The Top 10 New Orleans Attractions

New Orleans has such an energy about it that draws people from around the globe to experience the unique sights, sounds, tastes and smells of this Southern city. From jazz and Creole food to mardi gras parades and French Quarter architecture, the world’s best party town offers a myriad of exciting attractions – and we’ve picked out the top 10 that you shouldn’t miss on your trip Spirit Bag Policy to the Big Easy! So start packing your bags now, because here are the top 10 new orleans attractions!

1) Jazz Fest
Normally, there’s no better place to be in April than New Orleans. However, Jazz Fest will bring upwards of 450,000 music fans to the Big Easy that month—and if you don’t have tickets already, you may want to stay home (though non-ticketed events are also scheduled around town). If you do manage to come during Jazz Fest, expect concerts (duh), lots of food and drink options, and a unique experience. Plus it’s free!

2) French Quarter
The French Quarter is a great way to get an idea of how people used to live in Louisiana. Make sure you check out Bourbon Street and Jackson Square. Although, be careful of drug dealers and pickpockets lurking about. The French Quarter is also well known for it’s nightlife scene, so if you’re looking for some late-night fun, look no further than Bourbon Street. And if you need to fuel up before hitting Bourbon Street, make sure you stop by Café Du Monde on Decatur Street for some fresh beignets and café au lait! Or order up a muffuletta from Central Grocery on Decatur St – a delicious sandwich filled with meats and cheeses (and olive salad!) that was invented right here in New Orleans!

3) National World War II Museum
As one of our top 10 attractions in New Orleans, Louisiana, you’ll find an incredible and inspiring experience at The National World War II Museum. Visitors are invited to explore a massive collection of artifacts and stories that explore both military history as well as everyday life during WWII. The museum boasts some truly unique and thought-provoking exhibits, including their signature 4D film that puts visitors right into battle and personal galleries where visitors can actually speak with veterans who served in WWII. As part of our top ten attractions in New Orleans list, we encourage everyone to visit website for spirit airlines and take part in what is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

4) St. Louis Cathedral
The first thing you notice about New Orleans’ historic St. Louis Cathedral (1120 Chartres St.) is its size: with 134-foot twin towers, it’s among North America’s largest churches. Construction of what started out as a Jesuit mission began in 1718, and was completed in 1789—making it not only one of Louisiana’s oldest buildings but also one of its most historically significant. A visit to St. Louis begins outside, where many note its striking resemblance to Europe’s Notre Dame Cathedral; inside you’ll see two paintings by noted American artist Thomas Hart Benton.

5) Garden District
The Garden District was named for its abundance of lush gardens. These days, you can find plenty of gardens, but not so many that they overwhelm you. It’s a safe neighborhood to walk around, too: behind iron gates and narrow streets, stately old houses sit side by side with renovated cottages and urban lofts. From each house’s front porch to every corner boutique, much of New Orleans still has a Southern hospitality feel—just don’t leave your manners at home; all guests are expected to be on their best behavior. The Garden District is also where most visitors stay because it’s within walking distance from so many attractions. The big ones are easy to reach: historic Jackson Square (1 block) for music on weekend nights; St.

6) Spanish Plaza
The Plaza, one of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods and a center of commerce for more than 200 years, is bounded by Decatur Street to the west, St. Peter Street to the north, North Rampart Street to east and St. Ann Street to south. Now known as Spanish Fort or Vieux Carré (French for Old Square), it was once called La Place d’Armes because it was where soldiers were stationed in colonial times; around 1800 it was turned into an official plaza by Mayor Francisco Luis Héctor de Carondelet. Today it’s filled with shops and restaurants offering everything from African fetishes to artisanal chocolates (and lots of great deals).

7) Botanical Gardens at City Park
Dating back to 1899, Riverfront Carousel is considered one of America’s oldest and most beloved amusement parks. You’ll find many other attractions within its borders, including Cajun Music Hall, Laffite’s Blacksmith Shop (which recounts a visit from Jean Lafitte), Windjammer Park miniature golf course and Ghost River Brewing Company. There are also plenty of food options if you need a break from sightseeing. The park is free to enter; individual rides will cost you but are typically less than $3 per ride.

8) Audubon Zoo
The Audubon Zoo, located in Uptown New Orleans, is a fun and educational place to visit. Whether you are traveling with kids or just looking for something fun to do while on vacation, you will be sure to enjoy your visit here. There are many different animal exhibits here which feature animals native to Louisiana as well as some that come from around the world. Some of these exhibits include: Louisiana Swamp Exhibit, Tropical America Pavilion, and Bird and Butterfly Garden. The grounds at Audubon Zoo also feature a 1/2 mile walking trail where you can spot native birds, insects and flora of Louisiana in their natural habitats. You can also purchase food (including jambalaya) at some of their picnic areas before or after your stroll through nature.

9) Musicians’ Village
Located in City Park, which is home to many of New Orleans’s famous attractions, including the world-famous botanical gardens and golf course. Enjoy a tour through some of America’s most famous cities aboard one of eight gilded carriages. Visitors can also climb aboard and go for a spin. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. If you don’t feel like riding, just have a seat on one of its Victorian-style benches; you can even get married here! Don’t forget to pick up your (nonperishable) bottle of water or other refreshments at one of City Park’s many concession stands before hopping on board.

10) Riverfront Carousel
Carousels used to be a traditional feature of American life, but they’ve been fading from our landscapes for decades. In fact, there are only around 100 of them left in the U.S., and several of those are only found in museums. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still places where you can go ride on one—the City Park carousel is a beautiful example that reminds us what we’re missing out on as we lose these beloved structures piece by piece. Built by Looff and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, it is indeed worth seeing during your trip Spirit Airlines to New Orleans.