Attractions in New Orleans

Of course you go to New Orleans for its unique brand of rowdy entertainment--wild street festivals, jam-packed Jazz Fest, steamy French-Quarter clubs, and the debauchery of Mardi Gras. But the Big Easy doesn't stop there. To uncover a different place altogether, experience its quieter joys: strolling among the elegant homes of the Garden District, touring the beautiful cemeteries, or hunting for antiques. In certain places, the revelry of Bourbon Street can seem a million miles away.

Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA, 70118
(504) 581-4629
It's one of the top Zoo's in the US, so don't miss it. From the French Quarter take the St Charles Street Car to Audubon Park and transfer to the free shuttle. From the Aquarium take the river boat cruise. Either way, you'll like the ride as much as anything else you do.

French Market
1100 North Peters, New Orleans, LA, 70130
(504) 522-2621
Situated right near the banks green edge of the mighty Mississippi, this seemingly impromptu street fair happens everyday just passed its beige colored archway. The French Market is one crazy place and be prepared for thousands of people in a relatively small area for hours at a time. Try to get there either first thing in the morning, or more towards dusk, when they are closing. At any one time, you could be waiting for minutes as the wave of people come crashing in like a tsunami of consumers; taking all they can in the rush and leaving money in its wake.

Aquarium of the Americas
1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA, 70130
(800) 774-7394
There is nothing like a trip to the aquarium, no matter what city you are in, but the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans is truly unique. Offering tons of marine life from the local surroundings of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, the attractions are unrivaled. Located right on Canal Street overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, this aquarium is perfectly located no matter where you are staying.

Lafayette Cemetery
1400 block of Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70130
(504) 525-3377
Located between Washington Avenue, Prytania, Chestnut, and Sixth Streets in the Garden District, Lafayette Cemetery is a veritable museum of above-ground tombs. Since New Orleans is below sea level, it is necessary to bury the dead in these vaults. The close proximity of each sarcophagus to its neighbor makes for an interesting several hours exploring the silent history of 19th century New Orleans. Lafayette Number One is the resting place of denizens of the New Orleans suburb known as "Uptown." The names of the residents of this strange tourist attraction are mostly of Irish and German extraction rather than French. For older tombs, try the St. Louis cemeteries that service Vieux Carré's Francophone residents.

1850 House
523 St. Ann St, New Orleans, LA, 70130
(504)-568-6968
This house is one of the loveliest old homes in New Orleans. The well-preserved town house and courtyard features lovely ironwork on the balconies, a gift shop and a bookstore.

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
233 Newton St, New Orleans, LA, 70130
504-361-7821
As the name suggests, this attraction is dedicated to the most famous party in America, Mardi Gras. Visitors can watch floats being made, view a film about Mardi Gras, and buy Carnival memorabilia in the gift shop. Kids will enjoy trying on a trunk full of costumes.