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see + do
New Orleans see + do
While New Orleans has plenty of attractions to keep visitors occupied, the city's near-hypnotizing ambience alone can keep out-of-towners occupied for days at a stretch. An eight-block stroll through the French Quarter often turns into a pleasantly lost afternoon as you discover a hidden park, a beautiful stretch of Technicolor shotgun houses, or a secluded dark barroom far from the thump of Bourbon Street's neon zone. It's easy to get mesmerized by the diverse architecture of historic New Orleans—from the cast-iron balconies of the French Quarter (actually a Spanish innovation) to the Garden District's stately mansions or the Victorian boarding houses in tree-shaded Uptown.
A stroll along the Moon Walk gives you a commanding view of the mighty Mississippi and easy access to a state-of-the-art aquarium. Galleries along Julia Street lead to a growing museum district that includes the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the city's Contemporary Arts Center. History buffs seek out the National D-Day Museum for different perspectives on one of the 20th century's defining conflicts. Those interested in more recent events can wander through the neighborhoods and see residual damage from the floodwaters of 2005's Hurricane Katrina. While some tour companies run organized "disaster tours" into the city's ravaged Lower 9th Ward and other hard-hit areas, you can dig into the city's recent tragedy by asking locals for their stories—and be amazed at the range of experience and the resilience of New Orleans's people.
Abutting the convention center, this reclaimed industrial area crackles with energy and is home to hip restaurants and contemporary art galleries. Repurposed...more
After Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest is the city's biggest celebration, when dedicated music fans pack the infield of a local horse-racing track for hundreds of national...more
Usually associated with half-nude debauchery and flammable rum drinks, Mardi Gras gets a bad—if not completely undeserved—rap. Despite its Girls...more
Evocative, romantic, and mysterious, the French Quarter (also known as the Vieux Carré) is the literal footprint of colonial New Orleans. Hugging the high...more
If you're looking for an afternoon away from the French Quarter, head to this bit of manicured nature, located Uptown. The park is a well-tended rendition of...more
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