Discover New Orleans: Splurge or Save with These Week-Long Itineraries

Aug 23

11 min read

Welcome to New Orleans - a city so full of life, it could bottle up the good times and sell them by the gallon (and in fact, it often does, especially in the form of cocktails). Growing up an hour away from New Orleans, this city has always had such a warm place in my heart. NOLA has the friendliest locals, a vibrant music scene from jazz music to New Orleans bounce, delicious food and drinks, tons of history, festivals, and other attractions to keep you busy for days!

The city has a little something for everyone so throughout this guide I have provided both affordable and splurge options. Travel the city at your own pace and enjoy all that The Big Easy has to offer!

Accommodations

New Orleans has plenty of hotel and Airbnb options to choose from! Just know that the city can go from "quaint and cozy" to "maybe I should walk faster" quickly. This is not a city I would recommend toughing it out in so be sure to read up on the area before booking your stay. For walkability and easy access to main attractions, staying near the French Quarter is a popular spot for tourists. The French Quarter is a constant party so it can be louder at night, but it is generally more populated and usually has local law enforcement and security nearby for safety.

If you are looking for something a little quieter but still nearby, I would highly recommend checking out the Garden District. If you stay near Magazine Street you'll have easy access to shopping and dining and can jump on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar to the French Quarter!

New Orleans Transportation

New Orleans has a variety of transportation options that make it easy to get around the city:

Walking - New Orleans has several walkable neighborhoods including the French Quarter, Garden District, and Marigny.
Streetcars - The Streetcars are great for getting the full New Orleans experience and can be a very inexpensive way to get around. Current costs are $1.25/ride or you can purchase a Jazzy Pass for unlimited rides ($3 for one day, $9 for three days, $15 for five days). There are 4 main streetcar lines:
- St. Charles Avenue Line - The oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world, running from the French Quarter through the Garden District and Uptown
- Canal Street Line - Connects the riverfront with Mid-City and City Park, with a branch to the cemeteries
- Riverfront Line - Runs along the Mississippi River, connecting the French Quarter to the Convention Center and the Aquarium
- Rampart/St. Claude Line - Runs from Canal Street, through the French Quarter, to the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods
Ride-Sharing Services - Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout New Orleans and can be a great option if you've eaten way too many beignets that day or let's be real, if you've just had too many hand grenades on Bourbon Street.
Biking - New Orleans has bike-sharing services like Blue Bikes which cost $1 to unlock and 15 cents per minute to ride. Just remember, the potholes have their own zipcodes here so be very careful when biking
Pedicabs - Pedicabs are mainly available in the French Quarter and usually charge by the block or by time
Car Rentals - If you plan to do day trips or explore multiple areas of New Orleans, car rentals can be a great option and there are generally many parking options throughout the city

Safety

Like many big cities, New Orleans has a bit of a reputation for crime. I've spent plenty of time here and never had any issues but when exploring the city, I would follow these safety tips:

Stay very aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when in the French Quarter. When possible, stick to main streets and areas with good lighting, especially at night.
Avoid walking alone at night especially in deserted areas
Keep your valuables secure in a crossbody bag or money belt and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry. Make sure to keep your bag in front of you, particularly in crowded areas like Bourbon Street
Avoid Risky Neighborhoods! Plan your routes out in advance to avoid more dangerous areas in the city including Central City, Treme, Seventh Ward, Lower Ninth Ward, Gert Town, New Orleans East, etc.
Drink Responsibly! New Orleans is known for its vibrant nightlife and very strong drinks. Never leave your drink unattended and be very cautious if a stranger offers you a drink
Avoid the Street Scams - These are very common in New Orleans. Many people will come up to you and drape beads around your neck and ask you to pay for it, it's common for people to also offer to tell you "where you got your shoes." Most of the time it's locals trying to get a dollar out of you
If it feels wrong or off, then leave! Always trust your gut when traveling in New Orleans

New Orleans Day 1: French Quarter & Mississippi River

Morning

Kick off your NOLA adventure with breakfast at Bear Cat Cafe. There are so many delicious dishes on the menu but their biscuits and crisp potatoes are not to be missed! If you are looking for a more affordable option, Molly's Rise and Shine is also a great way to start your morning!

After breakfast, I would recommend heading to Jackson Square for a French Quarter Mule Tour - these tours are very popular and fill up quickly so depending on what day you are going, I would make reservations ahead! These tours can be pricey so if you are looking to explore the city on a budget, consider taking a self-guided tour of the French Quarter instead.

Lunch/Afternoon

For lunch, I recommend heading to Oceana Grill! This is my favorite restaurant in New Orleans and if you're an oyster fan, their chargrilled oysters are some of my favorites! If you are looking for a more affordable option, but want to experience a New Orleans staple try out Verti Marte for a po'boy!

Spend your afternoon walking the Riverwalk, checking out the shops and if you have time I would recommend checking out The Aquarium!

Evening

End your day by doing a sunset dinner cruise on the iconic, Steamboat Natchez. You'll get a great dinner experience and get to see the sun set over the Mississippi River! If the Steamboat Natchez is out of budget, you can have a much more affordable Mississippi River experience by taking a ride on the Algiers ferry and grab dinner at nearby Coop's Place.

New Orleans Day 2: Arts and History

Morning

Begin your day by grabbing breakfast at Elizabeth's for a taste of true Southern comfort, or save some cash and visit Petite Clouet Cafe before heading to the New Orleans Museum of Art. The Museum of Art is the city's oldest fine arts institution and has a very impressive collection including a Sculpture Garden as well!

Want to visit the New Orleans Museum of Art on the Cheap? Here are a few tips:

If you are a Louisiana resident you receive free admission every Wednesday into the Museum of Art!
The museum also collaborates with the New Orleans Public Library's Culture Pass program and Ascension Parish Library's Adventure Pass program to provide free general museum admission with advance registration through each library system as well!
If you are using public transportation to the museum, you receive $3 off one adult general museum admission ticket if you show your same-day ticket or receipt from the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority buses or streetcars or from the Blue Bikes rideshare network
If you are or are traveling with an active-duty military personnel, a senior age 65 or above, or a University student with ID, ask about receiving other additional discounts!
Children and youth up to age 19 receive free general museum admission

Lunch/Afternoon

After spending your morning exploring the New Orleans Museum of Art it's time to continue on with the delicious New Orleans food classics. If you are looking for more of an upscale dining experience I would recommend stopping at the well-known Commander's Palace. If you are looking for a more casual and budget-friendly option, enjoy a classic muffuletta at Central Grocery & Deli!

After getting your fill of delicious New Orleans food, resist the urge to fall into a food coma and make your way to the World War II Museum for a deep dive into history! This museum is one of the best history museums I've been to. This place is completely packed with history and there are often volunteer World War II veterans near the entrance to talk and share their own experiences. It is an extra charge, but I highly recommend spending the extra money and time to see the 4D immersive video they have put together.

This museum is free for World War 2 Veterans and offers discounted tickets for Seniors (65+), Children (K-12), Military (with ID), and Students (with ID). If you are a Louisiana resident, they also offer a 50% discount!

Evening

After a day of exploration, you deserve some relaxation and luckily The Big Easy has plenty of options! One of the New Orleans favorites is the Carousel Bar & Lounge. Yes, the bar actually rotates, and no, it's not just the drinks making your head spin! If you are looking for a more casual and affordable evening check out Buffa's Bar & Restaurant.

New Orleans Day 3: Garden District & Magazine Street

Morning

Get your start early in the Garden District with breakfast at Surrey's Cafe & Juice Bar. You will need plenty of carbs and coffee to begin exploring the Garden District! If you're okay with splurging, take a guided walking tour of the Garden District to learn more about the history and architecture that give this area of the city such a special feel. Free Tours By Foot and Nola Tour Guy offer free, tips-based tours if you are looking for more budget-friendly options and there are also self-guided walking tours available.

Lunch/Afternoon

For a more upscale experience grab lunch at Napoleon House or you can head to Stein's Market & Deli for an affordable and tasy meal. Relax during the afternoon, exploring Magazine Street shops and wrapping up seeing all of the Garden District sights!

Evening

Spend your evening getting a taste of Creole classics at Dooky Chase's Restaurant. This place is absolutely delicious, but can be on the expensive side! If you are looking for a much more casual and budget-friendly option I highly recommend my college-staple of Dat Dog! Dat Dog is known for it's quirky hot dogs and sausages that always hit the spot. If you aren't completely exhausted by now - Take advantage of the chill night by relaxing or grab drinks in the French Quarter!

New Orleans Day 4: Sazerac House & Cemetery Tour

Morning

Begin your day with breakfast at Who Dat Coffee Cafe for a strong start to your day before heading to Sazerac House to learn about the history of cocktails! If you are looking for a budget-friendly experience the Sazerac House offers a free tour that goes over the history of the classic New Orleans Sazerac cocktail. If you love cocktails and history there are many more immersive paid tours and tastings to provide a more thorough experience! Who says learning can't be fun?

Lunch/Afternoon

Grab lunch at The Company Burger for a gourmet take on the classic American burger! This isn't your average burger joint - expect gourmet patties, fancy toppings, and a side of "where has this been all my life?" After relaxing and wrapping up lunch head to the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 for a tour. There are tons of amazing guided tours through the cemetery or you can opt for a self-guided or free tour. This cemetery is iconic in New Orleans and holds the distinction of being the oldest cemetery in the city of New Orleans and is the burial site of voodoo queen, Marie Laveau. Don't forget to leave an offering at Marie's tomb - rumor has it that she is still granting wishes!

Evening

Head to the French Quarter to try Pat O'Brien's famous hurricanes and enjoy the live music and food! If you are looking for a more budget-conscious place to spend the evening, opt to go over to Port of Call for their famous Monsoon cocktails.

New Orleans Day 5: Frenchman Street & Jazz

Morning

Grab breakfast at the iconic Cafe Du Monde for their beignets and Cafe au lait (coffee milk). Cafe Du Monde can get very crowded so I recommend getting there early to beat the crowds. If you have a car, maybe take the extra drive out to their Metairie location for the same food with less of the crowds.

Crowds and beignets not your thing? Head over to Camellia Grill for more old-school charm and sassy waitstaff that will give you a breakfast experience as memorable as the food.

After breakfast take your time exploring Jackson Square art and shops. This is where New Orleans' creative soul shines. There are often street performers that gather here on the weekend if you want to take the time to watch the local shows or get your tarot cards read! Artists gather in the square turning everything into a colorful spectacle. After exploring Jackson Square, take a walk over to the French Market!

The French Market is a great place to visit for a more affordable shopping experience. Many of these vendors are local businesses and are open to negotiating on a lot of their items. There is tons of food and great street musicians if you'd like to relax and get some people watching in!

Lunch/Afternoon

After exploring Jackson Square and French Quarter, there are two great options for lunch! If you want a more upscale seafood experience, head over to Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House which also features an amazing smoked Old Fashioned. If you're looking for an affordable, but no less tasty food option head over to Willie Mae's Scotch House for their award-winning fried chicken.

Afterward, walk off all of the calories by visiting Mardi Gras World Museum to get an insider's look into Mardi Gras' float construction, and the history and culture of Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans! Even if you're not visiting during Mardi Gras, this is a great way to get more of a NOLA Mardi Gras Experience.

Mardi Gras World offers discounted tickets for Seniors (65+) and Students as well!

Evening

Head over to Frenchman Street for my favorite New Orleans experience - live jazz music! My favorite spot to check out is Spotted Cat Music Club, but it can be pretty crowded. Other jazz favorites that I would recommend are: D.b.a., Blue Nile, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, and The Maison. No matter where you end up, the music is guaranteed to be phenomenal!

New Orleans Day 6: Vintage New Orleans & Riverfront

Morning

Grab breakfast at HiVolt Coffee for a great experience on all budgets! After breakfast, begin your day with a relaxing walk along the Mississippi Riverfront taking in the New Orleans city views.

Lunch/Afternoon

After your morning walk, you have two of my favorite options for lunch! For a more luxurious meal in a historic courtyard check out Court of Two Sisters. Their courtyard makes you feel like you are stepping back in time! One of my other favorite lunch spots is St. Roch Market. This is a less well-known spot, but is filled with tons of local vendors and affordable food options. This is a great option if you are traveling with a group and everyone is craving a little something different!

After lunch, I would recommend checking out the Prytania Theatre for a vintage movie experience. There are now two locations, but the original in Uptown on Prytania St. is not to be missed. It is a single screen theatre that is over 100 years old and is still operated by the Brunet Family. This theatre is extremely old school and has vintage commercials and snacks with the iconic traditional movie theatre red carpets.

Evening

After catching a movie, head over to El Gato Negro for a delicious and budget-friendly meal and grab drinks after at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. This place is dimly lit and offers another very neat historical New Orleans experience as it has been serving drinks since the 1700s and remains one of the oldest bars in New Orleans! It is reputed to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the U.S. but there are some debates on that!

New Orleans Day 7: Final Day & Relaxation

For this final day, I would recommend relaxing and exploring through your favorite areas of the city. If you enjoy a party vibe, take the time to explore Bourbon Street and enjoy your last day there! There is also the Audubon Zoo and Insectarium nearby that can be great to explore.

For some final food options, I would recommend grabbing breakfast at Cafe Degas or Ruby Slipper Cafe for a strong start to your day! If you haven't gotten to experience a classic, Louisiana Po'boy check out the lunch spot Melba's Poboys! End your day by grabbing dinner at Coop's Place or Deanie's Seafood and wrapping up with a classic hand grenade drink at Tropical Isle for a memorable night or go enjoy some jazz music on Frenchman at The Maison for a more relaxed evening.

New Orleans isn't just a city - it's a whole vine. I am a little biased, but New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the world to explore. Anywhere you go, locals are always friendly, upbeat and down to have a great time! New Orleans truly lives by the motto "Laissez bon temps rouler" (Let the good times roll)!