from the streetcar to ride shares, bikes, and buses. You don't need a car, but to explore outside of your neighborhood, knowing your transportation will help you with efficiency.

Explore Beyond The French Quarter (and Bourbon Street)

While the French Quarter is iconic, some of the most charming parts of New Orleans are found in its neighborhoods. Magazine Street, Bayou St. John, Uptown, and the Marigny and Bywater all offer completely different vibes and are worth exploring during your visit. Here is a guide on walkable neighborhoods in New Orleans that I favor,

Sculpture Garden

One hundred percent, yes. New Orleans is my birthplace, and my home for most of my life. I can honestly say that it never gets old to hear from visitors that New Orleans is their favorite place to visit in the whole world. That's saying a lot.  From the food and architecture to the music and culture, the city has a personality that you have to experience for yourself to understand its pull. One moment you’re buying art in Jackson Square, and the next you’re listening to world-class musicians in a tiny music club while a second line passes outside. The fun never ends.

Whether you come during Mardi Gras, festival season, or a quieter time of year, New Orleans leaves its mark on its visitors. For many people, one trip quickly turns into a second, third, or fourth visit. And honestly, I completely understand why. You will too once you get here.

One of my favorite things about being from New Orleans is watching people fall in love with the city for the first time, and then over and over. As both a local and a writer of the city, it genuinely makes me happy to hear when someone had an unforgettable trip here, especially when one of my recommendations helped to shape their trip. For any of your visits, first or fortieth, remember we are called The Big Easy for a reason, so keep the schedule reasonable and light, and leave room to be enchanted. I'm positive you'll become a regular. Until then, laissez les bon temps rouler.

Need extra help planning a trip? I offer personalized New Orleans travel planning services where I help visitors narrow down neighborhoods, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more based on the type of trip they want to have. You can learn more about my New Orleans planning sessions here.

If this guide helped you plan your trip, make sure to check out my curated list of places to stay in New Orleans if you want to walk everywhere, along with my favorite local coffee shops in the city.

And if you'd like more New Orleans travel tips, local recommendations, and honest thoughts from a local, sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter. It’s relaxed, informative, and full of things I genuinely love sharing.

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