New Orleans has so many enticing options for a long weekend! We have covered all of the foods to try while in the Big Easy, but there is an abundance of activities to do besides the culinary aspects. Being a Certified New Orleans Travel Specialist, I have have been fortunate enough to experience a variety of activities. Let’s talk about some of my top suggestions for an enticing trip of your own.
I am not affiliated with Southwest, but I have to mention they have several non-stop flights to New Orleans. Personally Southwest is my go-to for trips such as this just because admittedly I am a chronic over packer and I like the fact I don’t have to pay baggage fees.
I don’t really feel it is necessary to rent a car in New Orleans. You can walk around town, which gives you a chance to truly immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this unique city. If you choose to do this, be forewarned the streets are old and the sidewalks are uneven so wear flat, comfortable shoes.
There are also plenty of Ubers and Lyft vehicles to help get you to different destinations. My personal favorite way to travel is via street car. A one way ticket is generally $1.25/ticket so I usually pay for a jazzy pass which allows unlimited trips per day. The nice thing about it is there are 5 different street cars that connects the main sections of the French Quarter and there are plenty of stops to be able to hop off close to your desired locations.
Bourbon Street……Although it’s not my preferable hangout, I can’t write about New Orleans without mentioning arguable it’s most infamous street. I think everyone should pay it a visit while in The Big Easy. There’s plenty of bars where you can pick up a drink and enjoy the sights, soak in the ambiance, or just people watch. I failed to mention previously that drinking on the street is perfectly legal. Heck, they practically encourage it. My favorite tasty beverages are the refreshing daiquiris from Fat Tuesday.
As far as nightlife, I prefer Frenchman Street over Bourbon Street any night. It just has a different feel to it. Jazz music can be heard from every bar/club so if you like jazz, it may be more the area for you. Plus it feels cleaner to me than Bourbon, and it doesn’t feel as touristy.
One of my favorite places to spend time in New Orleans is Jackson Square. I love seeing the local artistry from the pop-up art stands and there are a lot of other quaint shops in that area also. Sipping a drink on the balcony of Muriel’s is one of my favorite places to soak in the sights of Jackson Square. It is close to St. Louis Cathedral which is unbelievably beautiful, both inside and out. Also a must while in Jackson Square is enjoying hot, powdered sugar covered beignets from Cafe Du Monde.
There is plenty of architecture and historic buildings to admire throughout the French Quarter. I have never been as intrigued by the different styles of buildings and houses in New Orleans, than anywhere else I have seen in the U.S. My all time favorite area to be awed by beautiful, historic homes is the Garden District. It happens to be the area where most of the celebrities that live in the area call home.
Another of my favorite activities is sailing down the Mississippi River on the Steamboat Natchez. You can partake in only the cruise portion, or you can enjoy Sunday brunch, lunch or dinner while listening to jazz and seeing the city from a different prospective.
Being that New Orleans is known as a haunted city, there are plenty of educational haunted tours throughout the city. You can learn about the why it is considered one of the most haunted cities in the world. There are also cemetery tours, believe it or not. The interesting thing about cemeteries in New Orleans is that they are comprised of above-ground tombs, sometimes holding entire families. I am not usually a huge fan of hanging out in cemeteries, but this is one of my recommendations because it was so fascinating.
My favorite place to do my souvenir shopping (mostly for my office and home) is French Market. You can find clothing, bags, one-of-a-kind New Orleans trinkets, and all at a fraction of the price that you would pay in comparison to other souvenir shops throughout the city.
If you have ever made it down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you know this isn’t your average parade. The floats are extraordinary! There is a place called Mardi Gras World where you can see behind-the-scenes of how floats are made. I was able to get up close to the floats, and see reminiscence of Mardi Gras past. It left me with a true appreciation to the artistry that goes into every detail that are often missed when the floats are rolling by.
If you have any time left, and can travel a little outside the city, I also recommend taking a swamp tour or a plantation tour. One you are in the bayou, seeing alligators and wildlife up close; the other you are able to experience the history of some truly beautiful mansions. Both of the tours last several hours, so it is really something you have to carve out time. Unfortunately that means less time in the heart if the city, which already has so much to offer!
