We took the ferry to the zoo and St Charles Streetcar back to the hotel. We also took a swamp tour on a boat that was interesting. They used marshmallows to get the gators to come up to the boat.
We did one of the bayou tours also. It was in December, so the weather was nice. We really enjoyed it, but we like nature and the outdoors.
I would recommend the City Tour bus outing; our driver was great - we did a cemetery stop and went up to City Park (where we had the best beignets). Loved the outdoor sculpture garden in City Park.
Also took the ferry across the Mississippi to the Algiers area of the city - a quaint neighborhood - where I’d want to live if I relocate to NO. And a swamp/plantation tour combo was lots of fun.
@NJSue yes that’s what I was thinking of!
I went many years ago, and wound up on a bus that drove by houses that were very nice, but I can’t remember if it was a tour or someone just knew to take that bus.
When I was there we actually attended an event at mardigrasworld or whatever it’s called. I was not impressed, but again, it was many years ago.
I tagged along with my spouse when he went to a conference in NOLA—I went on a walking tour of the French Quarter sponsored by the Park Service. Also, visited the Aquarium of the Americas—there was an excellent rain forest exhibit. I also visited the Botanic Garden on another trip.
There is a hop on/hop off bus that loops along part of Magazine street and through the Garden District. You can also take the streetcar down St. Charles or the #11 bus down Magazine.
There are now blue bikes you can rent all over. Be sure to return them properly so you don’t get extra charges.
If you go to the WWII museum, there is also the Ogden Museum nearby, which is excellent. You could take a day and go through several things in City Park, including the art museum there, the free sculpture garden, the botanical gardens, etc. At the other end of town, there is Audubon park with the zoo, and the fly (which is a park along the river). In the Bywater is Crescent Park, which is also along the river.
I believe the ferry to Algiers is free and that is a good way to get on the water. The dock is at the foot of Canal Street. There is also the steamboat Natchez, and a smaller one that goes to the Chalmette battlefield (war of 1812) where you can get off. If the river is at flood stage, you should probably skip all of those! It makes the currents more dangerous. Someone hit a wharf yesterday.
The Whitney is an excellent plantation tour, told from the point of view of the enslaved people. Laura is very good too, not as much a scene as Oak Alley.
We missed the timing for the regular cemetery tour by the society and this interesting character who does the voodoo tour (wish I could remember his name) took our family on a tour of the cemetery.
It was so much fun and I think we learned more about the cemetery and had a much more interesting tour than the other groups there. So don’t be afraid to take a “cheesy” tour.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. It should be close enough to your hotel to either walk or take the streetcar that runs along the river. Also the Mardi Gras Museum which is behind the Convention Center. It’s a fascinating museum and you can see where they store and make the floats.
There are two National Parks you can visit. The easiest one to get to is New Orleans Jazz. They have self-guided walking tours and ranger led programs/tours as well. https://www.nps.gov/jazz/index.htm
There’s also John Lafitte. The visitor’s center is in the French Quarter and gives some interesting information about the Mississippi River. The bayou/preserve is a little further away, but worth the trip if you can get transportation. They do ranger led tours there for free as well. https://www.nps.gov/jela/index.htm
You may also enjoy the Hermann Grima House. It is an excellent museum of a house with an interesting history, located on the north edge of the French Quarter. The WWII Museum and Ogden are must sees.
To me, New Orleans means music, and what’s more a music scene that is both highly varied and locally specific. There are entire vibrant, dynamic genres of music that exist only in New Orleans and southern Louisiana. And even when you are dealing with a mainstream type of music, there’s often an instantly recognizable New Orleans style.
Of course, people play music mainly at night, and mainly at places that sell alcohol. That doesn’t mean you have to drink alcohol when you’re there. And there are often performances during the day, both scheduled/formal, and the world’s best street busking.
There are lots of art galleries in NOLA. I have a friend with a gallery on Royal St. This is his website: www.harouni.com
Royal Street has a fair number of galleries that have some interesting work. Two that we liked—Angela King Gallery and Rodrigue.
A friend of mine was just in New Orleans and she went on the tour to where they store the Mardi Gras floats and she enjoyed that.
I agree that the WWII museum is a must see.
Easy to do and nearby are The Riverwalk and the French Market.
I’ve never taken the Natchez riverboat ride but it looks kind of fun
I also agree with Audubon Zoo and Magazine Street.
My in laws are there so I go annually. Love it
You guys have hit most of my favorites already, but I’ll add the insect museum and just walking around one day.
Some of the best people watching ever—just walking around is entertaining.
I think the ferry is $2 or something now. I love the view of the French Quarter from the ferry. Probably really good now as the river is quite high.
I know you didn’t want to just eat but since you have to anyway how about a cooking class?
Great fun with food to boot! New Orleans School of cooking. Class starts at 10am (don’t eat breakfast and you won’t need lunch!) You sit with other people so it’s great social time even if by yourself.
The Garden District is a very nice neighborhood to wander around.
We also did the New Orleans School of Cooking and, while it is food, I agree with @gouf78 that it is just as much social and entertainment.