New Orleans, NOLA, Crescent City, the Big Easy. Whatever you choose to call it the city of New Orleans will leave a lasting impression. The city that sits on the mighty Mississippi River in Louisiana is a vibrant hub of non-stop music, great food and a fusion of cultures.

New Orleans is called the Crescent City because the original town-the Vieux Carré, also called the French Quarter-was built at a sharp bend in the Mississippi River. Joseph Holt Ingraham first coined the nickname in his 1835 book. “I have termed New Orleans the crescent city in one of my letters from its being built around the segment of a circle formed by a graceful curve of the river at this place."

New Orleans radiates energy, colour and goes by the saying ‘laissez les bon temps rouler’ – let the good times roll. Here’s how to roll with some of the best things to do in New Orleans when you are not celebrating with us...

Café du Monde

Try a Beignet at Café du Monde. Sample the sweet stuff with a Beignet at Café du Monde just opposite Jackson Square. This a square piece of dough is deep-fried and dusted with sugar. It’s a bit like a donut and they‘re full of sugary deliciousness. Beignet is pronounced ben-yay and is traditionally served with coffee and chicory au lait. Cafe du Monde was established in 1862.

Dive into Creole Cuisine

Bursting with a mouth-watering blend of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, Creole dishes are renowned for their bold spices, rich flavors, and hearty ingredients. Be sure to try gumbo and jambalaya.

Visit the Garden District

One of the best ways to get around is to hop on a streetcar ($1.25 one way – you’ll need the exact fare as they don’t give change) and head down leafy streets to the garden district and admire some of the city’s most beautiful historic houses, columned mansions and gardens.

St Louis Cathedral

At the heart of the French Quarter, St Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in North America and one of the city’s most noticeable historical buildings and is a national historic landmark. St Louis Cathedral is open to the public daily from 7:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

Sip a Sazerac at the Monteleone Carousel Bar

Take a spin on New Orleans’ only revolving bar with the city’s signature cocktail, the Sazerac, in hand. The famous Carousel Bar is part of Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter and overlooks Royal Street. The 25-seater, circus-styled, Merry-Go-Round bar slowly revolves and gives you the perfect excuse for being slightly wobbly when you leave. It’s one of the best places to watch the world go round you!

Enjoy the Architecture

The French Quarter is New Orleans‘ oldest neighbourhood. There’s a mix of French Creole and Spanish influenced architecture, hints of which can be spotted on old tiled street names and the French Fleur de Lys emblem which is evident all around the city. You’ll find Caribbean, African and other European influences.

The Warehouse District

Also known as the Arts District, the area features numerous art galleries and the Contemporary Arts Center. The area is also home to various museums, including the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Confederate Museum and the National World War II Museum.