Things to do in New Orleans

Planning questions about New Orleans

What are the best things to do in New Orleans?

New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation is the highest ranked experience in New Orleans, scoring 94 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 7,147 traveler reviews. New Orleans Adults-Only True Crime and Ghost Walking Tour, New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour, New Orleans City Tour: French Quarter, Garden District & Cemetery, Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans round out the top five. Outty ranks 727 bookable experiences in New Orleans, United States, and 1 of them score 90 or above.

Which attractions should I visit in New Orleans?

The landmarks with the deepest choice of tours and tickets are French Quarter, Jackson Square, Garden District, St. Louis Cathedral, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, Bourbon Street. Each has its own page on Outty listing every ranked way to visit, from timed entry tickets to guided and combination tours.

How much do activities in New Orleans cost?

The median price across everything we rank in New Orleans is $39 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $15 on Seven Three Distilling Tour and Tasting. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.

Can I book something in New Orleans for today?

Yes. 120 of the top 120 experiences we rank in New Orleans currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.

Is New Orleans good for families?

Yes. 14 of the experiences we rank in New Orleans are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.

How many days do you need in New Orleans?

Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?

February to May and October to November. August is heat and storm season. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

Can I cancel a booking in New Orleans?

120 of the 120 experiences we rank in New Orleans offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.

How does the Outty Ranking work?

Every experience in New Orleans gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within New Orleans so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.