New Orleans Itineraries

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Our experienced travel editors break down the town so you can make the most of your stay. Let these itineraries be your guide, whether you're here for a weekend or a whole week.

See 2 Day Itinerary » See Map of 7 Day Itinerary »

Day 1
1 Start your day by exploring the French Quarter and Jackson Square.
2 Have lunch at Maspero’s.
3 Stroll through the French Market, walk down Woldenberg Park and visit the Aquarium of the Americas.
4 Have dinner at Emeril's if you can swing the bill.
5 Enjoy a cocktail at a cozy bar in the Quarter or a wild night on Bourbon Street.

Day 2
1 Walk down to Canal Street and hop on the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line.
2 Take a walk through Audubon Park and visit the Audubon Zoo, stopping for lunch near the Swamp Exhibit.
3 Return downtown and have dinner at the Red Fish Grill.
4 Stroll through Jackson Square in the evening then head over to Pat O’Brien’s for cocktails.

Day 3
1 If you can swing the bill, enjoy breakfast at Brennan’s. If that’s out of your price range, head take the Canal Street streetcar down to Ms. Betsy’s Pancake House.
2 Visit Mardi Gras World and take a peek behind the scenes of Mardi Gras.
3 Enjoy lunch in the Arts District at a place like the Ugly Dog Saloon and Barbecue or Ernst Café.
4 Spend the rest of the day exploring the Contemporary Arts Center and the dozen or so art galleries in the area.
5 Have dinner at Emeril’s if you’re looking for fine dining or at Mulate’s if you want fried seafood and Cajun dancing.

Day 4
1 Board the Steamboat Natchez at 11AM (check times first) and take a trip down the Mississippi River.
2 Head over to the French Market at for some browsing, people-watching and souvenir shopping.
3 Take a stroll along the riverfront at Woldenberg Park.
4 Walk down to Frenchmen Street for dinner at Snug Harbor, Praline Connection or Marigny Brassiere followed by a night of live music at the clubs.

Day 5
1 Spend you day checking out Royal Street. Browse the art galleries and shop for antiques.
2 Or, take a day tour to visit some of the plantations outside of New Orleans.
3 If you still have enough energy when you get back to the city, stop off at Maple Lea f for some live music and a drink.

Day 6
1 Visit the National World War II Museum and catch a WWll film at the Victory Theatre.
2 Return downtown and spend the rest of the day exploring the French Quarter or book a cemetery tour.
3 Enjoy dinner in the French Quarter and take a trip through the neighborhood in a horse-drawn carriage.

Day 7
1 Head to Central Grocery and try one of their favorite muffulettas.
2 Hop over to the intersection of Canal Street and Magazine Street and head Uptown to spend a day shopping and eating at cafes on Magazine Street.
3 Enjoy dinner at Arnaud's Restaurant.
4 Spend a night out in the French Quarter and try one (or more!) of special New Orleans drinks such as the Hurricane (Pat O’Brien’s), Hand Grenade (Tropical Isle), the Absinthe House Frappe (Old Absinthe House) or a Sazerac (Sazerac Bar & Grill).