New Orleans (NOLA) is a city of survival and celebration—founded by the French in 1718, shaped by Spanish rule and Haitian migration, and famed as the birthplace of jazz. Here, iron-laced balconies and pastel townhomes frame a soundtrack of brass bands, streetcars, and the low hum of the Mississippi River.

Beyond the French Quarter’s beignets and balconies, discover the oak-shaded mansions of the Garden District, the soul of Treme, and the art-forward Bywater. Food is both history and ritual: gumbo thick with okra, boudin balls, po’boys, and oysters shucked to the rhythm of live piano.

Practical notes: Spring and fall offer ideal weather; hurricane season runs June–November. Pack breathable clothing and comfy shoes; reserve big-name restaurants in advance. Open-container laws allow drinks in plastic cups; carry small bills for streetcar fares and tips, and plan rideshares at night if you’re far from the action.

New Orleans

New Orleans rewards unhurried wandering. Start in the French Quarter—Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Royal Street galleries—then roll by streetcar under the live oaks of St. Charles Avenue toward the Garden District. The National WWII Museum is world-class, while Frenchmen Street rivals (and often betters) Bourbon for live music.

• Must-see sights: Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, The National WWII Museum, Garden District, Lafayette Cemetery (view exterior), Frenchmen Street, Audubon Park, Crescent Park, Algiers Point ferry.
• Eat & drink: Beignets at Cafe du Monde; po’boys at Parkway Bakery; fried chicken at Willie Mae’s; modern Southern at Cochon, Peche, Herbsaint; classic Creole at Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, Antoine’s. Cocktails at the Carousel Bar, Sazerac Bar, and Cure.
• Local flavor: Second-line parades on Sundays, brass bands in Treme, porch culture in Bywater, and sunset over the river levee.

Where to stay: For character and convenience, base in the French Quarter or the Warehouse/CBD; the Garden District is leafy and quiet with quick streetcar access.

• Browse New Orleans vacation rentals on VRBO
• Search New Orleans hotels on Hotels.com
• Top picks: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (grand Southern polish, steps from Bourbon); Omni Royal Orleans (rooftop pool, classic Quarter location); The Quisby (stylish hostel on St. Charles with streetcar at the door).

Getting there: Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY). Find competitive fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From NYC ~3 hours; from Chicago ~2 hours; from L.A. ~4 hours. Typical domestic round-trips range $150–$450+ depending on season.

Airport to city: Taxi/Lyft/Uber to the French Quarter/CBD is usually 20–30 minutes; taxis offer a flat rate (generally mid-$30s for 1–2 riders). RTA day passes cover streetcar and bus once you’re in town.

Top tours to book (featured in this itinerary):

• Evening riverboat and live music: Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option (from ~$55 cruise-only; ~$100+ with dinner).

  

• Eat your way through the Quarter: New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter (from ~$70–$85).

  

• History among the tombs: St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Official Walking Tour (from ~$25–$30; official entry requires a guided tour).

  

• Bayou + antebellum architecture: Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour with transportation (from ~$110–$130).

  

Day 1: Arrival, Beignets, and the French Quarter

Afternoon: Land at MSY and transfer to your hotel. Shake off travel with powdered-sugar bliss at Cafe du Monde (beignets and café au lait) or Cafe Beignet on Royal Street if lines are long. Stroll Jackson Square, step into St. Louis Cathedral, and browse Royal Street’s antiques and street musicians.

Evening: Dinner in the Quarter: try the muffuletta and Pimm’s Cup on the patio at Napoleon House, or classic Creole at Antoine’s (oysters Rockefeller originated here). Cap the night with a set at Preservation Hall (no drinks inside; short, sublime concerts) and a nightcap at the revolving Carousel Bar inside Hotel Monteleone.

Day 2: Garden District Mansions and Magazine Street

Morning: Coffee and a biscuit breakfast at District Donuts or Bearcat Cafe (Uptown). Ride the historic St. Charles streetcar to the Garden District; admire Greek Revival and Italianate mansions under towering oaks. Pop into Lafayette Cemetery No. 1’s perimeter for a peek at above-ground tombs (interior access is limited; respect posted rules).

Afternoon: Long lunch at Commander’s Palace (jacket suggested at dinner; famed 25-cent martinis at weekday lunch). Wander Magazine Street’s six miles of boutiques and galleries; grab an iced coffee at French Truck Coffee or HiVolt.

Evening: Reserve La Petite Grocery (blue crab beignets) or Shaya (modern Israeli with Southern produce). For cocktails, head to Cure on Freret Street—award-winning mixes in a former firehouse—and consider a late-night praline or ice cream on Magazine.

Day 3: WWII Museum and a French Quarter Food Tour

Morning: Start with coffee at Mammoth Espresso and a biscuit or breakfast bowl at Willa Jean (don’t miss the cornbread and house-made jams). Walk to The National WWII Museum; plan 2–3 hours for exhibits and films.

Afternoon: Join the New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter for tastings that may include gumbo, pralines, boudin, and more—history served course by course. If you’d like a breather later, sip an iced tea in the courtyard at the historic Brennan’s before dinner.

Evening: Dinner at GW Fins (seasonal fin fish; try the “Scalibut” if on menu) or Peche (whole grilled fish, smoked tuna dip). Head to Frenchmen Street for live music—The Spotted Cat and d.b.a. often have stellar jazz and brass. Late-night snack: Coop’s Place (rabbit and sausage jambalaya) or a slice from Pizza Delicious (Marigny).

Day 4: Full-Day Swamp and Oak Alley Plantation

Today is a full-day outing into Louisiana’s wetlands and River Road history. Join the Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour with hotel pickup. Glide through cypress-lined bayous watching for gators, herons, and turtles, then tour Oak Alley’s oak-canopied grounds and exhibits that confront the realities of enslavement alongside architectural grandeur. Expect to be out 6–8 hours.

Post-tour eats: Refuel with po’boys at Parkway Bakery & Tavern (roast beef debris or fried shrimp) or a plate at Willie Mae’s Scotch House (legendary fried chicken). Toast the day with outdoor tunes, cheese boards, and natural wines at Bacchanal Wine in the Bywater.

Day 5: Treme, Congo Square, and the City of the Dead

Morning: Espresso and pastries at Backatown Coffee Parlour, then make your way to Basin Street Station for the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Official Walking Tour. Learn why New Orleans builds above ground, see ornate family tombs, and hear stories of voodoo priestess Marie Laveau.

Afternoon: Walk to Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, sacred ground for the city’s musical roots. Visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme to understand Mardi Gras Indian and second-line traditions. Lunch at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant (gumbo z’herbes if in season; Leah Chase’s legacy lives on).

Evening: Dinner at Cafe Sbisa (Creole seafood in a historic space) or Herbsaint (house-made pastas, shrimp and grits). For a classic pre- or post-dinner sip, slide into the Art Deco Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt for its namesake cocktail.

Day 6: Bywater Art Walk and a Mississippi Jazz Dinner Cruise

Morning: Hearty breakfast at Elizabeth’s in Bywater (praline bacon, eggs, and grits). Stroll Crescent Park along the river, hunt murals on St. Claude Avenue, and peek into artist-run galleries. Coffee break at Congregation Coffee Roasters or Petite Clouet.

Afternoon: Easy lunch at The Joint (smoked brisket and ribs) or Frady’s One Stop (old-school po’boys and plate lunches). Meander to Marigny for boutique browsing, then rest up for the river.

Evening: Board the Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option. Hear live Dixieland as the paddlewheel churns the Mississippi and the skyline glows. Prefer dinner on land? Choose Jewel of the South (award-winning cocktails, savory pies) before or after the cruise, then a quick stroll along the Moonwalk riverside path.

Day 7: Brunch, Markets, and Algiers Point

Morning: End with a celebratory brunch at Brennan’s (bananas Foster flambé tableside) or Ruby Slipper (Southern benedicts). Browse the French Market for hot sauces, local crafts, and pralines to take home.

Afternoon: Ride the passenger ferry across the river to Algiers Point (10 minutes) for Victorian cottages and quiet streets. Coffee and a pastry at Tout de Suite Cafe or Plume Algiers, then return for last-minute shopping on Royal Street before your afternoon departure.

Evening (if time allows): A final oyster dozen at Felix’s or a Sazerac to send you off in style.

Logistics tips: Buy an RTA Jazzy Pass for streetcar/bus if you’ll be hopping around. For flights home, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Allow extra time in peak seasons (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, major conferences) for airport and restaurant reservations.

Where to book your stay: Lock in accommodations early for festivals and weekends: Hotels.com: New Orleans or VRBO: New Orleans.

Seven days in New Orleans lets you savor the city’s layers—Creole kitchens and late-night brass, mansion-lined boulevards and cypress swamps, river breezes and café patios. Come hungry, walk slowly, listen closely: New Orleans reveals itself one song, one bite, one story at a time.