Things To Do Inside In New Orleans

New Orleans has two seasons: hot and wet, and slightly less hot but still wet. When the sky opens up or the humidity tries to melt your face, you have two choices. You can stand on a corner and drip, or you can go inside where the AC and the weirdness live.

Here's the good news: inside New Orleans is not a consolation prize. It's a full-contact sport of music, food, history, and questionable decisions. You might never want to go back out. Well, until you need a snowball.

Museums That Won't Bore You to Tears

The National WWII Museum is not just a bunch of dusty rifles. It's the official WWII museum, designated by Congress, and it's so big you could get lost for days. Bring comfortable shoes. You'll need them.

Mardi Gras World lets you walk among giant float figures year-round. You can try on costumes and take photos that will confuse your relatives. Warning: glitter will follow you home like a stray cat.

The Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme is tiny but mighty. It celebrates Mardi Gras Indians and jazz funerals with stunning costumes. You'll leave smarter and slightly emotional.

Drink Like a Local (Indoors, Where There's AC)

The Sazerac House offers tours and sometimes free samples of the official cocktail of New Orleans. Pace yourself. That's not a suggestion; it's survival.

Local breweries like Urban South, NOLA Brewing, and Port Orleans have taprooms with games and plenty of seats. Rain? Who cares? You're already inside.

Distilleries such as Atelier Vie and Seven Three Distilling let you taste rum and whiskey while learning how it's made. You'll forget the humidity exists. At least for an hour.

Music That Makes You Forget Your Sweat

Preservation Hall is legendary for a reason. It's small, intimate, and the bands are ridiculously good. Get there early. You will clap until your hands hurt.

Frenchmen Street clubs like The Spotted Cat and d.b.a. are indoor music heaven. Many bands play for tips, so bring cash. Surprising fact: some of the best musicians you'll ever hear are basically busking with a roof.

Hotel lobbies can be secret music venues. The Roosevelt and Ace Hotel often have free live jazz. Pretend you're a guest. No one will check.

Bourbon street new orleans attractions 60 photos - Grandioseship.com

Get Weird and Learn Something

The Voodoo Museum is tiny, creepy, and absolutely fascinating. They have a real altar. Don't touch anything.

The Pharmacy Museum sits in a 19th-century apothecary and houses bizarre medical tools. Surprising fact: it has a bottle labeled "human fat." Yes, really.

The Historic New Orleans Collection offers free galleries with rare maps and documents. Great for history nerds. Air conditioning included.

Hands-On Fun for Rainy Days

Cooking classes at the New Orleans School of Cooking teach you gumbo, jambalaya, and pralines. You eat your homework. Best class ever.

Escape rooms like Clue Carre and Escape My Room have themes such as a Mardi Gras heist. You'll argue with friends. In a good way.

Ax throwing is a thing indoors now. NOLA Axe Throwing lets you channel your inner lumberjack. Just don't imagine your ex. Or do.

Kid-Friendly (and Adult-Friendly) Spots

The Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium was recently renovated and is fantastic. Butterflies will land on you. Resist the urge to scream.

The Louisiana Children's Museum is great for little ones. Adults can pretend they're just supervising. We see you.

20+ AMAZING Things to do in New Orleans for First-Timers!

Bowling and arcades at Fulton Alley or Sea Cave offer Skee-Ball and cocktails. Perfect combo. You're welcome.

Retail Therapy and People-Watching

The French Market is covered, so rain doesn't ruin your shopping. Buy hot sauce, pralines, and voodoo dolls. You'll spend too much.

Magazine Street shops sell antiques, art, and clothes. Duck into cafes when it pours. Then buy more.

Fancy hotel bars like The Peacock Room at Hotel Fontenot let you sip expensive drinks and watch interesting people. It's a spectator sport.

A Few More Indoor Gems

Bonus Round

The Museum of Death is not for the faint of heart. It's graphic. You've been warned.

The New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint has instruments and exhibits. It's a history lesson you can tap your foot to.

The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone actually rotates. Slowly. You'll drink and spin without walking.

So when the sky opens or the heat tries to kill you, head inside. New Orleans indoors is just as wild, just as loud, and just as delicious. Just remember: you can always go back out for a snowball later.