New Orleans Two Day Itinerary
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Two days in one of the most unique places in the U.S.
New Orleans Two Day Itinerary: (Jump To)
New Orleans, Louisiana, a city steeped in tradition and culture, is an absolute must-visit for any foodie, spirit connoisseur (both the otherworldly and beverage kinds), history buff, or party animal.
One can get into a lot of trouble (debatably the good kind) in this city of excess, but you can also enjoy a more leisurely pace wandering throughout its French Quarter, Riverfront, and Garden District.
It's a perfect long weekend getaway, and there are plenty of activities for the entire family.
Likewise, if you’re a couple or even vacationing solo, there’s no shortage of things to see, things to eat, music to listen to, and even more things to eat.
How To Get To Downtown New Orleans From The Airport
If you fly into MSY Airport, the easiest way to get into the city is via taxi, Uber, or Lyft. Renting a car is also a decent option, just be aware that parking downtown can be a costly endeavor and there’s a shortage of street parking in tourist areas.
How to Get Around New Orleans
If you’re planning on partaking in the New Orleans bar scene, ditch the car and use public transport. Alternatively, New Orleans is one of the easiest cities in the United States to navigate by foot. Tired of walking? A delightful Street Car system will not only transport you back to the 1830s but shuttle you around the French Quarter and beyond for less than two dollars per ride. Day transport passes are also available for less than five dollars.
What To See in New Orleans
First thing first, you’ll want to start your visit in the quintessential part of the city - The French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Wandering around the many shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels in the famous French Quarter could take you a multitude of days, so here are our highlights from multiple trips:
You can (and should) start at least one of your days by stopping into the world-famous Café du Monde and sampling beignets. For the uninitiated, a beignet is essentially a deep-fried flat donut/funnel cake hybrid, dusted in powdered sugar.
There are arguments from native New Orleanians about which cafe has the best beignets, but you cannot go wrong with their sample starter plate of three, if even just to dive into a soft data taste comparison against other cafes (we regretfully haven’t tried them all). Our flight attendant friend did recommend Cafe Beignet for an even better beignet - feel free to judge. There are multiple locations for both cafes, so why not try them all?
The Carousel Bar - Nestled in a cozy corner of the historic Hotel Monteleone, this beautiful rotating bar serves hand-crafted cocktails. Yes, you read that right - rotating. You can also sit in the stationary seats around the edge of the bar - after three drinks you’ll be spinning too. The drinks will set you back a bit (they’re about USD$18 each as of this publishing), but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a bar this unique anywhere else in the U.S.
French Market - This outdoor market, over 200 years old, features dozens of food, craft, art, and souvenir vendors. It’s a must-stop while touring the French Quarter. While many vendors sell similar souvenirs, if you dig around, there are some unique treasures and art available for sale. There are also typically fantastic musicians playing just outside the borders. Grab a cup of coffee or beverage of your choice and shop till you drop.
Here’s the thing about New Orleans, everywhere is serving “the best”, “world famous” and “slap your mamma good” something. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention what is in our humble opinion, the best pralines in the city, Loretta’s.
These candies are a perfect amount of brown caramelized sugary sweetness with just a slight chew and nuttiness. They are shareable and snackable. You also can’t walk down the street in New Orleans without finding a well-stocked candy or praline store. If you leave New Orleans without a sampling of this classic treat, you’re doing it wrong. Loretta knows what’s good.
Mother’s - Don’t let the line scare you. It moves fast. Mother’s is home to “world famous” Po Boys and other local delicacies including gumbo, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. If you’re going to get one thing here though, let it be a Po Boy. Oven-roasted deli meats are piled high on a long bun with crisp classic toppings, condiments, and the perfect amount of au jus. The sandwiches are massive. You could split a half between two people. The serving staff can be, shall we say, abrasive? It’s all a part of the fun. Just roll with it (pun intended).
Wandering off the beaten path is a little museum chock full of food history. The Southern Food and Beverage Museum has exhibits ranging from the history of Popeyes Restaurant to a collection of antique mixers to curated displays of food specialties of each Southern U.S. state.
For about ten dollars and a couple of hours worth of time, you’ll come out armed with trivia that will be of great use should you ever appear on Jeopardy with a column dedicated to Southern Cooking. There’s also a bar inside that has some historical significance. The woman at the information booth told us about its history, but we were more interested in grabbing a sipping cocktail as we toured around. It’s the only museum we’ve been to where you’re actively encouraged to sip as you go. Several times a week the museum features cooking classes that are open to the public.
If you’re looking to escape the hustle, bustle, and debauchery of the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, The Garden District is a charming and romantic escape. Giant Oak Trees and Southern historic mansions line streets that are dotted with unique boutiques and restaurants. This neighborhood is one of the places in New Orleans where the elite call home. The trolley median divides the streets and you can easily hitch a ride here. There are plenty of ornate homes and gardens that offer guided tours for a nominal fee, or you can sign up for a walking tour.
Another terrific, not-to-miss highlight in The Garden District is the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. It’s creepy, it’s kooky and slightly spooky. Gothic tombstones and graves with the remains of New Orleans' most famous and infamous dearly departed residents have been laid to rest here. This is no place to whip out the Ouija board.
The city is also home to a truly one-of-a-kind museum - Mardi Gras World. This complex takes you behind the scenes and history of New Orleans' most famous carnival. Blaine Kern, one of the original craftsmen of Mardi Gras floats, is known as Mr. Mardi Gras and his work is on display all over the massive facility. Enormous floats and costumes take up nearly every square inch of the studio. You’ll see dozens of floats in various stages of production being carved, primed and painted, glittered, glitzed, and ready for showtime.
Read more about our visit to Mardi Gras World here.
A free shuttle leaves at select times from Canal Street and will drop you off here. With a relatively low admission rate for the museum, (around USD$22 at the time of publishing) you’ll be led on a semi-private tour around the parade workshop. This tour is appropriate for older children, teens, and adults of all ages.
Whether you’re on a short cruise port stopover, a long weekend, or are here for a week, New Orleans won’t disappoint. There’s something for everybody and you can party hard, or not at all. Its beauty and long-standing traditions make up the lifeblood of the city. Simply put - it’s one of a kind and one of the most unique places in the U.S.
