48 hours in New Orleans… Just enough time to take in all the major sites and stuff your face with all the tasty not-good-for-you foods.
New Orleans, Louisiana is a destination that often shocks visitors with its rich history and gourmet cuisine. I know I was pleasantly surprised, even after heavily researching the best activities and delicacies beforehand (guilty!) 48 hours can give you a good feel for the city and a taste of what it has to offer.
Here is my perfect 48 hours:
Day 1
8:00am Have an early breakfast at Powdered Sugar, inside the Hyatt French Quarter (even more convenient if you’re staying here!) The creole eggs and rosemary biscuits are to die for. A plus since they open at 6am. A nice way to start your jam-packed day.
9:00am Take an alligator tour of the Louisiana Swamps and bayous. With more than 3 million acres of coastal wetlands surrounding the area of New Orleans, it’s not unlikely to see hundreds of these reptiles in their natural habitat on any given day. I’ll say that again: HUNDREDS.
2:00pm Stuff your face with beignets and hot cocoa from Cafe du Monde, the tastiest treat you’ll have in the French Quarter. World famous for it’s cafe ‘au lait, beignets, and the opportunity to people watch, you can’t come to New Orleans without a visit to Cafe du Monde. Being so popular, this place is always so super crowded!
10:00pm Experience the thrill of Bourbon Street. Go to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop for some live jazz music, the oldest bar in America. Throw back a few hurricanes while weighing down your neck with beads. Have some fun and don’t hold back- it literally feels like Mardi Gras every night on Bourbon Street!
8:00am Get up early for breakfast at the Gumbo Pot, where you can have an authentic Creole meal first thing in the morning. If it’s a sunny day, opt for outdoor seating. Try the Eggs Basin St., two poached eggs nestled atop cornbread, smothered with spicy red beans that are cooked with pork Andouille sausage and smoked ham and topped with Hollandaise sauce.
3:00pm Take the cable car to the Garden District, spend a few hours admiring the gorgeous houses (more like mansions) and super-detailed architecture. Or you could take the hop-on/hop off bus and spend an hour at the Mardi Gras World looking at the colorful floats they use year after year at the parade in addition to walking the Garden District.
8:00pm Take a haunted history walking tour. You can find a company on the streets, they’re all good. Don’t let the ghosts and ghouls scare you in New Orleans. You’ll believe it’s all real, because it is…
10:00pm Head back out to bourbon street (if you dare!), but be sure to wake up in time for your flight the next morning!
We were definitely pretty tired after packing so much into two days! Needed a vacation from our short trip! So worth it though- NOLA is such an amazing city!
My recent post 48 Hours in New Orleans
Tell me about it! Wish I had two stomachs so I could eat even more!
My recent post 48 Hours in New Orleans
Okay, it's totally your fault if I blow all my savings this summer on weekend trips! This is an awesome guide for a first-timer in NOLA. I'm the least adventurous eater ever, but even I'm intrigued by all the food you've described!
-Katie at AdventuringAtHome
Thanks! Wish I had more time there, but only had 3 days so I had to fit it all in! Would love to see your article once it's live! 🙂
My recent post 48 Hours in Naples, Italy
I used to be a very picky eater, but I urge you to go all out and be adventurous! The alligator was delicious! Kinda tasted like chicken, haha!
My recent post 48 Hours in Naples, Italy
The only thing that I would recommend is that you go to the Central Grocery next time for the Muffelatta. I liked it much better than the one at the Napoleon House. You need to go early or they sell out, not much for atmosphere but what a sandwich!
Next time I am there I will try and get in half of what you suggest. To do it all would kill me. Thanks.
Well, first, I think that you would love visiting the French Quarter for a few days. The aertitrchuce, food, and music is fantastic. New Orleans is overlooked when you think about cities in the U.S. with a long rich history. New Orleans is particularly interesting because it has a really unique culture that has stayed strong over so many years and challenges. Basically I think everyone should visit. It is less expensive than San Francisco, but with tons to do and see and learn.