The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt

31 Awesome Things to Do, Places to Visit and Adventures to Have in July

Mid-summer, when the days are reaching peak heat and humidity and the first exciting days of road trips or vacations has faded, can be like hitting the doldrums of inactivity. Spring festivals are a distant memory. The promise of fall weather is months away. Post-Fourth of July leaves a holiday vacuum, with the next day off not coming until September. However, we have the solution!

Celebrate the city with a hometown scavenger hunt, and have a staycation with friends, family and neighbors. From indoor air-conditioned play to educational experiences, art, culture, food and more, we’ve mapped out a plan for fun experiences to enjoy throughout the month. Grab your thinking cap and your camera (phone) and start exploring!

By participating in The Great New Orleans Scavenger, you give Renaissance Publishing permission to use your submitted photos and/or name in promotion and printing.

The Rules

  • Complete 10 of the 31 tasks from July 1st to July 31st
  • Snap a photo & submit it on our public website gallery. Upload your photos to myneworleans.com/scavenger-hunt/.
  • Participants who complete 10 or more tasks will be entered to win our Grand Prize, a one-night stay with the Oasis Pool Package at The Chloe!
  • One participant will also have a chance to have their photo chosen by the editors to be included in our September 2024 issue.

The Prizes

  • Grand Prize: Win a one-night stay with an “Oasis Pool Package” at The Chloe hotel!
  • Editor’s Choice: See your photo in print! One photo will be chosen to appear in the September issue of New Orleans Magazine.

Have fun and don’t forget to tag us along the way! @neworleansmag

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Fun with New Orleans History

Founded by the French in 1718 on land occupied by the indigenous Chitimacha people, New Orleans is ripe with history and the evidence is all around us. Influences from its original inhabitants to French and Spanish colonizers, African enslaved people via the Caribbean, and later German, Irish and Vietnamese immigrants all have added to the gumbo of New Orleans culture. Soak up some local history and be a tourist in your own backyard with these iconic landmarks.

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
St. Louis Cathedral

Take a photo of St. Louis Cathedral. Either up close and personal from Jackson Square or a panoramic view from the Moonwalk along the River, the iconic landmark of the Vieux Carré is postcard ready.

Hop On and Off

Uptown

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Canal Street

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
St. Charles streetcar

Catch the St. Charles Avenue or Canal Street streetcar line and enjoy the oak-lined view. Or hop on the Algiers ferry for fantastic views of the city and the river.

Express Yourself

New Orleans has long been known as center for art, music, literature, theater and architecture. It’s a place that celebrates creativity and embraces expression and goes at all it in full color (and perhaps some glitter). Take a walk on the artistic side!

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Spend the day at the museum. To experience art at its finest, try a stop at any one (or more) of the best, from the classic galleries of the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, to the colorful Carnival collection of the Backstreet Cultural Museum and the cutting edge of creativity at the Contemporary Arts Center. There’s truly something to inspire all. Take a photo of something that catches your artistic eye.

The Helis Foundation’s Art for All program provides free admission to many museums across the city, with the mission of providing access to as many residents to art as possible. For more information and a program schedule, visit TheHelisFoundation.org/projects/art-for-all.

Museums

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Crescent Park

Catch a breeze and have a picnic! Crescent Park features stunning views of the city, a dog park, trails and picnic areas

Learn More!

Take a deep dive into history with the experts at the Historic New Orleans Collection. Nestled in the French Quarter, the HNOC’s extensive galleries, plus café and gift shop stocked with original publications and unique items, offer an in-depth look at the history of the city and its people. Plus, a visit is free, although visitors are encouraged to book timed visits in advance. Now: Visit the museum’s latest thought-provoking exhibition, Unknown Sitters, on display now through October. 520 Royal St., HNOC.org

Stroll along historic Bayou St. John in Mid-City, known to native peoples as Bayou Choupic and throughout time has been known as a site for trade, commerce, sport and leisure, voodoo rituals and dancing.

Dining + Drinks Nearby

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Hansen’s Sno-Bliz

Feed the Body… and the Soul!

What screams “Summer!” more than ice cream or sno-balls? Air condition your insides and enjoy a cool treat. Sno-balls, ice cream and ice pops. Favorites like Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, Imperial Woodpecker and Chance in Hell SnoBalls (found currently as a pop-up at the Bywater Brew Pub) all feature handcrafted flavors and syrups with seasonal specials. And don’t forget your four-legged friend! Ike’s Snowballs in Mid-City, for example, offers canine specials like chicken or roast beef.

If you prefer a scoop to a shave, New Orleans has everything from the sublime Piccola Gelateria and Angelo Brocato to new modern classics at Creole Creamery, Lucy Boone Ice Cream and pop-ups like Rahm Haus and Instagram drool-worthy Super Witch Ice Cream (follow both on their Instagram to find out more).

For on-the-go cool fun, check out Big O’s Original Doorbell Popsicles and Popbar for creative, colorful takes on classic cool popsicle treats.

Resources

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
New Orleans Museum of Art

Get into Nature

Tucked away in New Orleans East behind Joe Brown Park is the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. It’s a woodland oasis right in the middle of the East and is a great resource for learning about our local ecosystems, exploring the nature discovery trails, catching a star show at the Center’s planetarium and more. The trails and Interpretive Center are both free and open to the public, with tickets available for purchase to planetarium shows. AudubonNatureInstitute.org

Discover hidden meditation walks with LabyrinthLocator.org. The city has several public labyrinths (look in Audubon Park near the Tree of Life or in the Ninth Ward on Florida Avenue) and some hidden gems, as well. See where your path takes you.

Head to the lake and visit the Mardi Gras fountain, which pays tribute to Carnival krewes and Mardi Gras and was originally dedicated on Twelfth Night, 1962.

Visit the “Tree of Life,” located alongside Audubon Zoo, which has been wowing locals and visitors alike for generations. Perhaps one of the city’s most visited tree, the centuries-old live oak tree even made it into the pages of Atlas Obscura as one of the finest places to embrace nature in the city, and notes its official name, the Étienne de Boray Oak, after the first mayor of New Orleans. Take a photo from one of its gracious branches and see if you can catch a glimpse of the zoo’s giraffes that live nearby.

Plan an early evening picnic by the river and watch the river barges float by. There are plenty of places to enjoy the breeze and catch up with friends and family. Pack up or pick up some fried chicken or sandwiches, grab some beverages or go-cups and you’re all set. For best river viewing, find a spot at The Fly, along the Moonwalk, in Crescent Park or on Algiers Point.

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt

Iconic architectural examples of historic wrought iron make for a pretty picture. Find your favorite!

Art Class

New Orleans has perhaps the finest and most unique array of architecture and landscapes in the country. Whether you stroll along St. Charles Avenue with its grande dames of homes, take a tour through the iconic Garden District, explore the historic buildings of the French Quarter and along Esplanade, or veer off into the funky and cool treasures of the Marigny, Bywater, Irish Channel and Riverbend, homes in New Orleans are like none other. Take a photo of your favorite architectural details, from expressive wrought iron work to an exterior with extraordinary color and flair, or a garden or courtyard that makes the summer heat melt away.

Support local fine artists and visit some of the city’s best art galleries. From the colorful glass, mural and folk art studios of the Bywater to Royal Street’s renowned galleries, Julia Street and the Warehouse District’s impressive collections, and Magazine Street’s fine art offerings, New Orleans artists embrace everything from classic to contemporary. Bonus: Head across the river for a short road trip to artist Josh Wingerter’s pop art-inspired gallery in Westwego.

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Magnolia Bridge

Take a photo of the Magnolia Bridge, which was originally built in 1908 when the bayou was still a pathway for commerce.

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
JAMNOLA

For a truly immersive art experience, and some great NOLA photo ops (think oversized po-boys and bejeweled alligators), spend an afternoon at JAMNOLA, aka “New Orleans’ cultural funhouse.” JAMNOLA (or joy, art and music NOLA) features 17 unique exhibits that celebrate the history, flavor, sound and sights of the city. Louisiana residents can also get 15% off the price of admission with the code NOLALOVE on Wednesdays and Thursdays. JAMNOLA.com

Enjoy an Outdoor Concert

Catch a live pop-up performance at a local pocket park. Buy a bottle of wine and soak up some tunes at Bacchanal (BacchanalWine.com). Or simply “tune in” to WWOZ in a park or your own back yard for a concert any time.

Pocket Parks

  • Washington Square Park, Marigny
  • Markey Park, Marigny
  • Bywater Art Garden, Bywater,
  • Bienville at Pauline Street
  • Sophie B. Wright Park, Lower Garden District, Magazine Street
  • Danneel Park, Uptown, St. Charles Avenue at Danneel
  • Laurence Square, Uptown, Magazine Street at Napoleon
The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Long Vue House

Go Green

Go green with some of the area’s most beautiful gardens. Take an artistic photo with your favorite flower or scenery.

Longue Vue House and Gardens feature eight acres of greenscapes and curated pathways with flowers, trees, art and more. A stop by Edith & Edgar’s Garden Café offers coffee, tea, cocktails and garden-inspired refreshment. See the Longue Vue website for ticket and event information, yoga and tai chi, special tours or stop by for this month’s Free
Family Sunday on July 7. LongueVue.com.

New Orleans City Park’s Botanical Garden offers 10 acres of sculptures, structures, water features and gardens, and more than 2,000 varieties of plants, the Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden and zen-like Japanese garden and more. The Garden is open Tuesday through Saturday, with admission free to Louisiana residents on Wednesdays courtesy of the Helis Foundation. NewOrleansCityPark.org

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Pimm’s Cups | Columns

Sip an Iconic Cocktail or Mocktail

New Orleans is the birthplace of so many amazing cocktail concoctions. Learn about the Sazerac and the history of cocktail making at The Sazerac House, with three floors of hands-on information, experiences, tastings and more. SazeracHouse.com

Then enjoy a tour of the classics at classic locations:

  • Enjoy a French 75 at Arnaud’s historic French 75 Bar. ArnaudsRestaurant.com
  • Refresh with a grasshopper at Tujague’s, invented at the bar’s original location in 1918.  TujaguesRestaurant.com
  • Try a new interpretation of that classic Sazerac along with others like the brandy crusta or the Night Tripper at Jewel of the South, a 2024 James Beard Award winner for “Outstanding Bar.” JewelNOLA.com
  • Explore classic cocktails plus innovative zero-proof cocktails at Cure’s knock-out happy hour. Stay for light bites and to sample the bar’s elevated spin on those old favorites. CureNOLA.com
  • Sip a Pimm’s Cup at the Napoleon House, the first place in America to serve the British libation. NapoleonHouse.com
The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Zony Mash Beer Project

Visit a Local Craft Brewery

New Orleans’s brew scene is bubbling with innovation, bright local brews at watering holes that often feature food pop-ups, art markets, live performances, movies nights and more. Check out a brewery in your neighborhood or see what’s going on across town.

Zony Mash Beer Project, perched on the edge of Broadmoor/Mid-City in the historic Gem Theater, is known for its creative brews and community events, from record swaps to karaoke. ZonyMashBeer.com

Urban South Brewery’s bright and punchy taproom has become a beer fan’s favorite meet-up spot with classic flagship favorites alongside ever-changing seasonal selections (and a new THC seltzer line-up). UrbanSouth.com

Second Line Brewing is a favorite neighborhood hang for friends and families in Mid-City, with a schedule of trivia, fun and more each week. SecondLineBrewing.com

Find yourself biking the Lafitte Greenway and in need of a refresher? Skeeta Hawk Brewing got you covered with a classic menu of small batch brews for any taste palate. SkeetaHawkBrewing.com

Bywater Brew Pub in…well…the Bywater, features handcrafted beers, a pop-up all summer long from Chance in Hell SnoBalls, work by local artists and more. BywaterBrewPub.com

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Deelightful Roux School of Cooking

Take a Cooking Class

Whether you are a novice home cook, want to brush up your skills or are looking for a fun activity to do with friends and family, having fun in the kitchen is a great way to have summer fun. And the payoff is delicious.

New Orleans Chef Dee Lavigne’s Deelightful Roux School of Cooking teaches students Cajun and Creole classics, plus offers group and special event options. ChefDeeLavigne.com

Take a self-guided tour of the history of food and place at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum followed up by a hands-on class in New Orleans favorites with a full lunch menu (think smothered okra and tomato, jambalaya, and bananas Foster). SouthernFood.org

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Euclid Records

Thrift + Spin

Get a little funky and peruse the racks of a great unique New Orleans shop.

Euclid Records in the Bywater is the best kind of old school music store we love, filled with collectible vinyl, vintage posters, apparel and more.

Uptown, Peaches Records holds down the music store scene on Magazine Street, with new and vintage vinyl, gifts, turntables and speakers and more.

Once you’ve got your soundtrack situated, go on the hunt for the best vintage outfit, accessory or embellishment. Buffalo Exchange and Funky Monkey on Magazine Street and Second Act on Metairie Road have bright, fun, chic collections in lots of styles and sizes. Century Girl’s curated collection features rare finds from across the U.S. The Bridge House Thrift Stores and Out of the Closet on Magazine Street have plenty of thrifted styles benefitting a good cause.

Channel your inner fashionista and show off your own unique style with your one-of-a-kind finds.

Resources

The Prytania Theatre’s two locations, at Canal Place and Uptown on Prytania Street, features showings of current hits, as well as classic movies and a summer kids’ series, which offers $10 tickets, popcorn and a drink. ThePrytania.com

The Broad Theater in Mid-City has all the latest releases, $6 ticket Tuesdays, classic movie snacks and concessions plus adult beverages, and periodic pop-up events. TheBroadTheater.com

Bask in the glorious a/c of your nearest shopping mall while you check out the latest summer sales, sample food court treats and meet up with your besties.

Lakeside Shopping Center has nearly 100 shops and department stores plus a variety of dining options whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack, dessert or fine dining with cocktails, wine and more. Lakesideshopping.com

The Shops at Canal Place offer a wide variety of high-end stores, the Prytania Theatre, pop-up food trucks, popular eateries such as Shake Shack and the fine dining restaurant Brasa. CanalPlaceStyle.com

The Riverwalk Outlets have more than 50 shops and stores, an array of food court options, plus events such as the summer market with vendors from across the U.S. RiverwalkNewOrleans.com

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Parkway Bakery + Tavern

Have a Lunch Break

Share a po-boy with a friend.

Whether you prefer the classic menu at Mid-City’s Parkway Bakery & Tavern, a grab-and-go option from the Verti Marte in the French Quarter, Melba’s on Tulane Avenue and Elysian Fields or Parran’s Po-Boys in Metairie, you will for certain be satisfied. For a spin on a classic, head to Killer Poboys in the Quarter or Banh Mi Boys on Magazine Street.

Resources

Get Moving

Channel your inner dance diva and take a dance class. New Orleans Dance Academy Uptown on Magazine Street has dance classes in ballet, jazz, flamenco, hip
hop and tap available for all ages and skill levels. NewOrleansDanceLessons.com

Dance Quarter offers classes and courses in a variety of styles from A (Argentine tango) to Z (zouk and zydeco), with so much more in between. An eight-week series starts July 9, with drop-in options available. DanceQuarter.com

Dancing Grounds has one-time and monthly dance adult and youth class options. Dance styles include contemporary, ballet, Afro-grooves, hip hop, bounce and much more, in support of its mission to spread art and dance throughout the community. DancinGrounds.org

FitNOLA offers a variety of dance and movement classes through NORD, including Zumba, line dancing, hip hop, second line dancing and more. Classes are designed for all levels of skill and activity from beginner to advanced and adaptive for persons with special needs. Check the calendar to see what’s coming up next in your area. NORDC.org/activities/fitness.

For something completely different, Trixie’s Burlesque Boutique offers private group burlesque classes and a Burlesque 101 fundamentals class for those looking for a unique dance experience. TrixiesBoutique.com

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
The Exchange

Pickleball is all the rage right now. Get in on the action at The Exchange, the area’s only air conditioned pickleball facility with both indoor and outdoor courts. Whether you’re new to the game or consider yourself a pro, there’s plenty of ways to have fun. After a match, The Exchange has a full bar and snacks to help you relax and refuel.

Get Sporty

Stay fit and have fun with some great indoor, cool outdoor and water sports options, plus dancing, skating and more. Be sure to let us know who wins and who has the best performance!

The Boulder Lounge is an indoor rock-climbing facility for those looking for a vertical challenge for all skill levels. It’s a great activity for solo climbers, kids groups, or family activities.

Channel your inner “dude” and go bowling. Fulton Alley is a full-scale gaming lodge with cocktails, beer, wine and a packed menu, great for groups of friends or date night. Bonus, happy hour (Wed. through Fri., 4-6 p.m.) features half off bowling and free shoes. Rock n’ Bowl is a good option for large groups, with a full bar and menu, plus live music. Bowlero in Kenner has fun for friends, families and kids with summer season passes and lane discounts, plus food and drink. Colonial Lanes in Harahan has open play, food and drinks, a youth league and specials such as “cosmic bowling” (bowling in the dark), Sunday Funday and special late-night hours.

For those looking for water fun, there are several ways to play and stay cool. The Cool Zoo water park located inside Audubon Zoo includes water slides, a 750-foot lazy river, splash zones plus cabana rentals, a café and summer specials.

In addition to lap swimming and free play, NORD city pools offer a variety of additional summer fun, including water aerobics and water yoga. Be sure to check the NORD calendar for class times and locations throughout the month and all summer long.

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
City Putt

Tee up! City Putt mini golf course in New Orleans City Park features a 36-hole complex with two courses, is ADA accessible and is open for play until 10 p.m. Plus, the facility has two private rooms available for rent for larger groups.

Strap on your skates and pull up your knee socks! Let’s go roller skating, always a great option for fitness, jamming out with some good music and hanging out with friends.

Airline Skate in Metairie always has a jam-packed schedule of special skating events. Recent special activities included a Taylor Swift Skate Night and Michael Jackson Tribute Skate, in addition to regular adult throwback night, hip hop night, rap and R&B skates. GNO Caring Collective hosts a Wednesday night free skate 4 -10 p.m. at the Fred Hampton Free Store (5523 St. Claude Ave.) but be sure to bring your own skates.

Resources

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
Say “Hi” to Kitty Meow! | Blue Cypress Books on Oak Street

Summer Reading

Dive into a great book this summer. Beach read? Romance? History lesson,
folktale, YA or kids’ lit? Let us know what you pick up!

New Orleans has some of the best indie bookshops around, with book loving, passionate pros that can help you match with your dream book. Blue Cypress Books, Octavia Books Uptown, the Garden District Book Shop at The Rink and Baldwin & Co. all have a great selection with something for everyone, plus author events, games, signings, and more to keep bookworms entertained. Be sure to follow on social media for all the latest calendar of events for readers.

The New Orleans Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge for kids, tweens, teens and adults has prizes for all who sign up, special rewards, events, activities and more. Plus, did you know the library not only offers books to check out, members can also access cake pans, tools and bike locks to borrow, a seed library and period supplies? Ask a librarian for more information on what your local branch offers. NolaLibrary.org

Resources

Beat the Heat

Get away from the summer scorching temps at some cooler respites that soothe the senses, mind and body.

Relax by a pool. Invest in a seasonal pool pass or simply go for the day at some of the city’s best pools for chic lounging, family swims or fun with friends.

The Virgin Hotels New Orleans Pool Club features a rooftop pool and bar, wraparound lounge deck, and a menu of light bites, all available for day passes for non-hotel guests. VirginHotels.com

The Royal Sonesta New Orleans has pool passes for a lush swim getaway right in the heart of the city, along with drink specials and a DJ. Sonesta.com/

The New Orleans JCC has been a family favorite for years, with recreation and lap swimming for members, plus a special summer “Babysitter Pass” that allows caregivers to bring the kids to the pool while parents can stay home (and get some quiet time). Nojcc.org

NORD public pools offer a great option for kids and families alike, with professional on-staff lifeguards, lap swimming, swim lessons for both kids and adults and more. NORDC.org

The Great New Orleans Scavenger Hunt
The Chloe

The Chloe’s “saltwater oasis” has both an annual pass with year-round access to the pool, free towel service and one complimentary frozen drink per day, or a day pass with access to the pool, bar and backyard. TheChloeNola.com

Beat the Heat

You must figure out the clues to find the final spot.

Nearby, players go courting, but hope to avoid love.
Dogs bark, but never after dark.
Champagne bubbles ascend from within the arbor.
But nothing makes a splash like the centerpiece of dad’s place.


Don’t Forget! Check off 10 or more items from our summer fun “to-do” list and enter to win a one-night stay at the chic Chloe Hotel (seen above)!

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