Are you planning on visiting Louisiana soon? This New Orleans 3-day itinerary will have you exploring the best the city has to offer in a short period!
New Orleans is one of the most underrated destinations. This city is vibrant and culturally rich and has some of the most beautiful architecture there is. The best part is that this city caters to all. If you’re into learning about history and cultures, New Orleans was influenced by the Spanish and the French and has special significance in American history.
Maybe you’re in it for the art and music. Well, you’ll find a combination of African, European, and Caribbean influences. Of course, if you are in it for the food, you can enjoy everything from sweet, tasty beignets to savory Creole dishes. It amazes us how every time we visit, we seem to get a new experience and unfold a new layer of New Orleans. So trust us in guiding your next 3-day adventure into the heart of Louisiana.
Continue reading to discover how to explore the best of New Orleans with this 3-day itinerary!
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Table of Contents
Day 1: Explore Jackson Square and the French Quarter
It’s time to start adventuring! Starting with a great breakfast, followed by exploring the most famous areas to kick off your 3-day New Orleans itinerary.
Morning
Breakfast
There is no better way to start your day here than with a quintessential New Orleans breakfast at Cafe Beignet. Yes, they absolutely have some delicious beignets you can enjoy a savory coffee with, but they also have a full breakfast menu.
If you want breakfast with a kick, try their Andouille Sausage Omelet. But, if you want to play it safe, their Cajun Hash Browns is quite a tasty breakfast dish. This is also conveniently located right by our morning activity suggestion.
Visit Jackson Square
The best time to visit Jackson Square is early morning, usually before 8:00 a.m. You get to avoid the crowds and the high noon sun. If you ask us, this is a win-win. Jackson Square is in the heart of the French Quarter. It offers a picturesque setting of the St. Louis Cathedral and some other iconic historic architecture. You’ll often catch artists set up outside the gates of the park. These prints make for an awesome, inexpensive souvenir, and you get to support local artists.
Afternoon
Lunch
If you’re in NOLA and you want to explore the local eateries around Jackson Square, we recommend trying the Olde Nola Cookery. Here, you will get a taste of authentic New Orleans cuisine. They have all the top hits: gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys. If you’re like us, you will want to order everything on the menu. We recommend trying their chicken and sausage gumbo and the crab cakes. You will not be disappointed!
Adventure the French Quarter
It’s always fun just taking a walk through the French Quarter. You can walk toward the mighty Mississippi River. Or, you can make your way through the tight streets of the iron-wrought balcony houses. You will often find bands playing some Louisiana music!
The French Market is also a great stop to peruse around. This also happens to be a great spot to try a local favorite treat – the pralines. Loretta’s New Orleans has some delicious ones we recommend.
Visit a Local Museum
If you are not done exploring, you can always take your inquisitiveness to the next level at a local museum. The Cabildo and the Presbytère Museums are right next to the St. Louis Cathedral are have some amazing collections. We enjoyed the Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana permanent exhibit of The Presbytère Museum. It has some intricate costumes and masks on display at this very famous festival.
Evening
Dinner
Try out some of the delicious Italian dishes and pizza at the Mona Lisa restaurant. This eclectic joint is right in the French Quarter. We loved their spinach dip to get us started, but make sure to save some room for the main entree.
Day 2: Botanical Garden and Cemetary Tour
Take a calming stroll through the botanical garden before heading on a cemetery tour to learn more about the city and its history.
Morning
Breakfast
Café Navarre is a local favorite spot where you can get a classic American breakfast with a New Orleans twist. The bourbon caramel pancakes and the jalapeño cheese grits are just a few of the tasty options you can choose from. The eggs benedict is an instant classic breakfast favorite. They also have an amazing roast beef po’ boy that makes an excellent to-go sandwich.
Take a Stroll Through the New Orleans Botanical Garden
Now that you have a belly full of tasty breakfast, the best thing to do is walk it off. There is no better place to take a walk than the beautiful New Orleans Botanical Garden. The grounds are a piece of art, and their collection of exotic plants is truly a sight to behold. Our favorites are the orchids and the glass-domed greenhouse, also known as the “Conservatory of the Two Sisters.”
And if you’re traveling with little ones, this one is for you. We discovered the sweetest little classical fairytale-themed park for littles. Storyland at City Park – right next to the Botanical Garden is the coolest fairytale park we’ve ever come across. It has a separate paid entrance, but it is well worth the money. This place can entertain toddlers for hours!
Afternoon
Lunch
Liuzza’s by the Track is a casual Creole tavern known for some very authentic Cajun cuisine. Their creole gumbo, corned beef po’boy, and crawfish etouffe are some of the most popular choices. However, the highlight of this eatery has to be their signature BBQ shrimp po’boys. Make sure you get a hearty lunch because you will need it for the next activity.
Go on a Cemetary Tour
If you have not been made aware, New Orleans is quite famous for its impressive cemeteries. Not only are their mausoleums, above-ground tombs, and headstones something to be amazed by, but the true allure comes from the stories. And for us, the best way to experience these is through a local tour.
These cemetery tours are usually paired with French Quarter history, stories about New Orleans Voodoo, and even delve into the paranormal. It’s a unique perspective into a side of New Orleans that people seem drawn to. No matter what it is that compels you to check out these graveyards, we promise you will end up learning something new about New Orleans.
Evening
Dinner
At this point, you’ve done a lot of walking and exploring gardens and tombs. Trust us, we get it, you’re hot and sticky and probably want to get back to your hotel to decompress and take in your day. We’ve got just the place for you!
MOPHO is a super trendy spot known for its Vietnamese dishes with a bit of Creole influence. Their crispy chicken wings are a crowd-pleaser, and their bubble tea drinks are a must. The best part is that their entire menu can be ordered to-go. So, if you’re ready to head on back but don’t want to miss out on a delicious meal, place your order at MOPHO’s.
Day 3: Plantation Tour and City Exploring
Start with another great breakfast at a café before heading out on a plantation tour to discover more about the history of the city. Finally, explore more of the city’s beautiful districts to close out your 3-day New Orleans itinerary.
Morning
Breakfast
Café Fleur De Lis is a casual cafe that offers some ample-portioned breakfasts. Their french toast is an amazing sweet breakfast option, while their omelets and eggs benedict are the choice for savory. The service is quite friendly and quick, and we promise you will leave feeling very satisfied.
Tour a Plantation
For your morning activity, embark on the historical adventure of touring a plantation. These tours often take you back in time to the antebellum era. These showcase the grandeur and complexity of the region’s historic plantations and their people.
You’ll typically learn about the lives of both the enslaved and the plantation owners. As well as the architecture, culture, and landscapes of these magnificent estates. This was an amazing experience for us. And no matter which plantation you choose to visit, you will leave with a newfound appreciation of American history.
Afternoon
Lunch
Some of these tours include lunch as part of their activity. We would recommend going this route and choosing one of these tours so you can have an easier time coordinating your day. However, if your tour doesn’t include lunch, we recommend you pack one or order one to-go. Po’boys make an excellent lunch for on-the-go.
We have also found that some plantations have an affiliated restaurant nearby. These tend to be more of an upscale dining experience but make for a great feast either way.
Explore Unique Districts
To finish off your New Orleans adventure, we recommend you visit one of its unique attractions or neighborhoods. The Garden District has some stunning historic homes and oak-lined streets. It is a sight out of a movie. Alternatively, you can check out Magazine Street. This area is known for its boutique shops and charming cafes.
Evening
Dinner
As the grand finale, we have saved the best for last. We know that this might not be in everyone’s budget, but hear us out. If you have planned for an amazing stay in New Orleans, why not treat yourself to something very special? August is an amazing contemporary Creole fine dining experience. The locale is simply beautiful, and it showcases the beauty of New Orleans architecture. The food is, simply put – impressive.
However, there are many other fantastic restaurants. You can always take a nice evening stroll and just try your luck at any of the local eateries. And if you’re looking for some more fine dining, some other local favorites are Antoine’s, Galatoire’s, and Arnaud’s.
Where to Stay in New Orleans
Located right outside the French Quarter, this charming and comfortable hotel will provide a perfect home base for your New Orleans visit. Lamothe House Hotel has more of a historical bed & breakfast feel, and the rooms that you can stay in showcase the beauty of time-period homes of the French Quarter with modern conveniences.
Explore More of New Orleans with an Excursion
Parting Words: 3-Day New Orleans Itinerary
New Orleans is a city like no other. The history, culture, and cuisine are just the highlights of what this city has to offer. With this itinerary, we hoped to have covered the best of the best that the city has to offer.
Whether it is exploring the French Quarter, wandering through historic cemeteries, or savoring the flavors of Creole and Cajun cuisine, we believe we have delivered an experience like no other. This New Orleans itinerary will help you make the most of your 3-day visit. Embrace the unique ambiance of New Orleans and savor every moment of your stay. We hope you enjoy your trip!
Have you been to NOLA? What would you add to this 3-day New Orleans itinerary? Let me know in the comments!
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