36 Hours in New Orleans

As the most European city in America, waking up in New Orleans for the first time will leave you feeling alive, like you’ve teleported to a new world unlike anywhere else in the US. French influence is everywhere, from the iconic architecture to the flavor-explosion food that’ll leave you thinking everywhere else pales in comparison with its blandness. 36 hours in New Orleans is not nearly enough time to explore (or eat your way around), but you can get a good taste.

Culture oozes through the cuisine, cobblestone streets, street performers, and bars hidden in basements and alleyways. You may know the city by its nickname, “The Big Easy,” but do you know the history behind it? In the early 1900s, this city was known for how easy it was for musicians to find work here. Also known as “The Birthplace of Jazz,” if NOLA doesn’t get your toes tapping, one of their signature strong cocktails might.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway or a stop on a Southern Road trip, here are the must-dos for a first-time visit to New Orleans.

A New Orleans Food Guide

As the birthplace of Cajun/Creole, the food in New Orleans is a cuisine you can’t get anywhere else in the world, at least not this good. A blend of flavorful and homey southern cooking with influence from the French settlers, must-try dishes are seafood-heavy and include oysters, gumbo, po boys, etouffee, jambalaya, blackened redfish, and crawfish when in season. If the heavy, buttery, comfort food isn’t your cup of tea, you’re crazy, but you can also eat your weight in beignets.

Good Morning, NOLA

A Saturday morning is a perfect time to start your time in New Orleans. When you arrive, odds are you’re going to need some immediate sustenance to prepare yourself for a nighttime of revelry. Head straight to The Ruby Slipper Cafe for their all-day brunch and, dare I say, a mimosa? Try out the Bananas Foster Pain Perdu or get the whole experience with a Crawfish & Grits Benedict or Bayou Shrimp Benedict, which you can also mix and match to make a flight.

What to Do in New Orleans

Now comes the tricky part because how do you fit an entire city into a day? The answer is you pack it all in. Grab your walking shoes and get ready to explore. There are some excellent museums in the French Quarter like Mardi Gras World, which houses all the oversized floats and explains how they’re made, the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture, the Museum of Death for those fascinated with the macabre and the city’s darker underbelly, and closer to the water, the Jazz Museum. There’s also JAMNOLA, which is more of an experiential popup, and it will get you some great Instagram photos. If you are trying to work up an appetite for lunch or work off some of the morning calories, consider a more active adventure like kayaking the bayou or renting a bike to cover the most ground. Finally, you should probably experience some hocus pocus on your trip, so head over to Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo for all of your psychic and metaphysical needs.

Quick Refuel

After getting a taste of the city, regroup at Stanley’s for lunch, a New Orleans staple, which is also great for brunch if you have the time. Get adventurous with a Creole classic of French-fried frog legs or keep it simple with a shrimp po’ boy. They don’t take reservations, so if it’s looking crowded, throw your name on the list and spend the wait wandering around Jackson Square, a beautiful parkway right on the river dedicated to local hero Andrew Jackson. Pop in the St. Louis Cathedral because it is an absolutely stunning piece of architecture and meander or eat your way through the the French Market, one of the best outdoor bazaars anywhere. A quicker refuel would be to pick up charcuterie fix-ins at Picnic Provisions and head to Audubon Park to soak in the vibes.

What’s a vacation without snacks and happy hours?

One requirement for your time here is to try a beignet from Cafe Du Monde. While you might think of it as a tourist trap (only because of how well known it is), it is a must-visit for its sugary, powdery goodness and a great pick-me-up between excursions. But if your afternoon snack looks more like a cocktail, there are plenty of spots for that, too, if that isn’t obvious. Without being too cliche, every hour is happy hour in New Orleans, and you’ll find great deals on oysters and drinks from frozen monstrosities to classic cocktails. Stop by Brennan’s for sippers and their famed bananas foster or hello to Emeril Lagasse at one of his many restaurants. We recommend Meril.

The city of…tours?

In the afternoon, hit one of the many tours that New Orleans has to offer. The city is full of history (and not the boring kind). Haunted History Tours has some of the best, from Haunted Cemetery tours to a Haunted Pub Crawl, which will take about two hours and set you back just $25 making them great options to see the city without breaking the bank. Some tours will also get you out on the water to explore the swamps and the bayou. If you’ve never been on an airboat or paddlewheel, now is the time!

Nola After Dark

The recipe for a good night in Nola starts with a good meal, followed by good drinks and live music, and you can pretty much find that anywhere in town. For dinner, check out Cochon for classic Creole cooking in a contemporary setting or one of their sister restaurants, Herbsaint or Peche. In terms of a night on the town, the renowned Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street are must-sees, which is really a choose your own adventure for whatever whim and whimsy you’re looking to find. Preservation Hall is also a must for music lovers (advanced reservations required).

You can wander the street with a to-go drink in all shapes, sizes, and colors and take in the street scene, but don’t miss a signature hurricane, daiquiri, or hand grenade (essentially a Long Island sugar bomb) from Pat O’Brien’s party headquarters. There’s also Maple Leaf Bar for live music, The Spotted Cat for jazz, and French 75 for a more upscale spot to drink and dance the night away.

Time to Recover

Maybe you had a few too many last night or got a lot less sleep, but odds are you are looking for carbs and a little hair of the dog. Head over to Commander’s Palace for their Jazz Brunch to eat well and experience the famous atmosphere. For this one, men will need jackets, and there are no shorts allowed, so plan accordingly for one last hoorah, knowing it will absolutely be worth it.

Explore the Garden District

Whether you feel like you conquered the French Quarter yesterday or are simply looking for a fresh perspective, round out the rest of your time in the Garden District for a completely different look at the city (and which many say is their favorite area!). You can get there by the St. Charles Streetcar for $1.25 (make sure you have cash) and make a day of it. Hop on the Washington Station in the French Quarter, or pop by Magazine Street first for a little retail therapy.

Things to do in New Orleans for Kids

Despite the stereotypes and what you may have heard, it may surprise you to learn that New Orleans is extremely family-friendly and the perfect place to bring everyone from tiny Timmy to grandpa Joe. Everything desirable about the city can be transformed into a kid-friendly experience. Take a carriage ride around the city or roll down the river on the Steamboat Natchez. And for the most fun of all, head to City Park, which hosts the Museum of Art, a Train Garden, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and just about every other attraction one could ask for. It’s genuinely worthy of tacking on an extra day for.

Free things to do in New Orleans

New Orleans is one of those cities that can be done super luxe or super budget, depending on how you swing it. The best free thing to do, hands down, is listen to live music. Don’t be shocked if every street you turn down has a full band on the corner. Great music can be found at almost every bar venue, but for easy listening, outdoor concerts, check out the Musical Legends Park or Faubourg Brewing. Other free attractions include meandering along the Mississippi River, touring the Sazerac House, or people watching on Bourbon Street.

Add Mardi Gras to Your Bucket List

We can’t talk about New Orleans without talking about Mardi Gras, so here it goes. Culminating on Fat Tuesday, Carnival is actually celebrated for an entire season. It starts January 6th every year, otherwise known as King’s Day, and runs until the big event on Fat Tuesday (the date changes every year). On Fat Tuesday, the city is filled to the brim with people in costume and masks, watching parades, throwing beads, attending balls, and eating king cake. Many of the events are free and, contrary to popular belief, fun for the entire family. If you want to visit during this time, make sure to plan ahead as hotels book up fast. It’s a great bucket list experience, but you can get a taste of the fun anytime you visit.

Where to Stay in New Orleans

If you’re here for just a short visit, you want to be as centrally located as possible to capitalize on every second in the city, as most of New Orleans is very walkable. Two to check out Hotel Provincial and Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter. Hotel Monteleone actually has a piece of history in the lobby. It houses the Carousel Bar & Lounge, where you order a drink on a moving carousel, great for the ‘gram. Another solid upscale option is the Audubon Cottages to access the “oldest pool in New Orleans.” For boutique hotels that are a bit more budget-friendly, check out Hotel St. Pierre or Hotel Vinache.

36 Hours in New Orleans isn’t Enough… But You Can Get a Taste

From savoring gumbo at a historic restaurant to dancing to live jazz on Frenchmen Street, whether you’re strolling through the lush City Park, delving into the city’s rich history at the National WWII Museum, or indulging in the local cuisine, every moment in the Big Easy is an adventure. So, pack your bags, bring your appetite, and get ready to immerse yourself in the rhythm and flavors of one of the US’s most enchanting cities.

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