New Orleans—founded in 1718 at a bend in the Mississippi River—blends French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences into a singular culture. You’ll hear it in the brass bands, taste it in the roux, and feel it in the humid night air where jazz was born. The city’s storied past runs from the Battle of New Orleans to the birth of bounce and brass-band parades.

Fun facts for the road: beignets are the official state doughnut of Louisiana, many cemeteries are above ground due to the water table, and the St. Charles streetcar is the world’s oldest continuously operating line. Expect a calendar of festivals, second lines on Sundays, and porch swings under live oaks.

Practical notes: hurricane season spans June–November; pack light, breathable clothing and a small umbrella. Ride-shares and streetcars make getting around easy, and neighborhoods change block by block—stay aware at night and stick to well-trafficked streets. Come hungry; Cajun and Creole classics headline the menus, but you’ll also find stellar Vietnamese, West African, and modern Southern spots.

New Orleans

At once historic and hedonistic, New Orleans rewards curiosity. Wander pastel Creole townhouses, duck into pocket-sized cocktail bars, and let your ears lead you to live music. By day, explore the French Quarter, Garden District, and Bywater; by night, choose between Bourbon’s revelry and Frenchmen Street’s jazz-forward soul.

• Top sights: Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the Garden District’s mansions and Lafayette Cemetery (view from perimeter), the riverside Moonwalk, and the art-filled Bywater.
• Eat & drink: Beignets at Café du Monde; gumbo and jambalaya in the Quarter; oysters Uptown; po’boys at Parkway or Domilise’s; innovative sandwiches at Turkey and the Wolf; cocktails at Carousel Bar and French 75; breweries like NOLA Brewing, Urban South, and Parleaux Beer Lab.
• Unique to NOLA: Brass bands in the street, voodoo history, above-ground “cities of the dead,” and bayou adventures a short drive away.

Where to stay (mid-range budget picks plus splurges and bargains):

• Search vacation rentals on VRBO New Orleans or hotels via Hotels.com New Orleans.
• Value favorite in the Lower Garden District: The Quisby (stylish hostel/hotel hybrid steps from St. Charles Ave.).
• Classic French Quarter address: Omni Royal Orleans (rooftop pool and historic bones).
• High-end sanctuary near Canal Street: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (spa days and jazz in the lounge).

Getting there: Fly into MSY (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International). Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 1–2 hours from Texas, 2–3 hours from the Midwest and East Coast, 4–5 hours from the West Coast; expect ~$150–$450 roundtrip depending on season. Airport to downtown is about 25 minutes by rideshare.

Day 1: French Quarter First Bites, Riverfront Stroll, and Ghostly Legends

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a late-morning or midday arrival at MSY and check in. Grab your first coffee and a praline at Spitfire Coffee (alley-like espresso bar) or PJ’s on Canal if you need a quick fix.

Afternoon: Start at Jackson Square to take in St. Louis Cathedral and local artists. Walk the Moonwalk along the Mississippi, then pop into Café du Monde for beignets and chicory café au lait. For a late lunch, try a classic po’boy at Napoleon House (muffuletta, too) or hit Cochon Butcher in the Warehouse District for house-cured meats and the best Cuban in town.

Evening: Ease into the nightlife with a sazerac at the Carousel Bar (the slow-spinning, 25-seat classic) or French 75 (for Champagne cocktails and gumbo z’herbes when in season). Then join a spine-tingling walk through history on the New Orleans Premier Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Walking Tour (about 2 hours; typically ~$30–$35).

Cap the night with live music on Frenchmen Street—The Spotted Cat for swing and trad jazz, d.b.a. for rotating bands—or keep it low-key with a late-night bowl of yakamein at a corner joint.

Day 2: Foodie Deep Dive, Garden District Mansions, and Frenchmen Jazz

Morning: Brunch at Bearcat (CBD) for “Good Cat/Bad Cat” plates—healthy bowls or indulgent shrimp and grits—or Willa Jean for biscuits with pimento cheese and praline bacon. Ride the St. Charles streetcar to the Garden District; admire Greek Revival and Italianate mansions, then stroll Magazine Street’s boutiques and galleries. Coffee stop: Cherry Espresso Bar or HiVolt for cold brew.

Afternoon: Taste the city with the New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter (small-group option; ~3 hours; often includes gumbo, pralines, po’boys; ~$70–$80).

If you prefer DIY, sample oysters at Superior Seafood (check hours), then hit Central Grocery’s muffuletta (if open; otherwise Sidney’s or Cochon Butcher’s version).

Evening: Brewery crawl in the Lower Garden District/Warehouse District: Urban South Brewery (sours and hazy IPAs), NOLA Brewing (taproom rooftop and pizza next door), then Parleaux Beer Lab in Bywater for small-batch pours in a leafy yard. Dinner nearby at Paladar 511 (housemade pastas, roasted Gulf fish) or Peche (whole grilled fish, seafood gumbo). End on Frenchmen Street at Snug Harbor for a ticketed jazz set or Blue Nile for brass bands.

Day 3: Swamp Airboat Thrills and a Mississippi River Jazz Cruise

Morning: Kick off with a strong cappuccino and a king cake slice (when in season) at Congregation Coffee, then head to the bayou for the Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour with Downtown New Orleans Pickup (~2 hours on the water; allow ~3.5–4.5 hours door-to-door; ~$90–$130). Expect gator sightings, birdlife, and Cajun lore with a rush of speed over shallow marsh.

Afternoon: Late lunch back in town at Parkway Bakery & Tavern (since 1911; roast beef debris or fried shrimp po’boy with extra pickles). If you’re into street art and contemporary culture, visit Studio BE in the Bywater for monumental murals and local storytelling, then decompress with a snowball (Shaved ice) at a neighborhood stand when it’s hot.

Evening: Board the Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option (2 hours; dinner optional; ~$55–$95+). Sunset on the Mississippi with a live jazz band is peak New Orleans.

After disembarking, grab a nightcap: a frozen Irish coffee at Molly’s at the Market or a classic Ramos gin fizz if you find it on a menu.

Day 4: Cemeteries, Local Neighborhoods, and One Last Feast

Morning: Pay respects and learn the city’s funerary traditions on the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Official Walking Tour (~1 hour; guided access required; ~$25–$30).

Coffee and light breakfast beforehand at Café Beignet (order a chicory au lait and a plate of beignets) or District: Donuts for creative flavors.

Afternoon: Explore the Bywater and Marigny like a local. Lunch at Bywater Bakery (savory tarts, red beans on Mondays) or The Joint for smoky ribs and brisket. Walk Crescent Park for skyline views, then browse art at JAMNOLA or galleries along St. Claude. If you missed breweries, circle back to Parleaux Beer Lab for a tasting flight.

Evening: Your farewell dinner: classic Creole at Dooky Chase’s (civil-rights landmark; gumbo, fried chicken) or modern Southern at Coquette (tasting menu often available). If you prefer a splurge lunch and lighter dinner, swap in Commander’s Palace earlier in the day for 25-cent martinis with an entrée (weekdays; check current policy). End your trip on a high note with Preservation Hall’s intimate, ticketed jazz set—pure, unamplified New Orleans—and a last stroll past the gas lamps of the Quarter.

Local tips to stretch your budget: Aim for weekday lunch specials and oyster happy hours; streetcar day passes via the RTA app are inexpensive; and share plates at higher-end spots to sample more dishes. Hydrate, especially from May–September.

How to get around: Walk the French Quarter and Marigny, ride the St. Charles and Canal streetcars for scenic commutes, and use ride-shares late at night. Distances between neighborhoods are short, but summer heat can be intense—plan midday breaks.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time: Mardi Gras World for float-making magic, Whitney Plantation for a powerful, slavery-focused historical tour, or a daytime Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise if evenings are packed.

Four days in New Orleans gives you a flavorful cross-section: French Quarter icons, Garden District grandeur, Bywater creativity, and the wild calm of the bayou. With live music, bold food, and a few goosebumps after dark, you’ll leave already plotting your return.