3 Days in new Orleans: The best travel plan
planning a trip and wondering what to make with 3 days in new Orleans? read on for a jam-packed travel plan for the big easy and plan the best weekend getaway.
With three days in new Orleans, you can indulge in the city’s fantastic culinary, music, and nightlife scenes. If all you do is eat, drink, and dance that’s absolutely fine here. In fact, it’s to be expected.
Along the way, you’ll get to take pleasure in strolling around the picturesque French Quarter, preferably with a to-go cup in hand — this is one of the few places where you can actually drink in public in the United States.
The motto of new Orleans is “let the good times roll,” and that’s precisely what you must do on a trip there.
Apart from eating, drinking, and enjoying the music scene, new Orleans is a terrific melting pot of cultures and people and there are many museums, events and neighbourhoods to visit that reflect the city’s diversity.
In this new Orleans 3 day itinerary, I’ll share my best ideas for where to stay, things to do, and where to eat and drink.
Table des matières
Day 1 in new Orleans
Day 2 in new Orleans
Day 3 in new Orleans
Insider’s ideas for 3 Days in new Orleans
Getting to new Orleans
Best places to stay With 3 Days in new Orleans
Have fun With This new Orleans Itinerary!
Day 1 in new Orleans
The first of your 3 days in new Orleans is dedicated to exploring the city’s historic French Quarter. You’ll get to admire the architecture, dig into mouthwatering local cuisine, and start the party off right.
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Let’s just go ahead and get one of the most touristy things to do in new Orleans out of the way. start your day off at cafe du Monde near Jackson Square.
This is a quintessential stop on any new Orleans itinerary.
Join the line (there will certainly be one) to sample the popular beignets. jamais entendu parler d’eux? It’s a fancy French name for balls of fried dough that are doused in powdered sugar.
As you might expect, they are absolutely delicious! They’re especially good with a cup of coffee. That sugar and caffeine high will absolutely get you moving to kick off your 3 days in new Orleans.
Spend the rest of your morning wandering around the French Quarter. I find aimless wandering of the area to be a really good time, but if you like a bit a lot more direction you can join the complimentary walking tour.
Free excursions By Foot uses excursions daily at 10AM starting at the statue of Andrew Jackson. excursions last about two hours and are donation-based, so be sure to idea your guide if you take pleasure in it! Click here to let them know you’re coming.
Whether you join a excursion or make your own you’re in for a treat. new Orleans is one of the most photogenic American cities out there, so make sure you bring your cam for this one!
Après-midi
Walking around the French Quarter all morning will definitely work up an appetite. It’s time to start checking items off your to-eat list, which must be a long one for a weekend in new Orleans.
The cuisine of new Orleans is mostly composed of the holy trinity of Cajun, Creole, and soul food. From jambalaya to po’ kids to crawfish, there are lots of classic new Orleans dishes you’ll need to sample.
With so lots of restaurants to choose from, there are always deals to be had in the French Quarter.
It’s worth it to check out Groupon just before your trip to see what promotions places are running. We had an exceptional lunch for a very affordable price at the new Orleans Creole Cookery on one visit.
It can be a bit intimidating deciding where to eat with so lots of options. let someone else figure it out by going on this afternoon food tour. Over the course of three hours, you’ll get to try ten tasty dishes as you learn about the history of food in new Orleans.
After all that food, you’ll probably be feeling like you need a nap. You’ve only got 3 days in new Orleans, though, so I suggest grabbing a coffee instead.
Rejuvenated by the magic of caffeine, head down to the riverfront for a leisurely stroll. The Moonwalk Riverfront Park is the best place to start. take pleasure in the views of the Mighty Mississippi and public art along this picturesque promenade.
At the end of the park, you have a few choices for how to proceed.
The Audobon Aquarium of the Americas is a popular place to visit in new Orleans. There’s also the Butterfly garden and Insectarium nearby. Click here to check out ticket options for both.
While you’re over here, you might want to jump on the ferry at the Canal street Terminal. It’s well worth the $2 to head over to Algiers for an outstanding view of the cityscape.
Stick around for a bit to check out the jazz walk of Fame. If you feel like it’s time for a drink (and it is), drop into Crown & anchor — an English-style pub and a great warmup before the madness of Bourbon Street.
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Those who want a slightly classier experience than the local ferry can select a river cruise. Steamboat Natchez is the top choice, using 2-hour dinner cruises with live music. Click here to check out all their options and prices.
If you don’t go on the river cruise, you have plenty of options for where to eat and drink in new Orleans. For a classic big easy experience, head over to the hotel Monteleone.
Here you’ll find the exceptional Criollo, which always has a creative seasonal menu. The hotel is also home to the popular Carousel, a legendary new Orleans bar. It’s not just a creative name — the bar is an actual carousel!
Their signature drink is the Vieux Carré, a potent yet smooth cocktail with cognac, vermouth, whiskey, and bitters. It was actually developed here, so you’re drinking in a bit of history! It’s absolutely one of the top new Orleans cocktails to try.
After a great dinner and a couple of drinks, you’re ready to check out the infamous Bourbon Street. Go ahead and get hold of a frozen cocktail in a comically large cup or one of the “big ass beers” they advertise and join the party.
I’ll be sincere with you — Bourbon street isn’t really my thing.
It’s incredibly touristy, obnoxiously loud, and rather sloppy. That being said, it’s absolutely still a must-see for a weekend in new Orleans. If anything, the people-watching alone is worth the trip!
One of Bourbon Street’s only redeeming qualities is that it’s home to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar & Shop. This historic watering hole is one of the top new Orleans bars to get hold of a drink in.
This place is 300 years old and is named after a French pirate. It’s also a candle-lit piano bar. It doesn’t get much cooler than that.
Looking for a lot more articles about travelling to new Orleans?
21 things To do in new Orleans
7 Must-Try cocktails in new Orleans
10 best Bars in new Orleans
10 Must-Try Dishes in new Orleans
Top 10 best festivals in new Orleans
7 best Swamp excursions in new Orleans
Day 2 in new Orleans
Did you get a little carried away last night? It’s OK, so did everyone else. No rest for the weary, though! You’ve got to make the most of new Orleans in 3 days.
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I’m not normally a fan of brunch (it’s overrated and overpriced), but I’ll make an exception in new Orleans. For some reason eating a huge meal accompanied by a few drinks with sunglasses on just seems right.
On my last visit to the big Easy, we had a fantastic brunch at the Ruby Slipper Cafe. Eggs Benedict, a Bloody Mary, and coffee supply the best fuel for another day in new Orleans.
Après-midi
While you’re down here in the Mississippi Delta, why not head out to the swamp? It only takes half an hour from the French Quarter to be out in the bayou surrounded by gators.
There are tons of options — swamp boat, airboat, canoe, kayak, and hiking are all possible. read all about the 7 best swamp excursions in new Orleans to find which one is best for you.
The only downside to taking a swamp excursion is that it takes up a lot of of the afternoon. But, it’s absolutely a special experience to have.
If you skip the swamp tour, I suggest heading up to City Park instead. It may not be as famous, but it’s actually bigger than new York’s central Park.
There’s enough to see and do in the park to keep you busy for several hours. You can check out the new Orleans Botanical garden (tickets are $8) to see a lot more than 2,000 plants from around the world.
Another option is the excellent new Orleans museum of Art ($15) and the sculpture garden ($5). There are also boats and bikes for rent and a trifecta of golf courses (normal, mini, and disc).
It’s a bit out of the way, but it’s worth the detour to head to Parkway Bakery & Tavern. This is one of the most popular places among locals for a new Orleans classic — a po’ boy.
Pro tip: buy it “dressed” if you want lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayo.
Soir
For your 2nd evening in new Orleans, I recommend sticking to Frenchmen Street. This is the place to dive headfirst into the rich musical heritage of the big Easy.
New Orleans is known as the “birthplace of jazz,” which originated from pre-Civil war drumming and voodoo rituals. While jazz is still a big part of the local culture (including the annual Jazz Fest), youPeut entendre une grande variété de musique live sur Frenchmen Street.
Il y a des dizaines de lieux de musique emballés sur cette section à 3 blocs du quartier Faubourg Marigny de la ville. Certains ont des frais de couverture, mais beaucoup de choses ne le font pas, vous permettant de rebondir pour entendre plusieurs groupes en une nuit.
Mais la musique n’est pas seulement dans les bars ici. Vous entendrez également des groupes itinérants se bloquer dans les rues. Il y a vraiment de la musique à chaque coin de la Nouvelle-Orléans!
Lorsque vous avez inévitablement besoin de plats de fin de soirée pour absorber l’alcool, Dat Pet Dog est l’endroit idéal. Il n’obtient pas beaucoup plus de NOLA qu’une saucisse d’alligator garnie d’écrevisses Etouffee.
Jour 3 à la Nouvelle-Orléans
Le dernier matin d’un grand week-end à la Nouvelle-Orléans, vous êtes probablement un peu épuisé par tout le plaisir que vous avez.
Ne vous inquiétez pas – je vais vous détendre pour la finale de 3 jours à la Nouvelle-Orléans.
Matin
J’utilise le terme «matin» sans servir ici, car il y a de fortes chances que vous ne puissiez pas bouger avant midi. Si vous parvenez à aller plus tôt que cela un dimanche dans The Big Easy, je vous applaudis.
Chaque fois que vous sortez du lit, dirigez-vous juste au nord du quartier français à Treme. C’est l’un des plus anciens quartiers de la ville et un centre de culture afro-américaine et créole.
Je suis sûr que vous pourriez utiliser un idéal de caféine maintenant, alors passez à Treme Coffeehouse ou au coin relaxant de Fatma. Fournir avec un café et un petit déjeuner léger, puis partez pour explorer la zone.
Après-midi
Vous avez quelques options à faire ici, y compris le musée afro-américain de la Nouvelle-Orléans. Vous pouvez prendre une excursion autoguidée pour 20 $ ou vous inscrire à l’une de leurs visites guidées.
L’expérience de la demi-journée est une excursion détaillée populaire qui comprend également le déjeuner. Cliquez ici pour voir toutes les options.
Un autre incontournable de la région est le parc Louis Armstrong. Ici, vous pouvez visiter le Congo Square historique ainsi que le parc historique national de la Nouvelle-Orléans. C’est idéal – il y a un parc national dédié au jazz ici!
Le National Park Service a mis en place une grande excursion de marche autoguidée de la région. Cliquez ici pour télécharger la carte. Il y a un numéro de téléphone, vous pouvez appeler pour une visite audio gratuite.
Un arrêt sur cette excursion à pied est le légendaire Hall de préservation. Leur mission considérée qu’ils ont ouvert en 1961 ont été de «protéger, préserver et perpétuer le jazz standard de la Nouvelle-Orléans».
Bien plus qu’un simple lieu, la salle de conservation est également une organisation, un groupe et un label à but non lucratif.
Vous pouvez assister à des spectacles tous les soirs avec la première représentation à 17 h. Les billets d’admission générale ne coûtent que 20 $ (en espèces uniquement), mais vous devez vous présenter tôt si vous espérez en obtenir un.
Ils vendent également des billets assis en ligne pour 35 à 40 $, donc ce n’est pas une mauvaise idée de bien en prendre en développement si vous connaissez vos dates.
C’est une expérience classique de la Nouvelle-Orléans et c’est aussi pour une bonne cause, donc c’est un gagnant-gagnant! Rendez-vous sur leur site Web pour consulter vos options.
Soir
Que vous ayez des billets ou non, il est temps de me procurer un dernier dîner dans le grand facile. Il existe des options illimitées à quelques pas de la salle car elle est au cœur du quartier français.
Si vous ne l’avez pas encore eu, vous pouvez enfin essayer un plat classique de la Nouvelle-Orléans au Gumbo Shop. Pour la cuisine créole dans une cour pittoresque, vous pouvez vous diriger vers la cour de deux sœurs.
Vous ne pouvez pas quitter la Nouvelle-Orléans sans vivre un peu de vaudou. Si vous pouvez y arriver avant 6 ans, le Musée historique Voodoo mérite un arrêt rapide (les billets sont de 7 $). Sinon, la maison de Voodoo de Marie Laveau à proximité reste ouverte tard.
À ce p