My Perfect 3 Days in New Orleans

As the title of this blog post suggests, 3 days isn’t necessarily the optimal length of time to spend in New Orleans, but a taste of the incredible city can absolutely be accomplished in 3 days. Flights to New Orleans obviously range in duration, but generally, from anywhere in the United States you can make it within 2-4 hours.

Where to stay:

-The Eliza Jane:

A trendy boutique hotel that is perfect for younger crowds who enjoy minimalist vintage designed rooms, and common spaces that are bright and inviting. Just on the outskirts of the French Quarter, guests are in a great location in the city.

-The Roosevelt New Orleans:

Tucked within the French Quarter, the Roosevelt Hotel has been the minted example of excellence and class across generations. This hotel is particularly famous for its grand holiday decor that draws in many spectators. Classic furnishings in each room are elegant and comfortable, while the lobby, bars, and restaurants are ornate and outfitted to the nines.

-The Ritz Carlton:

Known for it’s daily Gumbo tasting, the Ritz Carlton boasts a luxurious and comfortable stay. Each room is decorated tastefully, and the entire experience staying there is beautiful.

-AirBnb’s:

There are plenty of incredibly beautiful places to stay in New Orleans without the hassle of a hotel, here are some favorites that I found:

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/plus/8390774?location=New%20Orleans%2C%20LA%2C%20United%20States&adults=2&check_in=2020-07-15&check_out=2020-07-17&source_impression_id=p3_1590785261_QhjW0HPTLsotp3Ab&guests=1

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/plus/25224493?location=New%20Orleans%2C%20LA%2C%20United%20States&adults=2&check_in=2020-07-15&check_out=2020-07-17&source_impression_id=p3_1590785479_XTZHibR26jyK%2BhN7

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/plus/23452225?location=New%20Orleans%2C%20LA%2C%20United%20States&adults=2&check_in=2020-07-15&check_out=2020-07-17&source_impression_id=p3_1590785527_eKUVUESdrtAucc3r

Day One:

Upon arrival, you’re definitely going to have worked up an appetite from the travel, and probably want to stretch your legs. Once you’re checked in and settled, take a walk down Royal Street and feel the warmth around you. Although it is a popular tourist destination, you won’t run into as many sleazy bars as you would on Bourbon Street. Among the quaint shops and music playing on every street corner, there is a small restaurant called ‘Café Beignet’, try it out! Although Café Du Monde is the most famous location for beignets, this Café aims for quality over touristy commercialization. For dinner, I’d head to GW Fins. This restaurant honestly speaks for itself: their specialty is seafood and you will not taste better biscuits in your life which are hand-delivered to you over and over. (sorry if that’s dramatic but I don’t make the rules) My personal order is the lobster dumplings and chargrilled oysters to start, and the Puppy Drum as my meal! This first dinner will give you the perfect taste of what fine New Orleans dining is all about.

Day Two:

Start off your day with a healthy (ish) brunch! Bearcat Café is one of the best breakfasts in New Orleans, although you might have to wait for this spot, it is truly worth it! Their menu covers breakfast and lunch cravings along with designated “Good Cat” and “Bad Cat” for just how healthy you’re feeling that morning. Next, head to Magazine Street on the streetcar to check out the chic and trendy stores that often are renovated shotgun houses! Feel free to wander off the beaten path because when you’re Uptown, the neighborhood is absolutely stunning with centuries-old trees and homes that are architectural works of art. You can even explore the famous Audubon Park.

After a long day of walking around, you might be in the mood for a drink! There’s no better place to sip on an artfully created cocktail than Cure. This ultra-trendy and super creative bar boasts a wide variety of drinks and snacks and is a great place to see and be seen. Lastly, for dinner in Uptown, I’d highly suggest Baru Bistro. This tapas joint creates Latin-Caribbean inspired dishes that blow guests out of the water, and if the weather is nice, ask for a table on the balcony upstairs. The arepas and octopus are my favorites! If you’re like me and just can’t stop loving the energy of the city, take a trip down to Frenchmen Street to check out some of the finest jazz bars in the nation. They can get pretty wild on a weekend but are always my favorite spots to let loose.

Day Three:

The fun never ends! If you wait just a little bit past breakfast, I assure you this brunch will be worth it! Head back uptown (yes another streetcar ride!) to Saba. This restaurant serves world-class Meditteranean food in an incredibly quaint white converted house. Their falafel and blue-crab hummus are to die for. Next, learn more about the history of this fine city. Taking a driving tour (as cheesy as it sounds) is incredibly informative, and will truly change your perspective on everything you drive by. If learning isn’t your forté for your final day in NOLA, maybe you could spend it soaking up the sun at “Alto”, the Ace Hotel’s rooftop pool. As the afternoon rolls along head to “Bacchanal” in the Marigny. This outdoor wine bar and music venue is the perfect way to unwind in my book, and if you’re feeling peckish, you can even craft your own charcuterie board! Lastly, if you’re still hungry and dressed up from sipping fine wines and listening to riveting jazz, head over to “Peche”. This delightful restaurant is the epitome of being comfortable and “unstuffy”, while also serving some of the best seafood I have ever had. I highly recommend getting the oysters, any special local fish, and of course, the key lime pie.

I hope you enjoyed this write-up of how I would direct anyone to have a spectacular weekend in a place that is incredibly near and dear to my heart!