Jackson Square
Day 1
Morning
The French Quarter
Although New Orleans is much more than the French Quarter, this is where many of the tourists stay and if you are short on time it's the best base, to be in the centre of the action.
Start by orientating yourself to this lovely area. The French Quarter is popular for its collection of great restaurants, cool hotels, and happening bars. This area is also easy to walk around and is well known for its beautiful architecture. It's the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans and the buildings are a mix of Spanish, French, American and Creole styles.
Jackson Square
Jackson Square is a historic park in the centre of the French Quarter. It's an area where local artists paint, play music and hang out. It's also home to one of the best restaurants in New Orleans - Muriel's. Check out the menu for tomorrow night and book in advance for the weekend.
While you are exploring this area be sure to head to its centrepiece; the stunning St. Louis Cathedral that holds religious services, cultural events, and even free concerts throughout the year.
The Presbytere
The Presbytere is a great little museum in Jackson Square that houses the thought-provoking Hurricane Katrina exhibition on one floor and the cheerful Mardi Gras exhibition on the other. Entrance is a very reasonable 6 dollars with discounts for concessions.
The Hurricane Katrina exhibition really touched me. The Coast Guard rescued over 34,000 people in New Orleans alone and nearly 2000 people died, many of dehydration and heat exhaustion waiting in their attics to be rescued. It really made you think about why in modern America, people were left for days with little food and water in the summer heat.
When you have finished in the Prebytere, stop for lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants in this vibrant area. If you are still full after the hotel breakfast have a beignet - a donut covered in powdered sugar at Cafe Du Monde or Cafe Beignet. For something more substantial try a bowl of gumbo - a thick rich bowl of seafood or meat stew.
Afternoon
Royal Street
Royal Street is a lovely street in New Orleans known for its antique shops, art galleries, and upmarket hotels like the Montelone Hotel. Every afternoon part of Royal Street is closed to traffic and various street performers and jazz musicians play. Spend time exploring, listening to the music in the street, browsing the stores and having a drink in one of the cafes or bars.
Back to the hotel for a relax by the pool and freshen up.
Bourbon Street
Directly in the French Quarter is Bourbon Street - New Orleans partying area. It's noisy, it's brash, it's colourful, it's a bit smelly, but it has to be done. We felt safe but if you are on your own or with kids beware of the odd drunk, strip clubs and dodgy characters. There are lots of clubs playing music, have a hurricane cocktail at Pat O'Briens for the true tourist experience.
Royal Street
When you've had enough of Bourbon Street, walk around the corner to Royal Street and stop off at Hotel Montelone for a Sazerac cocktail at the cool Carousel bar that rotates, then Mr B's Bistro, for quality Creole food in a smart but laid-back atmosphere.
Day 2
Morning
Take A Tour
There are many tour companies in New Orleans and we highly recommend Free Tours By Foot. This great little company has very informative and interesting tours. We took both the French Quarter tour and the Voodoo tour. You pay at the end with a tip and the tours are technically free.
The Voodoo tour was fascinating. The religion Voodoo and the magic hoodoo were brought over with African people who were shipped over as slaves. They had little to hold onto besides their religion and traditions. Voodoo, as it is portrayed in Hollywood films, is different to the religion that is practised then and still is today. It's a very spiritual religion and used for good mostly - the most popular potions used are love potions.
We managed to see where Marie Laveau, the Voodoo queen lived. You may have heard her name from the American Horror Story TV series - Coven. In reality, she was a very intelligent woman, a hairdresser to the rich of New Orleans, and she gained her power from listening to women gossip. She had a gift for showmanship and was also a Catholic. She was granted permission to complete her voodoo rituals behind St Louis cathedral and would remove curses, read minds and be a spiritual guide.
Stop for lunch in the French Quarter. For authentic food local to the area try a Po Boy, a French bread sandwich or a muffaletta - a round sandwich with focaccia-style bread filled with meats and olive salad. To find out more, and for some tasty photographs read my blog post on New Orleans iconic food and drink.
Afternoon
The Garden District
Take a tram, horse and cart or short taxi ride to The Garden District. A very historical residential neighbourhood, you’ll find yourself surrounded by grand trees, ivy, and of course plenty of gardens. Famous people who have homes here include Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage and Anne Rice who wrote 'Interview With A Vampire'. It's a pretty area to walk around and also houses the stunning Commander's Palace restaurant - with 25c martinis at lunchtime!
The National WWII Museum
If you want to take in a fantastic museum, the National Word War II museum is a further 15 minute walk from The Garden District, and well worth a visit.
Filled with original artifacts it covers the history of World War II from the start of the war, the world leaders, and the everyday men fighting for their country and the women supporting them. The Beyond All Boundaries 4D show narrated by Tom Hanks is highly recommended and moving and you can follow a real soldier through the war by his dog tag and find out what happened to him at the end. A place to make you think and an outstanding museum.
Evening
Bourbon Street
Take a stroll through Bourbon Street to see all human life. Cafe Beignet has a courtyard area where you can listen to jazz. New Orleans is widely regarded as the birthplace of Jazz, from the African American communities in the 19th century.
Frenchmen Street
For true authentic jazz, walk to Frenchmen Street for jazz clubs, live music venues, and cool restaurants. This is the place where all the locals hang out. Stop at one of the jazz clubs for a drink. Places like The Spotted Cat, or Snug Harbour are highly recommended to gain a true feel of the city’s culture.
Jackson Square
So this is my 48 hours in New Orleans. Once experienced never forgotten New Orleans is a place full of culture, heart, amazing music and fantastic food. Unmissable.
pin for later
We stayed at Hotel Le Marais
We ate at Mr B's Bistro and Muriels
* We were given a pass to museums and attractions courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau
The amount of powdered sugar on that doughnut!! seriously though it really looks like you've had a great couple of days there.
ReplyDeleteI know it's fab!
DeleteI haven't been to New Orleans but i'd love to visit there, it looks an amazing place to visit x
ReplyDeleteIt's a place that is full of life, that's for sure.
DeleteI would love to visit New Orleans, your photos are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Claire.
DeleteI'd love to visit New Orleans the history in incredible! Really love your photos x
ReplyDeleteIt is such an historic place. I could have talked about the history of New Orleans too.
DeleteI'd love to visit New Orleans - your travel pictures look great.
ReplyDeleteWow what a beautiful looking place - I would love t explore more of the US one day. x
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing, I so want to try a beignet it sounds yummy.
ReplyDeleteIt was yummy, although I do have a soft spot for the jam donuts in the UK.
DeleteBeautiful pictures! Looks like you had a great time :) x
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I bet you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteI watched a video about how New Orleans is the new Hollywood so I'd love to visit!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see that video Laura, do you have a link? When I was there I saw NCIS New Orleans being filmed.
Deletei do love how new orleans look! i definitely need to go one day
ReplyDeleteI am dying to go to New Orleans and this looks so beautiful and amazing I really need to get saving X
ReplyDeleteMiss Kitty Kaos - Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl
I still haven't made it to New Orleans yet! :( But your pictures are stunning and make me wonder if I can squeeze a little road trip in while I am visiting my mom in Texas in a few weeks! ...hrmmm #CityTripping
ReplyDeleteIf you can go! I am not sure how far it is from Texas though but flights are cheap enough from state to state.
DeleteNew Orleans is a place I would love to visit...and reading this and looking at your pictures has made me want to even more....especially when there is somewhere selling 25c martinis! A very rich history to explore and I can imagine the Hurricane Katrina exhibit was incredibly moving! Thanks so much for linking to #citytripping
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I actually want to go back again, and I hardly ever want to visit a place twice! The exhibit about Katrina was very moving and so was the WW2 exhibition.
DeleteThis is on my list of places to visit - it looks so fun and quite different to other parts of the US that I've been to #citytripping
ReplyDeleteIt is very unique Rebecca and totally different to everywhere else in the USA. It almost has an European feel.
DeleteSome fantastic suggestions here. You did loads in 48 hours! I spent some time in New Orleans years ago and loved the atmosphere, the architecture, the jazz, the beignets and the gumbos. Next time I'll have to do a voodoo tour, that sounds fascinating. #citytripping
ReplyDeleteWe did. The Voodoo tour was so fascinating, I highly recommend it.
DeleteI just got back from a weekend in New Orleans as well! I went with a friend of mine and we both had an amazing time! I'm only sad it took me so long to get there!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it an amazing place Carrie?
DeleteNew Orleans has been on my must visit list for a very long time! We lived in Savannah for 3 years but never made it to New Orleans and now that we are back living in the UK I really regret it:( Your 48 hours in the city sounds incredible. I look forward to reading more about what you got up to on your tour of the Deep South. #CityTripping
ReplyDeleteI must write about Memphis and Nashville!
DeleteNew Orleans looks lovely. Seems like you packed lots of great stuff into your 48 hours.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to visit New Orleans, it seems to have an incredible atmosphere. My husband wants to wait until the kids are a bit older before we go and I can see his point, but it's hard to wait
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be able to wait!
DeleteIt really does sound unmissable and you did so much! Glad you had a great time and love your pics too. #citytripping
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit New Orleans - you packed so much in in just 48 hours! The walking tours sound the perfect way to explore. #citytripping
ReplyDeleteWe did and it is a brilliant city to explore on a walking tour.
DeleteSo want to go there now - great you packed so much in in such a short time, the muffaletta soundes delicious xx
ReplyDeleteI really want to go to New Orleans, but we just didn't have time. I wasn't willing to give up Wilmington so I had to sacrifice New Orleans instead. Your photos look amazing and it sounds like you had an awesome time. i'm super jealous. ♥ HWY29
ReplyDeleteIf you have the chance to go, do. It's an amazing place, we loved it Hayley!
DeleteI would love to visit New Orleans, looks like you had a great time. Thanks for linking to out and about
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post Mellisa! Hoping to go there next April, I'm sure I will follow in your footsteps, your 48 plans sounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteMine will just include lots more cake :-)
Only just seen this! You should check out my post about iconic New Orleans food and drink Michaela http://www.thediaryofajewellerylover.co.uk/2016/03/new-orleans-iconic-food-and-drink.html
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