Explore New Orleans: the top things to do

A trip to New Orleans can be one of two things. You can visit the most touristy areas, take a couple of photos and grab something to eat at the local McDonald's. Or you can do some research, plan your trip, and see what the Big Easy is truly like. We advocate for the latter, which is why we will use this article to help you explore New Orleans.

Explore New Orleans - where to go

Before visiting New Orleans, it is essential to consider how long you will stay. As you probably know, New Orleans is a big city. And trying to visit everything in a single weekend will only leave you tired and indifferent. We suggest that you take your time and pick the things that seem most interesting. To truly get an idea of what New Orleans is all about and why it is considered one of the most family-friendly places in Louisiana, you need to take in the scenery and give yourself time to appreciate its innate beauty.

This is especially true if you've just moved here. Even if you hire terrific movers and manage to have a positive experience, we would still recommend that you relax and take your time. New Orleans has a lot to offer. But you will only spoil it if you try to see it while feeling stressed out from the relocation. Even more so if you also try to see it all at once.

Frenchmen Street

If you only have a day or a couple of hours to experience New Orleans, head to Frenchmen Street. In this four-block stretch, you can find live music, excellent restaurants, art galleries, and nightclubs. The great thing about Frenchmen Street is that it is far enough from the tourist areas, so there isn't much of a crowd. Local will even advise you to avoid Bourbon Street and Frenchmen quarter. They offer the same attractions with much more people.

The National World War II Museum

Seeing how it was established in 2000, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans is considered one of the newer ones. But, experts still regarded it as one of the best World War II-themed museums in the U.S., if not the world. This is mainly because Stephen Ambrose (the author of "Saving Private Ryan") worked closely with the museum to make it a truly wondrous experience. There is a ton to learn, and we can pretty much guarantee that you will find something interesting related to this period that you were unaware of. Be warned, though, if you take your kids with you. Some exhibits can be graphic.

The National World War II Museum is located at 945 Magazine St. Standard working hours are between 9 am and 5 pm. Adult admission is $27, while students and children aged between 5 and 12 pay $17.50. WWII veterans can enter for free, of course. While the museum recommends that you take three hours to view it, we suggest that you use up a whole day. If you want to revisit it tomorrow, you only need to pay an extra $6.

St. Louis Cathedral

St. Louis Cathedral stands as the most recognizable landmark of New Orleans. And once you see it, you'll understand why. Officially, the St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest one in North America. The original building was finished at the beginning of the 18th century. The one you see now is the third one built since. Even if you are not interested in the religious aspect, we would still recommend that you check it out. The interior is just as beautiful as the exterior. And you can also visit the St. Anthony's Garden and see the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

New Orleans Museum of Art

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA for short) houses over 40,000 works of art. This shouldn't come as a surprise, since the museum has been open for over 100 years. If you appreciate art, you will love the Asian and European masterpieces, ranging from the 16th to the 20th century. We would also recommend the sculpture (not statue, mind you) garden as a must-see. While the museum may seem small at first, you will soon appreciate how easy it is to see many exhibits. If you have some extra time, you should also visit the City Park, adjacent to the museum.

New Orleans City Park

While we are on the subject of City Park, it is worth noting that this is a beautiful attraction all by itself. Once you visit it, you can:

• Take a stroll through the 12-acre botanical garden.
• Visit Storyland, and have your kids enjoy a fun performance.
• Play tennis on one of the 26 courts.
• Play soccer on one of the 12 soccer fields.
• Go golfing on an 18-hole course.

Check out the world's largest grove of mature oaks.

If you want to listen to zippyshelllouisiana.com and take a break after moving to New Orleans, the City Park can be a great place to start. While there can often be a lot of people there, it is relatively easy to find a secluded corner. That way, you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.

Garden District

To get a bit more appreciation of the history and architecture while you explore New Orleans, we suggest that you visit the Garden District. While walking through this historic residential neighborhood, you'll appreciate the abundance of greenery. You might even get a couple of ideas for your own garden. All in all, you'd be hard-pressed to visit Garden District and not feel awed by the magnificent homes, gorgeous gardens, and the overall serenity of the neighborhood. If you have a friend in New Orleans and you have some catching up to do, take a walk in the Garden District. Once you get tired, you can easily find a cute cafe to enjoy a nice cup of your favorite beverage.