New Orleans – First Timers’ Guide

New Orleans is a popular destination for people around the country, whether they’re ready to party Mardi Gras-style, check out the historic architecture, or learn about Voodoo.

There’s so much to see in this city that it may be tough to know where to start. What neighborhoods should you visit? What are the top historic sites? What bars have the best party atmosphere?

Here’s a list of the top sites to visit your first time in the Big Easy. If you visit the majority of these destinations, you’re sure to have a fulfilling and unforgettable visit.

Bourbon Street

You can’t visit New Orleans for the first time without walking down Bourbon Street. Whether you’re a party animal or simply want to stroll through a historic neighborhood, this famed street needs to be on your list.

New Orleans has an open-container policy, which is all but encouraged on Bourbon Street. Among the traditional bars, there are small spots where you simply walk up to a counter, grab a drink, and continue on your adventure. You’re more than likely going to be strolling the streets with a “go cup” in hand.

Many of the bars on the street have a signature, plastic go cup filled with specialty cocktails. For instance, Pat O’Brien’s invented the Hurricane cocktail, which they serve in large, curved cups. Tropical Isle has a hand grenade cocktail served in a long, plastic tube with a grenade shape at the bottom.

Tropical Isle also serves the Shark Attack, a favorite of many Shark Week fans. When you order this piña colada-like cocktail, the bartender turns on warning lights, announcing that there’s been a shark sighting. They then blow a whistle and plunge a plastic shark into your cup, adding a dash of grenadine to turn the entire thing red. It’s a fun experience that embodies the atmosphere of Bourbon Street.

There are plenty more reasons to visit this iconic street, which is why it’s first on the list of places to visit your first time in New Orleans.

Voodoo

Voodoo is an often-misunderstood belief system that originated in Africa. As it traveled across the world, adopted various traditions from the Americas and the Caribbean.

To put it simply, Voodooists believe that there are two worlds, one seen and one unseen, which are intertwined. When someone dies, they simply transition to the spirit world and are still among us. At its core, there is nothing evil or malicious about the Voodoo religion, which has been widely practiced throughout the New Orleans area since the early 1700s.

This is why, when you visit the city for the first time, you should celebrate these traditions by checking out some Voodoo-related establishments. There are plenty of shops and other destinations where you can peruse memorabilia, trinkets, and “potions” and even get your own spiritual reading. The Voodoo Spiritual Temple is one of the most authentic voodoo destinations. It features a cultural center, lectures, tours, and a gift shop that sells healing oils.

You can also visit the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum to learn about the religion’s past and present. This establishment’s goal is to preserve the ancient belief system by educating and entertaining visitors.

While in New Orleans, get a glimpse into the world of voodoo and realize it’s not the mysterious magic that Hollywood makes it out to be.

Food

New Orleans has an expansive culinary history that has spanned generations. If you’re a brand-new visitor in town, there are a few dishes you need to try.

Grab a po’ boy sandwich, which is usually stuffed with roast beef or fried seafood and served on a baguette. This Louisiana classic is available at numerous restaurants throughout the city, such as Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar, Adams Street Grocery, Mother’s Restaurant, Avery’s on Tulane, and Killer Po-boys. There are even a few restaurants that serve meat-free po’ boys so vegetarians can enjoy these famous sandwiches as well.

Creole cuisine is also distinctly Louisianan, as it originated in the state centuries ago. This style of cooking blends Haitian, German, French, Spanish, and West African influence to create flavorful and filling dishes. Standard fare includes jambalaya, chicken Creole, red beans with dirty rice, and gumbo.

You can get authentic Creole cooking in numerous locations throughout the city, including Gumbo Shop, Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, Muriel’s Jackson Square, and Dooky Chase’s Restaurant.

To finish it all off, get in line at Cafe du Monde to grab half a dozen beignets. A beignet, pronounced “ben-yay,” is simply a square of fried dough covered in powdered sugar. While this basic recipe may not sound like much, the result is a delicious and irresistible treat. You can’t have just one, which is why Cafe du Monde serves their beignets in threes.

Cafe du Monde has been around since 1862, which is why it’s the most famous spot for beignets in New Orleans. It’s also the most convenient, as it’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Swamp Tours

Louisiana is known for its wetlands, an ecosystem that contains plenty of marshes and bayous. It’s part of the state’s identity, and because of this, it needs to be part of any newcomer’s itinerary.

It’s easy to take a swamp tour in New Orleans, as there are many tour companies to choose from. These companies include Gators and Ghosts, Airboat Adventures, Cajun Pride Swamp Tours, Bayou Swamp Tours, and Cajun Encounters Tour Company.

These tours usually go in one of two types of boats. Swamp boats fit approximately 20 people and slowly make their way throughout the water. Airboats, on the other hand, are much smaller and faster, with a large fan on the back of the boat. More independent spirits can even take a kayak or canoe through the bayou.

By exploring the Bayou with an expert guide, you’ll learn about the environment and its animals. You might even get to feed and pet an alligator!

Though gators are the main attraction, you’ll likely see even more creatures, such as bald eagles, turtles, herons, wild boar, snakes, and more. These swamps feel like a world away from a place like Bourbon Street, but are really only 30 to 45 minutes from the city.