How to Do a Weekend in New Orleans

So you’ve made the decision to head to the Big Easy for the weekend. Fabulous idea! Here are some activities you can’t miss on any weekend in New Orleans.

How to Do a Weekend in New Orleans:

Hotel

The Hyatt Regency New Orleans is located in the CBD, or Central Business District. This Hyatt property really has it all, including a rooftop outdoor heated pool (with cabanas), a sports bar and lounge, a breakfast buffet and restaurant, a seafood grill, a gym with penthouse views, a Starbucks, a parking garage, and tons of conference rooms. It’s located right next to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center, so if you’re in town for any events, concerts, or games, it’s the perfect location.

It’s a quick Uber/Lyft ride to the French Quarter and within walking distance of the Arts District. The rooms are spacious, with great amenities, and the hotel has a sleek, modern feel. The property was completely remodeled after Hurricane Katrina, and it shows. There’s also a streetcar stop right in front of the hotel on Loyola Avenue. I highly recommend it for business travelers, friends, couples, and even families.

Friday

After checking in to the Hyatt, walk (about 15 to 20 minutes) to the National WWII Museum. It’s the top-rated attraction in all of New Orleans according to TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company). There are three separate buildings to explore, as well as a 4-D show narrated by Tom Hanks. After exploring the museum, have dinner at Borgne, which is off of the lobby in the hotel. My favorite dishes were Fish In A Bag, Louisiana Oysters, and Duck Poppers. If you’re looking for a night on the town, head to Bourbon Street for some late-night fun.

Saturday

Start your day at the beignet shop of your choice (I loved Cafe Beignet) and then head to Free Wheelin’ Bike Tours‘ headquarters just a few minutes away. I did the three-hour Creole & Crescent tour, which takes you through the French Quarter, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Treme, Esplanade Avenue, Frenchmen Street, the Marigny, Armstrong Park, Congo Square, Bayou, and City Park, with a stop at Morning Call Cafe (for more beignets or a coffee break). You’ll likely be a little tired from the tour, but don’t let that stop you from exploring more of the French Quarter. Stop for some Johnny’s Po-boys and then check out Mardi Gras World or the Louisiana State Museum.

Grab dinner at popular Coquette, where the menu changes daily, before heading to Preservation Hall for a live jazz performance. There are multiple shows a night starting as early as 5:00 p.m. and as late as 10:00 p.m. I recommend reserving seats online before, or you can wait in the general admission line (just line up about 30 minutes before the show time you want to attend). After the show, head to nearby Frenchmen Street for some more live music.

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Sunday

Head to jazz brunch at Commander’s Palace, but make sure you have an empty stomach. The three-course brunch spot has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893 and has won six James Beard Foundation Awards. Your meal and service won’t disappoint. If you’re looking for an even more unique experience, you can book the chef’s table inside the kitchen or host a private event in the massive wine cellar.

If time allows, walk around the Garden District (where Commander’s Place is located) and marvel at the historic homes and beautiful streets.

Extra Day

If you’re planning to spend a long weekend in New Orleans, head to some of the other museums and the Arts District. Near the Hyatt you’ll find art galleries and shops to explore; you can also check out the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Or, if you’re visiting in the spring, summer, or fall, take a swamp tour in the bayou for alligator spotting.

For food and drinks, head to Peche for fabulous gulf seafood and Hot Tin rooftop bar, located on top of the historic Pontchartrain Hotel.

Bars & Restaurants

• Cafe Beignet, French Quarter
• Cafe du Monde, French Quarter
• Commander’s Palace, Garden District
• Coquette, Garden District
• Peche, Art District
• Johnny’s Po-Boys, French Quarter
• Borgne, CBD
• The Spotted Cat, Frenchmen St.
• Hot Tin, Garden District
• The Sazerac Bar, Roosevelt Hotel, French Quarter
• The Carousel Bar, French Quarter
• Blue Nile, Frenchmen St.
• Apple Barrel, Frenchmen St.
• Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, French Quarter

Museums & Attractions

• The National WWII Museum, Art District
• New Orleans Historic Homes Tour
• New Orleans School of Cooking, French Quarter
• Swamp Tours
• The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville
• Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Art District
• Preservation Hall, French Quarter
• Mardi Gras World, Port of New Orleans
• Louisiana State Museum, French Quarter
• Free Wheelin’ Bike Tours, French Quarter
• New Orleans Cemetery Tours
• New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, French Quarter
• Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, French Quarter
• French Market District

More from SmarterTravel:

• New Orleans Travel Guide
• 11 Best Hotels in New Orleans
• 10 Best Cheap Hotels in New Orleans
• 9 Haunted Hotels in New Orleans
• 10 Must-See New Orleans Attractions
• 12 Places to Hear Incredible New Orleans Jazz
• 10 Things You Can Only Do in New Orleans
• 10 Best Restaurants in New Orleans
• 12 Best Spots for Cheap Eats in New Orleans
• Everything You Need to Know About New Orleans Food
• What to Pack for New Orleans
• What to Wear in New Orleans

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Ashley spent a weekend in New Orleans courtesy of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Follow all of her travels on Instagram and Twitter.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.