How to Spend Three Days in New Orleans

 NOLA. New Orleans. The Big Easy.

You can call it what you want, but any person who has visited New Orleans will call it something else too: undeniably impressive. When it comes to the rambunctious locals, unmatched foodie scene, fascinating convergence of cultures, 300 year-old history, and its disputed drinking habits, there is indeed no place like NOLA.

In September, I visited New Orleans and discovered the city for three days, with my friends better known as G6. This trip was our fifth annual trip as a group, and the tours are just getting better! We were able to discover New Orleans leisurely, allowing ourselves to find the best places to eat and the most thrilling things to do. So now, I can tell you that three days in NOLA will be the perfect amount of time to experience the greatest of what the city has to offer.

Here is how you should spend three days in New Orleans!

DAY 1

First things first, Where to stay while in New Orleans?

They say staying in French Quarter is the best place to stay. Thus, you are right in the middle of everything. Nevertheless, residing a little bit outside of the busy quarter is not such a bad idea as well. We stayed off Saint Peters Street at an Airbnb, and we were close enough to get on the trolley for some change. Our Airbnb host was excellent; she accommodated our late check out since our flight was in the evening. There are plenty of hotels smack in the middle of French Quarter if you are not the Airbnb type. It is near all the restaurants, bars, shops and more.

BREAKFAST

Start your first three days in NOLA bright and early at the biscuits & buns on banks or Ruby Slipper Café in French Quarter. You must experience the city’s legendary cuisine, and biscuits & buns was a perfect introduction to down southern home cooking.

Try: Grilled Brie on Waffles with Blueberry compote, powdered sugar served with potatoes.

FRENCH QUARTER

The eldest and most iconic district in New Orleans is without question the French Quarter. The French Quarter’s Bourbon Street is LIVE around the clock with bustling bars and clubs, but that is not all it has to offer.

When you wander the French Quarter, you can appreciate the old buildings, beautiful iron balconies, and bright flowers. Stop and watch electrifying jazz performances or hop into a second line parade. Poke your head into a few shops to get a glimpse. Observe and interact with the mix of people that French Quarter attracts. While there, we had the opportunity to meet a group of Haitian women from New York, so we connected there we love meeting #HaitiansWhoTravel.

LUNCH

You can try Café Pontalba Creole Cajun Cusine once you take a seat there it is a lovely setting. You can people-watch through the windows and turn your attention to the Saints and Hornets game playing throughout the restaurant. It is a fantastic location for historic Jackson Square houses, therefore offering you a watch of all the activity of the square while you eat. The Creole specialties and classic New Orleans dishes like jambalaya, red beans and rice, gumbo and blackened alligator.

JACKSON SQUARE

Afterwards, wander through one of the most scenic and historic parks in New Orleans. Jackson Square is always full of street entertainers, jazz performers, travelers and locals alike; it is just one of the city’s most popular squares.

NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM

Embark on a free museum tour such as the Historic New Orleans Collection Museum & Shop. This museum has four exhibition spaces that are free of charge and present multicultural stores of the region, from the permanent displays exploring the development of Louisiana to showcasing the history and fine art. We did not experience a New Orleans cemetery tour, but I have heard it is one you must book a tour.

After your tour, visit a Tropical Isle to get ahold of your hand grenade. Tropical Isle is a great place to spend your day or evening while visiting NOLA & the French Quarter. You can also try many of their famous drinks like the Shark Attack, Honey Gator or Tropical Itch. Be sure to hold onto your grenade because it will cost less to get a refill than to purchase a new one.

In New Orleans, you ought to stop for beignets and coffee at Café Du Monde, a famous New Orleanian institution. A part of the French Market, a short visit will be a reward. When you enter just have a seat and the waiter will come to you and be sure to have cash hence it CASH only. The beignets were a pleasant dessert start to our three days in NOLA.

DAY 2

MORNING RUN Of course, we cannot go to a new city and not participate in a Saturday Morning Run. J.U.S.T.E Inc has its SMR Tour in full effect, therefore; we ran at New Orleans City Park. We had a great group come out and support the movement. Be sure to follow JUSTE, Inc.  on Facebook.

BREAKFAST

Wake up early and head over to Wakin Bakin for a delicious breakfast. This place will not disappoint as they offer to dine in, take-out and delivery. You can enjoy outside street view while you enjoy your breakfast.

SHOPPING AND LUNCH

After you have finished breakfast and walked around, step back out onto the city’s unique boutiques and tourist shops. When your stomach starts to rumble, you can head to Mother’s Restaurant for a quick bite.

FRENCHMEN STREET

When the sunset is gone, Frenchmen Street comes alive. Grab a drink and take to the streets to watch jazz performances. The music is infectious, and you can dance and drink all night long.

DAY 3

BRUNCH

We were on a hunt for Haitian food, and we located Fritai in the St. Roch Market. It was not authentic Haitian food, but it satisfied the tummy. There are many other shops within the market as well to try. We celebrated our September birthdays while having brunch.

BOURBON STREET

There are not many streets as romanticized as Bourbon Street. But the street does live up to its name. There you will find tons of drunk folks, loud music, attention-grabbing costumes, and just madness to join on. Just enjoy the streets and watch everything unfold.

NATIONAL FRIED CHICKEN FESTIVAL

During our time visiting, the National Fried Chicken Festival was underway it was a free outdoor festival featured food, music, and families in celebration of the classic southern dish. Right at Woldenberg Park, they held an eating contest, two music stages, lounge area and more.

As always be sure to travel and experience new places. It is not expensive to travel still remember that just make time for it and live your best life.

A suggestion for those who like to travel as a group throughout the year you can do what Haitians call a “Sol” with a twist. Every pay period you can contribute a designated amount to the most financially responsible individual to receive, they will collect, and if they find any flight or lodging deals, they can purchase with having the money upfront. This model will alleviate you feeling like your spending a lump sum at one entire time. That method was useful for us.