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Visiting New Orleans? You won’t be bored for a second. Get a sense of the best things to see and do with our bucket list for the best New Orleans has to offer.

Eat beignets

Before doughnuts there were beignets, a fried dough snack that you need to try at least once (although you’ll probably have more than one) while in New Orleans. The square pieces of fried yeast dough are dusted in icing sugar and go very well with a café au lait. Get both the coffee and the beignet at Café du Monde, near Jackson Square.

Visit the French Quarter

A walk through the French Quarter is a must for any trip to New Orleans. The bustling, lively area is filled with restaurants, bars, cafes, galleries, shops and nightclubs, making it an ideal place to get a good feel for the city and experience much of what it’s known for.

Chow down on a po boy

Another food New Orleans is known for is the po boy sandwich, traditionally filled with battered shrimp or oysters. Other fillings can also be used, like catfish, crab and roast beef, and it’s all served on a crusty loaf of French-style bread. Sometimes there’s gravy, remoulade or Creole mayonnaise, but no matter how it’s served up, it’s an icon in the sandwich world and worth having in the city where it was invented. Check out Mahony’s Po Boy Shop or Johnny’s Po Boy’s for a legendary sandwich.

Sip a cocktail

If you enjoy a good cocktail from time to time, you won’t want to miss ordering one while in New Orleans. The city has a rich history when it comes to cocktails, and a few classics were even invented here, including the Sazerac and the Hurricane. There is even a museum dedicated to cocktails: The Museum of the American Cocktail. Slide up to the bar at Sazerac Bar, Bar Tonique, Pat O’Brien’s, and Carousel Bar for a great drink (or two).

See some jazz

New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz and catching a performance is something you don’t want to miss. You can catch a show every night of the week in one of the many jazz clubs in New Orleans. Some to check out include The Circle Bar, House of Blues and Little Gem Saloon.

Check out Jackson Square

In the heart of the French Quarter is Jackson Square, one of the city’s most recognized historic landmarks. More than two million people (tourists and locals) visit the square each year. It is named for Andrew Jackson, whose statue you’ll see at the centre of the square and the famous landmark is surrounded by historic buildings and home to an open air artist’s colony. You can also get a carriage ride around the square for a more romantic experience.

Lead photo: David Ohmer

About the author

Jessica PadykulaJessica Padykula is a Toronto-based writer and editor who regularly covers travel and lifestyle trends. When she’s not writing or researching a story she can be found planning trips to places near and far in a never-ending quest to travel the world.

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