EXPLORE NOLA
EXPLORE NOLA
Activities
Activities
SIGHTS
JACKSON SQUARE
Garden district
700 DECATUR street
The center of the French Quarter houses street performers, palm readers and artists, as well as a beautiful park and pick up for horse drawn carriage tours of the Quarter. You can't miss the iconic Cafe Du Monde across from the park. If it's your first time in Nola, you pretty much have to stop for a beignet.
ANTIQUES ON ROYAL
FRENCH QUARTER
417 ROYAL STREET
Some of the best antique shopping in the country can be found between Iberville and St. Phillip on Royal. American, English, French, all eras, all types of things from furniture to weaponry. Get lost for a few hours. You'll be glad you did.
GARDEN DISTRICT & LAFAYETTE CEMETERY
GARDEN DISTRICT
Mornings in New Orleans were made for grabbing coffee on Magazine Street and walking along tree-lined streets, gazing at the historic mansions of the Garden District. It sounds strange but the cemetery at the center of the district is also beautiful.
There are several walking tour companies or you can download a self-guided tour map here.
MUSIC ON FRENCHMEN STREET
MARIGNY
FRENCHMEN STREET
You'll see Frenchmen Street if you join us for the afterparty Saturday night but if you'd like to get out and party prior to, skip Bourbon Street and taxi to Frenchmen. Each club has a different vibe: Spotted Cat for folksy/old-timey vibes. DBA, Blue Nile are best for brass bands and the rest is a mix. Here is the schedule.
And don't miss the Art Market across the street!
MAGAZINE STREET SHOPS
Uptown
MAGAZINE STREET
You may be surprised at just how chic a Southern town can be. Check out the Goop guide to shopping Magazine street for some suggestions and don't forget to stop at Sucre for the best macaroons in the city.
MISSISSIPPI STEAMBOAT CRUISE
FRENCH QUARTER
TOULOUSE STREET & THE RIVER
(504) 586-8777
Steamboat Natchez is the last remaining authentic steamboat on the Mississippi. They have brunch and dinner jazz cruises that you can book here.
TOURS
FRENCH QUARTER GHOST TOUR
FRENCH QUARTER
718 N. Rampart STREET
(504) 666-8300
We've never done this but if you like to be spooked, New Orleans has some crazy creepy history. Check out French Quarter Phantoms... if you dare.
MARDI GRAS WORLD TOUR
CBD
1380 PORT OF NEW ORLEANS PLACE
(504) 507-9319
Learn about the history of Mardi Gras and see actual floats from years past and a collection of some currently under construction. This is Mardi Gras central.
HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE FRENCH QUARTER TOUR
FRENCH QUARTER
STREET
(504) 899-8221
You can pick one of these up across from Jackson Square on Decatur right by Cafe du Monde. We've never done this so we're not sure which of the few companies to choose from but they're all ready and waiting at all hours of the day.
MUSEUMS
PHARMACY MUSEUM
French quarter
514 Chartres STREET
(504) 565-8027
A circa 1823 apothecary is now a museum with exhibits of early medicines, superstitious cures & more.
Open Tues - Sat 10am-4pm
VOODOO MUSEUM
french quarter
724 dumaine STREET
(504) 680-0128
Voodoo has been a significant part of New Orleans culture since the city was first established in the 1700s. The museum explores the mysteries, legends, and traditions of voodoo.
Open Daily 10am-6pm
WORLD WAR II MUSEUM
warehouse district
945 MAGAZINE STREET
(504) 528-1944
Explore the lives of American men and women who took part in WWII through letters, recruitment posters, weapons, models and film.
Open Daily 9am-5pm
NEW ORLEANS MUSUEM OF ART
CITY PARK
1 COLLINS DIBOLL CIRCLE
(504) 658-4100
Yeah so we may be a little partial to this one. You'll see a large portion of it Saturday but if you'd like time to see each exhibit (because we're closing off the upstairs and back hall during the reception) then it's truly worth the 20 minute Uber ride. The sculpture museum is fantastic, which you can see Saturday if you take the earliest bus to the ceremony.
Open Daily 10am-6pm
LOUISIANA STATE MUSUEM AT THE OLD U.S. MINT
FRENCH QUARTER / MARIGNY
400 ESPLANADE AVENUE
(504) 569-0405
Want to see Louis Armstrong's cornet, Fats Domino's piano, or Sidney Behcet's soprano sax? They're all there. Along with being a performance venue, the museum preserves the tangible hallmarks of music history like posters, paintings, sheet music and memorabilia. Feast your eyes and your ears.
Open Tues - Sun 10am-4:30pm
SOUTHERN FOOD & BEVERAGE MUSUEM
CENTRAL CITY
1504 ORTHEA CASTLE HAILEY
(504) 569-0405
Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Southern food, the inventors, chefs, ethnicities, traditions and families who have passed down recipes for generations - all in one place. A real foodie festival.
Open Wed - Mon 11am-5:30pm
Easter Parades
Easter Parades
HISTORIC FRENCH QUARTER PARADE
FRENCH QUARTER
9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Starting at Antoine's (713 St. Louis Street), the historic parade goes down Chartres and ends at Saint Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square for 11:00 AM Mass. The parade consists primarily of mule drawn carriages and old convertibles. They hand out stuffed Easter bunnies to kids, along with other trinkets.
Following Mass, participants in the parade promenade to Jackson Square to show off their Easter bonnets before returning to Antoine's.
CHRIS OWEN'S PARADE
FRENCH QUARTER
1:00 PM - ?
This tradition, which began back in the early 1980s, features renowned French Quarter singer, dancer and all-around entertainer Chris Owens as the Grand Duchess. She stands proudly on her gaily decorated float, assisted by elegantly attired attendants while decked out in one of her stunning, tight-fitting outfits.
The parade starts at the corner of Canal and Bourbon streets and makes its way through the French Quarter, past the Chris Owens Club at 500 Bourbon, with colorful floats and vintage convertibles and accompanied by one or more of the city’s famous brass bands. Plus dance groups and other entertainers. And, of course, since this is a New Orleans parade, there will be plenty of throws – Easter-themed – to catch from the floats and the open-top cars. This parade is a sight you’ll never forget!
GAY EASTER PARADE
FRENCH QUARTER
3:00 pM - ?
The paraders ride horse-drawn carriages or floats while wearing showy versions of their Easter Sunday finest, while remaining family-friendly. The parade takes a leisurely route through the French Quarter, passing every gay bar and many gay-owned restaurants and retail shops.
Don't be surprised if you see a gaggle of motorcycle dudes in leather and Easter bonnets.
Spectators can expect to catch plenty of beads and other throws.