Discover New Orleans

Read on for a few of our favorite things to do in the Crescent City, with recommendations from the Young Audiences of Louisiana staff!

-ARTS-

Artful Galas at New Orleans Jazz Museum (French Quarter)
Home of the 2022 National Conference Host Event. Check out Drumsville!: Evolution of the New Orleans Beat.
400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Jam out at JAM NOLA Museum (Marigny)
A twelve-room, New Orleans-themed cultural experience.
2832 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70177

Experience First Fridays: Queens & Goddesses at New Orleans Museum of Art (City Park)
Featuring after-hour access to NOMA’s Queen Nefertiti’s Egypt exhibition, along with gallery talks, performances, a DJ set, and more (learn more here).
1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124

Explore the Besthoff Sculpture Garden (City Park)
Home of over 90 sculptures, including the famous Blue Dog (you know the one).
1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124

-FOOD-

CRAWFISH, CRAWFISH, CRAWFISH at Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant (French Quarter)
So many crawfish!
841 Iberville, New Orleans, LA 70112

More crawfish at NOLA Crawfish King Seafood & BBQ (Gentilly)
It’s crawfish season, need we say more?
5321 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122

Beignets at Café Du Monde (French Quarter & City Park)
At this iconic landmark, open until 10pm, enjoy world-famous café au lait and beignets.
800 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70116 (FQ)
56 Dreyfous, New Orleans, LA 70124 (CP)

Courtyard dining at Café Amelie (French Quarter)
Lush, enchanting, and historic.
912 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Po’boys at Verti Marte (French Quarter)
Mainstay deli known for Creole-inspired sandwiches, open 24 hours.
1201 Royal St, New Orleans LA 70116

More po’boys at Parkway Bakery & Tavern (Mid-City)
Open since 1911, PBT is one of the oldest po’boy shops and a New Orleans favorite.
838 Hagen, New Orleans, LA 70119

Plant-based comfort food at Seed (Lower Garden District)
Putting vegan spins on New Orleans classics.
1330 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Creole favorites at Luke (Downtown / Warehouse District)
Come before 6:00 pm for oyster happy hour, and then stick around for the mouth-watering entrees. Conveniently located just blocks from NOPSI Hotel.
333 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Crêpes and other French favorites at Le Crêpe Nanou (Uptown)
Intimate, mosaic-tiled bistro with sidewalk seating.
1410 Robert Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

Brunch at Willa Jean (Downtown / Warehouse District)
Hearty southern fare with just the right amount of elegance.
611 O’Keefe Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113

More Brunch at Gris Gris (Lower Garden District)
Refined Southern cuisine with balcony seating (make a reservation).
1800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Banh Mi at Lilly’s Café (Lower Garden District)
A delicious New Orleans staple.
1813 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Pizza at Paladar 511 (Marigny)
For tasty wood oven pizza, look no further.
511 Marigny St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Seafood at Pêche (Downtown / Warehouse District)
Excellent for groups!
800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Steaks and more at Doris Metropolitan (French Quarter)
For a memorable fine-dining experience.
620 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

-DRINK-

Bloody Marys at Erin Rose (French Quarter)
Made using a secret in-house recipe.
811 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Whiskey at Barrel Proof (Lower Garden District)
Over 300 to choose from.
1201 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Gin Fizzes at Henry’s Gin Bar (NOPSI Hotel) (Downtown / Warehouse District)
Try this hometown specialty in the comfort of your hotel lobby.
317 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Frozen Irish Coffee at Molly’s on the Market (French Quarter)
Classic pub crawl stop known for frozen or hot Irish coffees, a laid-back vibe, and Celtic decor.
1107 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Pirouetting cocktails at Carousel Bar (French Quarter)
Grab a seat at this historic revolving bar (don’t worry – it rotates very slowly!).
214 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Divey drinks at Chart Room (French Quarter)
Cheap drinks, check. Cash only, check. Juke box, check.
300 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Brews at Black Penny (French Quarter)
Relaxed, pooch-friendly watering hole on Rampart Street.
700 Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116

More drinks (plus local history) at The Sazerac House (Downtown / Warehouse District)
A distillery and museum rolled into one.
101 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

-OTHER-

Self-guided walking tours from The Historic New Orleans Collection (French Quarter)
Immerse yourself in local history (download self-guided tours here).

Poolside / rooftop lounging at Above the Grid (NOPSI Hotel) (Downtown / Warehouse District)
When you aren’t busy attending a Breakout Session.
317 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Late-night dancing at Blue Nile (Marigny)
Live music every night: funk, blues, and brass bands.
532 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Live music at The Spotted Cat (Marigny)
Intimate jazz venue with nightly performances.
623 Frenchman St., New Orleans, LA 70117

Jazz at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro (Marigny)
Premium jazz venue serving upscale Creole fare.
626 Frenchman Street, New Orleans LA 70116

Relax under the live oaks at New Orleans City Park (City Park)
An oasis of 1300 acres of green space and lakes offering a wide variety of attractions.
1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124