Activities to do in New Orleans this Spring

As the chill of winter fades, the city of New Orleans blooms with the exuberance of its cultural tapestry, offering an array of activities that draw visitors from around the globe. Spring in New Orleans is a celebration of life, music, cuisine, and history. The weather is inviting, with mild temperatures and sunny skies creating the perfect backdrop for exploration and discovery. Whether you're basking in the lively atmosphere of a street parade, savoring the unique flavors of Creole cuisine, going on a walking tour, or getting lost in the rhythmic blues at a jazz club, New Orleans in spring is an experience that resonates with the spirit of adventure and curiosity.

Festivals and Events

Spring in New Orleans is synonymous with festivals and events that showcase the city's rich cultural heritage and artistic vibrancy. Two of the season's highlights are the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

French Quarter Festival

This is the largest free music event in the United States, taking place in April. The festival transforms the historic French Quarter into a vibrant music and food paradise. Stages are set up throughout the district, featuring over 300 performances by local musicians. The air is filled with the sounds of jazz, R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, Latin, classical, and much more, ensuring there's something for every music lover. Alongside the music, the festival offers a taste of New Orleans' culinary excellence, with food booths operated by some of the city's most famous restaurants.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Often simply called Jazz Fest, this event is a cultural feast that spans two weekends at the end of April and the beginning of May. It's not just about jazz; the festival celebrates the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, featuring genres like blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, Afro-Caribbean, folk, Latin, rock, rap, country, bluegrass, and many others. Beyond music, Jazz Fest also highlights the crafts and cuisines of Louisiana, making it a comprehensive cultural experience. The festival attracts music legends and rising stars alike, offering an incredible lineup and a diverse array of food, art, and community.

Culinary Adventures

New Orleans' reputation as a culinary capital is well-deserved, with a food scene that's as vibrant and diverse as its culture. Spring brings with it an opportunity to dive into the heart of this culinary paradise, where traditional dishes are served with a side of history and innovation. As the city blooms, so does its palette of flavors, offering food enthusiasts a chance to indulge in both classic dishes and seasonal specialties.

A must-try for any visitor is the iconic crawfish boil, a springtime ritual in Louisiana. These gatherings are not just about eating; they're social events that bring people together to share in the joy of peeling and eating these spicy crustaceans, often accompanied by potatoes, corn, and sausage, all seasoned with a blend of Cajun spices. For a more casual fare, grabbing a po' boy from a local deli or sandwich shop is essential. These overstuffed sandwiches, typically filled with fried seafood or roast beef and gravy, are a testament to the city's love for hearty, flavorful food. And no culinary adventure in New Orleans would be complete without savoring a plate of beignets, the city's beloved French-style doughnuts, generously dusted with powdered sugar, best enjoyed with a café au lait at one of the city's historic coffee shops.

For those interested in a more guided culinary experience, numerous food tours are available, offering a curated taste of New Orleans. These tours not only provide a sampling of the city's gastronomic delights but also delve into the history and culture that shape its cuisine, from Creole to Cajun, African to French, and everything in between.

Outdoor Activities

As the warmth of spring revitalizes New Orleans, the city's outdoor spaces become a playground for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The beauty of the season can be fully appreciated by exploring the city's lush parks, picturesque waterways, and vibrant street scenes.

City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, offers a plethora of activities amidst its sprawling greenery. Here, visitors can wander through the New Orleans Botanical Garden, marvel at the ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, or enjoy a leisurely paddle boat ride on Big Lake. The park is also home to the New Orleans Museum of Art and its surrounding sculpture garden, blending art with nature in a tranquil setting.

For those looking to experience New Orleans from the water, taking a paddlewheel riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River offers a unique perspective of the city. These cruises often feature live jazz music, providing a soundtrack that complements the river's timeless flow and the city's skyline.

The Audubon Zoo, located in the historic Uptown neighborhood, is another great outdoor destination, especially for families. The zoo is renowned for its exotic animals in naturalistic habitats, including a Louisiana swamp exhibit that offers a glimpse into the region's wild heart. Beyond these attractions, simply strolling through the French Quarter or along the Mississippi Riverfront provides a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and smells that capture the essence of New Orleans in spring.

Art and Culture

New Orleans' art and culture scene is as vibrant and diverse as the city itself, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that reflect its deep historical roots and contemporary creativity. The spring season, with its mild weather and longer days, is the perfect time to explore the myriad cultural offerings of this unique city.

Art lovers will find themselves drawn to the Arts District, also known as the Warehouse District, where former industrial spaces have been transformed into sleek galleries showcasing works by local, national, and international artists. These galleries often feature contemporary art, sculpture, and photography, providing a window into the current art trends and the creative minds shaping them. The Julia Street art walk, held on the first Saturday of each month, is a not-to-be-missed event, allowing visitors to gallery hop and experience the vibrant art scene in a festive atmosphere.

For a taste of New Orleans' rich historical culture, the National WWII Museum offers a profound and immersive look into the American experience in the war that changed the world. Its engaging exhibits and multimedia presentations provide insight into the war's impact on the United States and its allies.

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), set amidst the lush beauty of City Park, houses an impressive collection of fine art, including French and American art, photography, glass, and African and Japanese works. The museum's Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is an enchanting space, featuring over 90 sculptures set within a beautifully landscaped site that includes meandering paths, a lagoon, and centuries-old live oaks.

For those interested in the performing arts, the Saenger Theatre, a restored 1927 movie palace, offers a variety of performances, including Broadway shows, concerts, and comedy. Its opulent interior, designed to resemble a 15th-century Italian courtyard and gardens, is a masterpiece in itself, providing a magical backdrop for any performance.

Nightlife and Music

No visit to New Orleans is complete without delving into its legendary nightlife and music scene, especially vibrant in the spring when the city seems to hum with energy until the early hours. The music of New Orleans is the heartbeat of the city, a diverse soundscape that has given birth to some of the most influential genres and artists in American music history.

Frenchmen Street, located in the Marigny neighborhood just outside the French Quarter, is the epicenter of live music in New Orleans. With venues ranging from intimate jazz clubs to lively bars, there's live music to be found every night of the week. The Spotted Cat, Maison, and d.b.a. are just a few of the venues where you can catch everything from traditional jazz and blues to funk and reggae.

Bourbon Street, while known for its lively bars and clubs, also offers a taste of New Orleans' musical heritage. Preservation Hall, a historic venue dedicated to preserving the tradition of New Orleans jazz, hosts intimate acoustic jazz concerts nightly, performed by a collective of master musicians. The no-frills atmosphere focuses all attention on the music, offering a pure and authentic jazz experience.

Walking Tours: The Highlight of Spring in New Orleans

As the vibrant hues of spring blanket New Orleans, there's no better way to immerse yourself in the city's rich tapestry of history, culture, and mystery than through a walking tour. New Orleans' unique charm is best experienced on foot, wandering through its historic streets, and there's a walking tour to match every interest.

Among the myriad options, the walking tours offered by French Quarter Phantoms stand out for their engaging storytelling and deep dive into the city's fascinating past. Their guides, known for their passion and knowledge, bring the stories of New Orleans to life with a mix of historical accuracy, local lore, and humor, making each tour an unforgettable experience.

Ghost & Vampire Tours: French Quarter Phantoms' most popular offering takes you through the eerie and haunted streets of the French Quarter at night. These tours explore the darker side of New Orleans' history, with tales of ghosts, vampires, and voodoo that chill and thrill in equal measure.

Saints & Sinners Tour: For a glimpse into the moral duality of New Orleans' past, the Saints & Sinners tour is unmatched. Focused on the contrasting lives of the city's most notable figures, it's a journey through the hedonistic pursuits and devout practices that have coexisted in New Orleans for centuries.

Garden District Tour: To see a different side of New Orleans, the Garden District tour showcases the opulent 19th-century mansions and lush gardens of one of the city's most beautiful neighborhoods, along with stories of the celebrities and historical figures who have called it home.

Stretch Your Legs This Spring with French Quarter Phantoms

Walking tours not only offer a way to explore New Orleans' rich history and culture but also connect you to the spirit and heart of the city. Whether you're a history buff, a lover of the paranormal, or simply in search of a unique way to experience the city, a walking tour with French Quarter Phantoms is an essential addition to your spring itinerary. Take a look at our upcoming events today and start planning your adventure into the mystery of history.