Is New Orleans an Overrated Tourist Trap?

While many consider New Orleans the South’s ultimate party, others claim it’s an overrated destination.

Don’t pack your bags for the Big Easy before you learn the biggest mistakes visitors make here.

Join us for a guide to help you make the most of your New Orleans travel experience.

Let’s roll!

The chaos of Bourbon Street in the evening contributes to New Orleans' reputation as an overrated tourist trap.

Visitors Complain that New Orleans is Overrated

Inspired by a Reddit post on disappointing travel destinations, BuzzFeed contributor Morgan Sloss compiled comments from disgruntled tourists lamenting their worst vacation experiences.

New Orleans appeared several times in the original post, garnering plenty of feedback from folks who didn’t have great things to say about NOLA. For example, u/Drulock noted, “The food was great, the music was great, but the city was awful. It smelled of piss and vomit everywhere we went.”

Several responders agreed with these sentiments. For instance, a BuzzFeed user named Texicanshoelover said, “I just got back from New Orleans and saw a guy peeing next to the cathedral in Jackson Square while on a ghost tour. People go there to party and just don’t care because it’s not THEIR hometown.”

Of course, with its reputation as a neverending party, it’s hard for New Orleans to avoid a certain level of shenanigans. Folks come from far and wide to drink, dance, and indulge in whatever debauchery they can find.

However, posts like the one above don’t capture the city’s essence.

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Biggest Mistakes to Avoid in New Orleans

We’ve heard plenty of complaints about New Orleans being overrated. However, these often come from folks who didn’t spend their time there wisely.

Here are a few of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting the Crescent City.

Only Exploring the French Quarter

The French Quarter is undeniably the heart of the city. Although the iconic architecture, the bounty of restaurants, and the sights of Jackson Square are worth taking in, there’s much more to New Orleans than this neighborhood.

Many folks book a room on Bourbon Street and never leave a five-block radius. While there are plenty of things to do here, staying around this region is a disservice to the city. The truth is, you’d never catch a local limiting themselves to this area.

Unseasoned visitors might use their stay as a mere drinking expedition, becoming the type of tourist who collects fines for public urination and stinks up the streets.

Still not convinced? Here are 5 Reasons to Avoid Bourbon Street in New Orleans!

Underestimating the Summer Heat

We wouldn’t blame you for thinking New Orleans is overrated if you’d only visited in the summer heat. The heat index regularly sits above 110 degrees Fahrenheit between June and August. And, in areas like the French Quarter, few trees offer relief from the blazing sun, and expanses of concrete only exacerbate the problem.

If you choose to hit New Orleans in the dog days of summer, prepare yourself for a scorching time. Wear lightweight clothing and consider a small portable fan for outdoor expeditions. More importantly, don’t hold it against the city if you have a miserable time.

Falling for Tourist Traps

For all the meaningful cultural gems in New Orleans, there are just as many hokey tourist traps set to lure unsuspecting visitors. Sadly, they’re prevalent because they often work.

In areas like the French Quarter, Voodoo shops and souvenir stores sell mass-produced garbage under the guise of authentic ceremonial accouterments. Likewise, bars up and down Bourbon Street serve overpriced sugar water with a splash of alcohol in a cheap plastic cup.

While these spots might be worth a stop just to say you’ve had a Hand Grenade in New Orleans, they’re not why people travel to the city from across the planet.

Check out these 5 Can’t-Miss Restaurants in New Orleans!

How to Make the Most of Your New Orleans Travel Experience

If you want the full New Orleans experience, you must approach your visit like a local.

Firstly, we suggest planning your meals wisely. The culinary scene here is internationally renowned for a reason. It’s entirely possible to eat your way through NOLA on a budget, but you won’t regret splurging on a meal at one of the old-school eateries like Brennan’s, Galatoire’s, or Commander’s Palace. Whatever you do, avoid fast food!

By day, you can stroll through the Garden District to admire the Creole architecture and browse the shops on Magazine Street.

A row of colorful cottages with ornate trimmings in New Orleans.

The museum culture is another aspect of New Orleans that isn’t overrated. These establishments range from high-brow to quirky and feature both local and international talent. Places like the Backstreet Cultural Museum, the Sazerac House, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art offer insight into the city’s past.

Other highly regarded institutions include the Audobon Zoo, Aquarium, and Insectarium. Here, you can snorkel with sea life or immerse yourself in a butterfly release.

After sundown, a stroll down Bourbon Street is worth it for the people-watching. But after you’ve taken in the sights and smells, head over to Frenchman Street to catch some live music.

The Spotted Cat and similar venues feature world-class musicians from near and far. On certain evenings, you can shop at the night market next door to score hand-made jewelry, locally crafted artwork, and much more.

Plan your trip with a New Orleans Bucket List: 100 Offbeat Adventures in the Crescent City!

Is New Orleans Really Overrated?

New Orleans has developed a reputation as an overrated tourist trap. However, the city is much more than its sinful side suggests. Sure, you can drink until your liver aches and indulge in other nefarious activities, but the best experiences lie in the area’s cultural attractions.

Unbeatable restaurants, first-rate museums, and live music in the birthplace of jazz are hard to surpass. We believe you’ll enjoy your time in New Orleans. Just be sure to travel with intention and remember to leave the French Quarter!