Quick answer: Day 1: French Quarter and Frenchmen Street. Day 2: streetcar to the Garden District, then the WWII Museum. Day 3: swamp tour and Treme. Day 4: City Park, a plantation or a cooking class.
Day 1: French Quarter
- Morning: beignets at Café du Monde, then Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral.
- Midday: French Market and a muffuletta.
- Afternoon: Royal Street, a walking tour of the Quarter’s history.
- Evening: dinner, then live jazz on Frenchmen Street.
Day 2: Garden District and museums
- Morning: St. Charles streetcar to the Garden District; walk the mansions and Magazine Street.
- Afternoon: National WWII Museum.
- Evening: Preservation Hall set and Bourbon Street (once is enough).
Day 3: Swamp and Treme
- Morning: swamp or bayou boat tour (most include hotel pickup).
- Afternoon: Treme and Louis Armstrong Park; Sunday? Look for a second line.
- Evening: Creole dinner.
Day 4: City Park or a plantation
Visit City Park and NOMA, or take a tour to Whitney Plantation along the River Road.
Tips
- Book a hotel in the Quarter or the Marigny so you can walk home from shows.
- Restaurants fill up: reserve dinner in advance at weekends.
FAQ: New Orleans itinerary
Are 2 days enough in New Orleans?
Two days covers the French Quarter and Garden District; three lets you add a swamp tour.
Do you need a car in New Orleans?
No. Walk, take the streetcar or use rideshares; parking in the Quarter is expensive.
More New Orleans guides
- New Orleans travel guide
- 20 best things to do in New Orleans
- Where to stay in New Orleans
- Best time to visit New Orleans
- New Orleans airport to the French Quarter
- Mardi Gras in New Orleans
- New Orleans swamp tours
- French Quarter guide
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