New Orleans is a city full of soul, rhythm, and stories waiting to be uncovered. Summer in the “Big Easy” brings long, sultry days perfect for exploring jazz-filled streets, savoring Creole flavors, and diving deep into history that shaped not just a city, but a nation. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, here are the top 10 things to do in New Orleans this summer, including three historic buildings that offer a glimpse into the city’s fascinating past.
1. Tour the Historic Hermann-Grima House
Step back into the 1830s with a guided tour of the Hermann-Grima House, one of the best-preserved Federal-style mansions in the French Quarter. Originally built in 1831 by a prosperous German merchant, Samuel Hermann, and later owned by the Grima family, this house offers a rare look at upper-class Creole life before the Civil War. The home includes original furnishings, a working 19th-century kitchen, and exhibits detailing the lives of both the wealthy families and the enslaved people who lived and worked there.
📍 820 St. Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112
2. Explore the Garden District and Tour the Buckner Mansion
Wander the streets of the Garden District, known for its towering oaks, ornate ironwork, and antebellum mansions. A must-see is the Buckner Mansion, built in 1856 by cotton magnate Henry Buckner. This massive Greek revival-style home boasts 48 columns and has even starred as Miss Robichaux’s Academy in American Horror Story: Coven. Though not always open for interior tours, its exterior and guided walking tours of the district offer rich context on the wealth, architecture, and history of 19th-century New Orleans.
📍 1410 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
3. Visit the Historic Beauregard-Keyes House
This French Quarter gem is named after two notable residents, Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and acclaimed author Frances Parkinson Keyes. The Beauregard-Keyes House, built in 1826, tells dual stories, one of antebellum grandeur and another of literary preservation. Visitors can tour the home, view Keyes’ restored study, and learn about how the home was saved from demolition in the 1940s.
📍 1113 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70116
4. Catch a Show at Preservation Hall
For an authentic slice of New Orleans’ musical heart, grab a ticket to Preservation Hall, where nightly jazz concerts bring the city’s sounds to life. This historic venue has been showcasing traditional New Orleans jazz since 1961 in a modest, intimate setting that feels like stepping into a time capsule.
📍 726 St. Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116
5. Cool Off with a Sno-Ball from Hansen’s
Summer heat in New Orleans is no joke, but a sno-ball from Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, a local institution since 1939, is the perfect remedy. These fluffy shaved-ice treats are topped with homemade syrups in dozens of flavors, from nectar cream to satsuma.
📍 4801 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115
6. Attend the Essence Festival
Held every Fourth of July weekend, the Essence Festival is a cultural explosion of music, empowerment, and celebration of Black culture. With headliners in past years like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, and Lizzo, it’s a must-attend event for music lovers.
📍 Caesars Superdome & various venues
7. Take a Steamboat Natchez Cruise
Hop aboard an authentic steamboat and cruise down the Mississippi River. The Steamboat Natchez offers daytime and dinner jazz cruises where you can relax with New Orleans skyline views, live music, and classic Southern cuisine.
📍 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130
8. Go Ghost Hunting on a Haunted History Tour
New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in America. Whether you believe in ghosts or love a good story, a Haunted History Tour through the French Quarter or Garden District will immerse you in chilling tales of voodoo, vampires, and infamous figures like Madame LaLaurie.
9. Visit City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
Spanning 1,300 acres, City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. Inside, you’ll find the New Orleans Museum of Art, which features over 40,000 works ranging from French and American art to African and Japanese collections. The adjoining Sculpture Garden is perfect for a shaded stroll.
📍 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124
10. Eat Your Way Through a Food Tour
From gumbo to beignets, summer is the perfect time to indulge in a culinary tour. Companies like New Orleans Secrets Tours or Doctor Gumbo Tours offer mouthwatering experiences that take you behind the scenes of NOLA’s vibrant food culture.
New Orleans in the summer is an experience steeped in history, alive with music, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re drawn by the past or the parties, these top 10 experiences offer the best of what this iconic city has to offer. So grab your sun hat, keep your camera ready, and let New Orleans charm you, one story at a time.
