New Orleans Thanksgiving

By Sarah Harris

Thanksgiving in New Orleans is a magical experience. From holiday lights and special traditions to festivals and historic landmarks, there is always something to see. For those who are thinking about making the trip, we decided to put together a list of the best things to do during November in the city. So, pack your puffer coat and prepare to rock your winter wardrobe. Thanksgiving is on its way and it’s time to get planning! With Go City, you can see more, for less.

Explore the City

New Orleans Thanksgiving

Explore the City

With the cooler weather, November is a great time to stay indoors and visit some museums. Located in the historic Tremé neighborhood, the Backstreet Cultural Museum showcases the city’s African American parading traditions. Exhibiting an expansive collection of artefacts and elaborate suits worn by Mardi Gras Indians in previous years, the museum provides a fun and educational experience.

New Orleans is well-documented as the birthplace of jazz. For those who are interested in learning more about the city's significant contributions to American music, the New Orleans Jazz Museum seeks to provide a fun and educational experience. Through the institute’s interactive exhibitions, research facilities and vibrant live performances, visitors can fully explore one of the country’s most innovative art forms.

Since New Orleans is renowned for its captivating architecture, it’s no surprise that the Presbytère is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Facing Jackson Square and neighboring the equally beautiful St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytère is easily one of the city’s most historic and recognizable buildings. Today, the landmark serves as a showcase for a fascinating array of Mardi Gras artefacts. Displaying memorabilia dating way back to the 19th century, this exhibit gives an in-depth look into the traditional Christian festival as it is celebrated today.

Architectural delights

New Orleans Thanksgiving

Architectural delights

A must-see on most tourists’ itineraries, St. Louis Cathedral presents a phenomenal fusion of Spanish colonial and French Neogothic architecture. Situated in the heart of the city, this venerable building is the oldest continuously active basilica in North America. Visitors can take self-guided tours to see the beautiful stained-glass windows and learn more about the history of the building.

New Orleans is widely known for its thriving arts scene, so it's no surprise that the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a popular tourist attraction. Standing out among the other world-class museums in the city, the establishment is comprised of two main buildings holding the largest and most expansive collection of Southern art in the world. With over 4,000 original pieces, there’s more than enough to see.

Get Festive

New Orleans Thanksgiving

Get Festive

Some of the city’s best festivals celebrate film and the arts. Attracting as many as 500 filmmakers and 30,000 attendees each year, the New Orleans Film Festival is one of the biggest events of its kind in the South. At the event, you can catch unique screenings from around the globe and talk with some of the filmmakers. For those who are especially interested in learning more about cinema, the festival runs special events, masterclasses and seminars.

Attention all foodies: this festival needs to rank at the very top of your itinerary. Held annually in the French Quarter, the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival seeks to celebrate the city’s rich culinary history. In addition to traditional gumbo, festivalgoers should be able to try other regional delicacies, as well as vegan alternatives. To top it all off, brass artists who hail from the historic Tremé neighborhood play at the festival every year. With past performances from the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band and Tremé Brass Band, this event makes the perfect day trip.

New Orleans is regularly hailed as the gastronomic mecca of the South. Each November, Fête des Fromages brings the city together in celebration of... well, all things cheese! With over 100 gourmet cheeses and a wide range of wines, beers and ciders to choose from, the experience is nothing but luxurious. In addition, there are live performances and informational cheese and wine seminars for those who want to know more.

Experience Thanksgiving in New Orleans

New Orleans Thanksgiving

Experience Thanksgiving in New Orleans

Another one of our favorite things to do on Thanksgiving in New Orleans is heading down to the races. A favorite holiday pastime for locals, the Thanksgiving Derby is an engaging and unconventional way to spend the day. Whether you’re going to bet, or just to watch the excitement go down, this one is not to be missed. If you’re planning on joining in on all the fun, we strongly recommend turning up with an empty stomach, since the racetrack’s Clubhouse offers a traditional holiday dinner as well as a buffet to choose from!

For those who are travelling with kids, we recommend checking out Celebration in the Oaks. Stretching from Thanksgiving right through to Christmas time, this spectacular light festival in City Park is fun for all the family. With an enchanting display of over a million lights, this display is most definitely a sight to behold. In addition, there’s an amusement park offering 18 rides as well as a festive outdoor bar where visitors can enjoy seasonal treats under the twinkling lights.

If you’re looking to go down the less traditional route this Thanksgiving, we’ve got you covered. Each November, the Audubon Butterfly and Insectarium serves unconventional buggy twists on classic holiday family recipes. At the institute, visitors can try insect-infused dishes including turkey with cricket gravy, cricket pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce with waxworms. Those who are a little less adventurous will be relieved to find out that the establishment also offers all the good food without the waxworms—so everybody wins!

New Orleans has everything you’d expect from a big city: elite museums, beautiful architecture, and exceptional food, just to name a few. Thanksgiving is a great time to visit since the weather is not too hot and there’s still plenty to see. With Go City, you grab a New Orleans attraction pass and make the most of your Thanksgiving in the city!. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook

Continue reading

Things to do on Labor Day Weekend in New Orleans
Blog

Things to do on Labor Day Weekend in New Orleans

If you're spending Labor Day weekend in New Orleans, check out our guide to all the best things to do over the holiday, and get on top of your planning! Including: Is Labor Day weekend a good time to visit New Orleans? Is September a good month to visit New Orleans? Is September hurricane season in New Orleans? Is it still hot in New Orleans in September? Things to do on Labor Day weekend in New Orleans Is September a good month to visit New Orleans? Prolong your summer joys by treating yourself to a September getaway in New Orleans. Embrace the extended warmth with various exciting experiences, as this month heralds the revival of Who Dat Sundays, complete with vibrant tailgate celebrations. September also marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, featuring cultural festivities and engaging events. Immerse yourself in the local spirit, bidding a fond farewell to summer while seamlessly transitioning into the enchanting embrace of fall, just as the vibrant New Orleanians do. Is it still hot in New Orleans in September? Short answer, yes. Long answer? Well, it can vary pretty wildly. Average September temperatures in New Orleans tend to stay at around 85°F, but on particularly hot days, it's been known to rocket up to 95°F. So, make sure you pack your airiest clothes, so you don't boil. So, now we've answered a few important questions, let's explore all the best things for you to do on Labor Day weekend in New Orleans!   And those are our picks of the best things to do on Labor Day weekend in New Orleans! If you're sticking around before or after the holiday and need some vacation inspiration, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass, you can see all of the city's best bits for one low price! So grab a New Orleans pass and save while you sightsee this Labor Day Weekend!
Dom Bewley
Blog

Cheap Things to do in New Orleans

New Orleans is best known for its lively music scene, unique festivals and Creole cuisine. However, travelling on a budget can come with its restrictions. Still, with Go City, you’ll be able to find lots of fun and creative things to do on vacation at a fair price. To make your money go further, have a look at some of our affordable things to do in the city. Check out the parks If nature is your thing, New Orleans is home to some of the United States’s most unique public parks. At 1,300 acres, City Park is one of the biggest urban parks in America. With the world’s largest collection of mature live oak trees, the area serves as a great budget-friendly spot for recreation, picnics or just enjoying a long, leisurely walk. The park is open all year round, seven days a week, and is admission-free – just remember to pack your comfortable walking shoes! But it doesn’t stop there – the city offers a wide array of outdoor spaces which shouldn’t break the bank, including Jackson Square. Seated in the French Quarter of the city, this national historic landmark facing the Mississippi River is surrounded by a number of notable buildings, including the St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytere and the Pontalba Buildings. The park itself is built up with iron-wrought fences and equestrian statues, showing its long history. For those who take an interest in the arts, we also recommend looking into the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. A cross between a garden and an outdoor art exhibit, the space showcases contemporary and modern pieces alongside one another. Artists featured in the garden include Katharina Fritsch, Frank Gehry and Jeppe Hein. Walking along the footpaths, it’s hard not to notice the 200-year old live oak trees and gleaming lagoons — overall, the experience is unusual and serene. See museums Low-budget educational experiences can be difficult to find - however, the city has a lot of affordable museums to offer. Located at the site of the very first apothecary shop, the Pharmacy Museum documents and showcases the history of medicine throughout the 19th century. Exhibiting an extensive collection of old surgical tools, medical instruments and apothecary jars containing their original ingredients, the museum proves to be a fascinating learning experience for all. For those who want to learn more about the topic, the museum also provides educational programs on the history of pharmacy and health care. If you’re looking to learn more about the city, the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum might be just for you. Founded in 2011, the museum seeks to remember and celebrate the Lower Ninth Ward, a neighborhood which was largely affected by Hurricane Katrina. The museum presents oral history interviews with Lower Ninth Ward residents, exhibits of fundamental events from the history of the neighborhood, and cultural events to entertain and educate. A moving experience, the museum tells the remarkable tale of the community’s strength and survival. As far as kid-friendly activities go, the Louisiana Children’s Museum is a great option. This state-of-the-art campus focuses on providing immersive, educational activities for children eight and younger. With 13 interactive exhibits and integrated outdoor spaces, this museum makes for a fun day out-and all at a lower price point! The institution also offers special programs and activities which are designed for children with special needs. Although the space is designed primarily for kids, we think that there’s fun to be had for all the family. Learn about the culture New Orleans has an endless list of activities to offer, but a visit wouldn’t be complete without exploring the French Quarter. This historic neighborhood is the cultural hub of the city, fusing colonial French architecture with Caribbean and Southern influences. With its vibrant atmosphere and unique architecture, there's so much that captures the eye. If you’d like to experience more of the city’s rich bohemian culture, you can find live music, street performers, artists and fortune tellers in the quarter. Whilst the show is entirely free, it’s encouraged to tip the musicians and performers. Besides being a great historical city, New Orleans is known for its distinctive local cuisine. If you’d like a taste of the South sans the hefty price tag, we recommend Parkway Bakery and Tavern. Bold and full of character, this restaurant is known for serving some of the best po’boys around – and has even been visited by Barack Obama himself! For those who are looking for something a little more sweet, Café du Monde might just be for you. Operating out of a beautiful Antebellum building in the French Quarter, this purveyor is best known for their iconic sugar-coated beignets and high-quality coffee. A total New Orleans classic, it’s hard to be disappointed with this one. For anybody who’s especially interested in Cajun and Creole food, we suggest heading down to the French Market. Sat along the Mississippi River banks, this famous market has an astonishing 230 years of experience in trading. This buzzing fair offers a broad category of products ranging from fresh produce and seafood to Cajun dishes and bakes. There’s a fun, lively atmosphere at the market, with drinks flowing and great local cuisine being served. Among the stands, you should also be able to pick up Cajun and Creole cooking ingredients to add a bit of spice into your repertoire. New Orleans is a beautiful, unique destination presenting ample opportunities for affordable travel. A top location with an entrancing atmosphere, the city is available to those who know where to look. Thankfully, it’s quite simple to find affordable activities catering to different age groups and areas of interest. With Go City, you can find fun and interesting things to do on your trip which you’ll remember for years to come. If you'd like to save money on your next trip, Go City works to help you see more whilst cutting down on the cost. If you’d like to know more, connect with @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook.
Sarah Harris

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon