April in New Orleans is pretty glorious. While a lot of the country is still huddled away inside, the city’s coastal seat makes it the perfect destination for curious explorers. Whether you’re exploring the swamps, walking through the stunning gardens of a historic luxury estate, or kicking back at the jazz club, there’s more than enough to keep you busy. Those looking for stunning architecture, delicious food and world-class art will not be disappointed. And really, what more could you ask for?
See the Sites
New Orleans is universally renowned for its strong association with jazz. Anybody who’s a big fan of the genre should definitely head over to Preservation Hall for a traditional experience. In the 1950s, this small venerable building served as a practice spot for many living legends of New Orleans jazz, including George Lewis, Punch Miller, and Sweet Emma Barrett. Nowadays, the concert hall seeks to honor and protect the essence of one of America’s most respected art forms through hosting intimate live shows right in the middle of the French Quarter. Simply put, this is as close to time travel as one can get.
New Orleans is home to many world-class museums. Known for housing an extensive collection of important artefacts and documents, the Museum of Southern Jewish Experience seeks to protect and preserve the modern Jewish experience. Through immersive exhibits, powerful personal stories, and interactive displays, visitors can learn more about the Holocaust. Both educational and fascinating, the museum provides a deeper insight into one of the most tragic events in human history.
No visit to New Orleans would be complete without exploring the city’s creepy side – and what better place to start than with the Museum of Death? Whilst definitely not for everyone, this quirky – and quite frankly, graphic gallery – exhibits as many facets of death as it can fit within its four walls. Featuring serial murderer artwork, memorabilia from the O.J. Simpson trial, and even Charles Manson crime scene photos, this place is most certainly not for the faint-hearted.
New Orleans is renowned for its beautiful historic structures. A must-see for architecture lovers, Longue Vue House and Gardens is a total masterpiece and the epitome of Southern Charm. Built in 1939, this magnificent property is one of the last true examples of the sumptuous 20th-century lifestyle. Springtime is great for strolling through the perfectly landscaped gardens which surround the estate and should be in full bloom.
For those who are travelling with kids, we suggest heading over to Carousel Gardens Amusement Park for a family-friendly day of fun. Stretching over 1300 acres and featuring 18 old-school rides, including bumper cars, a Ferris wheel and a carousel, this place is guaranteed to put a smile on any child’s face. In addition, the park has two outdoor cafes, with fresh food made to serve.
Book a Tour
Since New Orleans is home to one of the most historic neighborhoods in the United States, it’s no surprise that its residents want to show it off with walking tours. Learn more about Tremé’s multicultural identity, from the original settlement of the Creoles right through to the present day. On the tour, you’ll be able to visit some major landmarks, including Storyville and Conge Square, and be guided through the history of music in New Orleans.
With its stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere, New Orleans is a photographer's dream. Those who are interested in capturing the beauty of the city should look into booking a historic photography tour. Combining history with photography, the tour features the most picturesque and fascinating areas of the city, whilst also providing a backstory. Attracting beginners, hobbyists, and advanced photographers alike, this activity is open to anybody with a true appreciation for the city’s architectural integrity.
With its unique reputation as the most haunted town in the United States, New Orleans continues to intrigue its visitors with its mysterious past. If you’re interested in exploring the scarier side of the city, you might want to look into a haunted ghost tour. Combining history with thrill, this tour stops at some of the eeriest locations in the French Quarter, including haunted mansions, Jackson Square, and LaLaurie. Along the route, you’ll be able to learn more about the city’s dark history.
Get Festive
Louisiana—and New Orleans residents in particular—love their festivals. Kicking off at the start of the month, the Freret festival offers a great opportunity to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the city. Featuring over 200 food vendors, three live performance stages, and an open-air art and flea market, this one is definitely something to look forward to. Still, perhaps the biggest reason why we love this event is for its inclusion of pet-adoption services, encouraging festivalgoers to take home a new friend.
April means Easter, and what better way to celebrate than with an egg hunt? Taking place in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, the Egg Scramble is the perfect holiday experience for families. At the annual event, there are a whopping 36, 000 eggs to be found, including golden eggs with special prizes inside for those who are lucky enough to uncover them. In addition, there is music, face painting, a balloon artist and, of course, the Easter Bunny!
Conveniently located on the coast and right by the mighty Mississippi River, it’s no wonder New Orleans is known for its delicious fresh seafood. To get in on the action, head over to the Crawfish Festival, where you can try crawfish prepared in too many ways to even count. In addition to all the great food, there will be live music and drinks.
New Orleans offers a unique and enriching experience of various forms of art, cultures, food and music all in one city. Whether you’re visiting the museums or taking a haunted ghost tour, there's always something to do, wherever your interests lie. And now, you don’t have to miss out – with our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can find an exhaustive array of things to do, for cheaper.
