Planning on travelling to New Orleans this spring? Well, you’ve come to the right place. From food and music festivals to swamp hiking and plantation tours, we’ve got you covered. Immerse yourself in some of the city’s best attractions and discover its interesting history. With Go City, you can experience the endless treasures that the city has to offer. Let’s dive in.
Explore the City
If you’d like to experience the mighty Mississippi firsthand, we recommend looking into the Algiers Ferry ride. During the day, you’ll be able to see the famous waters up close, and at night, you can admire the skyline sparkle from a distance. The ferry ends at Algiers point, a historic neighborhood retaining all of its 19th-century village charm. Grab something to eat, take a self-guided walking tour, or watch the sunset over the river. The day is yours!
Taking a brewery tour is a great way to spend an afternoon. Located in the Mid-City area, NOLA Brewery provides visitors with a chance to see how its iconic beers are made. After the tour, you can choose from 24 taps of high-quality beers, which pair nicely with McClure’s Barbecue located on-site. With its cosy courtyard, there's no better way to relax and enjoy a cold pint in the sun.
New Orleans is a city brimming with living history. Explore a fascinating and somber part of America's backstory with a trip to the Oak Alley & Laura Plantations. On the tour, you’ll be able two visit the stunning gardens and elegant homes which date way back to the 17th century. In addition, you’ll learn more about the Creoles who worked at the plantation as well as the architectural style of the buildings. Because of the disturbing background of the plantations, some people choose to opt out of this one, but we think that the site provides a great educational experience.
Get Festive
Springtime in New Orleans is peak festival season. If you’re visiting in May, you might have missed Mardi Gras, but you can still catch Cinco De Mayo! Held annually in the beautiful springtime weather, this holiday commemorates The Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. The festivities include a full day of parades, authentic Mexican food, live Mariachi music, and face painting. In addition, you’ll be able to find many restaurants and bars across the city holding their own special events. Don’t miss out!
If you know anything about New Orleans, you’ll know about the city’s strong musical prowess. To experience the vibrant music scene for yourself, head over to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Despite its name, this two-day extravaganza actually features musicians across a wide variety of genres, including folk, pop, rap and country. Having welcomed many world-renowned performers in the past, including Stevie Nicks, Wu-Tang Clan and Lionel Richie, this one is an absolute must.
Another great event for music lovers is Bayou Boogaloo. Running from May 14-16, this event celebrates America's greatest music city by recognizing its top current artists. The festival features four live stages with a wide variety of genres to satisfy everybody. In addition, the event has a children’s stage offering activities for kids of all ages.
If arts are more your thing, the Treme/7th Ward Arts and Culture Festival is one of the best things to do in May in the city. The festival’s varied programmes seek to celebrate the historic and culturally rich neighborhood of the 7th Ward. At the event, you can enjoy live music, delicious food, crafts, bar crawls, and much more.
Discover Nature
Why not take advantage of the warmer weather by checking out some of the local parks? Located right by the waterfront in Bywater, Crescent Park grants its visitors a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River. With its wide-open spaces, native landscaping and communal seating areas, this beautiful and serene space is the perfect place the spend a lazy spring afternoon. Don’t forget to bring a camera so you can snap some great pictures of the river!
Spring is one of the best times to check out some of the popular outdoor attractions New Orleans has to offer. If you love nature as much as we do, you might be interested in exploring the dense swamplands of Louisiana. With its beautiful nature trails and picturesque scenery, the Barataria Preserve is the perfect place for taking a peaceful hike away from the bustling city. For those who are especially interested in learning more about the swamps, guided tours are offered.
It’s no accident that New Orleans is known for its delicious fresh seafood. With a wealth of freshwater lakes, endless estuaries, and of course, the Mississippi River, the area is a fisherman’s paradise. To grab a slice of the action, book a trip with Get’n Hooked Inshore Adventures. On the trip, you’ll be accompanied by a captain and provided with high-quality equipment to ensure that everything goes swimmingly. In the spring, the waters are inhabited by flounder, catfish, and speckled trout, so grab a rod!
Sampling the delicious local cuisine is a fundamental part of any New Orleans experience. If you just can’t decide which restaurant to go to, why not try out the French Quarter food tour? During the tour, you’ll be able to try out some of the best food that the city has to offer. With restaurants ranging from casual upscale establishments to favorite neighborhood bistros, we promise you won’t go hungry. In addition to all the fabulous food, your guide will talk you through the history and culture which shaped the city’s unique culinary scene.
New Orleans is a hub of total vibrancy, and the cultural, musical and culinary capital of the South. Whether you’re into the arts, an outdoorsy type, or simply a lover of the city, there’s tons of great things to do.
