3 Days in New Orleans

Morning

Start your day with a classic New Orleans breakfast at Café du Monde or Cafe Beignet. There are multiple locations around the city to enjoy beignets. Savor your breakfast and café au lait while soaking in the historic ambiance. If you’d like a more substantial breakfast head to Tableau near Jackson Square.

Late Morning

Wander through Jackson Square, where you can admire the St. Louis Cathedral and local artists' work. Explore the unique shops and galleries along Royal Street, known for its antique shops, local art and witchy boutiques.

Afternoon

Grab some Po Boys at the iconic NOLA Poboys or some spicy muffaletta at Verti Marte.

Take a walk to the French Market for an opportunity to discover a labyrinth of artisanal goods, local unique artwork and handmade jewelry. If it's a particularly hot afternoon take the opportunity to try a snowball.

Evening

Grab an uber and make your way to Bacchanal. This charming little restaurant and wine shop hosts live music daily and features some fantastic tapas. You can also pick out your choice of artisanal meats, cheeses and other accompaniments. The upstairs bar is artsy and their masterful bartends can mix you up a cocktail if you’re not in the mood for a bottle of wine. The intimate courtyard, adorned with twinkling lights and a canopy of trees, sets the stage for an evening of enchantment.

Make your way back to the French Quarter and immerse yourself in the chaos that is Bourbon Street. Grab a hand grenade (alcoholic slushie) and make your way up to a balcony to throw beads at passersby and people watch.

Evening is also the perfect time to take a guided walking tour of the French Quarter to learn about its history, architecture and ghost stories.

Morning

Hop on the Streetcar and head to the Garden District. Stop at Molly's Rise & Shine for the best breakfast biscuit sandwiches you may ever have. Take a leisurely stroll down Magazine Street, lined with boutiques, cafes and art galleries.

Late Morning

Explore the historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, known for its intricate above-ground tombs. Admire the stunning 19th-century mansions in the Garden District, including the famous "Commander's Palace” and the house where the first season of American Horror Story was filmed.

Afternoon

Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a local Garden District Cafe.

Hop on the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar and ride through picturesque neighborhoods to Audubon Park.

Evening

Have dinner at one of the charming bistros on Magazine Street. If you’re in the mood for Israeli food I highly recommend Shaya. Reservations were easy to make online and I’m still dreaming about the lamb ragu hummus I had there.

If it's the right season, catch a New Orleans Pelicans basketball game or enjoy live music at one of the city's many music venues such as Tipitina’s or Maple Leaf Bar.

Morning

Head to the Bayou for a swamp tour. You can self-drive or book arrangements to be picked up from your tour company. There are multiple swamp tour options, you can take either the Airboat or a pontoon boat. The Airboats are noisier, provide less shade and are more expensive. However, this option is still my recommendation because it’s more entertaining, smaller groups of people and the breeze helps cool you off. I would not recommend taking an Airboat tour if you have any history of neck or back pain. These tours generally last around 4 hours.

Afternoon

Lounge by your hotel pool or grab lunch nearby. This would be a great chance to rest before heading out for the evening. If you’re feeling energized, I recommend grabbing lunch at Cochon Butcher.

Evening

Indulge in a decadent Italian dinner at Avo or Domenica.

Round off your trip with live music along Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. I recommend stopping at The Spotted Cat for jazz and visiting the Art Bazaar next door.

To end your evening take a walk to Laffite's for a hurricane, sit outside and people watch while soaking in that New Orleans ambiance.