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25 places you have to see
Eighteen million tourists can’t be wrong—New Orleans is a prime destination. Whether you count yourself in their number or are lucky enough to live here full time, you’ll find more ways to stay entertained than there are hours in the day. Here are 25 essential things to do in New Orleans, whether you’re in town for a weekend or a lifetime.
Photo by Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
From the St. Louis Cathedral to the Italian Piazza, these buildings represent New Orleans’ unique history
Whether they’re venerated historic sites (St. Louis Cathedral), weird remnants of mostly forgotten architectural movements (the Italian Piazza), or simply bars where people have been getting drunk for hundreds of years (Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop), there’s no denying that New Orleans wouldn’t be New Orleans without its iconic buildings.
Here is a map of 24 structures in the city that are a testament to its unique architectural history—and unique culture.
Photo courtesy The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
A merry, colorful city becomes even more so throughout December
Al Copeland’s famed Christmas lights may now belong to New Orleans’ ever-growing cache of “ain’t dere no more” lore—but there are plenty of other new and established ways to enjoy the December tradition of holiday light-gazing. As the year comes to a close, hotspots around the city will be illuminated by everything from twinkling palm trees to projection mapping installations. Here are some of the best light displays in town.
From haunted to spectacular
As William Faulkner famously wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Nowhere does that feel more true than in his former hometown of New Orleans, where the city’s story is written in its brick-and-beam Creole cottages, bargeboard shotgun homes, and midcentury modern homes by the lakefront. The history of its architecture follows the history of its people, and with this in mind, Curbed New Orleans mapped 10 homes to tour, whether you’re a local or a tourist.
The World Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street will turn into a Four Season hotel. | Photo courtesy Binyan Studios
The landscape of New Orleans is constantly changing.
Several hotels and high-rise housing projects are cropping up as developers seize on demands for downtown living, a $1 billion airport is forging ahead despite construction issues, and the city’s familiar skyline is in flux with new construction and demolitions.
Here is a growing map of the some of the most anticipated developments, constructions, and renovations happening throughout the city.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2013 and has been updated with the most recent information.
A year and a day...according to local lore, that’s the amount of time that must pass before a body interred in one of New Orleans’ above-ground tombs decomposes, leaving only bones behind. At that point, the tomb—which acts like an oven in the subtropical heat, subjecting the body to a process resembling slow cremation—can be opened.
The process says as much about New Orleans’ relationship with death as it does about its climate and topography. Because the city is below sea level, interring a body six feet under is not a viable option (caskets literally float back up out of the ground). So, New Orleans has developed a unique cemetery culture of above-ground tombs.
In New Orleans, you'll find cemeteries dating back as early as 1789; a triple-x marked tomb believed to house Voodoo queen Marie Laveau; a Hurricane Katrina memorial paying tribute to the unclaimed and unidentified victims of the storm; and a relationship with the spiritual world that’s both haunting and beautiful.
Photo courtesy Hotel Peter & Paul
Wake up and smell the coffee
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2017 and has been updated.
Because New Orleans has unique architecture, we can only expect that trend to spill over to its coffeeshops. While we’ll leave the review of the actual coffee and treats to our sister site Eater, we’ve found some spaces that boast exceptional design both in and out of the shop.
Here is a list of coffeeshops, bakeries, and cafés with admirable design. Did we miss one of your favorite spaces? Drop a comment below.
25 places you have to see
We may be firmly entrenched in the late summer/early fall doldrums, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend every day holed up with your fans and window AC unit. New Orleans offers plenty of ways to stay entertained while beating the 90-plus degree heat—and if the weather is really too much for you, remember that nothing tops a handheld fan and a frozen daiquiri when it comes to staying cool. Here are 25 things to do in New Orleans before the mass amounts tourists come back along with the cooler fall weather.
Photo by Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
From the St. Louis Cathedral to the Italian Piazza, these buildings represent New Orleans’ unique history
Whether they’re venerated historic sites (St. Louis Cathedral), weird remnants of mostly forgotten architectural movements (the Italian Piazza), or simply bars where people have been getting drunk for hundreds of years (Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop), there’s no denying that New Orleans wouldn’t be New Orleans without its iconic buildings.
Here is a map of 24 structures in the city that are a testament to its unique architectural history—and unique culture.
Photo by Woodlot/Wikimedia Commons
While there are plenty of walking paths in New Orleans, including its expansive Mississippi River trails, there aren’t many places to hike in the city. However, several gorgeous hiking paths and trails are waiting just a short drive away.
Spring and summer months are great times to explore the diverse wildlife refuges and parks found throughout the Gulf Coast. Here are nine adventurous hiking trails, from short trails in the city’s backyard to giant hikes in a national forest.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in August 2013 and has been updated with the most recent information.
A year and a day...according to local lore, that’s the amount of time that must pass before a body interred in one of New Orleans’ above-ground tombs decomposes, leaving only bones behind. At that point, the tomb—which acts like an oven in the subtropical heat, subjecting the body to a process resembling slow cremation—can be opened.
The process says as much about New Orleans’ relationship with death as it does about its climate. It also suggests that if you dare venture to a New Orleans cemetery during the hottest time of the year, you should do so armed with sunscreen, a shade umbrella or hat, and plenty of water.
But don’t let the heat stop you from experiencing an intrinsic part of New Orleans’ landscape and history. Because the city is below sea level, interring a body six feet under is not a viable option (caskets literally float back up out of the ground). So, New Orleans has developed a unique cemetery culture of above-ground tombs.
In New Orleans, you'll find cemeteries dating back as early as 1789; a triple-x marked tomb believed to house Voodoo queen Marie Laveau; a Hurricane Katrina memorial paying tribute to the unclaimed and unidentified victims of the storm; and a relationship with the spiritual world that’s both haunting and beautiful.
From haunted to spectacular
As William Faulkner famously wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Nowhere does that feel more true than in his former hometown of New Orleans, where the city’s story is written in its brick-and-beam Creole cottages, bargeboard shotgun homes, and midcentury modern homes by the lakefront. The history of its architecture follows the history of its people, and with this in mind, Curbed New Orleans mapped 10 homes to tour, whether you’re a local or a tourist.
Wake up and smell the coffee
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2017 and has been updated.
Because New Orleans has unique architecture, we can only expect that trend to spill over to its coffeeshops. While we’ll leave the review of the actual coffee and treats to our sister site Eater, we’ve found some spaces that boast exceptional design both in and out of the shop.
Here is a list of 11 coffeeshops, bakeries, and cafés with admirable design. Did we miss one of your favorite spaces? Drop a comment below.
From haunted to spectacular
As William Faulkner famously wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Nowhere does that feel more true than in his former hometown of New Orleans, where the city’s history is written in its brick-and-beam Creole cottages, bargeboard shotgun homes, and midcentury modern homes by the lakefront. The history of its architecture follows the history of its people, and with this in mind, Curbed New Orleans mapped 10 homes to tour, whether you’re a local or a tourist.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in August 2013 and has been updated with the most recent information.
Cemeteries are an intrinsic part of New Orleans’ landscape and history. Because the city is below sea level, interring a body six feet under is not a viable option (caskets literally float back up out of the ground). So, New Orleans has developed a unique cemetery culture of above-ground tombs.
In New Orleans, you'll find cemeteries dating back as early as 1789; a triple-x marked tomb believed to house Voodoo queen Marie Laveau; a Hurricane Katrina memorial paying tribute to the unclaimed and unidentified victims of the storm; and a relationship with the spiritual world that’s both haunting and beautiful.
It should be noted that many of these cemeteries were in a serious state of disrepair—some still are—and Save Our Cemeteries, well, pretty much saved them, with the help of the Archdiocese.
If you’re interested in tours or volunteering, visit Save Our Cemeteries website for more information.
26 places you have to see right now
Although New Orleans isn’t the largest city around, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do, what to learn, and where to have fun. As a starting point, we’ve rounded up the 26 places you need to see right now: museums, landmarks, historic homes, and everything in between.
Sometimes it's tough being such a historic, eerie city, with all of these old buildings and their crazy (ghost) stories. Today, let's sidestep the sidewalk-clogging hordes of tourists on their ghost-vampire-spooky haunted tours and check out 11 legitimately creepy places around New Orleans. Are they haunted? Who knows. Hair-raising? Definitely. From an abandoned amusement park in New Orleans East to the scene of a horrific murder-suicide in the French Quarter, these sites are all chilling in their own unique way.
If you're interested in must-see cemeteries in the city, Curbed NOLA has a map for that, too.
Most of the events are free!
New Orleans puts its own spin on New Year’s Eve, just as it does with everything else. Whether you’re watching the fleur-de-lis drop from home with a steaming bowl of gumbo or you’re taking in the scene from a Bourbon Street balcony, there’s no wrong way to celebrate. Feel like going out on the town? Here are the best free and low-cost New Year’s Eve events of 2018.
