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The French Quarter Spend the day strolling by pastel colonial-era buildings, exploring art galleries on Royal Street, and lunching al fresco while absorbing the distinct ambiance of historic Jackson Square. At night, listen to jazz and blues at bars, restaurants, and in the street while party hopping on rowdy Bourbon Street. French Quarter; Bounded by Rampart St., Esplanade Ave., Canal St., and the Mississippi River
Ride the St. Charles Streetcar This streetcar may not be named “Desire,” but it’s nonetheless a charming, nostalgic way to spend an afternoon (and a great way to explore the Garden District), as it winds its way along streets lined with magnolia trees and historic Southern mansions. Garden District; Board at Canal St.; www.norta.com
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Follow the evolution of jazz from its slave beginnings in Congo Square and Louis Armstrong Park at the turn of the 20th century to the definitive artistic expression it is today. Pick up a history map with a self-guided walking tour at the Visitors Center in the French Quarter before heading over to the park, which encompasses both the 32-acre Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square. French Quarter and Treme; Visitors Center, 916 N. Peters St.; 877-520-0677; www.nps.gov/jazz
Audubon Nature Institute Legendary naturalist John James Audubon resided in New Orleans, establishing an institute dedicated to preserving wildlife habitats and the natural world. The institute features a zoo and an aquarium, along with a unique swamp exhibiting Louisiana’s native bayou ecosystem. Garden District; 6500 Magazine St.; 504-581-4629; www.auduboninstitute.org
Cemetery tours New Orleans’ ghostly history is best experienced on a cemetery tour, which traverses the eerie aboveground tombs and marble crypts that provide the final resting place for some of the city’s most legendary residents. St. Louis No. 1, which dates back to 1789, is the oldest and most iconic cemetery, home to the tomb of famous voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. French Quarter; 723 St. Peters St.; 504-861-2727; www.hauntedhistorytours.com
Mardi Gras World Mardi Gras World is a 75,000-square-foot storehouse and construction studio where the Kearn family has constructed floats for the annual Mardi Gras parade since 1930, and the warehouse is packed with decades of these creations. Located across the Mississippi River from downtown New Orleans, visitors can journey on a free ferry ride that departs from Canal Street. Algiers Point; 233 Newton St.; 800-362-8213; www.mardigrasworld.com
