For a long weekend girl’s trip, my friend and I headed to New Orleans for a couple of days filled with eating, drinking, strolling and live music. Here is my recommended guide for your trip to New Orleans.

Airport: If you are planning to fly, you want to fly into MSY. The airport recently went through a remodel, so it is full of trendy spots to eat including a Cafe Du Monde to grab some beignets.

Transportation: A rental car is not needed. Traveling from the airport, you can order a cab/Uber/Lyft. You can also take the E1 bus for $2 per passenger. The bus ride is about 1 hour and the final stop is a 10 minute walk to the a French Quarter.

Lodging: We ended up staying at The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans, Tapstery Collection by Hilton. The hotel rooms had a chic design. However, for the price point, we were shocked at how thin the walls were – we were able to hear our neighbors use their Keurig each day. Further, even with 3 elevators, we were constantly waiting for an elevator to get to our room. The location was close to the French Quarter, about a 10 minute walk.

Reading the reviews and seeing pictures online, I thought this hotel would a little bit more exciting than it was. If you are a Hilton member and looking to use points for your stay, I would recommend this hotel to save some money on lodging. However, if that’s not the case, check out some of the other hotels in or near the French Quarter as that’s where most of the attractions are. The city is full of trendy boutique hotels.

3 Night Itinerary

Day 1

• After arriving in New Orleans, grab lunch at Killer Poboys in the French Quarter and order the Seared Gulf Shrimp.
• Stroll down Magazine Street and grab a drink at the Auction House Market.
• Check out Pêche Seafood Grill for dinner, make sure to start your meal with an order of oysters.
• If you are looking to grab a night cap near by, try Legacy Kitchen Craft Tavern .

Day 2

• Start your day at Josephine Estelle for breakfast, start your meal with Seasonal Beignets.
• Walk over to the Museum of Death. Tickets can be purchased when you arrive. It takes about an hour to enjoy the whole museum.
• The museum is located in the French Quarter, so continue to walk around the surrounding street to explore further. One of my favorites was all the mask shops. Make sure to also pay attention to the historical architecture in the city.
• Need a break? Grab a drink at Pat O’Brien’s patio. Go for their famous Hurricane or a classic Bloody Mary. Another great stop for a drink is the The Carousel Bar & Lounge.
• Continue exploring the area by walking towards the river. Walk around Jackson Square and check out the St. Louis Cathedral.
• Cross the street to the Cafe Du Monde French Market for coffee and beignets. Continue your stroll east of the river to check out more stores and the French Market Flea Market.
• Get some rest over lunch at Crescent City Brewhouse with a menu full of beers and great bites to eat.
• Enjoy the best view of the river at the Westin Hotel on the 11^th floor. Grab a glass of champagne while you enjoy the views.
• Continue your stroll to the Four Season’s Chandelier Bar for a cocktail.
• Settle down the day with dinner at Bywater American Bistro where all the dishes are made with seasonal produce.
• Enjoy the city’s night life scene on Frenchman Street. Depending on the night, you might be able to catch the night market full of art by local artists. After head to d.b.a. for some live music, be prepared to pay a cover.

Day 3

• Have a fine-dining breakfast at Brennan’s. Start the meal with something sweet like the Baked Apple.  
• Experience the City Park. Begin with the Sculpture Park. If you are interested in further exploring art, head to the New Orleans Museum of Art. When you are ready for a snack, walk over to Cafe Du Monde for another round of coffee and beignets. If you still have some time, check out the amusement park and/or the botanical gardens.
• Give your legs some rest by enjoying N7‘s cozy outdoor space with a glass of wine and a cheese plate.
• Next check out Paladar 511 for a trendy Italian dinner.
• When you are done, walk over another block to grab a drink at Frenchmen street. If you are looking for something low key, check out R Bar.

Day 4:

• If you have an afternoon flight and have time for coffee, check out Fourth Wall.
• If you are looking for a full breakfast, head over to Willa Jean.