New Orleans Museum of Art– the main/ biggest art museum in New Orleans located in city park has all kinds of art from Italian to Japanese. To get in there is a ramp to the side that leads to the back next to the restaurant in the museum. There is a doorbell to ring and then you can go in. From there go to the front desk. There is an elevator to the other floors with an accessible bathroom on the bottom floor.
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden – Right next door to NOMA is the sculpture garden and it is free! I love coming here with guests from out of town. It is outdoors but has a paved path all the way around and accessible bathrooms. They just opened the new expansion and it’s bigger and better!
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas – I love this aquarium and it is very easy to get to if staying downtown. It Sits right on the river by woldenberg park. The aquarium is pretty big with a massive tank that hold sharks, sea turtles and other big sea creatures. Everything should be accessible here.
Audubon Zoo– I also love the Audubon Zoo with so many different animals from all over. It is quite big and spread out so be aware of your wheelchair battery or if you going in a manual or walking. They do have a train to take people but don’t think it’s wheelchair accessible. The bathrooms are accessible and all of the park but is bumpy in some spots.
The National WWII Museum – if you wanna learn how New Orleans contributed to wwII and see some cool artifacts from the war definitely check this place out. And of course this place is very accessible for everyone.
New Orleans City Park– located in midcity this is the biggest park in the city has so many things to do. From noma, the sculpture garden, putt putt, an amusement park, botanical gardens, a big pond to right paddles boats in, a jogging path, and soccer fields or just a place to chill. Most of these are accessible but the rides are not. It’s also easy to get to from downtown you can hop on the red street cars going to city park and not the cemeteries.
City Putt– located in city park across from storyland is City Putt a miniature golf course. They have two sides to choose and both are wheelchair accessible! I have played a few times and it is mostly easy to move around. They also have accessible bathrooms.
Audubon Park-located uptown across from Tulane and Loyola University. Has a big paved path for walking, running, or biking. Is also of good place to watch ducks, turtles and other wildlife. There is a golf course, the zoo and the Audubon clubhouse cafe. There are accessible bathrooms in the shelters.
Mardi Gras World– Ever wanted to see iconic Mardi Gras floats up close and not during a parade then check this place out. I usually only go here if there is an event happening but it is accessible. There are multiple event rooms to that are pretty cool.
Music Venues
Tipitina’s– landmark venue for live music since 1977 in Uptown on Tchoupitoulas and Napoleon. Fun dive place to see local and touring bands in large but intimate space. It is wheelchair accessible except for the balcony section. The bathroom is also accessible to get in but the stalls are small and barely fit a wheelchair.
House of Blues-chain music venue and restaurant with a New Orleans style. Located in the quarter not far from canal st. I have been here a lot to see music shows and it’s always a good time. It is wheelchair accessible but to get to the venue you first take an elevator that takes you to the restaurant level and then from there it could go two ways: one is a lift to the venue level but that is usually broken ( I only used it once out of at least 20 times) and the other is a long metal ramp they put over the stairs. It’s kinda narrow but all my Powerchairs have made it up. It is kinda a hassle but the employees have been great. Then once in you can move freely and they have a ramp to the pit in front of the stage. I usually stay above that to move easily and get a better view. Sometimes they just put me in the vip section to left but sometimes it’s open for anyone. They also have a second floor if you cannot go up the ramp that the elevator can take you to and I have only done it once. Also the upstairs bathrooms are much bigger and better then the small downstairs one.
The Civic Theatre– the oldest performance theatre in New Orleans built in 1906 that hosted plays, vaudeville, concerts, burlesque and film. Was closed in the 1990’s but renovated after Katrina and opened in 2013 and hosts a variety of performances but mostly music. It is wheelchair accessible but you cannot access the bottom level and can only sit in the back or side but they are raised so you can see. Most shows are generally admission so you can just buy a regular ticket and you they will direct to the area if you don’t see them first. The bathrooms are very accessible except for them having two doors.
The Saenger Theatre– beautiful historic theater in downtown on Canal and Rampart. Was built in 1927 and hosted many plays, movies, and music shows and does again . It was renovated after Katrina and is quite a stunning place to see a show. It is wheelchair accessible and has some wheelchair accessible spots on the main floor and balcony but depending on the show can be a pain getting tickets. The bathrooms are very accessible.
The Joy Theatre– an old movie theatre on Canal that has been renovated after Katrina that hosts live shows from music, stand-up comedy, and special events. It is wheelchair accessible and has accessible bathrooms on the second floor. Depending on the show you can get accessible tickets on the main or balcony floor but for general admission you can just get a regular ticket.
Gasa Gasa– hip intimate live music venue Uptown on Freret. Gasa gasa hosts a variety of musical acts in the city as well as many touring acts. Know for having good shows with great acoustics and sound. They also have trivia, comedy and burlesque . Gasa Gasa is very wheelchair accessible with the entrance through the patio and ramps to all levels from the bar to the accessible bathrooms.
The Maple Leaf Bar– famous music performance venue and bar located Uptown in the Carrollton neighborhood on Oak street . Great place to see live music by local legends like George Porter Jr.,Rebirth Brass Band, Jon Cleary, and many more on any day of the week. Maple leaf is wheelchair accessible but the main floor by the stage has a slight rise but I was able to get over it pretty easily in my power chair. The bathrooms were accessible but the stall might not work for everyone.
d.b.a.– cool and fun live music venue on Frenchman in the thick of it all. Great place to see local bands with 2-4 shows a night from brass bands to rock. d.b.a. also has a great beer selection. It can get crowded with tourists but is a fun place to be at . It is wheelchair accessible by a portable ramp that you need to ask the doorman or bartender to get it but once in it is easy to get around. Now the bathrooms I wouldn’t say are accessible but I was able to use it by taking my feet rest off .
Brewery’s
NOLA Brewing– first craft brewery to open in 2008 after hurricane Katrina by the Mississippi River in the Irish Channel on Tchoupitoulas and 7th street. They have a wide variety of some tasty beers with 20 on tap in the taproom. Some of my favorites are the 7th street wheat witch has lemon and basil, Irish Channel stout, sucre blackberry cobbler stout, and some of the sour beers. The taproom is open every day with food from Nola pizza company and free brewery tours on Friday from 2-3pm. They also host many events during the week and weekends from small to big events. Everything is wheelchair accessible, even the bathrooms except for the second floor of the taproom.
Port Orleans Brewing Co.- new brewery Uptown on Tchoupitoulas close to Napoleon. It was started by former Saints offensive linemen Zach Strief and others. They have four flagship beers you can find throughout the city and 13 on tap at the brewery. My personal favorite is the Dorado, a Mexican style lager and Slackwater a brown ale. They also have made some interesting IPA’s from strawberry swirl milkshake to the Gleason. They have delicious food like wings, pretzels, and nachos. It is very wheelchair friendly with nice ramps in front and plenty of seating to choose from and nice bathrooms. It is also family friendly and hosts many different events.
Second Line Brewery– chill craft brewery in Mid-City close to City Park with a nice courtyard to hangout and drink beer that is family friendly. They have many good beers but my favorite is the Saison Named Desire that is a classic saison with blood orange. They host fun events and there is usually a food truck The taproom and courtyard are accessible but no accessible bathrooms.
The Courtyard Brewery– laidback small taproom on Camp St. in the Lower Garden District with a courtyard. (Well it better have a courtyard) They tend to have more IPA’s and even host a yearly event called HopFest on 4/20. I do like there beers but I also really like is they have other brewery beers on tap. They also have ice cream from Rahm haus to go and scoops. It is wheelchair accessible into the taproom and the bathroom was accessible as well(they moved and I haven’t been to the new bathroom yet). The courtyard is cool but I had a hard time with the tables in my chair.
Movies
Prytania Theatre– historic old school one screen movie theatre opened since 1914 in Uptown on Prytania street. The theatre shows new and classic movies and host many film fest . It is wheelchair accessible by a ramp on the left side and through doors and a curtain. Just have to tell them when you either get there or get your ticket but the ticket counter is not accessible. Once in they have some wheelchair spots on each side in the front . You can also make it to the lobby but the concessions are down some steps. The bathrooms are not accessible.