I’ve gotten the opportunity to visit New Orleans twice now and the city is always a good time. The colorful houses, food, people, and history make it a city to come back to over and over again. In this blog post you’ll know exactly where to find the most Instagrammable places in New Orleans.
New Orleans is such a beautiful city. So much so it has earned nicknames like the Big Easy and Crescent City.
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Map of The Most Instagrammable Places in New Orleans
1. French Quarter
Also known as the vieux carré, it is known as the crown jewel of New Orleans. No one does Mardi Gras like the French Quarter and it is THE place to be during Carnival season.
It’s also one of the most beautiful places in New Orleans for how well they have preserved the historic buildings with original brick walls. Here you can see a blend of the early French and Spanish settlers. The large buildings and the bright colors will always draw you in.
- French Quarter Food and Walking Tour
- French Quarter Walking and Storytelling Tour
- French Quarter and Garden District Bike Tour
2. St Louis Cathedral & Jackson Square
The St. Louis Cathedral is among the tallest structures in the French Quarter. It has been seen in hundreds of movies, TV shows and other visual presentations and it is a local and international architectural icon.
Jackson Square is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the center of the French Quarter. (This historic park is also the filming location of one of my favorite TV series The Originals.)
The Cathedral is one of the best photo spots in the city. I recommend coming here early morning to avoid all the crowds.
3. Louis Armstrong Park
4. Archway of the French Market
You can see this vibrant yellow structure from down the street and makes it one of the most Instagrammable places in New Orleans. Established in 1791, this is the oldest French market in the United States. It is a great place sample some quick-serve Cajun specialties.
5. Horse-Drawn Carriages
One of the coolest ways to see New Orleans the way they did back in the day is to a horse drawn carriage tour. You get to see the French Quarter and the surrounding buildings the way they did back in the day. It also makes for a great photo opportunity. You can book your horse drawn carriage tour here.
6. St Charles Avenue
New Orleans is all about famous streets. St. Charles Avenue has a personality all its own. Spanning both downtown and Uptown, it is over five miles long. The Avenue even has its own St Charles streetcar—the St. Charles Avenue line.
You’ll also see that it will take you to the Garden District which is located in Uptown and one of the best places to see gorgeous historic homes. This street is home to the ever hilarious Skeleton House which is a treat every Halloween.
7. Bourbon Street
Probably one of the most funny things I’ve ever seen on this street are all the t-shirts that say, “I got Bourbon Faced on Shit Street.” And what a statement that is! The street is lit by neon lights, throbbing with music and decorated by beads and balconies.
The street dates back to 1718, when New Orleans was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Don’t forget to listen to some live jazz on Bourbon Street. Of course traversing this tourist trap is definitely a quintessential New Orleans experience.
8. Frenchmen Street
According to a New Orleans native, Frenchmen Street is one of New Orleans’ best spots for live music (and once a hidden gem). The sounds of jazz, reggae, and blues spill out of clubs lining the corridor making for a buzzing and vibrant atmosphere.
You can see many colorful buildings and great street art. At night, they have the Frenchmen Art Market which showcases local artists selling jewelry, art, and other gifts.
9. Magazine Street
If you’re looking to experience the vibrant shopping, cafes, and fine dining, Magazine Street is a great way to do it. Located in Uptown New Orleans and also stretches to the Lower Garden District and into downtown.
Magazine Street has a mix of vintage stores, grab-and-go restaurants, bakeries, novelty shops, and bars.
10. New Orleans Streetcar
Did you know the best way to get around New Orleans is via the streetcar line? I had the opportunity to ride in one in October 2022 and I had the best time seeing the city at sunset from the windows. This style of public transportation adds to the city charm.
Photography Tip: I recommend finding a quiet street and setting up your tripod for a great photo op.
11. Crescent Park
This is the perfect place for the best views of New Orleans. You can get the perfect photo of the city at Crescent Park. It provides an event space, native landscaping, bike paths, a dog run, and multi-use pavilions for all to enjoy. Stop by the Rusty Rainbow Bridge for a quick photo.
12. Greetings From New Orleans Mural
I collect these murals in all my travels so of course, I had to go to the Greetings From New Orleans Mural. It’s one of the best locations to photograph because nothing says you’re in NOLA like a postcard mural.
13. Love From NOLA Mural
This is the perfect spot to escape the intense heat of Louisiana. Even though mornings in October are cool, it heats up really fast around noon. I actually sat on one of the chairs for awhile in the Canal Place Mall to cool off after taking photos here.
14. New Orleans Botanical Garden
Open year-round, New Orleans Botanical Garden contains more than 2,000 varieties of plants from around the world. Here you can wander around an enchanting 10-acre property and have a great time getting zen with nature.
15. New Orleans Museum of Art
This beautiful museum has 40,000 unique pieces of artwork and a sculpture garden. You can purchase your tickets to the New Orleans Museum of Art here.
It’s located in the lovely Bayou St John neighborhood. So after visiting definitely check out a historic house museum and grab a brew or a glass of wine at Bayou Beer Garden or Bayou Wine Garden. During crawfish season, you can participate in their weekly crawfish boil.
16. Langles Bridge
The Langles Bridge is located in the New Orleans City Park. This historic bridge is one of the most Instagrammable spots in New Orleans. It’s also one of the most photographed locations in the whole city.
The Bridge is favorite spot among New Orleans natives for engagement and wedding photos. It’s just a short walk away from the New Orleans Museum of Art.
The Most Instagrammable Bars in New Orleans
17. Carousel Bar
Opened in the 1949, the Carousel Bar is one of New Orleans most notable bars. Located inside Hotel Monteleone, it is the first and only rotating bar in New Orleans. It’s also the filming location of Girl’s Trip starring Tiffany Haddish, Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
It makes one full rotation every 15 minutes and is a nice place to go for an afternoon cocktail. You can also book your stay at Hotel Monteleone here.
18. The Pool Club
Located on a gorgeous Virgin Hotel Property, you can’t go wrong with the Pool Club. Sip on cocktails and enjoy some light bites while taking in the rooftop sights. You will need a day pass if you’re not a guest. The day pass starts at $25 and does not include the seating.
If you’d like to stay at the Virgin Hotels in New Orleans, check the room rates here.
19. Alto
Alto boasts an amazing rooftop pool with excellent New Orleans skyline views. Their 9th-floor oasis equipped with sunset views of downtown New Orleans and a poolside bar and kitchen serving fresh pizza & frozen cocktails. If you’d like to swim in the pool, day passes start at $25.
If you’d like to stay and skip the hassle, reserve your room at the Ace Hotel here.
20. Ingenue
This is another gorgeous rooftop bar in downtown. It is located at the Troubadour Hotel. They offer cocktails, beer, and food truck inspired eats. The night views here make it one of the most Instagrammable places in New Orleans.
21. Hot Tin
High atop the Pontchartrain Hotel, the Hot Tin rooftop bar is known for its craft cocktails and chic atmosphere. The 1940s artist-inspired space hosts both inside and outside areas to revel with first come, first served entry.
The Most Instagrammable Restaurants in New Orleans
22. Ruby Slipper CBD
Cheery cafe serving signature omelets, Southern brunch fare & cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere.
23. Café Beignet
The first time I ever ate beignets was here and they have some of the best beignets in the city. It’s one of the most Instagram worthy restaurants in the city. The perfect time to come would be around 10am when the breakfast rush is finished. It’s located off Royal Street.
24. Café Du Monde
Cafe du Monde was established in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market. The menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The coffee is served Black or Au Lait.
The original coffee shop is located off Decatur Street which runs parallel to the Mississippi River and starts on Canal Street. It’s a great spot to get a feel for the New Orleans atmosphere.
25. Commander’s Palace
Since 1893, Commander’s Palace has been a New Orleans landmark. It’s definitely a bougie restaurant with a southern country club vibe. They’re popular for their Creole dishes and live jazz brunch.
26. Rampart Treehouse
The Rampart Treehouse is another great cocktail bar in New Orleans. They also serve New York style pizza. The pizza is okay, but definitely great with ranch. It’s located in the gayborhood which add to the awesomeness of the restaurant.
The interior is very Mexico inspired with skeletons and I really loved it. The wall murals definitely make this cocktail bar one of the most Instagrammable places in New Orleans.
27. Creole Creamery
Tucked away in Uptown, this old fashioned ice cream shop has some of the best dessert in NOLA. There are 45 flavors of sorbets, sherbets, and ice cream made in-house every day. You can also try their seasonal flavors and other classics like Ice Cream Sodas and Banana Splits.
28. Lake Pontchartrain
Located on the outskirts of the city, this estuary is a Louisiana favorite. It is located in southeastern Louisiana. The Lake covers an area of 630 square miles with an average depth of 12 to 14 feet. It’s popular for all sorts of water sports.
I hope you enjoyed this list of the most Instagrammable places in New Orleans. It’s such a charming city with so much to offer besides Mardi Gras.
This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!
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