New Orleans: where history and culture come together to create a vibrant, dynamic city. Follow your NOLA, and let adventure find you! We promise fun discoveries are waiting around practically every corner.
Day 1
French Quarter & Bourbon Street
Roam the French Quarter by day, and you’ll be rewarded with exciting sights. Talented street musicians serenade passersby, and historic European-styled buildings lining the avenues will transport you to a faraway time. History is available for purchase at dozens of antique shops. Don’t forget to make a pit stop to fuel up on beignets at the charming Cafe Beignet or world-famous Café du Monde (open 24 hours, so you can stop in no matter when the craving hits). Near the waterfront, St. Louis Cathedral dominates the view of Jackson Square by day, and fortune tellers line the Square by night.
Those looking for a raucous night will enjoy bar hopping along the infamous Bourbon Street. Bars line the street and offer to-go drinks in plastic cups, which is totally fine in NOLA since open container is legal here. Go just one or two streets over on Royal St or Chartres St, and you’ll find yourself in a more tranquil, laid back atmosphere with jazz bars and unique dining options away from the more gaudy tourist traps.
Day 2
Garden District
Elegance is the definition of NOLA’s Garden District. Wander Charles Ave by foot, bike, or trolly past antebellum mansions and pristine gardens that line the boulevard. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is a popular attraction of the area with raised tombs in family crypts dating back to 1833. Saint Charles Ave and Magazine Street run parallel to each other on the outer edges of the Garden District and offer good dining and shopping options. Also, if you’re fortunate to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, this is a great, low-key area to catch city-wide and local parades! Plus residents go all out and dress up their homes in full theme: yellow, green, and purple.
Day 3
Uptown, Carrollton & Magazine Street
Beautiful 19th century homes and small scale shops and cafes reinforce small town vibes in Uptown and Carrollton. The neighborhood has many stylish and eclectic stores and countless dining options. We got a good caffeine buzz after stopping in a few quaint coffee shops including Rue de la Course, which is set in a historic bank building.
Audubon Park
Audubon has a small city park meets Central Park feel. The paved trail loops around the central golf course for 1.8 miles beneath a shady canopy of moss-covered live oaks. Audubon Park is perfect spot to picnic and soak up some sun.
Foodie Must Eats
Sylvain – Set in a renovated carriage house originally built in 1776, Sylvain offers fresh American fare. Sylvain is an ode to impeccable Southern cooking at its finest. We loved the gulf shrimp crudo and champagne & fries pairing. Try to hit the restaurant at an off hour since they seat on a first come, first served basis. If you do have to wait, Sylvain’s excellent bar makes the time pass quickly.
Cavan – Starving and tired after a long day of exploring, we were thrilled to discover a mansion from 1880s converted into a dining room on the entry level and a bar on the second floor. Walking into the beautifully deteriorating mansion was like jumping back in time. We closed the place down sipping on cocktails after dinner upstairs and listening to the bartenders’ ghost stories. P.S. Do NOT skip dessert here–its 100% worth those extra calories!
Maple Street Patisserie – We found this pastry shop by chance wandering around Uptown. Apparently it was voted Best Bakery in New Orleans, and we’re not second guessing. Their king cake was amazing, not to mention creamy eclairs, delectable petit fours, and a guava turnover that sent our taste buds for a spin.
Vacation Vagabonds 