Things to Do in New Orleans for Adults: 15 Iconic Stops You’ll Brag About Later

If New Orleans were a person, she’d be the friend who shows up late to brunch in sequins, casually orders oysters and a Sazerac, and somehow convinces you to get a tarot reading at 2 p.m.

Simply put: she’s the moment. And if you thought The Big Easy was just for Bourbon Street bachelorette chaos and Mardi Gras beads you’ll regret by Monday, think again. This city has layers.

Think live jazz in candlelit courtyards, cocktail-fueled ghost tours through centuries-old neighborhoods, and food that’ll make you consider relocating out of sheer gumbo loyalty.

Whether you’re craving late-night mischief, artful eats, rooftop vibes, or just an excuse to wear bold lipstick on a Tuesday, New Orleans is ready to romance you.

So pack your stretchy pants, charge your phone, and prepare to fall under its wildly fun, slightly spooky, and deliciously unpredictable spell. Let’s play!

History with a Side of Hauntings

Fun things to do in New Orleans for adults include way more than bar crawls and beignets. If you’re into old-world charm with a side of drama, the city’s cultural and historical scene is basically a telenovela in museum form.

You’ll stroll past pastel mansions, learn about voodoo queens, and maybe even meet a ghost who still holds a grudge from 1856. This is where deep history meets main character energy.

Where Bourbon Street Ends and Real Vibes Begin

The French Quarter isn’t just beads and booze. Get lost in alleyways that smell like beignets and old secrets, duck into art galleries that feel more like voodoo spell shops, and channel your inner poet in front of the gothic drama that is St. Louis Cathedral.

Warning: you will take too many photos.

Tours That Spill the Tea (and Sometimes Blood)

A good guide in New Orleans doesn’t just share history—they perform it! Whether it’s ghost stories, walking shade, or tales of scandalous Creole affairs, these tours are like live-action soap operas with better costumes.

Pick your poison: haunted, historic, or haunted and historic.

War History That Hits Different

The National WWII Museum is massive, moving, and not just for war buffs. With actual planes overhead, diary entries that’ll make you tear up, and interactive exhibits that feel more Spielberg than school trip, this place knows how to tell a story. Just don’t be surprised if you leave with feelings.

Cemetery Chic Is a Real Thing Here

New Orleans cemeteries aren’t spooky: they’re iconic! St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is home to famous tombs, voodoo lore, and enough marble to make your kitchen jealous. Pro tip: book an official tour so you don’t end up haunted and fined.

Glitter, Floats, and a Whole Lot of Glue Guns

Mardi Gras World is like walking into a bedazzled fever dream in the best way. Get a behind-the-scenes peek at the floats, costumes, and chaos that fuel the city’s most iconic celebration. Spoiler: it smells like paint, feathers, and ambition.

Mansions, Moss, and Main Character Energy

The Garden District is where antebellum drama meets Pinterest board perfection. Stroll along St Charles Avenue for a front-row seat to wraparound porches, crumbling columns, and oak trees that practically drip Southern charm. Bring iced coffee and pretend you’re scouting locations for your memoir.

When the Sun Sets, the Saxophones Come Out

Things to do in New Orleans for adults include sipping cocktails to live jazz, dancing in century-old bars, and discovering divey gems where the music goes till the hangover kicks in.

This city invented the concept of staying out too late in style. Whether you’re into brass bands, burlesque, or bars with zero signage and 10/10 vibes, the after-dark scene in NOLA is pure magic with a little mischief sprinkled in.

Jazz That Hits You in the Soul (and the Knees)

Frenchmen Street is the beating, horn-blaring heart of New Orleans’ live music scene. Clubs like The Spotted Cat, Snug Harbor, and d.b.a. serve up jazz that feels less like background music and more like a full-body experience. Grab a drink, find a spot near the stage, and let the brass work its magic.

Rooftops, Chandeliers, and Very Good Drinks

Sure, you could drink anywhere, but why not sip something fancy where the ceilings are high and the energy feels cinematic?

Head to the moody glam of French 75 at Arnaud’s for a cocktail that comes with a side of old-school charm, or visit Preservation Hall for strong pours and soulful sounds. Both serve up a mix of history and high-end flavor.

Bourbon Street: Come for the Chaos, Stay for the Stories

Bourbon Street is loud, wild, and somehow exactly what you expect and not at all what you’re ready for. Music pours from every bar, beads rain from balconies, and yes, someone will probably try to sell you a fishbowl of neon alcohol. It’s touristy and totally iconic, so go ahead and embrace the chaos.

All Aboard the Floating Vibe Machine

A nighttime steamboat cruise is equal parts romantic and ridiculously scenic. As you glide down the Mississippi River, you’ll get jazz music, city lights, and a breeze that feels straight out of a movie. It’s the perfect reset after a day of powdered sugar and people-watching.

Shake, Stir, and Sip Like a Local

Learn to craft iconic New Orleans cocktails like the Sazerac or French 75 at local spots like Drink Lab NOLA or the New Orleans School of Cooking.

These hands-on classes mix history, humor, and just the right amount of booze so you walk out with new skills and a solid buzz. Expect to shake, sip, and leave with recipes, local lore, and a borderline snobby appreciation for crushed ice.

Hands-On, Fork-First Experiences

From po’boys that redefine sandwiches to cooking classes that end with powdered sugar in your hair, this city doesn’t do boring.

Whether you’re eating your way through a streetcar line or sipping chicory coffee in a centuries-old courtyard, NOLA feeds your appetite and your main character moment.

Where Shopping and Snacking Go Way Back

The French Market is the oldest public market in the country, but it’s far from dusty. You’ll find local art, handmade goods, hot sauce that could ruin you (in a good way), and food stalls that smell like heaven.

Grab a souvenir and then immediately ruin your outfit with beignets at Café du Monde, which is conveniently just steps away.

Boots Optional, Alligators Not

A swamp tour is part thrill ride, part nature documentary, and one hundred percent worth it. Glide through mossy bayous and keep your eyes peeled for gators, turtles, and maybe a raccoon with a strong main character vibe. It’s a peaceful escape from the city that also comes with bragging rights.

Art, Trees, and a Whole Lot of Vibes

New Orleans City Park is massive, magical, and made for wandering. Pack a picnic, stroll through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden like you understand modern art, or pop into the New Orleans Museum of Art for a little AC and culture.

If you need a break from powdered sugar and party beads, this is your reset button.

Dinner with a Side of History

If you’re going to eat your way through New Orleans, at least one meal should come with chandeliers, a dress code, and a waitstaff that knows their stuff.

Antoine’s has been serving up Creole classics since 1840 and still brings the drama in all the best ways. Order something flambéed and pretend you’re in an old movie, because honestly, you kind of are.

Still Dreaming of New Orleans?

Your stretchy pants are waiting. Whether you’re planning your first visit or just mentally packing your bags, consider this your official sign to make it happen.

When you go, promise us one thing: eat the beignets, ride the streetcar, and let the city romance you a little!

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