New Orleans, Nola, The Big Easy. Call it whatever name you want, this city is bursting with culture and flavor, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with her.
Everything in this post was done over a 2.5-day weekend and was just what I would consider the tip of the iceberg. It would be easy to stay a week or longer and still feel like there were sights left unseen and adventures left undone.
So, let this post be a starting point, but know the Crescent City holds far more to see and do than one post could dream of tackling. Also, book some things, but leave yourself time to wander and explore without an itinerary. That’s when the best adventures find us.
Now, without further adieu, your guide to a weekend in the Big Easy!
The French Quarter
You don’t really need an itinerary to enjoy the French Quarter. Just walking and sightseeing can consume hours, not to mention the time you’ll take stopping to listen to bands playing along the street or watching artists at their craft. There is SO much to see and do.
Getting Around
Whether you drive or fly to the Big Easy, the city is extremely walkable.
That said, getting from one district to another will have you on your feet all day. Uber or other taxi services are a great way to get around the city without trying to navigate and dodge pedestrians.
Although we had a car, we called an Uber anytime we wanted to get from our hotel to the French Quarter. It saved a lot of time and headache having someone else tackle the drive.
Where to Stay
Although you’ll want to stay in the French Quarter in an attempt to be close to everything, don’t. The Warehouse District and the Garden District are both short drives from the Quarter and will give you much more peace and quiet when you’re ready to call it a day.
What to Do
If you don’t know anything about New Orleans, you’ve probably at least heard of Cafe Du Monde. I was no different and knew that they were famous for their beignets. However, I assumed they were a local breakfast spot serving typical breakfast/brunch fare.
Wrong.
Their menu only consists of beignets and coffee! And this turns out to be a win. Not as planned, we slept in and did not make it to the restaurant when it opened at 7:30 am. Instead, we showed up with the rest of the tourists around 10:00 am.
The line to the restaurant was down the street. We were initially hesitant to join the line, thinking it would be hours before we got a table. However, much to our surprise, the line moved really quickly, and within 25-30 minutes, we were sitting down to order our two orders of beignets and coffee.
I read about this brunch spot on a blog I know and love and didn’t hesitate to add it to my New Orleans itinerary. However, upon arriving at the restaurant, I was immediately surprised to find that the brunch was served buffet style.
Nothing against buffets, but they aren’t usually my go-to. So, if you can get around the buffet piece, there are a few positives about this venue.
The brunch offers an assortment of Cajun cuisine that allows patrons to sample a variety of things, from turtle soup to red beans and rice, without devoting a whole meal to it.
In addition to the traditional buffet lines, there is an additional line for omelets and egg benedicts.
The jazz ensemble is also a nice touch to an already beautiful building and brunch setting. The patio area is quite popular, and in the spring, the vines overhead blossom into large purple Wisteria booms.
On the list of musts in New Orleans, a jazz brunch at Commander’s Palace is definitely at the top. This is another great way to sample some of Louisiana’s signature dishes in an upscale atmosphere.
The brunch is set up for three courses: starter, entree, and dessert. Price for brunch is based on the entree, which ranges between $40-$60.
In between courses, you’ll enjoy the small jazz band that makes its way around the room playing requests. Don’t be surprised if the servers insist you jump up and take part in a Second Line! Be sure to grab your napkin for twirling before you hit the floor! (More on the Second Line tradition here.)
Pro Tip: There is a dress code! Business attire. No flip-flops, denim pants, etc. Jackets are preferred for men.
Pro Tip: Be sure to have some extra cash on hand to tip the band.
No matter where you go in New Orleans, you’ll be surrounded by music. However, if you want a more intimate music experience, you must see a show at Preservation Hall.
Shows last about 45 minutes and the venue offers bench-style seating or standing room in the back. The standing room area isn’t uncomfortable, but try to get seating if you can. You’ll enjoy the show more if you can take a load off your feet while you listen.
Want to sample the type of stuff you’ll hear? Spotify has a Preservation Hall playlist you’ll want to check out!
HIEUX Boil Seafood House
We knew we wanted to get a low country boil while in New Orleans, and HIEUX was the perfect place. Their food was amazing, portions were HUGE, and the staff (and patrons) were so very kind.
It’s a little bit of a drive outside of the French Quarter, but if you’re wanting a really good boil, this is it.
For a little different seafood variety, Felix’s offers everything from raw oysters to turtle soup.
I especially enjoyed the Bayou Platter Sampler (three bowls pictured here) that allowed us to try jambalaya, red beans and rice, and crawfish etouffee.
Jackson Square
The square is really the heart of the French Quarter, and you can’t miss it.
The beautiful St. Louis Cathedral immediately grabs your attention as soon as it comes into sight, and rightfully so. Erected for a second time in 1794 after a fire destroyed the original structure, the cathedral is as beautiful inside as it is out.
If you’d like to take a self-guided tour, you may do so for a $1 donation. For more information or to schedule a guided tour click here.
You’ll also find plenty of shops all around the Square’s borders, musicians on the sidewalks, and dozens of local artists showcasing their work.
The French Market
Another fun place to check out while you’re exploring the French Quarter is the French Market.
Inside you’ll find a food court-style stretch of restaurants serving up various New Orleans dishes, as well as local vendors and artisans.
Frenchmen Street
Can’t get enough of the jazz scene? Then Frenchmen Street is where you want to be. Much smaller than Bourbon Street, this area is lined with restaurants and jazz clubs and makes for the perfect Saturday night.
An Uber driver described it to us as “where the locals go for music,” and I knew that sounded like a win.
One of the more popular clubs is the Spotted Cat Music Club. You may pay a small cover (we paid $5 to come and go all night), but it will be worth it.
Take a Walk on the Weird Side
Ok, now let’s talk about what New Orleans is known for: the weird stuff! From curbside bone readings to death-themed museums, Nola is the place to go for some spine-chillingly spooky stuff!
That being said, consider planning your trip around Halloween to get extra festive with your All Hallow’s Eve fun!
Ghost and voodoo tours are around every turn in the French Quarter and, because the area is saturated with some pretty dark history, you’ll definitely want to find one that sparks your interest and take in some stories. I personally really enjoyed the walking tour of the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Again, there are several cemetery tours, so you really can’t go wrong. This particular tour showcases the tomb of Marie Leavou, voodoo priestess, as well as the already-prepared burial plot of Nicholas Cage (the pyramid-shaped tomb pictured here).
You’ll learn the mind-blowing (yet efficient) way bodies are buried here to be able to hold the (currently) over 35,000 remains in such a tiny area.
Well, the name says it all with this one.
Inside, you’ll find letters to and from serial killers, an in-depth video on the embalming process, and endless oddities surrounding burial rituals, murders, massacres, and more.
This is definitely worth a gander if you’re into the macabre or spooky travel.
That’s a Wrap!
I hope this post has gotten you excited to visit the Big Easy! New Orleans is such an incredible city that is rich in culture, amazing food, and the kindest people.
Southern hospitality is alive and well here and will have you planning your next trip down long before you head back home.
If there’s something you loved about New Orleans that I missed, please leave a comment so that I can check it out on my next visit!
Can’t get enough Southern hospitality? Check out my recent stay in Savannah, Georgia here!
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