The Perfect New Orleans 3-Day Itinerary

While there’s a ton to do — and I have plenty of museums and restaurants on my to-do list for my eventual return — three days is a great amount of time to get to experience an overview of this amazing city. 

There’s time to check out its most popular and beautiful neighborhoods, get a taste of some history and culture, listen to lots of music, and try some of the main foods and drinks. Although I definitely left NOLA feeling like my time had been cut short and wishing I’d had a couple more days, I also feel like I covered a lot of ground in just a long weekend.

Some tips for visiting New Orleans:

→ Bring cash! A surprising amount of places were cash-only. You’ll also want cash on-hand for tipping any tour guides.

→ Weather-wise, New Orleans can get a lot of rain. October, when I visited, is the driest month.

Although I lucked out and the weather was perfectly hot and sunny, October still averages like three inches of rain usually. So, I would pack some rain gear just in case, especially if you’re visiting during the rainier months!

→ Be prepared to walk a lot.

→ People dress pretty casually — so especially considering the above point, I’d suggest leaving the heels at home!

→ Looking for more tips? This guide has everything you need to know for your first time in New Orleans.

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New Orleans Voodoo Museum

This is a small museum dedicated to Voodoo and its influence in New Orleans.

There are just a couple rooms, so don’t expect to spend a long time here.

But I thought it was really interesting and well done. Voodoo has had a significant impact on New Orleans history and culture, so it’s well worth learning a bit about!

Admission is $10 or $8 with a student ID. (724 Dumaine St.)

Voodoo Authentica

Just down the street from the museum, Voodoo Authentica is and interesting little shop/cultural center.

If you’re interested in picking up an authentic souvenir, this is the spot to do it. (612 Dumaine St.)

Le Jardín

This is a beautiful little shop selling art. (613 Royal St.)

Omen 

If you’re interested in witchy things, then you will looove New Orleans!

Described as a “psychic parlor and witchcraft emporium,” there are lots of interesting things to peruse within Omen.  (1205 Decatur St.)

Hex

Just a couple doors down from Omen is another witchy shop. Hex, “an Old World Witchery” also sells all sorts of herbs, divination tools, candles, books, and more. (1219 Decatur St.)

Crescent City Conjure 

Sticking with the witchy theme, this shop also sells things like oils, incense, herbs, and gris-gris, an amulet used in Voodoo. (1224 Decatur St.)

Sassy Magick 

This metaphysical shop leans towards the cuter, artsier end of things. Thing “American Horror Story-Coven meets Hello Kitty,” to use their own words. (1301 Decatur St.)

Day 2: Bywater neighborhood, JAMNOLA, Mardi Gras World, Frenchmen Street

Bywater

The Bywater neighborhood is a cute and colorful little neighborhood that’s — you guessed it — by the water.

A delicious Honduran Restaurant, Alma Cafe, is here, and it’s a great spot for breakfast, but there are a bunch of options in this area if you’re up for something else. (800 Louisa St.)

After breakfast, head to Crescent Park for a little walk and to check out the water.

JAMNOLA

Also in the Bywater neighborhood, JAMNOLA is an immersive art museum, with art all by local artists and inspired by New Orleans.

Tickets are $$33.97 through their website, or $29 on Viator.

JAMNOLA is open every day except for Wednesdays. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.(2832 Royal St.)

Note: This location will be closing on December 31, 2024 and JAMNOLA will be reopening as an even larger destination on Frenchmen Street afterwards.

From JAMNOLA, you’ll probably want to grab an Uber, since it’s about three miles away to Mardi Gras World.

Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras is one of, if not the most famous things about New Orleans, so it’s only fitting that you take some time to learn about the tradition.

At Mardi Gras World, you can learn about the floats and sculptures created for the annual event, plus you’ll see some objects created for Disney World and private events too.

They also have a free tourist shuttle which will drop you off around Canal Street afterwards. 

Mardi Gras World is open seven days a week, with entrance from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $22 and can be booked here. (1380 Port of New Orleans Place)

Day 3: City Park, Magazine Street, Garden District

City Park

New Orleans is vibrant, loud, and well, a giant city, so if you’re anything like me, you may be needing a little refresh and some quiet time at this point.

So, start the morning off at City Park, one of the most gorgeous spots in the city.

It’s giant (it’s even one of the largest urban parks in the country), and I didn’t get to explore most of it, and you could easily spend hours here if you have the time. 

There’s a botanical garden, the New Orleans Museum of Art, a sculpture garden, and even an amusement park, just to name a few of the attractions this park has to offer.

There are also plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like biking, kayaking, or just exploring nature. Plus, there are a number of food options, including the iconic Café Du Monde, a New Orleans institution known for its beignets. (56 Dreyfous Drive)

Magazine Street

This six-mile road is another one of New Orleans’ unique must-dos.

Magazine Street stretches across multiple neighborhoods, all offering their distinct vibes, with tons of stores, restaurants, cafes and bars along the way. I suggest heading to its Garden District section, as this is another beautiful neighborhood we haven’t had a chance to check out yet!

Garden District

The Magazine Antique Mall is a great spot for fans of thrift shopping and anyone looking for unique home goods or art, while Fleurty Girl is another New Orleans mainstay selling unique clothing and accessories. (3017 Magazine St., 3137 Magazine St.)

While here, wander around and explore some of the beautiful historic homes in this neighborhood. 

I didn’t get to visit these spots, but the Garden District is also home to unique attractions like Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, one of the oldest cemeteries in the city. In case you didn’t know, New Orleans utilizes above-ground tombs due to the city being below sea level. 

→ Note: The Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is temporarily closed due to repairs, according to its website. I will update this note once I see that it’s reopened!

The Rink, a former ice rink that has been converted into a shopping center, is another popular destination with a number of cute shops including a bookstore. (2727 Prytania St.)

If you’re looking for some more art and culture, there are also a number of museums and galleries in this area, from the George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art to the Ashé Cultural Arts Center which focuses on Black art.

Where to Stay in New Orleans

The French Quarter is absolutely gorgeous, walkable, and has tons of restaurants, bars, shops, and sightseeing, which is key.

Especially if it’s your first time in NOLA, I would 100% recommend getting a hostel or hotel here or very close by.

Many hotels are just a few blocks away in the Business District (around Canal Street), which is a great option too for its proximity and lots of food options.

However, there are other great options as well! The Warehouse District and the Garden District are also great neighborhoods that are walkable, with plenty of food, bar and sightseeing options closeby.

$ HI NEW ORLEANS HOSTEL – This highly-rated hostel has a great location right on Canal Street, meaning the French Quarter is just a short walk away. It has air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi and a bar, plus a 24-hour front desk. It also includes a continental breakfast. Private rooms start at $139, but if you’re willing to go with a shared dorm, prices go from $23 to $39. Find out more here. 

$$ HISTORIC STREETCAR INN – This cute boutique hotel a mile outside of the French Quarter is also in a great location and it has many food options and sightseeing options nearby. It’s also a great option for anyone looking for a charming and historic ambiance! Book here.

$$$ HOTEL LE MARAIS – Right in the French Quarter, this hotel has a heated saltwater pool, a fitness center, a courtyard, and a shared lounge. There’s no food onsite, but its location makes this hotel worth it. Learn more.

What to Eat and Drink in New Orleans

I’ll be honest, the food was a major reason for me wanting to visit New Orleans in the first place.

Known for its distinctive Creole cuisine, it was overwhelming trying to figure out the best places to eat within only three days. 

While you could spend forever making your way through New Orleans’ massive food scene, here are some must-tries that are doable in three days:

• Po’boy – This classic New Orleans sandwich usually comes with a choice of fried shrimp, fried oysters, or some other seafood, plus lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a remoulade or mayo. 
• Gumbo – This is one of NOLA’s most famous dishes and falls between a soup and stew. It usually has some combination of ingredients like chicken, sausage, and seafood.
• Jambalaya – This rice-based dish also has things like Andouille sausage, chicken, and seafood. 
• Etouffee – Etouffee is another type of stew with a thick roux-based sauce. It’s a bit spicy and usually has seafood or chicken. 
• Muffaletta – This is a New Orleans Italian sandwich with ham and salami, provolone, and an olive dressing, all on a sesame roll.
• Beignets – I’m not a big donut person, but I’ll make an exception for the New Orleans version. It’s essentially a deep-fried pastry covered in powdered sugar (I made the mistake of wearing black when I tried this — somehow I made it out unscathed, but be warned.)

And since New Orleans is also all about its drinks, here are some popular cocktails to try here:

• Hurricane – This fruity cocktail has two types of rum, lime juice, orange juice, passion fruit, grenadine, and simple syrup.
• Sazerac – Considered the official drink of New Orleans, this is made up of rye whiskey, absinthe, a sugar cube, and bitters.
• French 75 – Although not technically from New Orleans, it was popularized here! (It’s also one of my favorites.) It has gin, simple syrup, lemon, and champagne.
• Fleur de Lis – This is one I’d never heard of before visiting New Orleans — it originated at the Carousel Bar, which I didn’t get to visit, but it was on the menu at several other spots I went to. It’s made up of gin, elderflower liqueur, lavender simple syrup, lemon juice, egg white, and lemon soda. 
• Pimm’s Cup – Popularized at the Napoleon House (a historic restaurant also known for its muffalettas), Pimm’s Cup has gin, lemon juice, and ginger ale, plus garnishes of cucumber, strawberry and mint.