Louisiana is a beautiful bayou-filled state. When visiting New Orleans, most people wonder how to narrow down their list of “must dos”.  We’ve got you covered. Take a walk along the Mississippi River, or do any of the following, and your sure to enjoy yourself.

New Orleans, also known as “The Big Easy”, was originally founded as La Nouvelle-Orléans in the Spring of 1718 by the French Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Previous to the establishment as a French port city, the land was inhabited by the indigenous Chitimacha people. Spanish moss hangs from the trees, swamp air floats on the breeze, and Cajun spices and dishes are plentiful. Today, New Orleans is a vibrant port city filled with culture. It has become a festival city, hosting events from the annual Mardi Gras celebration and parades to the annual Jazz Heritage Music Festival to Voodoo Music + Arts Festival to the Bloody Mary Festival. It’s always a party in New Orleans; laissez les bons temps rouler!

The French Quarter is a scenic must-see. This area is characterized by its historic buildings with their cast-iron balconies to their brick or stucco exteriors. The main architecture style of the shopfronts and homes of the French Quarter is that of the Creole cottage. Along the Quarter, you can visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, take a walk among the flowers of Jackson Square, catch musical street performances in front of the St. Louis Cathedral, stop in a Voodoo shop, or stop in one of the many bars to hear live music or grab a drink for your stroll down Bourbon Street. Take a guided ghost or vampire tour through the taverns, cemeteries, and alleyways of New Orleans, if you’re brave enough!

Book your stay at the Domio Baronne St., which is a wonderful apartment-style hotel that is perfect for large groups of families and friends. This hotel is found in the Warehouse District, minutes from the French Quarter and Convention Center. If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel experience, look no further than the Cambria Hotel & Suites New Orleans, also located in the Warehouse District. For a stay at an affordable price point, look to the Omni Riverfront Hotel, the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, or the Bourbon Orleans Hotel.

If you are a purveyor of history and art, there are gorgeous museums in the city from which to choose. For example, the National WWII Museum displays the various theatres of the war, showcasing industrial efforts at home to the combat experience of the American soldier abroad. For a more artistic museum experience, visit the New Orleans Museum of Art  (NOMA) in City Park. This is New Orleans’ oldest fine arts institution with a permanent collection of almost 40,000 objects. Outside of NOMA is the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. There are also plenty of galleries and antique shops to visit for several blocks in the French Quarter if you want a look at local artists’ works.

Take a walk through City Park or Frenchman Street for stylish exercise and views. Replenish yourself with a stop at Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee, Angelo Brocato Ice Cream for Italian style treats, GW Fins for American cuisine, or Loretta’s Authentic Pralines for delicious pecans coated in brown sugar and butter.

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