Celebrate in the Festival Capital of the World
New Orleans is a city where you can always find something to celebrate
In New Orleans, the festivities and entertainment never stop. Whether it’s the French Quarter Festival or the famous Mardi Gras, New Orleans has plenty of festivals worth attending.
Food
When you head to New Orleans, you’ll hear all about the gumbo, the po'boys, the oysters and all that jazz, but one of the single best items you can eat in this city is the fried chicken at Willie Mae’s Scotch House. Located in the heart of the Treme, this place is old school NOLA at its very best.
Address: 2401 St. Ann St, New Orleans, LA 7011
If there’s a po'boy standard-bearer in New Orleans, it’s likely to be Parkway Bakery & Tavern. The family-owned restaurant has been a neighborhood landmark since it opened in 1911 and was the site of an incredible Katrina comeback reopening less than 4 months after taking on 6-ft of water in the flood. The infamous Surf and Turf is a roast beef and shrimp monster that should sate your appetite for about a week. Add a bag of chips, a bottle of root beer, and you’ve got a meal that's sure to satisfy any appetite. Along with the good eats, catch an outdoor movie at the Parkway Bakery each Monday during the month of May. Movie night features a themed po'boy specials, movie trivia, and costume contest.
Address: 538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
Recently featured on the travel channel, Mother's Restaurant is a popular cafeteria-style joint that's been drawing crowds with down-home Southern entrees since 1938. Locals and tourists alike flock to Mother's for top-notch comfort food, classic po'boys, and tasty breakfast favorites served all day. While there's often a line out the door at this Big Easy landmark, the bread pudding alone is worth the wait.
Address: 401 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Fun and Adventure
The Frenchmen Street entertainment district began developing in the 1980s. As Bourbon Street became more tourist-focused, Frenchmen emerged as a spot for locals to party, as it was more geared toward authentic New Orleans musical tastes. Located walking distance from Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, it’s most popular section is a two-block stretch in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, which is known for its wide variety of live music venues. And best of all, on Frenchmen Street the drinks and admission are cheap and sometimes free!
Looking for the ultimate down south swamp experience? Take one of the New Orleans Swamp Tours to get up close and personal with an alligator, cruise leisurely along the mysterious, moss-draped bayous, and see exotic flora and fauna found nowhere else in the country. You never know what you’ll see and each tour is a unique adventure that never happens exactly the same way twice.
The Bayou Boogaloo is truly a NOLA-style party with lots of live music, food, arts, and handicrafts. To keep the kids entertained, Bayou Boogaloo has a kid's stage, along with other fun games and activities for children. Some of those events include a 5k race, the Bayou Boogaloo Bicycle Pub Crawl, a Bicycle Second Line, and more. And best of all, admission is FREE!
Every year, the Voodoo Music Festival places New Orleans under a weekend-long spell of music, food, crafts, and culture. The Festival began in 1999 and has grown in size ever since. For 3 days the festival takes over City Park with 2 main stages and several smaller stages, not to mention countless local food and beverage vendors. Many local shops also sell their authentic wares.