Saturday

Start with breakfast at Cafe du Monde in City Park (Beignets and coffee).   After breakfast, walk across the bayou to check out some of the oldest live oak trees in the city.  Then walk to the New Orleans Art Museum or Sculpture Garden (adults) or Storyland/Children’s Museum/City Putt (kids). 

For lunch, head to Parkway Tavern, which has some of the best po-boys in the city. Blue Oak BBQ has large outdoor seating and great food. If you're in the mood for a lighter lunch, Mediterranean fare 1000 figs is a NOLA lunch favorite. 

Saturday Night

Order pre-dinner drinks at Bayou Beer and Wine Garden, a large outdoor courtyard bar with small bites, and a large drink menu. Enjoy dinner at Marjie’s Grill for Asian fusion or Addis NOLA for great Ethiopian fare. If you're in the mood for music, The Broadside and Bank Street Bar have events happening nearly every day. 

Friday Night (classic FQ night) 

Pre-dinner drink at Arnud’s French 75.  Dinner at Galatoire's (jackets required) or Antonies.  After dinner, head to Pat O’s which has a great outdoor area and piano bar inside (it’s in the back across from the bathrooms).  Then walk to Harrah’s (soon to be renamed Caesars) for gambling. 

Saturday Day

Brunch at Justine or Brennans.  Then walk around the French Quarter, making sure to check out the galleries and shops on Royal Street and Jackson Square.  

Saturday Night (contemporary FQ night)  

Dinner at Compere Lapin.  Then walk to The Will and the Way, a new bar that’s popular that has a nice courtyard.  Finish at a Chart Room, a classic French Quarter dive bar.  

Thursday Night

Late dinner at Appoline (upscale) or Pizza Domenica (mid-priced).  After dinner, walk to Le Bon Teps Roule to catch Soul Rebel’s weekly concert (tickets are $20 at the door, Thursday nights only starting around 11 pm).  After the concert, walk to Ms. Mae’s or Brothers Three, both classic New Orleans 24-hour dive bars.   

Friday 

Brunch at Atchafalaya.  Then stroll along Magazine Street for shopping and wander around the Garden District (between Magazine St and St. Charles Ave) to check out some amazing homes.  Stop at Bulldog for a drink outside or for something fancier, head to The Chloe or The Columns. (You can do this itinerary in reverse, starting with brunch at The Columns).

Friday Night

Head to Superior Seafood for one of the best happy hours in the city:  $1.25 oysters and drink specials (4pm-6:30pm everyday).  You can either stay for dinner or continue on to New Orleans' most famous restaurant: Commander’s Palace.  Then head to Tchop Yard or Miel, two large outdoor bars off Tchoupitoulas St. 

Magazine/Audubon Park:  Check out the Audubon Zoo.  It’s a fun and pretty Zoo - it’s a nice way to spend a couple of hours.  There’s also a large section dedicated to native animals.   After the Zoo, drive or walk to the levee (labeled Audubon Riverview Park on google maps), a park along the Mississippi River that’s popular with locals and Tulane students.  Or, if you're hungry, walk 15 minutes (or drive) to either Picnic Provisions (casual) or Saba (fantastic sit-down Israeli).  From there, continue walking down Magazine Street - there are shops, restaurants, and bars all the way to the French Quarter.  

Friday Night 

Start with a pre-dinner drink at Elysian Bar.  Walk to dinner at N7 for great outdoor dining (they offer a prefix for parties of 10+).  Finish the night at Bud Rips or Anna’s -  both are fun dive bars.  

Saturday  

Start with brunch at Paladar 511 or Country Club, a restaurant, bar, and pool that has a Drag Brunch (must make reservations months in advance for the brunch). Then walk to Studio Be (opens at 2 pm, make a reservation before) to check out some art.  Walk to Parleaux Brewery, which has a nice (large) outdoor area.  Then make your way to Bacchanal, a backyard venue where you can order bottles of wine and watch live music.     

Saturday Night 

Dinner at Bywater American Bistro.  Then walk to R Bar for a few drinks before making your way to Frenchman Street, where you can catch live music.   Most of the venues are similar so pick the venue based on the band playing.  If you’re still unsure, The Spotted Cat, DBA, Blue Nile, and Maison are all good options.  You can walk to the French Quarter from here - if you do, stop at Laffite’s on the way. 

Saturday

Start with breakfast at Willa Jean (pricey) or Bearcat (less pricey but long waits and no reservations. Expect 30 minutes).  Then walk to the WW2 museum or The Ogden Museum for engaging exhibits. Contemporary Art Center has more art if you haven't had your fix, and make sure to grab a mid-day latte at Mr. Wolf Espresso. 

Saturday Night

If you're looking for a great seafood dinner Peche and Seaworthy are your best spots in the Warehouse District. Next door is The Ace Hotel for live music and drinks in their lobby and club room. And to “top” off the night, take the elevator to Alto, their rooftop poolside bar that closes at 10:30 pm. If one rooftop poolside bar isn't enough, mosey on over a block away to The Virgin Hotel’s “The Pool Club”.

There's no shortage of New Orleans Tours but here's a good place to begin:

Private Tours

Two Chicks Walking Tours 

$395 for private group tours up to 14 people! 

www.twochickswalkingtours.com

(504) 975 - 4386

Swamp Tours

Cajun Encounters

Transport is available to the swamp 45 minutes away.

www.cajunencounters.com

(504) 834-1770

Ghost Tours

New Orleans Ghosts

nolaghost.com

All sorts of spooky tour packages are available

(504) 434-7314