10 Best Ways To Explore New Orleans Culture After You Move There

1. Take A Stroll Through Jackson Square

One of the best and also cheapest ways to soak up a little New Orleans culture is by heading towards Jackson Square. The heartbeat of the French Quarter, this area is full of artists, musicians, and fortune tellers, as well as some of the city’s most unique hot spots and bars.

2. Live A Day With The Literary Giants

Writers like Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway have left their mark on New Orleans. For a glimpse into this city’s creative past, book a spot on one of the many literary tours throughout the city or plan your own literary crawl.
A couple cool places to start you off are Faulkner House Books, where William Faulkner wrote his first novel, and the Napoleon House, a watering hole famous for attracting some of the best creative minds throughout New Orleans’ past.

3. Feast On The Local Fare

A quick sandwich from Short Stop Poboys will never let you down, and if you have more time, spend it chowing down at Jacques-Imo’s Café.
Just make sure you don’t forget to try New Orleans signature drink, the Sazerac. You can find it everywhere, but what better place to try it than at the Sazerac Bar in the renovated Roosevelt Hotel.

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4. Tap Into Your Creative Side

With room after room of spectacular exhibits, the New Orleans Museum of Art, also known as NOMA, is a must see. NOMA has a permanent collection of over 40,000 pieces, and is best known for the French and American art galleries, as well as an impression collection of African and Japanese works.

5. Let Some Live Tunes Make You Feel Alive

There are few places in the country where it feels more natural to wear your dancing shoes than in New Orleans. With live tunes radiating from seemingly every street corner, this city is always tapping along with the beat.
To hear some of the best jazz in town, head over to quaint places like d.b.a. and Blue Nile.

6. Go To War And Soak In Some History

With tons of antique planes, huge exhibits, and an endless stream of artifacts, this is one spot you can’t miss, history buff or not.

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7. Learn A Bit About The Art Of Voodoo

A fun stop that’s not too expensive, the New Orleans Historical Voodoo Museum gives you an in-depth look at this mysterious practice, featuring a collection of tools and artifacts that have surfaced spanning centuries.

8. You Can Never Have Too Much Art In Your Life

McKenna Museum of African American Art’s mission is to preserve African art and study the way it has developed in North America.
Through the use of innovative and interactive programs, the curators here seek to engage visitors, all while educating them on an important part of America’s past.

9. Get A Dose Of Mardi Gras

Obviously, the best way to get a firsthand look at one of the most vibrant street festivals in the world is to check it out for yourself. However, if you can’t do that, Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World is the next best thing.
Featuring all things Mardi, there are tons of crazy costumes and colorful decorations housed here to give you a taste of the craze.

10. Stay For A Show

Buying tickets to see the New Orleans Ballet Association perform is always worth it, whether you’re trying to impress a date or simply seeking to add a bit of sophistication to your night.
They also offer dance classes for any age, including Adult Movement and Community Workshops. If you want to learn a little bit about dance and the local dance community, this is the perfect place to check it out.
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