New Orleans- Guide, Itinerary & Highlights for the Perfect Trip- Couples, Girls & More!
- Brooke Amidei
- Oct 29, 2025
- 13 min read
Updated: Oct 30, 2025
So you’re headed to New Orleans? Lucky you. This city isn’t just a destination—it’s a full-on experience, one that comes with brass bands, beignets, and a whole lot of soul. When my husband and I started planning our trip, I did what any good travel-obsessed overthinker would do: I quizzed ChatGPT and more importantly, asked everyone I know for their best NOLA must-dos. Friends, friends of friends, the barista who once lived there—I wanted all the insider tips. The result? An itinerary packed with classics, hidden gems, and a few delightful detours. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or just need an excuse to dance down Bourbon Street with a po’boy in hand, here’s my tried-and-true guide to soaking up every bit of the Big Easy magic.
This was my third trip to New Orleans- my first with family, second with college girlfriends and this recent trip was with my husband to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Each one different, but all the same highlights!
Where to Stay
This is a tricky one. Even though I loved where we stayed on our last trip, your perfect New Orleans home base really depends on the kind of vibe you’re after. Want to be in the middle of the action, where the party practically spills onto your doorstep? Stay near Bourbon Street or in the heart of the French Quarter—you’ll be surrounded by live music, late-night bites, and all the energy that makes NOLA famous. If you’re more about the jazz clubs and a slightly more low-key (but still lively) scene, head to Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny area—it’s where locals go to hear incredible music without the chaos of Bourbon. For something slower-paced and impossibly charming, the Garden District is a dream: think oak-lined streets, historic mansions, and neighborhood cafes where you’ll feel like a local. The Warehouse District (also called the Arts District) is another great pick if you want to be close to the Quarter but crave a more modern, artsy feel with sleek hotels, museums, and great restaurants. And if you’re into trendy coffee shops, colorful cottages, and that cool local feel, the Bywater is calling your name—it’s creative, walkable, and full of personality.
We stayed at the swanky and famous Hotel Monteleone and it was gorgeous and iconic and wonderfully located to be central to all of the places we wanted to go, walking distance to all of our restaurants and right in the heart of it without being up all night hearing Bourbon Street chaos (just a block away makes a BIG difference). It is home to the well known and highly sought after bar stools at the Carousel Bar. I had imagined we would pop in there multiple times on our trip, but actually only had one drink there after having to squeeze our way in for one chair at the rotating bar. Although the espresso martini and experience was worth it and it should be a stop on your list as well! Overall, Hotel Monteleone had a great location, super comfy beds, small rooms and was always bustling without being Bourbon.
What to Do
This is not for the faint of heart. Either it has changed in the last ten years since I visited with my college girlfriends, or I've changed a lot in the last ten years (probably a combination of both!). It definitely gives spring break party vibes- cheaper than cheaper drinks, louder than loud music, a little sketchy feeling at times and also a little carefree fun at other times. If you go to NOLA, you gotta go to Bourbon Street and depending on what you are looking for, stay for a little or stay for awhile, but it is something you should see. I was disappointed that it is just annoyingly loud rap music and not more of what we were looking for, jazz. We did discover some good spots along Bourbon Street exploring during mid-day, mid-week (still a wild spot!).
Now this is the place for jazz hopping! This is the NOLA we sent in search of. A nice 15-20 minute walk from Bourbon street, Frenchman is just a little more than a block long but jam packed with some killer jazz bars including but not limited to the Spotted Cat, d.b.a, Blue Nile and more. Frenchman's street is the place to grab a stiff drink and soak up live jazz! The crowd will be lively and the music intoxicating. We spent as much time there as possible on our trip.
For the sweet, southern charm of NOLA take the streetcar to the Garden District. It has all those dreamy big oak trees covering the streets and gorgeous unique homes that you could spend hours walking by or just enjoying the streetcar view. We tried to get brunch at coveted Commander's Palace but missed the parts about no shorts on their dress code, so had to settle for their sister restaurant next door. No worries, when life gives you lemons, you order iced coffees and make picnic plans with a to-go crab croissant sandwich and explore more of the neighborhood.
Another wonderful spot worth exploring in the Garden District is Magazine Street. Think of Magazine Street as one of those charming “anti-tourist-tourist” spots in New Orleans: you’ll find beautiful old-southern architecture (Victorian, Greek Revival), tree-lined sidewalks, boutique shops, cafés and restaurants that feel local (not the mega-crowded chain zone).
In the Garden District stretch, it blends refined neighborhood elegance with retail-and-food energy. It is 6 miles long and we walked the entirety from Commander's Palace back down to the French Quarter and it was lovely! A French Truck Coffee in hand, a stop for a beer and to cheer on the Saints at Bulldog Brewery and a stop at Deanies for BBQ shrimp and a PoBoy as well as a lot of window shopping, I felt like we got a good introduction into a little more local side of NOLA. A truly, lovely day.
This is home to the St. Louis Cathedral and is one of the more iconic must-see spots for a trip to NOLA. It is in the heart of the French Quarter boasting a lot of history with the energy of local street artists and even more wonderful are all of the shops, restaurants and bars on the streets such as Royal just surrounding the Square. You can spend hours in this area entertaining yourselves with food, drink, shop hopping and window shopping!
Where to Eat
This restaurant came highly recommended to me by a friend that visits NOLA often and is also an avid seafood fan and it did not disappoint! We made reservations for our anniversary dinner and the ambiance was casually, upscale and the menu inventive. The service was off the charts and every dish we had, we loved. Surprisingly it was much more affordable than we thought it would be. Absolutely worth your time to make a reservation at GW Fins when you are visiting NOLA. Just off Bourbon Street, fine dining I'll be dreaming about for awhile now! I beg you to get a reservation.
Our first stop in NOLA was a direct route to Luke's for their famous happy hour and oysters! Honestly we should've gone back. W bellied up to the bar and everything on the menu was enticing us! Would highly recommend the oysters the Linderm... loaf with salted whipped butter and take advantage of happy hour drink specials on beer, wine and cocktails like the delicious French 75.
This was another highly recommended stop and it did not disappoint. We were told we had to get the BBQ shrimp and I'm glad we listened. They aren't slathered in BBQ sauce as you might guess, but instead sautéed in their signature buttery blend and served with a French baguette for dipping. Absolutely mouth watering! They are also known for their
Had the BBQ shrimp and fried oyster po-boy sandwiches. Our waiter recommended the fried oyster po-boy and was off the charts! Also- surprise! They serve hot potatoes and butter instead of bread and butter! One of our favorite meals during our trip.
You won't believe me when I say it, but on our latest trip we didn't visit Cafe du Monde. We fully intended to since it was my husband's first trip to NOLA, but he's not that into beignets or crowds, so instead we tried that at Cafe Beignet. There are multiple locations that have more of a local feel. I can attest the beignets were delicious and the coffee with chichory was divine. Our breakfast hash was just okay, but it wasn't meant to be the start of the show anyway.
Not one but TWO of my closest girlfriends made me promise to eat here! We did a late night reservation after a long afternoon at Frenchman's Street so we were ready for some food! Located right on Jackson Square, we both did the prefixe menu choosing an appetizer, main and dessert for $60. It was one of those meals where my husband ordered everything right. Mine was good, his was off the charts. Highlights were the tasso carbonara appetizer, the pecan crusted drum fish (out of this world), and the bread pudding with candied pecans and rum sauce. Mouth drooling yet?
This is the only spot we went to twice on the trip- Napoleon and had a ridiculously delicious muffalatta sandwich and more gumbo. (Let it be known that I did ask for the olive salad on the side.)
This is the bakery that got away. We sadly never made it here, but by the looks of the pics and the way my friend salivated while describing it, it should be on your list too.
Lower on the list but still worth mentioning:
This restaurant came highly recommended from a friend too and I think as our first dinner of the trip we had super high expectations. It was for sure delicious- we loved the duck gumbo, the Boudin Boulettes (that were a pork-ish meatball) and the New Orleans Barbecued Scallop Fettuccini in a bayou butter with scallops. Keep this one on the list for sure.
The only reason this isn't higher on the list is because of it's location. The food was seriously delicious. We enjoyed an anniversary brunch there with some pineapple mimosas and a very delicious meal including the best biscuits of our trip, cheesy grits, fried chicken and biscuits and really great sausage and bacon. Don't get me wrong, the location is great, it's just more in a normal city, business type area as oppossed to the hoopla and charm of New Orleans that we came to visit. Still a nice walk from the French Quarter, so don't count this one out if are looking for a great brunch spot.
Where to Drink
If I could tell you only once place to go in New Orleans, this would be it. The ambiance, the rich history (literally fascinating!), the delicious drinks and food, location, you name it! This is the only spot we went back to twice- once at night and once during the day. They are known for their Pimm's Cup, which happens to be a favorite of mine and the warm muffuletta sandwich which was off the charts! My husband had his first Sazerac here and it was one of our favorite spots, out of so many, on our trip!
The bartender at Napoleon House told us if we loved their bar, we also had to visit Paychaud's. It's an intimate cocktail bar not far away. It's named after the Paychaud's bitters enjoyed in many cocktails and the bar has an elegant, timeless feel to it. We had the French 75 and Milk Punch, but our favorite was Ramos Gin Fizz for 2!
A must do experience for any trip to New Orleans, located on Royal Street at the Hotel Monteleone. There were lines each day before it opens at 11 and it was still spinning and serving cocktails until midnight, always packed, always with people waiting to get one of the coveted seats. There are other seats around the carousel bar itself and in the lounge next it which might not be as fun, but you do get a great view of this gorgeous carousel! When you do get to a seat and get to order, espresso martinis are a popular choice, or any of the other local crafted cocktails they serve.
In the heart of the French Quarter is this oasis beckoning for you to come on in and enjoy a glass of champagne or wine either in the quaint courtyard or in the dimmly lit, kinda sexy interior.
This one called to us from the streets as we walked by with trumpets and piano and bass! A great afternoon crowd with the kind of look and feel and sounds that we had come to New Orleans for. Loved it! Great atmosphere and great live music! One of my favorite memories from our trip.
They can't all be cocktail suggestions, can they? French Truck is a family owned speciality coffee company based out of New Orleans and you will see them throughout the city. I would suggest trying the local favorite which is a blend of coffee and chicory that is bold, yet smooth. You'll hardly taste the difference from your regular coffee, but just a hint of something unique and special.
Talk about character! Built between 1722 and 1732 it is said to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States! It's known for it's "Purple Drank" and although we had to order one (tasted like a grape popcicle) we preferred to grab a pint and take in this historic establishment!
My friend who told us about this bar also said once you have your purple drank, then proceed to the nearby Verde Mart for a muffuletta sandwich at like one in the morning. It’s a tiny little bodega minimart that has sandwiches in the back. They’re amazing.
I had no idea this was an actual Inn even after going there! Looking it up now, it looks like their are five suites upstairs. What we found was the most hopping neighborhood bar! We stopped in for a quick drink at this neighborhood favorite and felt like a local! It was packed on a Tuesday afternoon and really had the most local vibe of anywhere we went.
This is a premium spirits, classic cocktails and fine cigar type of bar. Originally built in the late 1800s it has that cool vintage feel that makes you want to belly up or sink into a cozy booth and sip on something special. I see that next door in the restaurant there are great Sunday Jazz Brunch offerings and Jazz Bistro dining which are probably worth checking out right on Bourbon Street.
We didn't make it to this rooftop bar in Uptown, but I LOVE a rooftop bar and this one came highly recommended. On top of the Pontchartrain Hotel chic atmosphere with a 1940s artistic space. Get it on your list.
Other Highlights
I don't think the name "swamp tour" really does it justice. My husband and I did this on a whim with Airboat Adventures. We had been hesitant to do it thinking it would be cheesy, but both of us were glad we did. Not only was it fun with a little sense of adventure, but it was also surprisingly beautiful and in parts very relaxing. We also learned a lot about the importance of this type of terrain for storms. Worth a few hours of your trip to get a feel for New Orleans outside the city streets.
Sazerac is a classic New Orleans cocktail, designated as the "city's cocktail". Traditinally made with rye whiskey, absinthe, Peychaud's bitters, a sugar cube and lemon peel. After learning this (and loving this) we visited the Sazerac House Museum and Tasting Room. It was a serious museum and I realized as much as we like our cocktails we had a lot to learn! During our self guided tour, we learned about new drinks and types of alcohol we'd never heard of getting to sample along the way. We did end up spending almost spending $200 on souvenirs in their shop so we can recreate these concoctions back home!
We tried twice to visit Sweet Lorainnes and didn't time it right either time. It is said to be the finest jazz restaurant and lounge in New Orleans and is just a short walk from Frenchman's Street. Definitely making this happen on our next trip!
This is another jazz venue that got away. I only learned about it from the giant line outside on a Tuesday late afternoon and had to look it up. Traditional New Orleans jazz nightly since 1961. Their mission is to protect, preserve and perpetuate New Orleans music through education and ongoing support of elder members of their musical community.
The Outdoor Market
A friend's recommendation- swap meet vibes where everyone goes for souvenirs, also nearby where the famous beignets are, we did this 10 years ago but it's always crowded so prepare to wait in line!
Bike Tour
Another must-do from a friend who frequents NOLA.
Caesars Casino
Same friend says this is always a good time, especially if it's raining!
If you're feeling a little frisky, this is the gentleman's club that my self described "square" friend has recommended. Her honest review is that the dancers are so beautiful and talented. They just say hard No to private dances or any extras in general and just have a few drinks, they have really good high vibes there, super classy not trashy at all!
No matter where you decide to go and what you decide to do, soak in the rich NOLA flavor, sounds and culture! What a city and what a trip!
Here is a work from itinerary for your trip to NOLA. Don't try to follow it exactly, but this will get you set-up for a really great trip!
3-Day New Orleans Itinerary (Simple + Soulful)
Day 1 – French Quarter Vibes
Morning:
Start with breakfast at Café Beignet (skip the crowds at Café du Monde). Order chicory coffee and a plate of beignets.
Walk to Jackson Square — take in the St. Louis Cathedral, browse local street artists, and wander Royal Street for shops, antiques, and galleries.
Lunch:
Grab a muffuletta and Pimm’s Cup at Napoleon House — one of the most charming spots in the Quarter.
Afternoon:
Visit Sazerac House (self-guided cocktail museum and tasting) and then stroll down Bourbon Street for a quick look (midday is best — less chaos). Pop into Arnaud’s French 75 Bar or Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for a drink and history fix.
Dinner:
Make a reservation at GW Fins for upscale seafood that’s worth every bite.
Evening:
Sip an espresso martini at the Carousel Bar (Hotel Monteleone) — a New Orleans must. If you’re still up for more, wander to Peychaud’s or Mahogany Jazz Hall for a nightcap and live tunes.
Day 2 – Garden District + Magazine Street
Morning:
Take the St. Charles Streetcar to the Garden District.
Try brunch at Willa Jean before you hit the streetcar or Commander's Palace (make sure to check the dress code!).
Afternoon:
Wander through the Garden District’s oak-lined streets and admire the homes.
Walk Magazine Street — six miles of charming boutiques, cafés, and local gems.
Grab a coffee at French Truck Coffee
Snack at Deanie’s Seafood (BBQ shrimp + fried oyster po’ boy!)
Dinner:
Try Kingfisher or other spot for inventive local dishes.
Or if you want more French Quarter flavor, head back and eat at Muriel’s on Jackson Square — the pecan-crusted drum fish is the star.
Evening:
Wind down at Patrick’s Bar Vin for a romantic glass of wine in their cozy courtyard.
Day 3 – Jazz, Swamps, & Rooftops
Morning:
Book a Swamp Tour with Airboat Adventures — it’s fun, beautiful, and surprisingly peaceful.
Afternoon:
Return to the city for a late lunch at Croissant D’Or Patisserie or a casual bite at Napoleon House (yes, again — it’s that good).
Explore the Outdoor Market and grab souvenirs.
Evening:
Head to Frenchmen Street for live jazz heaven — bounce between The Spotted Cat, Blue Nile, and d.b.a.
Try to catch a set at Preservation Hall or Sweet Lorraine’s if you can.
Nightcap:
Finish your trip in style at Hot Tin, the rooftop bar at the Pontchartrain Hotel — 1940s glam, killer views, and the perfect toast to your NOLA adventure.
Optional Add-Ons (if you have an extra day or energy):
Bike Tour through the city’s neighborhoods
Caesars Casino if it’s raining
Rick’s Cabaret if you’re feeling bold (classy, not trashy)
The Royal Inn for a casual drink among locals
Comments