New Orleans is a city that swings to its own rhythm. Founded in 1718 and shaped by French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures, it’s a place where wrought-iron balconies watch over street parades and church bells mingle with brass bands. History isn’t just preserved—it’s performed.

Beyond Bourbon Street, you’ll find hushed Creole courtyards, oak-lined avenues, and streetcar rides that glide past gingerbread mansions. Food is a living tradition here—gumbo recipes passed down for generations, oysters shucked to the sound of live jazz, and powdered sugar beignets that dust your clothes and your memories.

Practical notes: Hurricane season runs June–November; keep an eye on forecasts. Go-cups are legal (cheers to that), but stay aware at night and use rideshares for longer walks. Book popular restaurants weeks ahead, especially Friday lunches and weekend dinners.

New Orleans

Few places deliver as much atmosphere per block as New Orleans. You’ll stroll from 18th-century churches to modern cocktail temples, from mom-and-pop po’boy counters to white-tablecloth Creole dining, and end nights with brass bands under string lights.

• Top sights: Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the National WWII Museum, Garden District mansions, French Market, and Crescent Park.
• Unmissable flavors: Beignets and café au lait, gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, boudin, chargrilled oysters, muffulettas, and pralines.
• Music zones: Frenchmen Street for live jazz, Preservation Hall for tradition, Tipitina’s for local legends, and the Maple Leaf Bar for late-night grooves.

Where to stay: For deals and apartments, browse VRBO New Orleans or hotels on Hotels.com New Orleans. Standout stays: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (posh, superb spa), Omni Royal Orleans (French Quarter classic with a rooftop pool), and The Quisby (stylish budget hostel on St. Charles Ave.).

Getting there: Fly into MSY (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International). Typical nonstop times: 2h–2h30 from Houston/Chicago, ~3h from NYC/Miami, ~4h from Denver/PHX, ~4h30 from L.A. Fares often range $120–$350 round-trip from major U.S. hubs. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Rideshares/taxis to the French Quarter/Garden District take 20–30 minutes ($35–$50 depending on time), while local buses cost a few dollars but take longer.

Day 1: Arrival, Beignets, and a Twilight Stroll

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, drop bags and grab a restorative café au lait at Cafe du Monde (open daily, expect a line) or iced coffee at French Truck Coffee on Chartres.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel or VRBO. Orient yourself around Jackson Square—peek into St. Louis Cathedral and watch street artists and tarot readers at work. Browse Faulkner House Books for literary lore and pick up pralines at Loretta’s in the French Market.

Evening: Classic Creole dinner: Brennan’s (banana foster flambéed tableside), Arnaud’s (gumbo and soufflé potatoes), or Coop’s Place for casual jambalaya supreme. Sip a nightcap at the Carousel Bar (Hotel Monteleone) or The Sazerac Bar. Keep your first Bourbon Street pass easy—pop in for a brass band set, then rest up.

Day 2: French Quarter Deep Dive + Food Tour

Morning: Breakfast at Café Beignet on Royal (quieter patio) or beignets-to-go and a riverside walk on the Moonwalk. Explore the Cabildo and Presbytère museums flanking the Cathedral for rich city history and Mardi Gras exhibits.

Afternoon: Taste the city on the New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter (small-group option available). Expect samplings like seafood gumbo, pralines, and muffuletta while guides weave culinary history into every bite.

Evening: Music crawl on Frenchmen Street: Start at d.b.a. or The Spotted Cat for jazz, then wander to Blue Nile. Dinner nearby at GW Fins (seasonal fish, impeccable biscuits) or Dat Dog for late-night sausages piled high with Creole toppings.

Day 3: Garden District, Magazine Street, and a Jazz River Cruise

Morning: Ride the historic St. Charles Streetcar to the Garden District. Brunch at The Vintage (coffee and beignets with a twist) or District: Donuts. Stroll under live oaks to admire antebellum homes and peek at famed author residences; shop along Magazine Street’s indie boutiques.

Afternoon: Long lunch at Commander’s Palace (weekdays feature 25-cent martinis with entrée; jackets suggested at dinner). If time permits, browse the Garden District Book Shop and nearby galleries.

Evening: Sail into the skyline on the Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option—live Dixieland jazz, river breezes, and a narrated glide along the Mississippi.

Day 4: Swamps and Oak Alley’s Live Oaks

Morning: Early pickup for the Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour. Walk the famous oak-lined alley and learn hard, necessary history about life along River Road before cruising bayous to spot gators, turtles, and herons.

Afternoon: Return to the city and refuel with a po’boy at Parkway Bakery & Tavern (fried shrimp is a favorite) or a roast beef debris po’boy at Mother’s.

Evening: Wine and small plates in the Bywater at Bacchanal Wine—live courtyard music under string lights—or keep it casual with wood-fired pies at Pizza Delicious. If you’ve got gas in the tank, a late set at the Maple Leaf Bar is a local rite.

Day 5: Treme, Cemeteries, and Uptown Grooves

Morning: Breakfast at Backatown Coffee Parlour near Treme. Visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum (check hours), a treasure trove documenting Mardi Gras Indians, social aid & pleasure clubs, and second-line traditions.

Afternoon: Walk the “cities of the dead” on the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Official Walking Tour to see above-ground tombs and the resting place of notable New Orleanians.

Evening: Dinner at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant (civil rights-era landmark; Creole classics) or Willie Mae’s Scotch House (famously crispy fried chicken). Catch a show at Tipitina’s Uptown—scan the lineup for brass, funk, or roots rock.

Day 6: Museums, Cocktails, and Ghosts After Dark

Morning: Biscuit sandwiches and grits at Willa Jean in the Warehouse District. Spend a few hours at the National WWII Museum—immersive exhibits that consistently rank among America’s best museums.

Afternoon: Explore the Ogden Museum of Southern Art or Contemporary Arts Center. Lunch at Cochon (wood-fired Cajun plates) or Pêche (whole grilled fish, tangy seafood salads). Pause for gelato at Piccola Gelateria nearby.

Evening: Classic cocktails at Jewel of the South (killer snacks, too) or Bar Marilou (velvet mood). Then delve into lore on the New Orleans Premier Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Walking Tour—a spine-tingling loop through lantern-lit streets.

Day 7: Bywater Ease and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Elizabeth’s in Bywater (praline bacon is famous) or Bywater Bakery (king cake slices when in season). Stroll Crescent Park for river views and colorful murals, then browse Studio Be (large-scale, thought-provoking art; check hours).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at the French Market or Royal Street galleries. Grab a muffuletta at Napoleon House for the plane. Head to MSY for your flight—search or check-in via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In transit. If you’re on a late flight, an early dinner of chargrilled oysters at Drago’s or a final bowl of gumbo at Herbsaint makes a fitting farewell.

Hotel picks by vibe:

• Grande-dame comfort: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans—serene rooms, jazz lounge, and a top-tier spa steps from the Quarter.
• Historic Quarter classic: Omni Royal Orleans—rooftop pool, wrought-iron balconies, and unbeatable walkability.
• Stylish on a budget: The Quisby—clean, social, and right on the St. Charles streetcar line.
• Browse more: Hotels.com New Orleans or apartment stays on VRBO New Orleans.

This 7-day New Orleans itinerary layers Creole flavors, world-class museums, live jazz, and river lore with time to wander and savor. You’ll leave with powdered sugar on your shirt, a brass line in your head, and plans to return.