3 Tourist Attractions in NOLA That Locals Love, Too

Living in New Orleans will provide you with an abundance of musical options if you enjoy listening to music in general (not just jazz). NOLA is actually the sixth-best city in the nation for live music. On their way to international tours, the majority of well-known bands and musicians stop through New Orleans, and with good reason. After Hurricane Katrina, a significant number of residents left the city, which significantly reduced New Orleans’ cost of living. The city is still experiencing growing pains 15 years later, which is why New Orleans Houses for Sale are less expensive than most US cities. 

One of the most distinctive cities in America is New Orleans, which has a spirit that is unmatched anywhere else. It is well-known throughout the world for jazz music, Cajun cuisine, and extravagant Mardi Gras celebrations. Read on for tourist attractions in NOLA that locals also enjoy. 

1. French Quarter

The architecture is the main draw in this region, which is also a terrific place to eat and have fun and is situated around a bend in the Mississippi River. With arcades, wrought iron balconies, red-tiled roofs, and charming courtyards, the historic buildings—some of which are 300 years old—display French influences. Many of these structures are now home to hotels, eateries, gift stores, galleries, jazz clubs with a variety of entertainment options, and souvenir shops. While this street is often quiet during the day, at night it becomes a noisy, raucous pedestrian area where you might not always feel comfortable. With some upscale shops, galleries, and hotels, Royal Street offers a wonderful blend of history, exquisite dining, and distinctive shopping possibilities. Artists frequent the area, and there are also good eateries nearby.

2. Mardi Gras

The two-week-long Mardi Gras celebrations culminate on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, and are New Orleans’ most famous event. Parades and other forms of entertainment are almost always present during the celebrations, which get progressively more intense as the event nears its conclusion. Spectators crowd the balconies and streets to watch the parades and catch the strings of beaded necklaces thrown from the lavishly painted floats. Although Bourbon Street is one of the prime gathering places, the entire French Quarter is typically crowded. French immigrants brought the custom to the city, and by the end of the 19th century it had gained enormous popularity.

3. The Garden District

The Garden District is a wealthy neighborhood with beautiful mansions, old trees, and lush gardens, and it is certainly in some ways the archetypal representation of the Deep South that many outsiders have. The region is simple to explore on foot, and some businesses provide guided tours, which can be a useful way to view the sights and learn about the history. Large, beautiful 19th-century homes with expansive grounds can be seen on First Street, Camp Street, and Prytania Street, among other streets. Also nearby is Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, a renowned and historic cemetery. There are some renowned celebrities who live here. The majority of visitors come to the region to take in the peace and quiet and see the houses, but there are also shops and coffee shops there, but they are dispersed and it could be harder than you think to locate a place to have lunch.