Authentic Things to Do in New Orleans (Where Locals Actually Go)

10 Non Tourist Things to Do in New Orleans for People Who Want Real NOLA

There is a difference between visiting New Orleans and living New Orleans. Locals know that the real magic lives in neighborhood traditions, street corner music, community art, and cultural rituals that make this city unlike anywhere else. This guide highlights authentic things to do in New Orleans that locals return to again and again, based on real insider favorites, shared cultural history, and community spirit.

1. Catch a Brass Band on Frenchmen Street

   Frenchmen Street is where locals go for live music without the heavy crowds. Brass bands often take the party outdoors and the sound pours onto the sidewalks. Venues like The Spotted Cat and Blue Nile host nightly sets that feel spontaneous and deeply New Orleans. Tip: Bring cash to tip the street performers. Supporting them keeps the culture alive.

2. Experience Local Art and Culture at JAMNOLA

   JAMNOLA celebrates Joy, Art and Music and is one of the most authentic things to do in New Orleans for visitors and locals alike. Located on Frenchmen Street inside the historic Binder Bakery building, this immersive art and culture experience showcases installations created by more than one hundred Louisiana artists.
   
   It is colorful, interactive, meaningful, and grounded in real New Orleans storytelling. Whether you are bringing friends from out of town or rediscovering your own city, JAMNOLA is a vibrant look at what locals love most about New Orleans.
   
   Get tickets to experience JAMNOLA.

   Local tip: JAMNOLA offers a Louisiana Local Special where residents receive 50 percent off weekday visits. Just show a valid Louisiana ID at check-in. It is a great way for locals to experience or revisit the exhibit at a hometown price.

3. Visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Tremé

   The Backstreet Cultural Museum is one of the most important cultural institutions in the city. Located in Tremé, it preserves Black Masking Indian suits, jazz funeral traditions, Social Aid and Pleasure Club history, and the rituals that define local culture. It is small, powerful, and essential for anyone who wants to understand real New Orleans. Learn more at backstreetmuseum.org.

   

4. Walk Through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden at City Park

   The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is one of the most peaceful escapes in New Orleans. Locals come for the shaded paths, the moss covered oaks, and the incredible collection of contemporary sculpture displayed throughout the landscape. The garden is free to enter and sits right next to the New Orleans Museum of Art, making it an ideal non tourist activity for a quiet morning or afternoon in City Park.

   While exploring art around the city, you may also come across public sculptures beyond the garden. For example, the gilded sculpture shown below is “Portrait of Sophia Loren as the Muse of Antiquity” by Francesco Vezzoli, located at Piazza d’Italia in the Central Business District. Pairing visits to City Park with discoveries like this is part of what makes New Orleans such a rewarding city for art lovers.

   

5. Walk Through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden at City Park

   The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is one of the most peaceful escapes in New Orleans. Locals come for the shaded paths, the moss covered oaks, and the incredible collection of contemporary sculpture displayed throughout the landscape. The garden is free to enter and sits right next to the New Orleans Museum of Art, making it an ideal non tourist activity for a quiet morning or afternoon in City Park.

   While exploring art around the city, you may also come across public sculptures beyond the garden. For example, the gilded sculpture shown below is “Portrait of Sophia Loren as the Muse of Antiquity” by Francesco Vezzoli, located at Piazza d’Italia in the Central Business District. Pairing visits to City Park with discoveries like this is part of what makes New Orleans such a rewarding city for art lovers.

   

6. Eat at Neighborhood Spots Where Locals Actually Go

   The best food in New Orleans is found in neighborhood classics that locals return to again and again. Try gumbo at Liuzza’s by the Track or beignets from Loretta’s in the Marigny Market. For an authentic po boy, head to Domilise’s Po-Boys, a family run Uptown institution that has served generations of New Orleanians. Parkway Bakery is another beloved local favorite known for roast beef po boys and a welcoming neighborhood feel.
   
   Want more po boy recommendations? Explore the full roundup at our JAMNOLA Po-Boy Blog.

7. Join a Second Line Parade

   Second lines are community celebrations hosted by Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs. They transform streets into dance floors, with live brass bands leading the way while locals follow with umbrellas, handkerchiefs, and endless energy. These parades are some of the most authentic things to do in New Orleans. See the weekly schedule at WWOZ.

8. Explore Local Art in the Bywater

   The Bywater is filled with murals, independent galleries, and one of the most influential cultural installations in the city, Studio BE, created by Brandan Bmike Odums. It is a massive warehouse filled with powerful art celebrating Black culture, New Orleans history, and community resilience. This is a must see for anyone looking for real local art.

9. Ride the St. Charles Streetcar

   The historic St. Charles streetcar is a classic New Orleans experience that even locals love. For just $1.25, you ride beneath live oaks, past Garden District mansions, neighborhood restaurants, and historic universities. This simple ride is one of the most beautiful and budget friendly things to do in the city.

10. Spend the Day at a Local Festival

    Festivals are part of the cultural fabric of New Orleans. From Jazz Fest to Po Boy Fest to neighborhood celebrations, locals show up for music, art, food, and community. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, and explore the food tents. Festivals offer an easy way to experience authentic New Orleans culture.

11. See Live Local Music Across the City

    New Orleans live music thrives in every corner of the city. Locals catch shows at Tipitina’s, the Dew Drop Inn, Candlelight Lounge, Preservation Hall, and small bars with nightly sets. For an updated daily schedule, visit WWOZ, the trusted music calendar of New Orleans.