Itineraries for Your Trip to New Orleans
2 Days in New Orleans for First Timers
The first time I visited New Orleans, I instantly fell in love. I was on a trip with my mother, who was keen to see the stately homes of the Garden District, visit haunts that inspired Anne Rice’s vampire books, and just generally soak up the Gallic vibes of the historic city. I loved the architecture, found the voodoo history fascinating, and was delighted to have the opportunity to visit a psychic who, much to my delight, told me I had a purple aura (my favorite color!).
Those fond memories compelled me to visit again and again, and each time it feels like a new experience. Here’s how I’d suggest spending two days in New Orleans if it’s your first time.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the French Quarter.
Summers get muggy and often feature afternoon thunderstorms.
Get your bearings in New Orleans right when you arrive by joining a sightseeing tour. On day one, opt for a comprehensive city tour that showcases major highlights in the elegant Garden District, the Tremé neighborhood (considered the birthplace of jazz), the Lower Ninth Ward, Faubourg Marigny, and—of course—the French Quarter.
In the afternoon, skip lunch and instead head out on a food tour of the Big Easy. It’s a great way to try all sorts of tasty specialties, from hearty gumbo and jambalaya to savory po’boys and sugary beignets, while learning about the city’s one-of-a-kind culinary traditions from a guide.
After your food tour, return to your hotel and freshen up for an evening on the mighty Mississippi River. Hop aboard the Steamboat Natchez for a dinner cruise and enjoy views of the city skyline while you dine on a buffet dinner and listen to live jazz music. Some tours include the opportunity to visit the boat’s engine room, too.
Devote your second morning in New Orleans to more culinary exploration when you join a cooking class. Head to the celebrated New Orleans School of Cooking and learn how to whip up famous Creole and Cajun dishes from instructor-chefs who know all the tips and tricks for making a mighty fine meal. Watch a demonstration class or roll up your sleeves with a hands-on cooking session.
Go beyond the city limits and see a different side of Louisiana in the afternoon by heading out to the bayou. Airboat tours are a great way to see the scenery while listening to an onboard guide tell you all about the flora and fauna that live in the state’s swamplands. Choose a tour that includes transfers from New Orleans for maximum convenience.
With its eerie aboveground cemeteries and its long association with ghosts, vampires, and voodoo, New Orleans is a great place to explore after dark, especially if you enjoy spooky experiences. Wrap your final day up with a ghost tour that takes you to some of the French Quarter’s most ghoulishly ghastly haunts, from the notorious LaLaurie Mansion to the allegedly haunted Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar.
