Stockholm, stretching across 14 islands and 56 bridges, is known as the Venice of the North, part of an archipelago of around 30,000 islands and islets.

Long ago, logs, known as stocks in Swedish, were used on a holm, an islet, to protect the fresh water of Lake Mälaren from raiders approaching across the Baltic Sea. And that is the story of how Stockholm got its name. From the 19th century, Stockholm’s wealthy classes built grand mansions, frequently overlooking lakes, aspiring to the architectural elegance of Berlin and Paris.

Today, Stockholm continues to develop. Although New York has SoHo, south of Houston Street, Stockholm now has SoFo, south of Folkungatan; a hip neighbourhood of artisan crafts, organic cafes and vintage shops.  

1. Hop-on, hop-off bus

With 19 stops, the route of the red bus, takes in Stockholm’s art, culture, cuisine and many of its museums. It’s a green, scenic ride, passing some of the parks and waterways that make up Stockholm. 

Earphone commentary tells of Greta Garbo’s grim and dark childhood in a Stockholm tenement before she became a Hollywood icon. Her father earned little as a toilet cleaner and Greta was desperate to use her acting talent to escape to a better life.

2. Skansen open-air museum

Before ABBA, before H & M, and even before IKEA, there was the open-air museum of Skansen that began way back in 1891 presenting its vision of Sweden. Nostalgically showing, in miniature, a country before it was scarred by industrialisation. A cast of characters in aprons, breeches, frock coats and smocks celebrate rural and urban lives that had disappeared. There’s a mini zoo too, featuring Nordic animals.

Stepping inside, a quirky museum chronicles the history of snuff, a habit that is still surprisingly strong in 21st century Sweden.

3. The Vasa Museum

Was it a curse? Polish sabotage? Drunken sailors? Or poor design? 

Gossip was rife when the new ship Vasa, laden with two gun decks at the King’s insistence, sunk. It went down within sight of watching Stockholm crowds in January 1628 on its maiden voyage. 

Then in 1961, the Vasa was raised from its watery grave, despite the corrosion of 6,000 bolts, restored and eventually displayed in the Vasa Museum which is appropriately topped by three masts. A unique maritime time capsule.

Using documentary evidence, a dramatic short film recreates highlights of the inquest, which looked to find a scapegoat for the disaster – but failed to do so.

A bottle of 1628 Vasa liqueur, created from analysis of a bottle that settled amongst the cannon and skeletons for 333 years, at 33% proof, is a potent anise-flavoured souvenir.

4. The Viking Museum

With sword, knife, whetstone, reindeer horn comb and pouch hanging from his belt, a bearded Viking welcomes us to the museum. He explains how Vikings had to be farmers as well as warriors. Reacting opportunistically to circumstances on their explorations. If a settlement was strong, they traded, if it were weak, they raided.

Those Vikings ate meals very close to contemporary dietary recommendations; low meat content but high on fibre from barley, fruit and oats, supplemented with nuts and seeds.

5. Exploring the waterways

As Stockholm is a maritime collage of canals, harbours, lakes and the Baltic Sea, a boat trip takes you to the heart and soul of the city – as time and time again you reach for your camera. Hop on, hop off boats glide past grand merchants’ houses, royal palaces, verdant parks and historic neighbourhoods. 

Arriving by boat is the best way to appreciate the Vasa Museum, the charm of the Old Town of Gamla Stan and the thrills of the rides at Gröna Lund Tivoli.

6. A fika break

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, stopping for a fika break is part of the Swedish DNA of relaxation. Slowing down for coffee and something sweet, usually simultaneously socialising, is such a Swedish cultural institution that the word is both a noun and a verb.

Some argue that fika derives from kaffi, an old Swedish word for coffee. Whatever the etymology, Swedes drink more coffee per head than most other nations.

7. Gamla Stan

Stockholm’s labyrinthian Old Town of twisting narrow alleyways and cobbled streets date from medieval times, though most of the townhouses were built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Their yellow and rust facades have a fairy tale ambience. Nowadays, those houses are largely cafes, craft shops, galleries and restaurants.

As the Royal Palace is close by, the changing of the guard, marching across the cobbles, is a daily military routine

8. The Nobel Museum

At the heart of Gamla Stan, the museum pays homage to the efforts of exceptional human beings. Inspirational men and women who, since 1901, have been awarded Nobel Prizes in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine and Peace as designated by Alfred Nobel. 

In Nobel’s will, the inventor of dynamite, dismayed at the destruction he had unwittingly caused, decreed that his millions should be used to establish prizes for mankind’s benefit.  Short films tell the story of the journey to a Nobel prize for scientists such as Marie Curie and Nils Bohr as well as peace-makers like Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Clerk.

9.The Contemporary Museum of Art, Photography and Culture

Based in a 1906 red brick former Custom House, the waterside Contemporary Museum of Art, Photography and Culture is one of Stockholm’s coolest destinations. 

Exhibitions change frequently. Currently Anton Corbojin’s stark portraits of rock stars, that strip away their celebrity, is headlined by a darkly quizzical Nick Cave, and runs into October 2025. As does a retrospective of Hans Hammarskiöld life’s work, which frequently challenges conventional definitions of portraiture. 

On the top floor, the cafe and restaurant with picture window views over Saltsjön is spacious Scandi-design which inspires  visitors to put together their own photographic portfolio.

10. Stockholm’s parks

Approaching 40% of Stockholm is parkland. Long ago, these acres were royal property, for hunting. 

Or in the case of Humlegården, land for growing hops for the royal beer. Back in the days when it wasn’t safe to drink the water and royal sailors were allowed to drink three litres of beer a day. 

Now the parks are public spaces for walking, jogging, picnics, cycling and of course, finding a cafe for a fika break. 

Disclosure: Our trip was supported by Visit Stockholm.

With summer in full swing (okay, technically it’s still spring – but it sure feels like summer!), many of us are gearing up for exciting travel adventures. We just got back from a very fun trip to the Big Easy, and I’ve received quite a few DMs asking about our experience. It seems like many of you are curious about our favorite things to do in New Orleans, where we stayed, and the best places to eat – so today I’m covering it all!

P.S. Speaking of vacations, if you’re considering a beach getaway this summer, be sure to check out last year’s post on things to do in Sarasota and my beach travel packing list!

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Where to Stay in New Orleans

Before diving into all the fun things to do in New Orleans, you’ll want to find the perfect place to stay. That said, it’s helpful to have a few activities in mind as you’re deciding on accommodations – since your plans may influence which location is best for your trip.

NOLA is a large city made up of many distinct neighborhoods, so where you stay can really shape your experience. The best hotel for you will depend on the vibe you’re going for and the areas you want to explore.

After doing some research, we narrowed our options down to Hotel Peter and Paul in the Marigny neighborhood and Hotel Saint Vincent in the Lower Garden District. 

Hotel Peter and Paul

Ultimately, we landed on Hotel Peter and Paul. The interiors are absolutely beautiful, and the Bywater area just down the street has some truly amazing restaurants and bars – all within walking distance. While the hotel doesn’t have a pool just yet, one is currently under construction and is set to be completed by the end of summer.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best stay at Hotel Peter and Paul. The room we were given was not at all what we expected – which was such a bummer based on the images on the site. We also weren’t informed about on-site construction taking place at the property until 48 hours before check-in. I truly hope our stay was an anomaly, as so many others have raved about this spot!

Hotel Saint Vincent

We did hop over to Hotel Saint Vincent to check it out during our trip, and it was just as stunning! The staff were super friendly, and the location felt much more central – within walking distance of so many great spots and things to do in New Orleans. We’ll definitely be giving this hotel a try the next time we visit the city!

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Top Five Things to Do in New Orleans

Once you’ve decided where to stay, it’s time to start planning all the fun activities! There are so many things to do in New Orleans that it can feel a bit overwhelming at first.

As I mentioned in my Sarasota blog post, I always like to start by thinking about why I’m visiting a city and who I’m traveling with. Are you heading to New Orleans with a significant other or with kids? Are you hoping to see the classic tourist attractions, or are you more interested in exploring hidden gems and local favorites? Start by outlining your main goals for the trip, and let that guide your itinerary.

Our main goals for this trip were to relax, have fun, and experience some of our favorite things in a new destination. For us, that meant music, architecture, art, culture – and, of course, enjoying some truly incredible meals!

1. Enjoy the Music

While we were in town, we checked out the lineup at the newly built Fillmore – and one of our favorites, Ryan Bingham, happened to be playing. We scooped up tickets right away! The venue is really well run and a great spot to catch a live show.

And speaking of music, you can’t visit New Orleans without hearing some jazz. We tried to avoid Bourbon Street, so we opted to scope out some live music spots on Frenchman Street instead. The energy there is so fun and authentic – it’s a must for music lovers.

2. Take in the Architecture

The architecture in NOLA is absolutely stunning – so I highly recommend making a point to walk through the Garden District and check out the historic mansions. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the city. There are a ton of free walking tours available to download before your trip, like this one!

3. Check Out the Art

Another one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans is to visit NOMA (the New Orleans Museum of Art) and explore the outdoor sculpture garden. The exhibits are incredible and such a peaceful way to enjoy art in nature. Just a heads up – if you’re visiting in late spring or summer, make sure to bring an umbrella. We got caught in the rain more times than I can count!

4. Participate in a Historical or Cultural Event

New Orleans is famous for its incredible lineup of historical and cultural events – Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Tales of the Cocktail, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Food & Wine Festival, and so many more! It often feels like there’s something happening every weekend, offering countless opportunities to experience something fun and unique during your visit. The city also hosts a Pride celebration, for which they typically have a big turn out!

5. Savor the Flavor

NOLA is known for a lot of things – and the incredible food and drinks are high on that list. The city is packed with bars and restaurants that have rave reviews, and trying new spots each time we visit is hands-down one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans! With so many amazing options to choose from, I’m switching gears and giving food and drinks their own well-deserved spotlight below.

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Where to Eat and Drink in New Orleans

There’s never enough time to try all the amazing NOLA restaurants. Honestly, even narrowing down our list and making reservations felt a bit daunting – but we did it, and we ended up loving every spot we dined at!

I highly recommend making reservations in advance, especially if you have your heart set on a few must-visit places. One thing to keep in mind: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays can be a bit tricky, as many restaurants in the area choose to close on those days.

Breakfast

Let’s kick things off with breakfast! Ayu Bakehouse was outstanding. Personally, I loved the peaches and cream pastry and the Matcha Fizz (a special the week we were there).

Lagniappe, located in Central City, is a 2025 James Beard Award finalist—and for good reason. They have excellent pastries! Just be sure to get there early to snag what you want before they sell out!

Lunch & Dinner

For this trip, we skipped most of the well-known spots – you know, the ones that show up at the top of every travel guide. As I mentioned earlier, trying new restaurants is one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans. Since I’ve visited before, I felt like I’d already experienced many of the more established joints and was ready to branch out! So this time, we opted for newer establishments and places that felt a bit more local.

N7 was by far our favorite dining spot. It’s quaint, peaceful, and felt tucked away from the hustle and bustle – and the food was amazing!

La Petite Grocery was the one exception to our “no established spots” rule. This restaurant is a New Orleans staple that I’ll happily return to every time I’m in the city. As usual, it did not disappoint!

We wanted to switch up the cuisine for one of our meals, so we gave Saba a try. Their menu is Mediterranean, and everything was so fresh. It was the perfect spot for a rainy lunch and gave us a chance to explore Uptown.

Nibbles & Drinks

Between meals and adventures, we grabbed a few nibbles and drinks. We stopped by The Elysian Bar, conveniently located inside our hotel, more than once. And unlike our overall hotel experience, I’m happy to report that this bar was so relaxing.

Evviva was another small-bites spot we tried – and it was a total standout. This restaurant just opened this year and has already popped up on several “best new restaurant” lists. We couldn’t agree more! The staff was lovely, the food was fantastic, and the wine list was so interesting.

What I loved most about this place was that it felt like a true neighborhood spot. People were running into their neighbors, the staff knew almost half the guests who walked through the door, and many lingered long after dinner to sip another drink and just hang out.

Cocktail Hour

If trying fun new drinks is on your list of things to do in New Orleans, rest assured – there are plenty of great options!

On our first night, we stopped by Hotel Saint Vincent for drinks. The property is absolutely stunning, and I was thrilled to see a Lambrusco cocktail on the menu – Lambrusco is my favorite!

For a fancy nightcap, we ventured to Jewel of the South one evening. It was equal parts adorable and tasty!

And you know I love a good/high low moment (in fashion and everything else in life!), so I wanted to stop at a fun dive bar, too. One afternoon, we grabbed a beer at Anna’s, and it felt like the kind of place I’d love to have around the corner from home – super laid back and chill. Plus, cool merch!

On My Wish List

There were a few other dining and drinking spots I would’ve loved to visit if we’d had more time! These come highly recommended, so they’re definitely worth looking into if you’re planning a trip to NOLA: Bacchanel, Acamaya, Lilette, and Turkey and the Wolf. They’re all on our wish list for the next time we’re back!

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Final Thoughts on Things to Do in New Orleans

Whether you’re heading to the Big Easy this summer or simply dreaming up a future getaway, I hope these tips on where to stay, what to eat, and the best things to do in New Orleans are helpful. It’s truly a magical city – rich in culture, full of charm, and packed with unforgettable experiences. If it’s not already on your travel list, I highly recommend adding it!

For more travel inspiration, check out these posts: