The Best Things to Do in New Orleans, Ranked
New Orleans' top-rated experiences in one list — from French Quarter ghost walks and Honey Island swamp tours to River Road plantations and jazz dinner cruises, ordered by real traveller review scores.
Available
15 options
Avg. rating
4.8 - 22,431 reviews
From
$23 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Best Things to Do: what to know before booking
New Orleans' top-rated experiences in one list — from French Quarter ghost walks and Honey Island swamp tours to River Road plantations and jazz dinner cruises, ordered by real traveller review scores.
- Availability
- 15 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $23 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.8 stars across 22,431 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Across New Orleans — most tours meet in the French Quarter; swamps and plantations are 45–75 minutes out
- Best time
- Spring and fall for comfortable weather; book swamp seats for the morning and ghost walks after dark
- Ticket note
- Most are date- or time-stamped; check each booking
Best Things to Do in New Orleans
Sorted by review signal, price, and availability. Tap any card to book through the provider checkout.
Everything you should know before you book
New Orleans rewards a mix of dark history, bayou wildlife, antebellum estates, and live music. This ranking pulls the city's highest-rated bookable experiences — ghost and voodoo walks through the French Quarter, Honey Island airboat rides, Oak Alley and Laura plantation day trips, and Mississippi steamboat cruises — so you can build a shortlist fast.
Book the marquee tours ahead. Swamp airboats need a morning seat, the popular ghost guides sell out after dark, and combined plantation day trips fill on weekends. Everything below is bookable with instant confirmation and, on most options, free cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in New Orleans?
A French Quarter ghost-and-voodoo walk is the essential first experience, but a Honey Island swamp airboat tour and a River Road plantation day trip round out the classic New Orleans trio. This list ranks them all by traveller reviews.
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
Two days covers the highlights; three lets you add an Oak Alley or Laura plantation day trip on the River Road. See our 2- and 3-day New Orleans itineraries.
Do I need a car to do these tours?
No — the French Quarter is walkable, streetcars serve the main neighborhoods, and swamp and plantation tours include round-trip transport from central pickup points.