For a more relaxing and less Bourbon Street experience
Table of Contents
New Orleans, home of The Big Easy, Gumbo, Jazz, and Beignets! This part of Lousiana and the USA is a true melting pot of French, Spanish, First American, and West African cultures. However, you’re probably just thinking about the party and drinking scene, not a relaxing rich cultural experience, am I right?
While New Orleans is famous for Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras there’s so much more to see and do. Living in New York City I’m not big into tourist attractions such as Time Square or Bourbon Street. When my friend and I were planning a weekend getaway girls trip, we wanted food, culture, and fun without the tackiness of tourist attractions and that’s exactly what we got on our girl’s trip 3 days in New Orleans.
Are 3 days enough for New Orleans? If you’re looking for a weekend getaway then it’s the perfect amount of time to check of all your “Things To Do In New Orleans” list. Prior to our trip, I’ve never been before but felt that 3 days was the perfect length of time to get a taste of everything New Orleans has to offer. The energy is eccentric, the people are friendly and witty, and best of all, the food is true southern comfort. Looking for trip planning advice? Check out my blog post “Plan A Stress-Free Trip With Google Maps Trip Planner“. Save time, money, and sanity with these easy trip planning tips.
Here is how to enjoy a more relaxing and none touristy girls trip weekend, 3 days in New Orleans.
How To Get to New Orleans
New Orleans from the North East is a little over a three hour none stop flight. Tickets are usually pretty cheap around $200-$300 round trip. I always use Google Flights or Skyscanner to find cheap flight deals. Once you land, no need to rent a car, there are plenty of Ubers available to take you into town in under 25 minutes. If you live on the panhandle of Florida, then it’s an easy 3-4 hour drive.
New Orleans is very walkable for the most part if you’re staying around the French Quarter. However, if you’re planning on going on a swamp tour (highly recommend) or anywhere far from the French Quarter than I suggest getting a ride.
Where to Stay in New Orleans
The most popular places to stay in New Orleans are the French Quarter or the Graden District. The French Quarter is famous for Burbon Street, Jackson Square, Old-world architecture, Century-old restaurants. It’s the heart of all attractions and festivities in NOLA. However, the Graden District is more luxurious, known for it’s Grand mansions, St. Charles Streetcar, Magazine Street shopping. Notable residents of the neighborhood include Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, and Lil Wayne.
Here are some suggestions for fun, relaxing, and luxurious accommodations in New Orleans.
Peter & Paul
This 150-year-old former church and schoolhouse were recently renovated into a vibrant boutique hotel on the outskirts of the French Quarter (10 min walk). With a mix of architecture, history, and modern touches staying here truly feels like being part of history. Prices start at $179 per night.
Bywater Beauty
Unique USA Airbnb: Soak up that famous Nola charm and hospitality in a Victorian historic New Orleans home. This 1 bedroom in Bywater has everything you need for a true Nola stay. The house has modern amenities like central air and was renovated in early 2017 without losing its historical charm. Bywater is a historic neighborhood filled with cafes, shops, and lots of dining options. $93/night
Soniat House
The original goal is to provide modern conveniences while preserving the architectural integrity of the original design. The restoration produced an elegant retreat in the middle of the French Quarter. A quiet and luxe hideaway nestled in the middle of it all. Prices start at $245 per night.
When Is The Best Time To Visit New Orleans?
The most popular time of the year to go to New Orleans is for Mardi Gras, the celebration period before fasting for the season of Lent, late February/early March. Another busy season for New Orleans is Halloween. It draws thousands to the Quarter, parade up and down Frenchmen Street displaying the city’s legendary wit and creativity in their carefully crafted costumes. All Hallow’s Eve in New Orleans is an experience to remember for both the living – and undead.
If you’re looking for more of a relaxed vibe try April, May, and October. Late spring-early summer the weather is still comfortable enough that you won’t be miserable. New Orleans gets very hot in the dead of summer and if you’re planning on doing walking tours it could get uncomfortable.
Must-Eat Foods of New Orleans
3 days in New Orleans is plenty of time to try all the must eat food in New Orleans. Nola is definitely a foodie city. If you’re not into southern cooking or deep-fried and battered everything or worried about calories, this might not be the place for you. New Orleans is home to Creole Cusine, it’s a mix of French, Spanish, West African, and Native American cuisine with tons of spices and flavors.
Most of the best restaurants to try authentic Creole cuisine are in the French Quarter so they’ll be accessible to you on foot. Below are some of the native dishes to New Orleans and where the locals eat; they are a must-try on your girls’ trip weekend.
Best Restaurants in New Orleans & The Must-Eat Foods
Gumbo
The Gumbo Shop, Voted the best Gumbo in Nola! Gumbo is the heart and soul of New Orleans. It’s the perfect example of blended creole food that New Orleans is known for. The portions are rather large so feel free to share a plate of Gumbo and don’t forget to leave room for a slice of their southern pecan pie with a scope of ice cream at the end of the meal. This place can get pretty crowded so be prepared for a wait, but I promise it will be worth it.
French Quarter Restaurant, 630 Saint Peter Street, New Orleans LA, 70116
Crawfish
The Blue Crab: Get some fresh air and enjoy boiled crawfish on Lake Pontchartrain at Blue Crab. Wash them down with a frozen cocktail! A classic low country dish worth trying at least once.
7900 Lakeshore Drive New Orleans, La 70124
Po-Boy
Guy’s Po-boys: This traditional sandwich from Louisiana almost always consists of meat, which is usually roast beef or fried seafood. Often shrimp, crawfish, fish, oysters, or crab. The meat is served on New Orleans French bread, known for its crisp crust and fluffy center. Guy’s has delicious, traditional Po-Boys wrapped in white paper and served with locally made Zapp’s potato chips. The place is a bit small so I recommend getting your pi-boy to go.
Guy’s Po-boys, 5259 Magazine Street, New Orleans, USA, + 1 504 891 5025
Muffaletta
Francesca Deli, Pizzeria, And Catering: The famous sandwich, layered with olive salad, genoa salami, ham, mortadella, provolone, and Swiss cheese, was created after the Sicilians arrived in New Orleans in the late 1880s.
515 Harrison Avenue Ave New Orleans LA 70124
Red Beans & Rice
Typically served on Mondays, and many restaurants will give you a bowl along with your meal.
Beignets
Cafe Du Monde: This heavenly doughnut covered with powdered sugar is served hot and fresh. If there’s one thing you must try during your three days in New Orleans, it’s beignets.
French Market, 800 Decatur Street New Orleans, LA 70116
New Orleans Itinerary: Day 1
Breakfast at Cafe Du Monde and Walking Tour of The French Quarter
Start your 3 days in New Orleans itinerary with your girlfriends by heading down to the French Market for breakfast at Cafe Du Monde. Enjoy a cup of coffee and fresh hot beignets to start the day off right. Cafe Du Monde is opened 24 hours a day and always buzzing with people and live music on the streets. Spend the day getting to know the French Quarter with the girls and take note of the history and architecture of the city.
Tarot Card Reading at Voodoo Authentica
If you’re into voodoo you’ll want to call ahead of your trip and make an appointment at Voodoo Authentica in the French Quarter and get your tarot cards read. For all my Bravo Housewives watchers, this was the same tarot card reader that read Ashley from Real Housewives of Potomac and told her she was going to have a baby with Michael soon.
Readings are $45 for 30 minutes and you can record the recording on your phone. I personally was impressed and shocked by the information that was bestowed on me LOL. Your friends can all be in the room with you and can take turns getting their cards read.
After you’ve been given insight into your life, head over to Earth Odyssey to get some crystals for stress, balance, headaches, love, etc.
Dinner and Live Jazz at Bacchanal Wine
End your first night in New Orleans on your girls’ trips with the essentials, wine, cheese, and music. Jump into an Uber and head to Bacchanal Wine. The area is a bit sketchy but walk through the back door of the wine shop and you’ll be transported to another destination. Grab a table and order a bottle of wine for the girls and a charcuterie plate. Enjoy the live music 7-9 pm, for a fun night in Nola.
New Orleans Itinerary: Day 2
Day 2 on your 3 days in New Orleans itinerary is all about getting down and dirty with a swamp tour. Now I know what you might be thinking, I thought this was a classy girls trip? However, you have to trust me when I say haven’t laughed so hard in my life than when I went on a swamp tour. I promise!
Go On A Swap Tour
Airboat Adventures: Going on a swamp tour is a must in New Orleans, at least once in your life. On my girls’ trip, we boated with Airboat Adventures, highly recommend it.
You can choose from a large pontoon boat $32 or an airboat which is what we did. The small airboat is $79 per person for 6 people, if you wish to reserve an entire airboat make sure to email them ahead of time. The larger airboat costs $55 per person and all tours are 2 hours. We opted for a small airboat and loved the experience!
The swamp tour is located 30 minutes outside of the city. Once you book your tickets, Airboat Adventures will reach out by email and inquire about your hotel stay so they can pick you up by bus. Roundtrip fare is included in your ticket.
Get Drinks At The Elysian Bar at Peter & Paul
After a long day at the swamp with the alligators’ time to wash up and head over to the Elysian bar for a pre-dinner drink at The Peter & Paul hotel. We stayed at Peter & Paul during our trip so we headed downstairs for a light R&R and vodka lemonade. The bar offers unique craft cocktails like C’est Chic which includes Campari, Alessio Bianco vermouth, hibiscus tea,
lime, cucumber bitters, salt. Additional offerings include dinner and Sunday brunch.
Have Dinner On Magazine Street At Peche
One of your meals during your 3 days in New Orleans has to be seafood! I’m a huge seafood lover and couldn’t wait to get my hands on some fresh oysters at Peche on Magazine Street. Highly recommend getting the oysters and smoked tuna dip as starters.
Magazine Street travels from the Central Business District and the Warehouse Arts District through the Garden District and Uptown. It’s the place to go for more modern upscale shopping and dining.
New Orleans Itinerary: Day 3
Grab a Frozen Slushie From Willie’s
One of the unique things about New Orleans is that they allow open containers, aka you can walk around with alcohol. On your third day in New Orleans take one last walk around the French Quarter and pick up a slushie from Willie’s Chicken Shack. One of the best and fun places to get drinks in New Orleans.
I am not above a touristy drink, especially when it’s a frozen margarita on a hot summer’s day. There are 8 Willie’s locations all over New Orleans so you’re sure to run into one. Drink prices in New Orleans are like anywhere else. In high tourist areas, they’re expensive but cheaper on the outskirts or smaller hole in the wall places.
Take A City Tour of New Orleans
Once you’ve snagged a 3 foot frozen cocktail before noon, take it on a bus city tour of New Orleans. I love going on history tours when I’m visiting a new place, there’s always so much to learn and see. We took this bus tour and it was perfect for a hot summer day. The bus driver was a Nola local and super informative. The stops include the French Quarter, Treme, the Esplanade, the Garden District, and the Metairie Cemetery.
3 Day New Orleans Summary
Overall 3 days in New Orleans for a girls’ trip has something for everyone in your friend group. Whether it’s food, history, activities, voodoo there’s so much to do in the Big Easy.
Save This Post on Pinterest
