Updated: 8/2/20 | August 2nd, 2020
New Orleans. NOLA. The Big Easy. A city by many names, all conjuring up the jovial “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” (“Let the good times roll!”) attitude the city is famous for.
New Orleans is filled with Creole and Cajun food, live jazz, street performers, history, beautiful architecture, and a famous appreciation for all the temptations of life. Life in the Big Easy is lived well.
I first visited during a road trip across the country all the way back in 2006. It was post–Hurricane Katrina and the city was in bad shape — buildings still laid vacant, trash strewn on the streets — and the city felt like a ghost town.
Years later, I returned for Mardi Gras. It was a different city. Not only had it cleaned itself up but many new areas of the city seemed to be bursting with life as well. New Orleans was reborn.
Many, many visits later and countless hours walking around, taking tours, listening to live music, and eating as much food as possible, I’ve compiled what I think is the perfect itinerary to help you make the most of your time in the Big Easy.
New Orleans Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Garden District, French Quarter, Steamboat Natchez, & more!
Day 2: Voodoo tour, City Park, Frenchman Street, & more!
Day 3: Bayou Tour & Oak Alley Plantation
Day 4: World War II Museum, Confederate Memorial Hall, & more!
New Orleans Itinerary: Day 1
Explore French Quarter
The famous French Quarter is where you’ll see the city’s iconic 18th century French style homes and wrought-iron balconies. The area was settled by the French (hence the name) in 1718.
The district is now a haven for revelers on Bourbon Street, antique shoppers on Royal Street, and foodies seeking some of the best Cajun food in the city. Here you’ll find Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral (the oldest cathedral in the country, dating back to 1789), beautiful homes, and bars blaring top-notch jazz.
Try the free walking tour from NOLA Tour Guy. You’ll learn about the history of the neighborhood and get access to an expert local guide who can answer all your questions (just be sure to tip).
Visit the Arts/Warehouse District
Right between the French Quarter and the Garden District, this area has seen an incredible revitalization over the last few years. Old, empty warehouses have been turned into shops, art galleries, new apartments, and trendy restaurants. Meander through the cobblestone streets, check out some art, and walk along the Mississippi.
Be sure to visit Mardi Gras World. It’s a massive warehouse where most of floats for Mardi Gras are made. The festival brings in almost 1.5 million people every year and some of the floats take almost an entire year just to build (it’s one of the biggest and best festivals in the world).
Wander the Garden District
My favorite area of New Orleans, the Garden District is home to large and ornate historic mansions as well as some of the city’s best and trendiest restaurants and bars. Quiet and more relaxed than the French Quarter, it was developed in 1832 for the newly-rich Americans who settled in the city. The French Creoles wanted the Americans out of the French Quarter and, through some clever marketing about how the nouveau riche could build huge homes, convinced them to move here.
Spend a few hours wandering the streets, seeing the old mansions, and visiting famous cemeteries like Lafayette Cemetery #1 in the central part of the district.
Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez
For something a little touristy (but still super cool), book a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. The city’s only authentic steamboat, they offer brunch and dinner cruises, and host live jazz music. You’ll also get to enjoy the city’s scenic skyline as you cruise on the placid waters of the Mississippi.
400 Toulouse St, +1 800-233-2628, steamboatnatchez.com. Open daily from 8am-3pm. Tickets start at $38 USD.
New Orleans Itinerary: Day 2
Take a Voodoo or Ghost Tour
NOLA is considered one of the most haunted cities in the country. New Orleans voodoo is a set of underground religious practices that came out of the African religious traditions the slaves brought to America. Voodoo and the occult are synonymous with New Orleans. From stories of ghosts and vampires to Marie Laveau (the city’s historic and most famous voodoo practitioner), New Orleans has a certain creep factor to it.
Voodoo tours take you through the French Quarter and its cemeteries and teach you about the voodoo past of the city. Witches Brew Tours is one of the best.
Visit 1850 House
During the period before the Civil War, slavery made white plantation owners incredibly wealthy. They built elaborate homes to show off their good fortune and some of those antebellum houses are still standing. 1850 Hous is an example of what many of those townhouses looked like before the American Civil War.
Located next to Jackson Square, this house/museum is run by the city and decorated like it would have been when it was in use by the city’s white slave owners.
523 St Ann St, +1 504-524-9118, louisianastatemuseum.org. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-4pm. Admission is $22 USD.
Relax in Audubon Park or New Orleans City Park
New Orleans has two stunning parks and I’d highly recommend spending an afternoon wandering around one of them.
Audubon Park covers over 350 acres while City Park is a massive green space, spanning over 1,300 acres (it’s one of the biggest urban parks in the country). They both have ponds, walking trails, trees, and plenty of space to relax with a book or a picnic. They’re a wonderful place to chill out when the weather gets too hot and you want to relax in the shade (or when you need to rest your feet after a long day of walking).
Listen to Music on Frenchman Street
From street bands to jazz halls, New Orleans has music in its DNA. End your day listening to some of New Orleans’s incredible music on Frenchman Street. It’s famous for its collection of jazz bars, including my favorite, The Spotted Cat.
You’ll also find lots of book stores, record shops, cafes, and bars in this neighborhood as well. It’s one of the most popular areas of the city after Bourbon Street.
New Orleans Itinerary: Day 3
Take a Bayou Tour
Take a kayak tour around the bayou and explore the swamps filled with alligators and Spanish moss-covered trees. The bayou, a swampy section of a slow-moving river, provided early settlers with trees for homes, fish for eating, and waterways for commerce. It’s still part of the lifeblood of the region and an important part of its culture. Spend your morning in this beautiful and relaxing area by getting back to nature.
Kayak tours usually cost around $60 USD and last a couple hours. NOLA Kayak Swamp Tours offer daily guided tours that will get you out on the water and teach you about the ecosystem. around her.
437 Esplanade Avenue, +1 504-571-9975, neworleanskayakswamptours.com. They also offer half-day tours as well as combination plantation tours as well.
Visit Oak Alley
Twenty-eight oak trees (each of them over 250 years old) line the lane leading to an antebellum plantation manor right on the Mississippi River. The home’s interior is not particularly awe-inspiring as the exterior. Personally, I found the guided tour was a little too brief (and not very detailed) but wandering the grounds was absolutely worthwhile and the signs/placards have a lot of information on the horrible institution of slavery.
It’s located an hour from the city by car. Try to arrive early (or stay late) to avoid the day tours that come from New Orleans so you can take people-free pictures.
There are other plantations nearby that, while not as pretty on the exterior, have more beautiful interiors and better historical tours:
- St. Joesph Plantation – Built in the 1830s, this plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Laura Plantation – One of the few plantations left with numerous complete structures (including the former slave cabins).
- Houmas House Plantation – Completed in 1840, Houmas House sits on 10 acres of land and has 9 surviving buildings and structures.
Oak Alley is open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission is $25 USD. For tours that include transportation and admission to the plantation, expect to pay $70 USD per person.
New Orleans Itinerary: Day 4
The National World War II Museum
Opened in 2000, this is the largest museum dedicated to World War II in the country. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best museums in the US too — and I can see why. Its use of audio, video, artifacts, and personal stories tie the history of the war together in incredible detail. I spent over three hours here and still had more to see.
Even if you’re not a history buff like me, I highly recommend visiting. Many veterans spend time here, and you can listen to first-hand accounts of the war as well as see some of their pictures. It’s sobering but incredibly insightful.
945 Magazine St, +1 504-528-1944, nationalww2museum.org. Open daily rom 9am-5pm. Admission is $29.50 USD.
Take a Food Tour
If you want to learn more about the history and culture behind the city’s best eats, take a food tour. You’ll not only get to eat more of the best food in the city but you’ll learn how and why certain foods came to prominence.
From po’boys to gumbo and everything in between, food and culture and history are inseparable from the city’s DNA. A food tour will add much more insight and nuance to your time here. Doctor Gumbo Tours run one of the best food tours in the city.
Tours last 3 hours and cost $70 USD per person.
The Confederate Memorial Hall Museum
This is one of the oldest museums in the state and is home to the second-largest collection of Confederate Civil War items in the world. I’m always intrigued by Civil War history museums, especially those in the South, since the memory of “Northern aggression” is still very strong down here.
The museum contains over 5,000 historical artifacts and paints a picture of Southern patriotism and that they were fighting for honor and state’s rights. I found the absence of slavery unsurprising given that try to pretend that wasn’t the main cause. It’s always fascinating to learn how people frame their history, even is they do so in a blatantly biased light. For that reason, this museum is worth visiting.
929 Camp St, +1 504-523-4522, confederatemuseum.com. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-4pm. Admission is $10 USD.
Where to Eat in New Orleans
New Orleans is filled with some of the best food in the United States. Out of all the places I’ve eaten here over the years (and I’ve eaten my way around the city a few times now), these were some of my favorites:
- Mother’s Restaurant – The best po’ boy sandwiches in the city. Get the catfish!
- Acme Oyster House – Delicious charbroiled and fresh oysters. Awful Bloody Marys. Located in the French Quarter.
- Drago’s Seafood Restaurant — Though the large restaurant feels uber-touristy, they have the best charbroiled oysters in the city.
- Coop’s Place – Incredible fried chicken and jambalaya. Located near Jackson Square.
- Gumbo Shop – For all your Cajun food needs, come here!
- Cajun Seafood – Casual Southern-style eats like gumbo and poboys.
- Killer PoBoys – Contemporary poboys with global falvors.
- Seaworthy – A classy (but not pretentious) oyster bar.
- Willa Jean – Delicious food, chic atmosphere, and good cocktails.
New Orleans is a city with soul. It’s seen some hard times, but the city has embraced a zest for life and laid-back attitude that is infectious. The energy, food, and music scene make New Orleans one of the most eclectic and vibrant cities in the United States — if not the world.
Laissez les bons temps rouler, indeed!
Book Your Trip to New Orleans: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Need a Guide?
New Orleans has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Take Walks. They have expert guides and can get you behind the scenes at the city’s best attractions. They’re my go-to walking tour company!
If you want a bike tour, use Fat Tire Tours. They have the best and most affordable bike tours in the city.
Want More Information on the United States?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on the United States for even more planning tips!
Photo credit: 4 – drufisher, 9 – Jason Mrachina
Zascha
The more you write about New Orleans, Matt, the more I want to go there.
I read a book once that focused on New Orleans and I had the same feeling, that it was just a place I needed to go.
Luckily I’m spending three months in the US this Summer so I should be able to squeeze in New Orleans, surely 🙂
Holly
SO glad to see Frenchman Street made your list! The Spotted Cat is my favorite, too! We spent more time there than in the French Quarter because it’s just so much more fun. Great list!
Alex
Wow I did most of these things while I was there! Also would recommend going while the New Orleans Jazz and Hertiage festival is on (Can imagine the Mardi Gras would be the same) the place is absolutely buzzing, parties in the streets around the venue everywhere. Frenchman street is also amazing and I’d also say do a night Mississippi boat cruise that’s was pretty fun! Coops place is delicious and the Acme oyster house featured on Man vs Food where he did the oyster challenge! The garden district is a beautiful walk aswell! Great article Matt!
Rachel
I love love LOVE NOLA. I left a piece of my heart there on a 5 day first-time solo trip back in 2011 and it’s been pulling for me to go back ever since! I stayed at AAE Bourbon House Hostel, a short walk away from the trolley that drops off right at Canal St. It was such a chill, friendly hostel that I recommend it to anyone staying in NOLA. I was happy to see that the Spotted Cat and Coop’s made your list! I was at Spotted Cat and Red Maple almost every night for music, but Surrey’s Juice Bar is my absolute favorite place for food. It looks like a health-nut juice bar on first glance, but let me tell you, it also serves the best freaking shrimp and grits I’ve ever had in my life. Easily one of the top 5 meals on my list. Thanks for this post, it really brought back some fond memories!!
Anthony
New Orleans, the place where all of the US goes to party. One of my favourite cities on the planet. I went there in 2006 and found it fascinating how a natural disaster could dramatically affect a city and it’s people. It was great then, but I’d love to see it now.
Katelyn
Love this post! New Orleans is my favorite US city with Charleston (SC) as a very close second. I was in NOLA last June for a work conference and got to see the city and also check out Tulane for grad school. I fell hard for the city. I absolutely second the recommendation for Free Tours by Foot. I’ve done a bunch of their tours in various cities and at this point I should just be their marketing person! Love them. City Park is amazing as well. It totally sold me on New Orleans for grad school.
Laura
We spent a long weekend in New Orleans in the fall and loved every second of it. As your post shows, there are so many unique things to do there. You really can’t run out of stuff to do. We especially loved the food and made our own walking tour of the top things to eat. I highly recommend doing that.
Bob Merrick
This is really a great post! New Orleans has always been a favorite of mine. You have mentioned most of the things that I do when going to New Orleans. I would also suggest a steamboat ride on the Mississippi River (perhaps having dinner on the steamboat). I would also suggest Brennan’s to add to your recommended restaurants list. It is a great place for breakfast.
Bree
I am SO glad you love the WWII Museum as much as we do! They even have bands and swing dancing on Sundays, so much fun to watch. I’ll have to try the other museums you mentioned next time. My husband’s a Tulane alum, so we love to visit Nola and we love to stay at B&B’s in the Garden District! My brother recommends the Hurricane Katrina tour.
Gwyn
Very timely article as I am making plans for a trip to NOLA later this month. There are a couple of ideas on your list that I had not considered and will include them to add variety to my stay. Thanks!
Erin
New Orleans is just about my favorite place in the US. I’ve been there twice. First I experienced what it was like to really get into Bourbon Street. The second time I really got into the experience of doing things that are not touristy. Faubourg Marigny is a gem for sure, and I got to experience a second line in honor of Louis Armstrong, just amazing. So look forward to my next trip there and I will certainly refernce this posting when I return.
Wonder if you might have any thoughts on a place to get the best Banana’s Foster? Because I’m dying to have a good one when I go back!
Love the site!
Barbara
So many fun and exciting things to see and do in New Orleans! It’s a lively town and your list of how to spend 4 days in New Orleans is great. It really made me want to return and visit the city all over again. Thanks!
David
Matt,
What a great read! I often sit around and wonder “what can I do today” and you just gave me a handful of new things to go out and do. Thank you! I’m most excited for the Voodoo Tour!