Things to do in New Orleans during X Games
By: Chef Elizabeth
The world’s top skateboard, BMX, and Moto X athletes are bringing gravity-defying tricks to New Orleans, and if you’re coming for the X Games, don’t spend your entire trip inside the venue. New Orleans knows how to put on a show you won’t want to miss out on.
From rooftop bars and live music until sunrise to swamp adventures and unforgettable food, here’s how to make the most of your time in the Crescent City.
Fuel Up Like a Local
Forget chain restaurants. This is New Orleans!
Start your day with beignets at Loretta’s in the French Market, grab a po’boy for lunch at Killer Poboys at Erin Rose Bar (grab their Frozen Irish Coffee too), and experience Gulf Coast oysters at Mr. B’s.
Add a true taste of New Orleans to your itinerary with a hands-on cooking experience at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
Throw Down in the Kitchen at Bites & Flights
July 23–25 | 4:30–6:30 PM
If you’re looking for something different between competitions, join us for our limited-time Bites & Flights Cooking Experience, created exclusively for X Games week.
You’ll make and eat:
- Blackened Gulf Fish Sliders
- Andouille Sausage Queso
- Urban South craft beer flights
- Louisiana hot sauce tasting
It’s not a lecture. It’s hands-on, fast-paced, and packed with local flavor. You’ll cook, sample craft beer, swap stories with other visitors, and leave with recipes that let you take a little New Orleans home.
Keep the Adrenaline Going
Catch live music on Frenchmen Street. Skip the tourist playlists and hear everything from brass bands to funk, rock, and late-night jazz spilling out of club after club. Check out DBA and The Spotted Cat.
Take an airboat swamp tour. Race through Louisiana bayous at high speed while spotting alligators, turtles, and wildlife you won’t find anywhere else with Cajun Encounters Swamp Tours.
Ride the river. Hop aboard the Steamboat Natchez for live jazz and skyline views, or catch the ferry across the Mississippi for one of the best views of the city.
Ride the city. Rent Blue Bikes, which are parked around town, and explore the Lower Garden District and the Warehouse District.
Explore after dark. Head uptown to keep the entertainment going. Live music at Tipitina’s and the Maple Leaf are where locals like to hang.
Need to skate between events? Head over to Parisite DIY Skatepark, one of the country’s coolest community-built skateparks. Created by local skaters and constantly evolving, it’s the kind of spot that embodies the creativity and grit that make action sports so addictive. If cruising is more your style, bring your board to the Lafitte Greenway or Crescent Park for miles of smooth pavement and incredible city views.
Experience New Orleans, Don’t Just Visit!
The X Games are coming for four days, but New Orleans has been putting on unforgettable performances for over 300 years.
So between events, come cook with us, drink local beer, eat incredible food, and discover why this city has been attracting thrill seekers, food lovers, musicians, and adventurers for generations.