Itineraries for Your Trip to New Orleans
3 Days in New Orleans for Foodies
Get ready for some of the most delicious, indulgent meals of your life. It’s no surprise New Orleans is famed for its culinary treats. Its food scene offers a vast selection of traditional Southern fare, a smattering of French influence, and many creative fusion dishes—not to mention stellar cocktails. Gumbo, oysters, and beignets, oh my!
Whether you have a hankering for a po’boy or some seafood, follow my list of top spots to eat on a 3-day trip to the city.
Come prepared for humidity, with enough pieces to layer up or down.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the French Quarter.
Begin your first day in NOLA with beignets. You can't go wrong at the famous Cafe du Monde, but Cafe Beignet (on Royal, Bourbon, or Decatur) is serious competition. Afterwards, stretch your legs on a walking tour of the Garden District. You'll get familiar with the city's past with an eye on architecture and greenery.
Have lunch in the French Quarter on a tour to sample Creole, Cajun and French-style specialties like jambalaya and sticky pralines. Later, join the quarter's cocktail tour for history of The Big Easy, with stops including the elegant Bourbon Orleans Hotel.
Begin with an aerial view on a helicopter tour of the city covering a 15-mile (24-kilometer)radius, including landmarks such as Jackson Square, the French Quarter, City Park, and Lake Pontchartrain.
Next, take to the water on a steamboat harbor cruise from the city's famous swamp. Enjoy a buffet lunch, craft cocktails and live music on the iconic paddlewheel boat. Follow up with a walking historic tour of Magazine Street, with a side of beignets. Finally, learn the eerie ghost stories of the city's past. See the city's most haunted locations and try to capture a spirit on camera at Lalaurie Mansion.
A breakfast grill with a Bloody Mary is a fitting last day activity. I recommend Camellia Grill or Russell's Marina Grill for the right amount of hearty and satisfying. Afterwards, take a ride in a private carriage, an ode to the city's past—make it food-themed for more restaurant recommendations.
Combine the diverse food history of New Orleans with its musical culture at a shrimp boil cabaret. Taste muffaletta, blue crab, and alligator tail with the backdrop of Armstrong Park and live music. Finish with a haunted pub crawl that mixes the city's spooky lore with a party atmosphere.
