Planning a girls’ getaway to New Orleans? From exploring the French Quarter and shopping along Magazine Street to discovering the city’s neighborhoods, food and live music, here’s how to make the most of 72 hours in New Orleans.
Day 1:
Kick off your girls’ weekend in true New Orleans fashion and grab an early breakfast at Café du Monde for their pillowy soft, powdered sugar-covered beignets and a hot (or iced) café au lait. From here, walk through the French Quarter and explore Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral. Gallery-hop on Royal Street or pick out a few souvenirs at the French Market.
After you’ve worked up an appetite, head to The Rum House for lunch. Enjoy a selection of tacos and Caribbean food alongside signature cocktails. In the afternoon, explore the city’s culture and the neighbourhood before heading to Sazerac House, a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the Sazerac cocktail. Admission is free; the experience includes cocktail tasting, making it a fun stop for anyone interested in New Orleans’ legendary cocktail culture.
For dinner, head to New Orleans’ centuries-old restaurants like Antoine’s, Galatoire’s or Arnaud’s. You’ll get more than a great Creole meal – you’ll get a history lesson. End your night with Drip Affogato Bar which is a great spot for coffee-meets-ice cream nearby.
Day 2:
The next day, venture outside of the French Quarter and into the Garden District and Uptown for architecture, food and shopping. Grab breakfast at Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar or Bearcat Café, or if you’re in the mood for brunch, try Atchafalaya.
Next, take a ride on the streetcar along St. Charles Avenue, passing grand mansions and beautiful historic buildings beneath a canopy of oak trees. You can also book a tour of the Garden District onfoot, bike, scooter, or bus.
As the evening approaches, it’s time to find a local cocktail spot; luxury cocktail experiences are a must when visiting the city. Begin at the Peacock Room in the newly renovated Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, where their dreamy bar program will have you sipping on expertly crafted cocktails. If you’re lucky enough to be there on a Thursday evening, you can also catch Da Lovebirds, a musical duo featuring the Songbird of New Orleans, Robin Barnes.
For a fun addition to your girls’ trip, start with a Burlesque workshop at Trixie’s Burlesque Boutique in the French Quarter. Learn the art of burlesque from local performers and take home some costume pieces to embrace your playful side.
Keep the evening going with a night of dancing. Whether you’re hitting up Vintage Rock Club, Ascendance, HerHaus, or GrrlSpot, you’ll find a space to dance the night away and let loose with your besties.
After dinner, end your day at Woldenberg Park and catch a breeze off Mississippi. Watch the steamboats pass by as you wind down after a lively evening in the city.
Day 3:
Spend your final day exploring New Orleans historic neighbourhoods, starting with Tremé, New Orleans’ oldest historically Black neighbourhood. Enjoy breakfast at Backatown Coffee Parlour followed by a visit to the Backstreet Cultural Museum, which showcases vibrant Mardi Gras Indian suits and the traditions surrounding them.
Enjoy the natural wonders of New Orleans, which include several public parks and green spaces. New Orleans City Park is the largest among them, with hundreds of live oak trees providing the perfect picnic shade.
For traditional New Orleans food, enjoy red beans and fried chicken at Neyow’s Creole Café. For a delicious brunch of Spanish tapas, enjoy Lola’s on Esplanade Avenue. Both are within walking distance of City Park.
Audubon Park is another great spot for picnicking, and there’s even a place called Picnic Provisions & Whiskey right around the corner that provides picnic essentials like fried chicken, coleslaw, and brownies.
For dinner, choose Italian cuisine at San Lorenzo, or Cajun-Creole dishes at Brigtsen’s or Commander’s Palace, or head to Boucherie for its New Orleans-inspired dishes and must-try Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding.
Three days in New Orleans may not be enough to see it all, but between good food, great music, cocktails, shopping and time spent exploring the city together, you’ll leave with plenty of memories to take home.
