What to Do When Traveling to New Orleans
Start Your New Orleans Adventure with Local Flavor
New Orleans rewards travelers who slow down, listen, and look closely. The music in the streets, the scent of something delicious on almost every corner, and the work of local New Orleans artists tucked into galleries and studios all add up to a city that feels deeply alive. If you want more than souvenir T-shirts and rushed photos, it pays to plan your trip with intention.
In this guide, we will walk through what to do in New Orleans if you want to experience the creativity, food, neighborhoods, and people that make it special. We are part of that community through Glassblower Ben, where we create heirloom-quality, hand-blown glassware and custom barware in the city. Our goal is to help you experience New Orleans like someone who cares about craftsmanship, culture, and the stories behind the things you bring home.
Explore Iconic Neighborhoods Beyond the Brochure
Many trips start in the French Quarter, and for good reason. The iron balconies, hidden courtyards, and street performers around Jackson Square give you a quick hit of what makes New Orleans so distinct. Take time to wander, step into a small gallery, and watch local New Orleans artists working or displaying their pieces. Walk down to the riverfront, lean on the rail, and give yourself a few minutes just to feel the air coming off the Mississippi.
Once you have taken in the Quarter, cross Esplanade and head into the Marigny and Bywater. These neighborhoods are full of color, from painted shotgun houses to murals and music clubs that light up at night. This is where you can stroll into independent shops, small studios, and maker markets that highlight the work of people who actually live and create here. The crowds thin out a bit, but the creativity gets even richer.
Uptown and the Garden District offer a different, quieter kind of beauty. Here you will find oak-lined streets, historic homes, and corner bars that feel like living rooms. Magazine Street stretches through this part of town and is packed with boutiques, design shops, and places that carry pieces from local New Orleans artists and makers. It is a good place to slow your pace, browse thoughtfully, and let the city surprise you with something you did not know you needed.
Eat and Drink Like You Actually Live Here
New Orleans food is part of why people return again and again, but you do not have to chase every famous name to eat well. Seek out gumbo that tastes like somebody worried over it for hours, po’boys that drip down your wrist, beignets that powder your shirt, and seafood that changes with the season. Often, the neighborhood spots with handwritten menus and locals at the bar will give you a better sense of the city than the loudest restaurant on the main drag.
The cocktail culture here is just as important as the food. From classic hotel bars to tiny neighborhood lounges, you will find bartenders who treat ingredients, technique, and even glassware with real respect. When you sit down for a Sazerac, French 75, or your own favorite drink, pay attention to the rhythm behind the bar and the way the space makes you feel. That ritual is something you can bring home with you.
If you have a bar cart or simply enjoy making a drink at the end of the day, New Orleans is a great place to find pieces that turn that routine into something special. At Glassblower Ben, we create custom barware and hand-blown glassware that many travelers bring home as a way to keep their favorite New Orleans drink alive long after the trip ends. A stamped or monogrammed glass can turn a casual cocktail into a reminder of a specific bar stool, song, or conversation.
Meet the Makers and Local New Orleans Artists
One of the most rewarding things you can do here is build time into your schedule specifically to meet local New Orleans artists and makers. Look for art walks, co-op galleries, and weekend markets where painters, sculptors, printmakers, and craftspeople set up their own tables. These spaces let you talk directly with the people who made what you are holding, hear how it came to be, and understand the neighborhood that shaped it.
When you buy something that was made in the city, you are taking home more than an object. You are supporting the creative work that keeps New Orleans interesting for both locals and visitors. Glassblowers, woodworkers, jewelry designers, and other craftspeople rely on that support to keep experimenting, teaching, and showing up at those markets and galleries. It is one of the most direct ways to keep the culture you came to see from turning into something flat and generic.
Our own studio, Glassblower Ben, is part of that maker community. We focus on functional art, pieces you actually hold and use: hand-blown glasses, custom barware, and stamped or monogrammed designs that can be chosen with a specific person or memory in mind. Many visitors look for items that travel well, whether as gifts or keepsakes, and glassware is a simple, everyday way to carry a bit of New Orleans craft into your regular routine.
If you want to prioritize connecting with local New Orleans artists, try building a loose plan around:
One neighborhood market or art walk
One co-op or shared gallery
One studio visit or workshop
One purchase from a maker whose story resonates with you
Plan Memorable Experiences, Not Just Photo Ops
New Orleans shines in the unscripted moments, but a little planning makes those moments easier to find. Seek out live jazz in smaller, more intimate venues where you can sit close and actually hear the details. Watch for neighborhood second lines, cooking demonstrations, and hands-on classes that welcome visitors into local traditions. Some studios and makers offer workshops where you can try your hand at a craft, learn how something is made, and walk away with an even deeper appreciation for the finished pieces.
When you plan, keep practical details in mind so the city feels generous instead of overwhelming. Consider:
Weather and humidity, which can affect what time of day you feel like walking around
How long you want to stay in each neighborhood instead of cramming your days tight
Transportation options, from streetcars and ride-shares to simply walking when it is comfortable
Booking popular restaurants and experiences in advance while leaving gaps for wandering
When you are ready to line everything up, tools that help you compare flights and activities can simplify the process. Planning your next trip? Search on KAYAK. If you want ideas for tours, events, or neighborhoods you have not heard of yet, you can also discover more things to do in New Orleans as you build your itinerary.
Bring a Piece of New Orleans Home with You
As you pack to leave, try to save space in both your luggage and your budget for things that have real meaning. A small painting, a handmade mug, a record from a local band, or a piece of barware from a neighborhood studio all carry specific memories. When you see them at home, you will remember the sound of a certain corner, the light in a certain bar, or the way a particular artist talked about their work.
For many visitors who care about hosting and hospitality, custom, stamped, or monogrammed glassware from Glassblower Ben fits that role perfectly. Our pieces blend the craft of New Orleans, the social side of sharing a good drink, and the sense of welcome that defines the city at its best. Every time you pour something into that glass, you are not just remembering your trip; you are keeping a little part of New Orleans creativity in motion and continuing to support local New Orleans artists and businesses with the choices you make.
Bring Unique New Orleans Glass Art Into Your Space Today
Explore our gallery of handcrafted pieces created in collaboration with other local New Orleans artists and find the perfect work of art for your home or business. At Glassblower Ben, we guide you through shapes, colors, and custom options so your piece reflects your style and this city’s creative spirit. If you are ready to discuss a commission or have questions about a piece you saw in the gallery, contact us and we will help you get started.
