Are you ready for summer, NOLA?
Have a look below at a selection of our top activities for May, to fully embrace everything on offer in New Orleans this month:
1. Pride Month in New Orleans
Here at Secret New Orleans, we’ll be making sure we cover as much Pride happenings as possible. From incredible art installations, to the best drag brunches. We’re going to make sure NOLA has the best Pride Month possible. New Orleans Pride are hosting several events throughout the month, including the opening ceremony at the nations oldest gay bar that’s nestled in the French Quarter! For all events from NOLA Pride, click here.
2-4. Summer brunch
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a bottomless brunch, or enchanting outdoor dining to enjoy in the Louisiana sunshine, NOLA has it all! Here’s some of our favorite brunches in New Orleans:
- Commander’s Palace: For a luxurious treat, head to Commander’s Palace for their incredible Jazz Brunch featuring Joe Simon’s Jazz Trio.
- Broussards: The enchanting courtyard at Broussard’s makes brunch taste tastier! They also have a jazz brunch, as well as a monthly drag brunch! (pictured above)
- Antoine’s: New Orleans’ oldest restaurant has caught on to the modern trend of bottomless brunches.
NOLA Queens: 10 Female-Owned Restaurants To Support in New Orleans
5. Candlelight Concerts
Candlelight offer several different concerts, dedicated to anything from Vivaldi to Jazz. Here’s what’s going on this month:
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Candlelight Open Air: 20th Century Women – Nina Simone, Billie Holiday
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Candlelight Open Air: Songs from Magical Movie Soundtracks
6. Visit Beauregard-Keyes House
For a bit of history and fantasy, make sure you visit the Bearegard-Keyes House. Become acquainted with 200 years of New Orleans history as you tour an 1826 French Quarter house museum. There’s even a gorgeous courtyard and side rose garden, to truly soak in that springtime fresh air.
7-10. NOLA’s Unique Dining Experiences
Speaking of unique dining experiences, New Orleans is home to a revolving bar, church restaurant, and so much more. Make it a night to a remember at these restaurants and bars:
- Dinner Detective – At The Dinner Detective, you’ll tackle a hilarious and challenging crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner.
- Carousel Bar -New Orleans’ most haunted hotels is home to the city’s famous revolving Carousel Bar.
- LOLA – Restaurant in a converted historic train.
- Vessel – Have an intimate dinner at this 100-year-old church.
11. Thrill Seeker Airboat Ride
12-14. A day at the park
A bit of sunshine can sometimes be the best medicine. With summer kicking off towards the end of the month, head to one of NOLA’s parks to cool down with a good book in the shade, or catch up with your friends at some of the most scenic places in the city. Check out some of our favorites below, or read our whole list here.
- Armstrong Park – French Quarter
- Woldenburg Park – Quarter/Mississippi River
- City Park – City Park
15. JAMNOLA
JAMNOLA is a new immersive museum, with exhibitions exploring the culture of the city. Using interactive art pieces, lights, and music, watch New Orleans come to life. You can even snap up a selfie with a crawfish in their bathtub!
16-18. Eat out on a New Orleans courtyard!
There are so many incredible places to eat in New Orleans. But now that the days are getting warmer, longer, and brighter, why not enjoy your meal out in that Louisiana air? Here’s some of our favorite eateries with the best outdoor dining options.
- Station 6 (Metairie)
- Cafe Amelie (French Quarter)
- The Elysian Bar (Marigny)
19. Studio Be
Studio BE is a 35,000 sq ft warehouse in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. What’s special about this place is that there’s spray-painted art scattered throughout, telling the stories of revolutionaries, heroes and everyday New Orleanians.
READ: New Orleans Is Brought To Life At Mind-Blowing Street Art Warehouse Studio BE
20. Take a ride on the world’s oldest streetcar!
Located on St. Charles and Carrollton, is a New Orleans icon. The St. Charles line with the dark green cars is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world.
More info: New Orleans Looks Back On St. Charles Memories Of The Oldest Street Car In The World
21-23. Grab a Sno-Ball
The summer cool-off staple, the snow-cone, isn’t just for summer in New Orleans! Although they definitely much better now that summer is practically here! What are you waiting for NOLA? Here’s some of our favorites:
- Hansen’s Sno Blitz (West Riverside)
- SNO-LA Sno-Balls (Metairie)
- Sal’s Sno Balls (Metairie)
24. Go strawberry picking!
Mrs. Heather’s Strawberry Farm has been a great attraction and place for kids as well as adults for more than decades in the Hammond & Albany area. When you visit the farm during strawberry season, you’ll get to enjoy fresh & delicious strawberries and all the fun activities on offer!
25. Take a hike, New Orleans!
With so much natural beauty in Louisiana, make the most of it in this gorgeous, springtime weather! Check out our favorite hikes in and around New Orleans.
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