3 Days to Celebrate a Birthday in New Orleans

Hopefully, you'll arrive in sunny New Orleans in the late morning or early afternoon. After checking into your fabulous hotel, a pick-me-up is definitely in order. Take a casual walk into the French Quarter to see the beautiful architecture and stroll past the river. This combination is sure to start your trip off very nicely.

If you're feeling peckish, just across from Jackson Square there is a newly opened raw bar called Fives Bar. They have a tasty selection of East Coast and Gulf Coast oysters, as well as many other delicious bites. The bartenders make fabulous drinks and even shuck the oysters right in front of you.

While walking off your snacks, the French Quarter has numerous historical homes and museums to pass by. If you're looking for a true "old-school" experience, make sure to check out Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, which was built in the early 1700's.

For dinner, book a table at N7. A wonderful fusion of Asian and French cuisine, the menu has small changes daily and the servers are passionate about what they do. There is a great wine list filled with small vineyards from all across Europe, and all their bottles are organically produced. It is highly recommended to get an Uber or a Lyft to this location, as there is very limited parking nearby

After your first day of eating great food and visiting the French Quarter, more great places to experience await!

Start off by getting a quick breakfast at The Vintage. They have a small menu of traditional Louisiana foods, and a great bar menu. Don't miss their rotating menu of beignets. They are a close rival Cafe du Monde!

Continuing down Magazine Street and heading West, you can find a multitude of fun clothing and home stores. The vintage selections are amazing. You're sure to find so many treasures in each store.

If you would like to visit quieter streets, head North up to Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District. There are great tour guides who can give you the deep history of homes in the area. Or, you can take a great self-guided tour and walk at your own pace.

Now that you have worked up your appetite, it's time to get some of the best Po' Boys in the city. Parkway Tavern is where it's at (and worth the 15-minute drive outside of the city). We tried the James Brown and BBQ Creole Shrimp, which I have been dreaming about since we returned home.

By foot, the streetcars are not too far from Parkway. You can take them to wind your way back into the center of the city to see more sites and take your time getting ready for dinner.

For dinner, we definitely suggest La Petite Grocery. They have a great menu full of Louisiana favorites with a sophisticated spin, along with another great wine and cocktail menu.

For your final day in New Orleans, it's time to have a great brunch. Bearcat is a great locals' spot that was recommended to us by a trusted source. They have two locations, one of which does not take reservations. The lines can be long during the typical morning hours, but it's worth the wait! At the CBD location, they even have a bakery a few doors down where you can grab a coffee and a snack while you wait for your table.

Spend your last afternoon walking around the French Quarter one last time, soaking in the live music and joy of the city. The ferry boat along the river will be playing its Calliope at 11 am and later in the afternoon. It's a very unique sound that adds to the spooky atmosphere.

If you can stand one more bite before you depart, you have to forgive me for a cliché recommendation, but Cafe du Monde (mentioned above) does have the most incredible beignets. I truly did try and find another that weekend that rivaled them, but I still think they have the best in the city!