Curator’s statement
New Orleans doesn’t ask you to slow down—it invites you to feel more deeply. This guide is curated around moments of music drifting through the streets, meals that tell stories, and neighborhoods that hold both history and heartbeat. From quiet morning walks to late-night jazz, New Orleans reveals itself not as a destination to “see,” but one to truly experience.
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Things to do in New Orleans
Preservation Hall—Dec. 2025
Preservation Hall: Live jazz fills the intimate space, stripping the music down to its raw, emotional core. The experience feels timeless, as if the past and present are playing in perfect sync.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum Guided Tour: This visit offers a fascinating glimpse into early medicine, where remedies are equal parts science and superstition. The space quietly reflects the city’s complex relationship with health, history, and healing.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Guided Tour Walking among above-ground tombs reveals generations of stories layered in stone. The cemetery feels both solemn and alive, shaped by tradition, belief, and reverence.
Sazerac House experience: The Sazerac House immerses you in the rituals and history behind New Orleans’ most iconic cocktail. It blends storytelling, craftsmanship, and taste into a distinctly local experience.
Haunted French Quarter Tour: As night falls, the French Quarter takes on a darker edge, where legends and lore blur with history. The stories feel less about fear and more about the city’s enduring spirit.
Plantation and airboat tour: This tour contrasts the region’s natural beauty with its complicated past, offering space for both reflection and awe. Gliding through the bayou underscores how deeply the land shapes Louisiana’s identity.
Garden District Walking Tour: The Garden District reveals a softer, more residential rhythm of the city, framed by grand homes and shaded streets. It feels elegant, unhurried, and rich with character.
Paddleboat cruise on the Mississippi River: Cruising the Mississippi provides a slower perspective of New Orleans, where the river quietly anchors the city’s story. The movement of the water mirrors the steady pulse of life along its banks.
Places to eat & drink in New Orleans
Café du Monde: Powdered sugar fills the air as warm beignets arrive fresh from the fryer. It’s a simple ritual that feels inseparable from the rhythm of the city.
Napoleon House: This historic space invites you to linger, where Pimm’s Cups and muffulettas are enjoyed slowly beneath worn walls and quiet courtyards. It feels effortlessly Old World and unmistakably New Orleans.
Carousel Bar: Sitting at the revolving bar adds a sense of play to classic cocktails. The experience is equal parts spectacle and tradition, unfolding at an unhurried pace.
Pat O’Brien’s: The courtyard buzzes with energy as Hurricanes flow and piano music spills into the night. It’s lively, iconic, and unapologetically fun. Take it slow on the Hurricanes, though… they’re sneaky!
Tujague’s: Dining here feels like stepping into another era, where classic Creole dishes and long-standing traditions take center stage. The atmosphere balances history with warmth and familiarity.
Commander’s Palace: Commander’s Palace delivers a polished yet welcoming experience, where refined cuisine meets gracious Southern hospitality. Every detail feels intentional and celebratory.
Arnaud’s Jazz Bistro: Dinner unfolds alongside live jazz, blending elegant Creole cuisine with the sounds that define the city. The evening feels theatrical, immersive, and distinctly New Orleans.
Need to know
Make reservations early, especially for Commander’s Palace, Arnaud’s, and any weekend dinners—walk-ins are tough.
Arrive early for live music, especially at Preservation Hall, to get the full experience without feeling rushed.
Follow the sound, not the schedule—some of the best jazz moments happen spontaneously in the streets or small clubs.
Tip musicians generously—live music is the city’s lifeblood.
Wear comfortable shoes—uneven sidewalks and cobblestones are everywhere.
Walk neighborhoods during the day, but use rideshares at night if you’re moving between areas.
The streetcar is iconic but slow—great for scenery, not tight schedules.
Approach plantations and history-focused sites thoughtfully—they tell important, complex stories.
Be mindful in cemeteries and neighborhoods—many are active, lived-in spaces.
Ask before photographing people, especially performers or residents.
Travel Advisor
Rachel Gustafson
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our New Orleans page.