A Practical Weekend in New Orleans
A concrete 48 hour plan for jazz, food, and architecture.
New Orleans is a city of specific rhythms. To see it correctly in a weekend, you need to balance the chaos of the French Quarter with the slower pace of the Garden District. You should avoid trying to see everything and instead focus on a few key neighborhoods. This itinerary assumes a Friday evening arrival and a Sunday afternoon departure.
Where to Base Yourself
Your choice of hotel determines how much time you spend in traffic.
Budget Options
$150 to $190 per night will get you into The Quisby in the French Quarter, which is ideal for those who want to be within walking distance of Café du Monde. Alternatively, The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in the Central Business District offers old-world brick and a library bar, and it is a five-minute walk to Bourbon Street.
Mid-range Options
$250 to $340 per night allows for The French Market Inn in the French Quarter, where you can access spice stalls right from the front door. For a quieter stay, The Hotel St. Marie in the Garden District puts you near the boutiques of Magazine Street. Hotel Peter & Paul is another mid-range option available in the city.
Luxury Options
$550 to $900 per night is the range for The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans in the Central Business District, which features a full-service spa.
Friday: The Arrival
Once you land at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which is 12 mi from the French Quarter, head straight to your hotel. If you are staying in the Central Business District, start your trip with a fried shrimp po' boy at Mother's. For a different dinner option, Torshi is available for those seeking a meal before settling in for the night.
Saturday: The Core Experience
Saturday is for the high-energy center of the city.
Morning
Start at the French Market with Café du Monde. You will spend $5 to $7 on beignets and chicory coffee, and the visit usually takes 30 min. Afterward, visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Entry is $15 and a guided tour is an additional $5. You will spend about 1.5 hrs walking among the above-ground tombs.
Afternoon
Head to the Bywater neighborhood for lunch at Coop's Place. A po' boy with fried catfish and a craft beer costs $12 to $15 and takes about 45 min. Spend your afternoon at the National WWII Museum to see the immersive exhibits.
Evening
Avoid the tourist traps of Bourbon Street. Instead, go to Frenchmen Street. You can drop into The Spotted Cat for live jazz with a $10 cover. You will likely spend 2 to 3 hrs here. To end the night, visit Preservation Hall for an intimate acoustic set of traditional jazz. Tickets cost $20 to $30 for a 1 hr show.
Sunday: The Quiet Side
Sunday is about slower movement and architecture.
Morning
Take a Garden District self-guided walk. This is free and takes about 2 hrs. You will see mansions with heavy ironwork and the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 gate.
Afternoon
Walk over to Magazine Street to browse vintage shops and boutiques. For lunch, you have two strong options. You can get a roast-beef po' boy at Liuzza's by the Track or a muffuletta at Central Grocery. If you have a few hours before your flight, visit City Park's New Orleans Museum of Art & Sculpture Garden. The museum ticket is $15 and the visit takes about 1 hr.
Concrete Trip Data
| Activity | Estimated Cost | Estimated Duration | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café du Monde | $5 to $7 | 30 min | French Quarter |
| St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 | $20 | 1.5 hrs | French Quarter |
| Coop's Place | $12 to $15 | 45 min | Bywater |
| The Spotted Cat | $10 cover | 2 to 3 hrs | Frenchmen Street |
| Preservation Hall | $20 to $30 | 1 hr | French Quarter |
| Garden District Walk | Free | 2 hrs | Garden District |
| Cajun Encounters | $45 | 4 hrs | Outskirts |
The Final Takeaway
The biggest mistake visitors make in New Orleans is spending their entire trip on Bourbon Street. While it is the most famous road in the city, it is often too loud and overpriced for a real experience. You will find better music on Frenchmen Street and better food at no-frills spots like Parkway Bakery & Tavern. If you only have one full day, skip the souvenir shops and prioritize a walk through the Garden District and a set at Preservation Hall. These two experiences capture the actual spirit of the city.