Founded by the French in 1718 and shaped by Spanish rule, West African traditions, and Haitian influence, New Orleans is a living palimpsest of cultures. Its wrought-iron balconies, Creole cottages, and oak-lined avenues carry three centuries of stories, from jazz’s birth to the city’s rebirths after storms.

Eat your way through gumbo, oysters, po-boys, and bananas Foster; listen to trad jazz spill from intimate clubs; and wander streets where every corner seems to have a legend attached. The French Quarter, Garden District, and Marigny each feel like different worlds just a streetcar apart.

Practical notes: hurricane season runs June–November, so pack light rain gear and check advisories; book dinners and tours early for Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Open-container laws allow drinks in plastic cups in much of the French Quarter. Comfortable shoes are essential; this is a walking (and dancing) town.

Getting there & getting around

• Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY). Search and compare fares on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: ATL ~1h20m, DFW ~1h15m, NYC ~3h10m, LAX ~4h; expect $150–$450 roundtrip depending on season.
• Airport to the French Quarter: 25–35 minutes by rideshare ($35–$50) or taxi (flat rate often posted); Jefferson Transit E2 bus connects MSY to downtown with a transfer (budget option).
• Within the city: the historic St. Charles, Canal Street, and Riverfront streetcars are scenic and practical. Consider a 1-day “Jazzy Pass” for unlimited rides (budget-friendly). Walking is ideal in the Quarter and Marigny.

New Orleans

New Orleans is music you can walk through: brass bands parading past pastel Creole townhouses, porch-sitting storytellers, and the aroma of powdered sugar drifting from late-night cafés. It’s both boisterous and soulful, with traditions kept alive in neighborhood second lines and humble plate lunches.

Top sights include Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the French Market in the Quarter; oak-shaded mansions in the Garden District; and the powerful National WWII Museum in the Warehouse District. Evenings shine brightest on Frenchmen Street, where intimate clubs pack world-class jazz into cozy rooms.

Food is a headline act. Slurp Gulf oysters at Felix’s, savor gumbo at Dooky Chase’s, chase heat at Cochon Butcher, and end with pralines from Loretta’s. Don’t miss a Cafe du Monde beignet—yes, even if the line looks long.

Where to stay

• The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (French Quarter edge): refined rooms, courtyard spa, and top-tier service—great for a quiet retreat steps from the action.
• Omni Royal Orleans (heart of the Quarter): historic elegance, a rooftop pool, and balconies for people-watching.
• The Quisby (Lower Garden District): stylish, social, and excellent value with easy streetcar access.
• Browse more New Orleans stays on Hotels.com or compare unique homes on VRBO.

Day 1: French Quarter Icons, Food Tour, and Ghostly Tales

Morning: Arrival day—save your energy for the afternoon. If you land early, grab a light breakfast at Cafe Beignet (buttery beignets and cafe au lait) or District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew. on Magazine Street (creative doughnuts and cold brew), then check in or store your bags.

Afternoon: Orient yourself with a stroll through Jackson Square to admire St. Louis Cathedral and the Pontalba Buildings. Browse the French Market’s produce stalls and praline counters for snacks.

Then dive into a guided tasting: New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter (expect samplings of gumbo, muffulettas, pralines, and more; insightful food history along the way). Reserve a mid-afternoon slot so it doubles as a late lunch.

Evening: Sip a pre-tour Sazerac at the Carousel Bar (Hotel Monteleone) as the room slowly spins beneath twinkling lights. After dusk, lean into the city’s eerie side on the New Orleans Premier Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Walking Tour for haunted legends, true-crime lore, and voodoo history through the Quarter’s shadowy lanes.

Cap the night with live jazz on Frenchmen Street: The Spotted Cat is intimate and high-energy; d.b.a. books stellar lineups; Snug Harbor is a sit-down room perfect for sets by seasoned pros.

Day 2: Garden District Grandeur, Museums, and a Mississippi River Jazz Cruise

Morning: Ride the St. Charles streetcar uptown to the Garden District. Fuel up at Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar (shrimp and grits, biscuit sandwiches) or HiVolt Coffee (third-wave espresso, avocado toast). Wander past Greek Revival mansions, cast-iron fences, and drooping live oaks—Magazine Street’s boutiques and galleries reward detours.

Afternoon: Shift to the Warehouse District for culture: the National WWII Museum’s immersive exhibits (from D-Day to the Pacific theater) can fill hours; the Ogden Museum highlights Southern art; the Contemporary Arts Center spotlights rotating shows. Lunch nearby at Cochon Butcher (house-cured meats, hot boudin, and the acclaimed Le Pig Mac) or Pêche (wood-fired Gulf seafood—whole fish is a standout).

Evening: Board a paddlewheeler and see the skyline glow at golden hour on the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option. Enjoy Dixieland jazz, river breezes, and classic Creole plates as the calliope sings and the city drifts by.

Back on land, if you’re still peckish, pop into GW Fins for off-the-boat seafood (the scalibut is locally famous) or Barberousse for a nightcap rum cocktail and a quieter vibe than Bourbon Street.

Day 3: Swamp & Bayou, City Park, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Trade cobblestones for cypress knees on the New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation. Drift through Honey Island Swamp, spotting gators, herons, and moss-draped trees while learning about Cajun lifeways—hotel pickup keeps it easy on a short trip.

Afternoon: Back in town, grab a classic po-boy at Parkway Bakery & Tavern (roast beef debris or fried shrimp with extra pickles) or Domilise’s (old-school, cash-only charm). If time allows before your flight, swing by City Park’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden for a quick, serene art walk beneath live oaks; the Cafe du Monde outpost here is perfect for one last beignet dusting.

Evening: If you have a late flight or extra night, toast your trip at Bacchanal Wine in the Bywater (backyard jazz and cheese boards) or catch a show at Preservation Hall for time-capsule traditional jazz. For a memorable farewell dinner, consider Commander’s Palace (turtle soup, bread pudding soufflé) or Dooky Chase’s (Creole classics and civil rights history).

Coffee, snacks, and sweets to seek out

• Cafe du Monde: the city’s powdered-sugar rite of passage; pair beignets with chicory coffee.
• Loretta’s Authentic Pralines: pecan pralines and filled beignets (try the praline-stuffed version).
• Merchant or Spitfire Coffee: downtown espresso done right between museums and the Quarter.

Insider tips

• Music etiquette: tip the band; cash is king in smaller clubs. Many venues are 21+ after 9 p.m.
• Oysters: hit happy hours (often 3–6 p.m.) for chargrilled or raw Gulf oysters at stellar prices.
• Safety: stick to well-lit streets late at night; use rideshares for longer walks after shows.
• Festivals: Mardi Gras (Feb/Mar) and Jazz Fest (late Apr–early May) book out months in advance—lock lodging and tours early via Hotels.com or VRBO.

Alternative/add-on experiences

• History buff? Consider a city overview that includes the Garden District and a historic cemetery for context.
• Carriage vibes: book a small-group mule-drawn tour after dark for history with ambiance.
• River by day: if you prefer daylight views, opt for a daytime paddlewheeler history cruise instead of dinner jazz.

In three days, you’ll have tasted New Orleans from streetcar rails to riverboat decks—sampling gumbo and live jazz, tracing grand avenues, and slipping quietly through the bayou. The city rewards curiosity: every corner café and unassuming doorway holds another rhythm, another recipe, another story beckoning you back.