There are plenty of activities to do while you’re visiting the enchanting city of New Orleans that can keep you busy for weeks. However, not every traveler can spend that amount of time exploring the Big Easy (even if we dream of it some days).
New Orleans is a uniquely distinct city, unmatched in its blend of cultures, music heritage, and fascinating history. While it warrants a thorough, longer trip, you could spend two action-packed days exploring the Big Easy.
But if you’re on a tight schedule and this is your first time in the Crescent City, here’s how I would recommend spending 48 hours in New Orleans!
Breakfast at Cafe Du Monde
You’ve finally reached the streets of New Orleans, and you’re ready to hit the ground running.
One thing you’ll need to be prepared for is food. Throughout the day, you’ll leisurely eat and drink your way through the French Quarter. Wake up in your French Quarter hotel, wander towards the river, and grab an outdoor table at Café du Monde. Grab yourself one of their famous beignets for breakfast before you set off on your day in the city.
Jackson Square
Fortified by café au lait and beignets, climb the stairs next to Café du Monde for a great perspective over Jackson Square and a perfect photo opp. The Mississippi River is on the other side of the streetcar tracks.
Stroll down Chartres (pronounced char-TERS) Street to Esplanade and then up Royal Street, browsing for antiques, art, vintage clothes, jewelry, and Mardi Gras masks. Walk slowly to catch glimpses of courtyards with lush foliage and admire the wrought-iron balconies of the most atmospheric neighborhood in America.
Lunch at Felix’s Restaurant
Enter Felix’s at Iberville and take a seat at the raw bar. Talk to the shuckers as they serve you a dozen oysters and an ice-cold locally produced Faubourg (formerly named Dixie) beer.
There are hundreds of options for lunch, but to narrow it down, choose between a takeout specialty sandwich or a casual sit-down meal. If the weather is good, order a muffuletta (cured meats, cheese, and olive salad) at Central Grocery or a debris po-boy (roast beef with drippings) from Mother’s and eat on the promenade of Woldenberg Park overlooking the Mississippi River. If air conditioning is available, consider ordering the gumbo and jambalaya at the Gumbo Shop.
Voodoo Museum
Following lunch, take a turn through the Voodoo Museum for an introduction to a religion practiced by approximately 15 percent of city residents and the role it has played in the city’s cultural history.
It’s not the most high-tech museum, but it serves as a window into a world most people know little about. Their shop is a great place to pick up unusual gifts for friends back home. Tickets start at just $8, making this a budget-friendly attraction for your trip.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is nearby on the quiet end of Bourbon Street. This is one of the oldest bars in the world, and it looks it… but that just a part of its charm.
Named after pirate brothers who may have sold their goods here more than 300 years ago, Lafitte’s is the only one of many sports in New Orleans that is full of character and characters who have influenced this place for a long time.
Napoleon House
Go from one inimitable New Orleans spot to another at the Napoleon House. Sit in the front room of this historic restaurant and bar — where the real Napoleon was invited but never came — and soak in the atmosphere while sipping the beverage of your choice.
If you’re starting to feel a bit peckish, we recommend you order the red beans and rice.
Dinner Option 1: Galatoire’s
After this fun afternoon, it’s time to get ready for dinner. Return to your hotel and change for your meal at Galatoire’s (advance reservations suggested). This is an iconic restaurant where you’ll feel like you’re on the upper crest of society as the waiters float around the dining rooms wearing tuxedos. This bastion of Creole cuisine is renowned for dishes such as shrimp étouffée and redfish.
Dinner Option 2: Port of Call
Maybe that was too fancy for you (and your budget). Or, if you’re on the hunt for a great burger, walk to Port of Call, a casual restaurant with outstanding burgers and baked potatoes. Whether or not you eat here, stop in for a Monsoon (lighter in color and less sweet than a Hurricane).
Night Scene: Bars & Bourbon Street
Cross Esplanade to Frenchmen Street and check out the music scene at various bars and clubs like the Spotted Cat Music Club and the Blue Nile.
Head back to Bourbon Street, amusing yourself with the T-shirt slogans, colorful people, and music wafting out of open doors. It’s a site to see everyone out on Bourbon Street, enjoying everything the city has to offer once the sun goes down.
Nightcap: Pat O’Brien’s
Finish the evening in the courtyard of Pat O’Brien’s with a Hurricane nightcap at the place where it was invented. Make sure you check the hours before you head over, as sometimes the bar closes at midnight, and on other nights, it stays open a bit later.
Breakfast at Brennan’s
Wake up late and head to Brennan’s (advance reservations suggested) for brunch. A New Orleans institution for people who love breakfast (although it also serves lunch and dinner), Brennan’s is a beautiful, high-quality restaurant.
If the weather cooperates, sit in the courtyard; if not, request a table on the second floor overlooking its flickering gas lamps and lush tropical foliage. Try their version of Eggs Benedict, Eggs Hussarde, which was created here.
For dessert, order bananas Foster — another dish that was apparently invented here — and get your camera ready for the tableside flambé.
Following brunch, join a Garden District walking tour to learn about the city’s intriguing history, the neighborhood’s graceful architecture, and the famous people who have lived here over the years.
Take the Streetcar Uptown
After you’re stuffed full of delicious breakfast, take the streetcar Uptown to admire the gorgeous mansions lining St. Charles Avenue. Get off at the stop with Tulane and Loyola universities on the right and Audubon Park on the left. The park is a relaxing place for a stroll under live oaks or take the streetcar immediately back, looking out the window on the opposite side for variety.
Washington Avenue
Get off at the Washington Avenue stop and peruse the shelves of the Garden District Book Shop for a New Orleans recipe or history book on your way to Commander’s Palace (advance reservations suggested) for dinner. Request a window table in the Garden Room and order the trio of soups, veal chop Tchoupitoulas, and bread pudding soufflé.
Finish at Tipitina’s Music Venue
While you’re in the area, take a detour on the way back to your hotel. You’ll be near the legendary music venue Tipitina’s, so stop in to catch a show or head back to the Quarter and roll into bed five pounds heavier but a million times happier.
