I’ve been to New Orleans over a dozen times now, and with my dad living there and also owning a tour company (Royal Tours New Orleans), I have my favorite stops now that I recommend to everyone.

I have a comprehensive guide to New Orleans here, but if I were going to New Orleans with a brand-new visitor, these are my top 10 things to do:

Sazerac House (21+)

This museum is fascinating and absolutely beautiful. You learn all about the history of alcohol and bitters in New Orleans - from their medical uses, to the social impact, to the historical significance. You walk three different floors and you get 3 tasters of different famous cocktails.

It was designed by the same designers as the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, so you know it is stunning and an incredible experience. It is right on Canal St., right outside of the French Quarter and right near the Shops at Canal Place - so it is very easy to get to and centrally located for most tourists.

I went with my boyfriend and then took my sister and dad the next time I visited - everyone loves it.

Best of all? IT’S FREE!

The National WWII Museum

If you are at all interested in WWII history, this is a must-see. It is so interactive and well-done, I enjoy it every time. My only complaint is that it is so expansive, so you will spend no less than 3-4 hours there.

Tickets will run you about $40/adult, $27/military, student, or child 5-18, or $7/children under 5.

Shop on Magazine St

I have recently enjoyed Magazine St and the Garden District more than the French Quarter… My dad may disown me for saying that, but what can I say? It feels cleaner, it is so beautiful, and they have some of the best shops!

If you can venture out of the French Quarter, assuming that is where you are most likely staying, you can spend an entire day just wandering down Magazine St.

The entire stretch is six miles, but along these six miles, you’ll find clothing shops like Century Girl Vintage, Fleurty Girl, and Monomin. Restaurants like The Vintage, La Petite Grocery, La Boulangerie, and hundreds others. Bars, art galleries, hotels… So much to see here.

My most recent trip, I bought some honey and honey sticks from NOLA Boards, sunglasses, and wanted so badly to buy a keychain that said “eat well, travel often,” but did not.

Cocktails at Cure (21+)

I’ve started a practice now of asking every waiter or bartender when I travel where they recommend or enjoy eating or drinking. We did this at Shaya (one of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans) and the bartender recommended Cure. He told us they won a James Beard Award for cocktails and I was sold.

We went on our last full day in New Orleans and this was such a great experience!!! This will 1000% be on my rotation from here on out on my trips to New Orleans.

We went during Happy Hour and I had 2 margaritas, 1 Cameo (a bramble with pomegranate and cardamom), caviar, housemade focaccia, and Keighlin had 3 cocktails. It is definitely a treat - all of this adding up to around $120, but it was absolutely worth it. The bartender ended up giving us free shots of Mezcal, and then we ended the night at Dat Dog across the street with a hot dog.

Brunch at Justine

I’ve been to Justine for dinner and brunch, and both are fantastic. I believe there are possibly better or comparable dinner places, which is why I’d recommend brunch over dinner. We got the French Toast bites, onion soup, Justine breakfast (just a classic breakfast plate), Justine burger (amazing), and the roast beef debris biscuits with a fried egg.

Their burger, mac and cheese, and onion soup are my favorites.

Airboat Tour

Neal and I went on an airboat tour in Bonne in November of 2021 and had a blast. I honestly cannot remember the name of the company we went with, but I can’t imagine any are spectacularly better than another.

2 stories from this experience:

When we arrived, they were emptying out their port-a-potty and people threw up into the bayou because it smelled so awful.
The boat driver gave the alligators marshmallows and called it “Swamp Crack” because he said alligators loved it so much (we laughed so hard at this).

Breakfast at La Boulangerie

This amazing French boulangerie and bakery on Magazine St is my favorite breakfast spot in New Orleans. I highly recommend the cheese straw first. We’ve also had the morning bun (delicious and sweet, but with a hint of maybe oranges?), the Parisien sandwich (baguette, butcher ham, cornichons, and comte cheese), the banana bread, the parfait, and plenty of coffee and drinks. It is great to grab a breakfast or sandwich to-go and wander down Magazine St.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Croissant d’Or in the French Quarter. My dad visits every single morning and I have to say that their fruit croissants are impeccable. So if you don’t want to make your way to La Boulangerie, Croissant d’Or is also a great treat.

Walk the French Quarter

You can spend hours just wandering the French Quarter. I always find something new - a new courtyard, a new shop, a new friend. Grab a go cup of your favorite drink or some beignets to go, and just wander.

You can also book a tour with Royal Tours (my dad’s company) and have a bespoke tour catered to you and your group.

Ashley Longshore Gallery

A goal of mine is to be able to afford one of her Audrey Hepburn portraits. I have her coffee table book and I look through it often. I love her and her pieces and her irreverence. Her gallery, which is right across the street from La Boulangerie, is a fun, bright, and energetic visit.

Honorable Mentions

Cocktails in Sylvain Courtyard

This is my favorite courtyard in the French Quarter. It is right off Jackson Square, but feels so secluded. The food and cocktails are also always amazing.

My Top 9 Things to do in New Orleans 2023