New Orleans, LA

Visit a true New Orleans jazz institution at Preservation Hall. Since opening in 1961, the venue has continually hosted some of the best live jazz music in the city, performed by masters of the craft on a nightly basis. See what the New Orleans jazz scene is all about at this venue.

Address: 726 St. Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70116 - MAP
Phone: (504) 522-2841
Web: www.preservationhall.com

Experience a New Orleans festival, second only to the world-famous Mardi Gras celebration. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival offers two weekends of live music, food, art and more. Don't let the word "jazz" in the title fool you. The festival is a celebration of all genres, welcoming artists like Willie Nelson, Al Green, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bon Jovi, Lauryn Hill, Jimmy Buffet and many more.

Address: 336 Camp St. Ste. 250, New Orleans, LA 70130 - MAP
Phone: (504) 410-4100
Web: www.nojazzfest.com

Celebrate the life and music of one of the world's most famous jazz musicians, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong at the Satchmo Summerfest. The New Orleans native is honored at the event through live music, food, dancing, games and more. Enjoy the festival before the "Trumpet Tribute" closes the event on Sunday.

Web: www.fqfi.org

Watch some of the most talented musicians you've never heard of perform at the Ponderosa Stomp. The festival celebrates the unsung talent of the American music industry - writers of popular songs like "Wooly Bully" or "Mr. Big Stuff " and the people who spread rock-n-roll, blues, jazz, country, swamp pop, and soul music to the masses in the 50s. The festival has served as a springboard for these artists to revitalize their careers.

Web: www.ponderosastomp.com

Attend a music festival unlike any you've been to at the Voodoo Experience. The festival is music, meets Halloween, meets art, food, thousands of people and fun activities. Big name performers light up the stage, with headliners including the likes of Stone Temple Pilots, Snoop Dogg, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Duran Duran, Billy Idol and Rage Against the Machine.

Web: www.thevoodooexperience.com

Grab your beads and take part in the city-wide celebration of Mardi Gras. Let the good times roll as you watch the parades, party down Bourbon Street, scarf down some King Cake and witness the crazy fun of Mardi Gras. No other city in the world throws a party like this, be sure to experience it.

Web: www.mardigrasneworleans.com

Explore the art at the New Orleans Museum of Art. You'll see masterpieces by some of the world's most famous artists, including Degas, Monet, Matisse, Georgia O'Keeffe, Picasso and many others. With over 40,000 artworks and a sculpture garden, you'll need a whole day to experience the NOMA.

Address: 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA 70119 - MAP
Phone: (504) 658-4100
Web: www.noma.org

See what's on display at the Contemporary Arts Center. The CAC has been considered to be the heart of the New Orleans art community, featuring rotating exhibitions of traditional, progressive, alternative and experimental art in all forms.

Address: 900 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130 - MAP
Phone: (504) 528-3805
Web: www.cacno.org

Hit up one of America's favorite venues at the House of Blues. The New Orleans location has featured live music by performers like Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Elton John, Willie Nelson, the Marley Brothers, John Mayer, and the Foo Fighters. While you're there, be sure to browse the art collection. The 298 piece collection is said to be the largest collection of folk art in the nation.

Address: 225 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130 - MAP
Phone: (504) 310-4999
Web: www.houseofblues.com

The Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts is home to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Orleans Ballet Association, New Orleans Opera Association, and Broadway Across America touring productions - meaning there's always a performance scheduled on this stage. Catch a performance at one of the best venues in New Orleans.

Address: 1419 Basin St., New Orleans, LA 70116 - MAP
Phone: (504) 287-0351
Web: www.mahaliajacksontheater.com

See what's new at the New Orleans Arena. The arena plays hosts to professional sporting events, conventions, fights, concerts and more. Catch the New Orleans Hornets in action or see a concert by headliners like Tim McGraw, Journey, Tool, Van Halen, Jay-Z, Celine Dion, Coldplay, and AC/DC.

Address: 1501 Girod St., New Orleans, LA 70113 - MAP
Phone: (504) 587-3663
Web: www.neworleansarena.com

Watch the New Orleans Saints throw down or see a concert at the Louisiana Superdome. The venue is the largest fixed domed structure in the world and has brought some of the best names in entertainment to the Crescent City. The Rolling Stones, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Prince, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, Britney Spears, and Beyonce are just a few artists who have graced the stage at the Superdome.

Address: 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr., New Orleans, LA 70112 - MAP
Phone: (504) 587-3663
Web: www.superdome.com

Enjoy some of the city's finest live theater at the Anthony Bean Community Theater. Watch the actors bring to life characters from classics like Stephen King's Misery and take on roles that keep up with current issues in New Orleans. The theater also offers acting and stage design classes for those wanting to brush up on their acting chops.

Address: 1333 South Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 - MAP
Phone: (504) 862-7529
Web: www.anthonybeantheater.com

Take the family to Crescent City Lights Youth Theatre for a fun filled production of a timeless children's story. Your little ones will be delighted to see live versions of their favorite stories like Schoolhouse Rock, Live!, and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day.

Address: 305 Baronne St. Suite 302, New Orleans, LA 70112 - MAP
Phone: (504) 598-3800
Web: www.summerstages.org

Exercise your mind by watching a thought provoking performance by the Cripple Creek Theatre Co. The production company features works of political satire and anti-war themes, and shows contain subject matter that is relevant to culture, history and politics in an effort to stimulate social action from viewers.

Address: 2240 St Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117 - MAP
Phone: (504) 218-5778
Web: www.cripplecreekplayers.org

Check out a performance at one of the oldest theaters in New Orleans, Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré. The theater is in its 95th season and has hosted productions of Hairspray, Chicken Little, The Frog Prince, Grey Gardens, Steel Magnolias, Damn Yankees and many others. Le Petit is the perfect destination for a night out on the French Quarter.

Address: 616 Saint Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70116 - MAP
Phone: (504) 522-2081
Web: www.lepetittheatre.com

Catch true professionals in action at the New Orleans Ballet Theatre. Dancers for the company have performed all over the globe in starring roles and have been wowing New Orleans audiences since 2002.

Address: 900 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130 - MAP
Phone: (504) 210-0222
Web: www.nobt.org

Join the over 200,000 people who have been entertained by a show at the Southern Repertory Theatre. The theater was founded in 1986 and has since performed shows like Wind in the Willows, A Raisin in the Sun, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, To Kill a Mockingbid, and As You Like It. Catch a performance at the Southern Rep location at the Shops at Canal Place.

Address: 365 Canal Street, 3rd Floor, New Orleans, LA 70130 - MAP
Phone: (504) 522-6545
Web: www.southernrep.com

See what original, New Orleans cabaret and theater are all about at Le Chat Noir. The theater is a premier venue in the Warehouse/Arts District that hosts performances of unique works created by local writers and artists. Unwind with your favorite drink in hand and be ready for something completely different.

Address: 715 Saint Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 - MAP
Phone: (504) 581-5812
Web: www.cabaretlechatnoir.com