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This is the Ultimate 2 Days in New Orleans

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4 months ago

If ever there is a one-of-a-kind city, New Orleans is it. Sitting on the Gulf Coast, Louisiana’s largest city is revered the world over. Famous for its Creole cuisine, distinctive jazz and vibrant nightlife, New Orleans attracts almost 20 million visitors every year.

It isn’t hard to see why. From the stunning colonial architecture of the French Quarter to the mighty waters of the Mississippi and the swampy bayous beyond, New Orleans has it all. The home of Mardi Gras in the U.S., (although the first celebration in fact took place in Mobile), New Orleans has long had reputation for being a party city.

With such a varied history, culture and entertainment scene, there’s no shortage of things to do in New Orleans. This is a city you could spend a lifetime in and never bore of. But when you’ve got a whole world to explore, 2 days in New Orleans is just enough time to see the best “the Big Easy” has to offer.

Getting to New Orleans

By land

If you’ve brought or rented a car, New Orleans is a popular stopping-off point for travelers crossing the southern states. Just off the I-10 interstate, spending 2 days in New Orleans is perfect for breaking up the journey between Florida, Texas and the West Coast.

If you’re traveling by public transport, New Orleans is served by Amtrak trains from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Long-distance coach services also serve New Orleans from Atlanta, Houston and several cities in between.

By air

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is 11 miles from Downtown. All the major U.S. airlines have services from across the United States, and international flights are available from Montreal, Toronto and London Heathrow. Compare flights to get the best deal, and maximize the time in your 2 days in New Orleans, when you book.

The airport has great public transport connections. Airport Express bus 202 runs seven days per week and takes 30 minutes. Taxis and ride shares are readily available outside the terminal.

The best time to visit New Orleans

Being in the Deep South, New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate. Let that by a byword for long hot summers and shorter, milder winters. Whilst average temperatures through summer (May to September) hover around 85°F (30°C), it’s not uncommon for temperatures to exceed 100°F (37°C). Winter runs from December to February and temperatures are generally around 48°F (9°C).

To have the most enjoyable 2 days in New Orleans possible, we recommend visiting during spring. It will still be warm but without the uncomfortable heat of high summer. Autumn is also a great time to visit temperature-wise, but brings a heightened risk of tropical storms.

Where to stay in New Orleans

With just 2 days in New Orleans, the best advice is to save time commuting and stay in or around the French Quarter. There are hundreds of hotels catering to all budgets. If earning points is important to you, all the major chains from Hampton Inn to Ritz-Carlton have properties here. For the most authentic experience, an independent boutique hotel is always our top recommendation. These are a few of our favorites.

Hotel Mazarin

Easily the best located hotel in the French Quarter, Hotel Mazarin is just a block from Bourbon Street. Surrounded by cute al-fresco cafes, you won’t have to walk far for your fix of beignets. Inside, the lavish French Baroque décor is seamlessly matched with all the modern conveniences you could want for 2 days in New Orleans.

And just for good measure, Mazarin is host to two excellent bars: one a traditional speakeasy and the other an upscale wine bar with regular live jazz. The best of New Orleans is literally at your doostep.

French Market Inn

The number one midscale choice in the French Quarter, French Market Inn sits on Decatur Street, a short walk from Jackson Square, Bourbon Street and its namesake, the French Market. This historic hotel, built in 1722, was a bakery before becoming an inn in the 1830s and is said to be haunted by the ghost of a baker. As far as ghosts go, this is probably a good one to be haunted by.

Alongside its pristine rooms decked out with period furniture, the Inn’s serene garden and cobbled courtyard are its biggest draw. In summer, the outdoor pool offers a welcome reprise from the heat.

The Brakeman

Unequivocally the best value hotel in the French Quarter, and probably New Orleans, rooms at The Brakeman can often be had for less than $125 a night. Occupying the former Basin Street Station, built in 1904, the hotel’s grand exterior sets the tone for the rooms.

On the northern edge of the Quarter, The Brakeman is a stone’s throw from Louis Armstrong Park. Right next to the hotel, one of the most haunted spots in New Orleans is St Louis Cemetery No. 1. But don’t worry, the receptionists do a great job of keeping the ghosts at bay.

2 Days in New Orleans Itinerary

Day 1

9 am: Breakfast the New Orleans Way

Kick off your 2 days in New Orleans at the city’s most iconic coffee shop. Cafe Du Monde on Decatur Street genuinely deserves its hype.

Sugary deep-fried pastries may not be the typical breakfast, but when in New Orleans there is no way to resist the temptation. Café Du Monde has been baking delicious beignets since 1862 so you can safely allocate your morning calorie spend (and then some) to them. Their other speciality, chicory-blended Café au Lait is the perfect accompaniment.

10 am: Explore the French Market

Café Du Monde may be the French Market’s most famous outlet but the stalls and stores which surround it are well worth a look. Built in the style of a European open-air market, it was designed by Joseph Abeilard, an iconic African-American architect.

Take a wander down Dutch Alley with its colorful street art and statues. There’s always something to see in the performance tent so poke your head in, even if you’re just a little bit curious. If you’re looking for souvenirs or gifts, the market has over 50 stalls hosted by local artists and craftspeople.

10:30 am: Check out Jackson Square

The original center-point of The Quarter, grabbing a photo of Jackson Square is a must during your 2 days in New Orleans. Saint Louis Cathedral imposes over the square, looking more like a fairy-tale Rhineland castle than a Catholic church.

On top of the stunning buildings, Jackson Square is a regular haunt for street performers. Keep an eye out for all manner of acts!

12 pm: The Home of Jazz

You can’t spend 2 days in New Orleans without learning a little about jazz. The first form of jazz, Dixieland, was born right here in the early 20th century. Since then, the city has lent fame to countless famous names including Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bolden and Irma Thomas.

A visit to New Orleans Jazz Museum is a great way to discover just how important music is to New Orleans.

2:30 pm: Lunch onboard a Mississippi Paddle Steamer

With just 2 days in New Orleans, a lunchtime jazz cruise on the steamboat Natchez is a great way to tick off three essential New Orleans experiences at once. A replica of the traditional paddle steamers which plied the mighty Mississippi almost 100 years ago, Natchez sails three times a day from Steamboat Port.

During the two-hour cruise you’ll get to see America’s second largest port in action whilst enjoying a vista of the New Orleans skyline. There’s full commentary alongside jazz performances and a buffet-style lunch featuring some Creole classics. Expect to leave very full (Creole food is not known for being light). The menu features fried fish, cornmeal, red beans and rice, andouille sausage and jambalaya.

5 pm: Discover the dark side of New Orleans

Said to be one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., don’t miss the chance to delve into the creepy and mysterious side of the Big Easy during your 2 days in New Orleans. Departing from Louis Armstrong Park, this 105-minute ghost, crime, voodoo and vampire tour won’t disappoint.

7 pm: Enjoy a traditional Creole dinner

Now you’ve had a taste of Creole cooking, you’ll be ready for more. There are fantastic restaurants all over and you’ll need far more than 2 days in New Orleans to even touch the surface.

Creole House on Canal Street is our top pick for an authentic New Orleans experience. Casual and laid back, they dish up all the classics from oysters fresh from the Gulf to Po’ Boys, Shrimp & Grits and etouffee. If you can’t pick, go for the Taste of New Orleans, a sampling platter with three or four entrees.

9 pm: Join the party on Bourbon Street

A night out on Bourbon Street is always a highlight of 2 days in New Orleans, whether you’re a late-night party animal or prefer people watching whilst sipping on bourbon.

Kick off your evening at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, an 18th-century Spanish colonial building named after former proprietor privateer Jean Lafitte. A National Historic Landmark, the bar is said to be one of the most haunted in New Orleans. Next, hit up the Old Absinthe House. Another of Bourbon’s oldest buildings, it was one of many speakeasys during Prohibition.

If you’re still standing as night turns to morning, head to Tropical Isle where the cocktails will knock you off your feet.

Day 2

9 am: A leisurely brunch

If you enjoyed Bourbon Street a bit too much – and with just 2 days in New Orleans you’d be right to – a hearty breakfast will be just what you need for another day of exploring. Café Fleur de Lis in the French Quarter serves exactly that. Their Creole Country Breakfast – eggs, boudin, grits and biscuits – and the Seriously Southern Breakfast – eggs, pork belly, biscuit & gravy and a short stack – never fail to hit the spot.

1 0am: Explore the Garden District

Just across Downtown, the Garden District was built between 1832 and 1900. Formerly home to a number of plantations, many of the mansions remain. To see the best of the District, tag along on this two-hour walking tour with a local guide.

12 pm: Learn the secrets of Southern food

If you’ve liked what you’ve eaten during your 2 days in New Orleans so far, a visit to the Southern Food & Beverage Museum will be the icing on the cake. Or maybe “beans on the rice” would be more appropriate.

This quirky little museum on the northern edge of the Garden District has a great exhibit on the history of Southern cuisine. In addition, the Museum of the American Cocktail attached to it offers an insight into the art of cocktail making and occasional masterclasses.

1:30 pm: Grab a Po’ Boy

A New Orleans staple, Po’ Boys are some of the heartiest sandwiches around. Filled deep with roast meat or seafood, they come ‘dressed’ or ‘undressed’. Dressed Po’ Boys include salad and mayonnaise.

Head to Mother’s for the ultimate Po’ Boy. They have every filling you could imagine; the roast beef with au jus is our favorite. This place is a cult favorite of everyone who knows New Orleans well.

2:30 pm: Hover across the Bayou

Surrounded by marshy swampland, known as bayous, getting out on an airboat is an unmissable highlight of this 2 days in New Orleans itinerary.

We can’t recommend this fantastic two-hour airboat ride enough. The experience starts with a pick up from your New Orleans hotel for the journey out into bayou country. As you cross the mossy swamp, look out for turtles, snakes, herons and, during summer, alligators.

7 pm: Dinner

Back on dry land, round off your 2 days in New Orleans with a dinner to remember. Cochon is a trendy, modern take on a traditional Cajun restaurant set in a lofty, warehouse-style space. All the produce is fresh and locally sourced with a focus on sustainability.

The highlight is their smoked and braised brisket served with a rich jus and deviled egg potato salad. Seafood lovers won’t want to miss the catfish courtbouillon, or try their namesake cochon (pork) with grits and gravy.

9 pm: Enjoy New Orleans Nightlife Like a Local

There’s no reason not to go back to Bourbon Street for another taste of the wild side, but we recommend you spend the last night of your 2 days in New Orleans in the Warehouse District. Sandwiched between the French Quarter and the Garden District, this is where New Orleanians come to unwind.

Head to The Rusty Nail, a classic neighborhood whiskey bar and beer garden. With a 275-strong whiskey collection and some amazing frozen cocktails to enjoy on the tropical-themed patio, you’ll never want to leave. Come midnight, you’ll reluctantly have to, but if you’re not ready for bed, the Corporation Bar just along the street will keep you going long into the small hours.


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