With summer in full swing (okay, technically it’s still spring – but it sure feels like summer!), many of us are gearing up for exciting travel adventures. We just got back from a very fun trip to the Big Easy, and I’ve received quite a few DMs asking about our experience. It seems like many of you are curious about our favorite things to do in New Orleans, where we stayed, and the best places to eat – so today I’m covering it all!
P.S. Speaking of vacations, if you’re considering a beach getaway this summer, be sure to check out last year’s post on things to do in Sarasota and my beach travel packing list!
Where to Stay in New Orleans
Before diving into all the fun things to do in New Orleans, you’ll want to find the perfect place to stay. That said, it’s helpful to have a few activities in mind as you’re deciding on accommodations – since your plans may influence which location is best for your trip.
NOLA is a large city made up of many distinct neighborhoods, so where you stay can really shape your experience. The best hotel for you will depend on the vibe you’re going for and the areas you want to explore.
After doing some research, we narrowed our options down to Hotel Peter and Paul in the Marigny neighborhood and Hotel Saint Vincent in the Lower Garden District.
Hotel Peter and Paul
Ultimately, we landed on Hotel Peter and Paul. The interiors are absolutely beautiful, and the Bywater area just down the street has some truly amazing restaurants and bars – all within walking distance. While the hotel doesn’t have a pool just yet, one is currently under construction and is set to be completed by the end of summer.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best stay at Hotel Peter and Paul. The room we were given was not at all what we expected – which was such a bummer based on the images on the site. We also weren’t informed about on-site construction taking place at the property until 48 hours before check-in. I truly hope our stay was an anomaly, as so many others have raved about this spot!
Hotel Saint Vincent
We did hop over to Hotel Saint Vincent to check it out during our trip, and it was just as stunning! The staff were super friendly, and the location felt much more central – within walking distance of so many great spots and things to do in New Orleans. We’ll definitely be giving this hotel a try the next time we visit the city!
Top Five Things to Do in New Orleans
Once you’ve decided where to stay, it’s time to start planning all the fun activities! There are so many things to do in New Orleans that it can feel a bit overwhelming at first.
As I mentioned in my Sarasota blog post, I always like to start by thinking about why I’m visiting a city and who I’m traveling with. Are you heading to New Orleans with a significant other or with kids? Are you hoping to see the classic tourist attractions, or are you more interested in exploring hidden gems and local favorites? Start by outlining your main goals for the trip, and let that guide your itinerary.
Our main goals for this trip were to relax, have fun, and experience some of our favorite things in a new destination. For us, that meant music, architecture, art, culture – and, of course, enjoying some truly incredible meals!
1. Enjoy the Music
While we were in town, we checked out the lineup at the newly built Fillmore – and one of our favorites, Ryan Bingham, happened to be playing. We scooped up tickets right away! The venue is really well run and a great spot to catch a live show.
And speaking of music, you can’t visit New Orleans without hearing some jazz. We tried to avoid Bourbon Street, so we opted to scope out some live music spots on Frenchman Street instead. The energy there is so fun and authentic – it’s a must for music lovers.
2. Take in the Architecture
The architecture in NOLA is absolutely stunning – so I highly recommend making a point to walk through the Garden District and check out the historic mansions. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the city. There are a ton of free walking tours available to download before your trip, like this one!
3. Check Out the Art
Another one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans is to visit NOMA (the New Orleans Museum of Art) and explore the outdoor sculpture garden. The exhibits are incredible and such a peaceful way to enjoy art in nature. Just a heads up – if you’re visiting in late spring or summer, make sure to bring an umbrella. We got caught in the rain more times than I can count!
4. Participate in a Historical or Cultural Event
New Orleans is famous for its incredible lineup of historical and cultural events – Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Tales of the Cocktail, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Food & Wine Festival, and so many more! It often feels like there’s something happening every weekend, offering countless opportunities to experience something fun and unique during your visit. The city also hosts a Pride celebration, for which they typically have a big turn out!
5. Savor the Flavor
NOLA is known for a lot of things – and the incredible food and drinks are high on that list. The city is packed with bars and restaurants that have rave reviews, and trying new spots each time we visit is hands-down one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans! With so many amazing options to choose from, I’m switching gears and giving food and drinks their own well-deserved spotlight below.
Where to Eat and Drink in New Orleans
There’s never enough time to try all the amazing NOLA restaurants. Honestly, even narrowing down our list and making reservations felt a bit daunting – but we did it, and we ended up loving every spot we dined at!
I highly recommend making reservations in advance, especially if you have your heart set on a few must-visit places. One thing to keep in mind: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays can be a bit tricky, as many restaurants in the area choose to close on those days.
Breakfast
Let’s kick things off with breakfast! Ayu Bakehouse was outstanding. Personally, I loved the peaches and cream pastry and the Matcha Fizz (a special the week we were there).
Lagniappe, located in Central City, is a 2025 James Beard Award finalist—and for good reason. They have excellent pastries! Just be sure to get there early to snag what you want before they sell out!
Lunch & Dinner
For this trip, we skipped most of the well-known spots – you know, the ones that show up at the top of every travel guide. As I mentioned earlier, trying new restaurants is one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans. Since I’ve visited before, I felt like I’d already experienced many of the more established joints and was ready to branch out! So this time, we opted for newer establishments and places that felt a bit more local.
N7 was by far our favorite dining spot. It’s quaint, peaceful, and felt tucked away from the hustle and bustle – and the food was amazing!
La Petite Grocery was the one exception to our “no established spots” rule. This restaurant is a New Orleans staple that I’ll happily return to every time I’m in the city. As usual, it did not disappoint!
We wanted to switch up the cuisine for one of our meals, so we gave Saba a try. Their menu is Mediterranean, and everything was so fresh. It was the perfect spot for a rainy lunch and gave us a chance to explore Uptown.
Nibbles & Drinks
Between meals and adventures, we grabbed a few nibbles and drinks. We stopped by The Elysian Bar, conveniently located inside our hotel, more than once. And unlike our overall hotel experience, I’m happy to report that this bar was so relaxing.
Evviva was another small-bites spot we tried – and it was a total standout. This restaurant just opened this year and has already popped up on several “best new restaurant” lists. We couldn’t agree more! The staff was lovely, the food was fantastic, and the wine list was so interesting.
What I loved most about this place was that it felt like a true neighborhood spot. People were running into their neighbors, the staff knew almost half the guests who walked through the door, and many lingered long after dinner to sip another drink and just hang out.
Cocktail Hour
If trying fun new drinks is on your list of things to do in New Orleans, rest assured – there are plenty of great options!
On our first night, we stopped by Hotel Saint Vincent for drinks. The property is absolutely stunning, and I was thrilled to see a Lambrusco cocktail on the menu – Lambrusco is my favorite!
For a fancy nightcap, we ventured to Jewel of the South one evening. It was equal parts adorable and tasty!
And you know I love a good/high low moment (in fashion and everything else in life!), so I wanted to stop at a fun dive bar, too. One afternoon, we grabbed a beer at Anna’s, and it felt like the kind of place I’d love to have around the corner from home – super laid back and chill. Plus, cool merch! 🙂
On My Wish List
There were a few other dining and drinking spots I would’ve loved to visit if we’d had more time! These come highly recommended, so they’re definitely worth looking into if you’re planning a trip to NOLA: Bacchanel, Acamaya, Lilette, and Turkey and the Wolf. They’re all on our wish list for the next time we’re back!
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in New Orleans
Whether you’re heading to the Big Easy this summer or simply dreaming up a future getaway, I hope these tips on where to stay, what to eat, and the best things to do in New Orleans are helpful. It’s truly a magical city – rich in culture, full of charm, and packed with unforgettable experiences. If it’s not already on your travel list, I highly recommend adding it!
For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
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