A 1900s New Orleans dance hall was called “The Big Easy”. In the ‘60s, Betty Guillaud argued that The Big Apple (NYC) and The Big Easy (New Orleans) were polar opposites, and the appellation stuck. American, French, and African influences created “The Crescent City”, which expanded from the French Quarter and stamped its unique character in the Deep South like a charm. Mardi Gras, Voodoo, Jazz, Cajun and Creole cooking - all these cultural superlatives originated from a humid, subtropical city along the banks of the Great Mississippi near the Gulf of Mexico. Named after the Duke of Orléans, there is no place anywhere in the world quite like it. Here’s a rundown of the top Airbnb experiences in New Orleans, Louisiana. While you’re at it, have a look at the top hotels and vacation apartments in town.
1. Tour the haunted side of the French Quarter (from USD 49.0)
The French Quarter is perhaps one of the most popular districts in the United States, let alone in New Orleans. Skip all the usual tours of this famous neighborhood and go for the more “less traveled” one. Brian hosts this haunted tour that will have you laughing and tingling with terror at the same time. Where better to enjoy dark comedy than this unique Airbnb experience, right? During the tour, you will be hearing plenty of spooky legends, as well as educational tidbits about this fine city.
Haunted AF French Quarter Tour!★
Duration: 2 hours
2. Join a Treme jazz and cultural tour (from USD 50.0)
Treme is United States’ oldest African-American neighborhood and is said to be the birthplace of jazz. If you are a big fan of this exquisite music genre, this cultural tour hosted by Nancy is a must-not-miss. For two hours, you’ll be exploring the historic neighborhood and swap stories with fellow jazz lovers. Of course, you will be listening to some favorites along the way. As a small parting gift, you will be given a curated Spotify playlist to remember this experience.
Treme Jazz & Cultural Tour
Duration: 2 hours
3. Get your vacation photo shoot by a pro photographer (from USD 60.0)
Pirate Alley (formerly Orleans Alley South) was the hangout of Jean Lafitte and other Baratarian pirates in the 1800s. Steamboat Natchez is a NOLA trademark you’d want to see even if you’re not taking a cruise. What if everyone in your traveling party of four could be in the photo when you finally visit these attractions? Sign up with Milla for a must-have Airbnb experience and let her take your vacation photos. Milla’s team know about the most photogenic sections of the city. You’ll have a great time as they secure the shots and suggest poses. You’ll also bring home historical bits, courtesy of your guide, and 15-20 amazing digital photos for Instagram from this unique New Orleans experience.
MUST HAVE PHOTOS IN NOLA
Duration: 1 hour
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4. Learn to cook authentic New Orleans cuisine (from USD 150.0)
Chef Teresa and her team promises to reveal the Holy Trinity of Cajun cooking if you sign up for this Roux class. We’ll tell you what they are anyway. It’s onions, bell peppers and celery - the very foundations of signature savory NOLA dishes. That’s all we know. If you want to learn how to cook Shrimp Etouffee (using light Roux), Gumbo (using dark Roux), Chicken and Andouille Sausage, and Bananas Foster, you should invest time and energy on this Airbnb experience. You’ll be cooking with a proper chef, plating the dishes, and eating them afterwards. Yum! There’s no better way to spend three hours in the French Quarter than cooking authentic Cajun food.
Hands-on cooking class- Roux
Duration: 3 hours
5. Listen to grisly tales of local crime (from USD 37.0)
The French Quarter’s dark side will be revealed to all who dare to discover the grisly crimes committed in Vieux Carré. Monique and Aurora will bring you to the beating heart of New Orleans and tell sordid occurrences behind closed doors, along dark alleys. You might even hear the echo of muffled cries for help from ghosts of helpless victims at the mercy of their murderers. Hear the tale of the Trunk Murders of the 1920s. Learn the truth behind the Katrina Cannibal. It’s going to be a very creepy two hours, but it’s also going to be a unique stroll through the centuries-old streets of The Big Easy.
New Orleans True Crime Experience
Duration: 2 hours
6. Paddle in peace at scenic Manchac Swamp (from USD 75.0)
They say Manchac Swamp is haunted by a rougarou and the ghost of a voodoo princess. Whether the ghosts stories are true or not, there is a real hunter living in the murky waters. If you’re up for alligator sightings, or simply want to get away for a few hours from the city’s eclectic vibe, you should book an Airbnb kayak tour with Josh. Manchac Swamp is beautiful in its own right and rich in wildlife. If you’re confident that you can hold your own and paddle for a few hours, you’ll see egrets, herons and eagles as well. Josh knows the wetlands like the back of his hands so you are in good company. The tour comes with a shuttle services and all safety equipment will be provided by the host.
Manchac Magic Kayak Swamp Tour
Duration: 5 hours
7. Learn New Orleans' Bounce dance (from USD 59.0)
This three-hour entertainment in New Orleans starts with daiquiri shots at Melba’s. Mika (your host) thinks every authentic Creole experience should start this way. A stroll through the St. Claude Arts District will warm you up for the evening’s exertions. Bounce is a hip-hop dance craze that started in the housing projects of NO in the 1980s. The Bounce class with Moe Joe will be the highlight of your trip to New Orleans for sure. Your buttocks will learn that it is actually a hula hoop. You will bounce and move like Queen Freedia by the end of it. The evening wraps up with jello shots and you can take photos and thank your host for a great time.
Learn the legendary N.O. Bounce dance
Duration: 3 hours
8. Hear about Hoodoo from a charismatic storyteller (from USD 63.0)
Prepare yourself for a personal and powerful account of Hoodoo, Voodoo & Black Carnival traditions from a 12th-generation Afro-Creole artist. Jean Marcel’s wood and mask art are on permanent exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum. This Airbnb experience takes place in the park and in a slave quarters turned studio and Hoodoo shop. You will hear an oral history of New Orleans that is intimately tied with the experience of Jean Marcel’s ancestors. His story is unique, but it is also the history of New Orleans told without hesitation. Rum and coffee will be served, and don’t be surprised if you’re still sitting down transfixed at his telling beyond the two hours you signed up for.
Hoodoo, Voodoo and a Bottle of Rum
Duration: 2 hours
9. Enjoy a private yacht tour of Lake Pontchartrain (from USD 199.0)
Now you’ve come to one of the best tours to do in New Orleans. You can sail for two hours in private yacht cruising on Lake Pontchartrain as soon as you book an Airbnb experience with Doug, a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain. Safety is number one on Captain Doug’s itinerary so you can relax on a luxury 47’ Beneteau sailing yacht like a celebrity. You’ll meet Doug and his first mate docked behind The Blue Crab Restaurant. They’ll have wine, beer, soda, water and light snacks on board for you. Watch out for the Causeway, which holds the world record for longest continuous bridge over water. Capt. Doug might give you a chance at the wheel and you can boast afterwards that you have commandeered a yacht even just for a few minutes.
Luxury 2hr Hour Private Sail on a 47ft Luxury Yacht
Duration: 2 hours
10. Improve your writing skills with the help of a published writer (from USD 79.0)
Evocative. It’s an adjective describing how something brings powerful feelings or imagery to mind. An Airbnb experience with Stephen, a published writer could evoke new ideas and bring clarity to your writing. Send him a sample in advance and he will present a constructive feedback when you meet. Choose to spend 90 minutes with a Tennessee Williams/ New Orleans Literary Festival writers’ awardee and he’ll help you improve on your craft. Stephen will discuss your strengths and weaknesses as an aspiring writer. He’ll let you choose the meeting place for the one-on-one writing class - someplace quiet and evocative.
Private Writing Class with an Author
Duration: 1.5 hours
11. Get grooving at Frenchmen Street (from USD 40.0)
All three blocks of Frenchmen Street is dedicated to live music and provides one of the best adventures in New Orleans. It is dotted with music bars, cocktail bars and some hottest dance clubs. Your host, Quay, a jazz saxophonist, hip-hop producer and historian, will take you to the Frenchmen Street, which is considered to be the live music capital of the city. The street is particularly famous for its live bands. It’s the place to be if you’re a multi-genre type of listener, or a musician yourself. The experience is more than a musical tour de force. You’ll see the work of local artists at Street Art Market as well. Sometime during the night, whether you’re sober or not, a bartender will show you how to make a classic cocktail. And yes, you’ll be drinking it, too.
Frenchmen Street Live Music Pub Crawl
Duration: 3 hours
12. Catch a glimpse of your destiny (from USD 34.0)
Do you seek counsel for the present and need guidance for the future? Are you a skeptic who doesn’t think much about Taste of Destiny/Love Card reading sessions? If you have 90 minutes to spare, you can sign up for an interactive outdoor reading with Mika, a Destiny Card Counselor. She’ll meet you at the Wine Bar near beautiful and verdant City Park. It’s not just about future events to watch out for. She will also offer personality readings and suggestions about your relationships. This Airbnb experience in New Orleans could give you invaluable insights to improve your life.
Champagne Destiny Reading in City Park
Duration: 1.5 hours
13. Experience traditional crawfish boiling (from USD 120.0)
One of the staples of New Orleans cuisine is crawfish. Visiting this magical city calls for the unique experience of properly cooking this exquisite delicacy. James will give you a one-of-a-kind crawfish boiling adventure when you join this Airbnb experience. To kickstart your tour, there will be a small meet and greet and cocktails at Clesi’s Restaurant. You will then head to the establishment’s boiling pad, where, besides crawfish, you’ll learn how to properly boil corn, potatoes, and Andouille sausage to New Orleans’ standards!
A Traditional Crawfish Boil Experience
Duration: 2 hours
Take it easy in NOLA
New Orleans can be too much to take in if you only have a few days to discover its many layers. With these remarkable Airbnb experiences you can choose how you want to spend your time in the Big Easy.
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