Welcome to a relaxing and entertaining guide to the perfect New Orleans Weekend. If you enjoy boozing, partying and all-nighters, then this guide probably isn’t for you. However, if you enjoy history, sight-seeing and the vibrant delights of this old Southern city, then you’ve come to the right place. I had the pleasure of having a fabulous New Orleans weekend trip with my gal pals a couple of years ago. So I wanted to put together a weekend guide for those of you who prefer a low-key vacation like me, that doesn’t involve alcohol since I cannot handle my liquor at all! I’m such a light weight!
New Orleans is one of the oldest established cities in the country full of rich history and a festive culture. It existed almost a hundred years before the USA was officially a country, first colonized by the French. It’s really an incredibly unique destination that you cannot find anywhere else in the United States. I won’t go too much into the history or else it will get carried away. However a quick review of Wikipedia will provide an in-depth look into the historical background of the Big Easy.
Due to the 2020 Covid-19 restrictions, some locations’ status may vary. Closures and hours of operation may be different from their regular schedule. Please check websites for any of the listed locations for the most up-to-date information. Stay safe, healthy and Happy Travels!
Ride the St. Charles Streetcar
Getting around in New Orleans is fairly simple. There is so much to explore. A lot of it can be done on foot. However, one of the most popular means of transportation is to ride the Streetcars of New Orleans. There are a handful of streetcars all over the city, but the St. Charles Streetcar is the oldest continuously operating street railway in the world that opened in 1835! It can take you from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter to the luxurious and tranquility of the Garden District.
I suggest using the GoMobile app. From the app, you can buy tickets, view schedules and routes, and see the locations of streetcars in real time.
Single rides cost only $1.25. However if you think you’ll use the streetcars frequently, then consider buying a Jazzy Pass for unlimited rides. Jazzy Passes can be used on any trolley line and on city buses, too.
- 1-day pass costs $3
- 3-day pass costs $9
- 5-day pass costs $15
- 31-day pass costs $55
Walking Tour of the Garden District Southern Homes
If you have the time and you enjoy historical architecture, then I highly recommend taking the streetcar to the Garden District in the morning hours. The ride will take less than 10-minutes. This prestigious neighborhood in New Orleans is known for its gorgeous Victorian and Plantation-style mansions, some so old that I’m pretty sure they’re all quite haunted. Many of the homes are beautifully framed with crepe myrtle trees and arches of ancient Live Oaks. Each home is unique with its own character and grand stately names. In fact, world renown author, Anne Rice’s childhood home, resides in one of these Southern Mansions where she gathered inspiration for her intoxicating vampire novels.
All the homes are easily accessible on foot from the sidewalk. Over at Big Boy Travel, they have put together a detailed map of all the beautiful homes. Take a FREE Self-Guided Walking Tour Map of the Garden District at your own leisure. Or if you prefer a paid guided tour, book tickets here for $29 per person.
Haunted Lafayette Cemetery #1 Tour
A short couple of blocks away within the Garden District is the famous Lafayette Cemetery #1. No weekend trip to New Orleans should skip a visit to the infamous cemeteries of New Orleans. It may seem kind of morbid and creepy, but there is so much history housed in these marble and concrete mausoleums. It is highly recommended to visit the cemetery with a tour guide to really learn about the stories behind each ancient tomb and the people that reside there as their final resting place. I don’t believe it is allowed to visit the Lafayette Cemetery unsupervised anymore, so make sure you book one of the guided tours below.
As of September 2020, the Lafayette Cemetery #1 is temporarily closed for maintenance and repairs. Please check their website for updates.
The Lafayette Cemetery #2 and St. Joseph Cemetery are both still open. They are located a few blocks north of Lafayette #1 and are adjacent to each other. They are open to visitors without guides.
Book your Guided Tour at a New Orleans Cemetery
St. Louis Cemetery Tour – $20 per person
French Quarter, Voodoo and Cemetery History Tour – $21.25 per person
Visit the Mardi Gras World Parade Warehouse
I never even knew that Mardi Gras World was a place you could tour or that it even existed. But I guess it makes sense that all the Mardi Gras parade props have to be housed somewhere, right? If you are visiting New Orleans for the weekend with children in tow, then this is a great place to check out. It’s fun, festive and colorful. It’s like the Mardi Gras parade floats all sleep here in this giant warehouse. This is also where they fabricate a lot of the parade floats. It’s pretty cool how these props are produced by amazing local artists and fabricators.
Mardi Gras Word Tickets are only $22 per person. Purchase tickets here.
Enjoy a Jazz Dinner Cruise on Steamboat Natchez
A fun way to enjoy an evening in New Orleans is to cruise the Mississippi River on the authentic steamboat, Natchez. Add some live Jazz music and a scrumptious cajun dinner buffet, and you have a recipe for the perfect night with family or friends. The river cruise lasts about 2+ hours on smooth waters. Enjoy the sunset and admire twinkling lights of the New Orleans skyline once it’s dark.
Make your Reservations for the Jazz Dinner Cruise on the Natchez Steamboat – $50 per person
Tour the Colorful Homes on Royal Street
One of my favorite FREE self-guided tours that I took during my New Orleans Weekend was a walk around Royal Street of the French Quarter to the Bywater District. The homes in this area are so delightful and festive. I adored the wrought iron balconies with hanging potted plants, the colorful shutters painted in an array of bright colors, and the horse-drawn carriages that clip-clopped along the streets. The architecture of New Orleans is so unique and so rich in history. We were lucky to have a local resident join us and he gave us such a informative history lesson on the area
Visit the Saint Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square
Don’t miss out on the stunning Saint Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square in the French Quarter. The cathedral itself is like a fairytale castle, one of the most instagrammable spots in New Orleans. Jackson Square itself is named after Andrew Jackson, and it’s a beautiful park with live street musicians and surrounded by picturesque gardens. Make sure to go across the street on Decatur Street to the Washington Artillery Park for the best view of the cathedral and Jackson Square.
Shop, Eat and Jive to Jazz at the French Quarter
New Orleans is a mecca for unique cultural experiences that will wow all your senses. There is no other place quite like the Big Easy. It’s voted one of the top destinations to spend a weekend getaway. You are surrounded by food with mouthwatering flavors that you could only dream of, and Jazzy tunes that have been entertaining people for over 100 years. Make sure to visit the French Market for the ultimate shopping experience of the most unique and one-of-a-kind crafts, plus fun and festive souvenirs that just screams New Orleans. The French Quarter is not to be missed during your New orleans weekend trip.
Enjoy the Nightlife on Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is known for staying open late into the night. You can find live Jazz music around every corner. It is part of the French Quarter and is the main street where the Mardi Gras parade is held every February. It’s where the Food and Libations flow freely. You can’t go two steps without coming across voodoo and witchcraft mixed with po-boys and raw oysters. It’s also where the red-light district Storyville, use to reside back when prostitution was legal and regulated in New Orleans.
Check out the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is an incredible and unique spot to visit if you are fascinated by the history of medicines and superstition in the old south. The original 2-story apothecary building dates back to 1823. It is now a small museum with exhibits of early medicines, superstitious cures & more. You will find the most amazing curiosities and an extensive collection of old medicinal jars full of their original ingredients. Plus old wheelchairs, black leather physicians’ bags, medical instruments, eyeglasses, optical prosthetic devices, and surgical tools all displayed in hand-carved, glass-fronted cabinets. The location also plays hosts to special events in their small but charming courtyard.
Don’t Miss These Other New Orleans Tours & Excursions
Unique Food and Bars in New Orleans
(Coming Soon!) If you’re spending a weekend in New Orleans, then you need to experience the incredible Food Scene. Make sure to head on over to my New Orleans Foodie Tour Guide for the best foodie tour of all the mouth-watering and fabulous Nola cuisine the city has to offer.
Where to Stay for a New Orleans Weekend
Looking for the best places to stay? New Orleans is packed with beautiful hotels, inns and B&Bs that would help make your trip most memorable. I’ve put together a list of the perfect spots to stay that is right in the heart of New Orlean’s French Quarter. Make sure to visit my Ultimate List of New Orleans Hotels & Stays!
I am so desperate to visit NOLA. I will definitely have to do a food tour so I can try alllllll the food! The colourful homes are all so gorgeous too. I can’t wait to visit.
This post is great! It has all the info I would need when planning a trip. New Orleans has been on my list forever! Once I come back stateside I will check it out! Love all the spooky and cool stuff to do there!
My parents have been to New Orleans and loved it! My husband and I want to plan a trip too!
I’ve pinned this, so that when I do get to New Orleans, I can use all of your fab info to plan it. It looks amazing.
I did Steamboat Natchez on my trip but we didn’t quite make it to Mardi Gras world. Would love to go back after seeing your pics!
I love this city so much… I’ve actually been something crazy like 15X, but hey, who’s counting?! As someone who’s been, I can vouch that you have highlights some of the best places in NOLA.
Wow the architecture of New Orleans is absolutely stunning! How I wish I lived in the house with the pillars haha. And that Cathedral is like something from a fairytale! It’s like a time warp, really enjoyed reading this!
I haven’t been to New Orleans in so long. In some ways, this brought back memories. In other ways, it seems completely different. I think that Lafayette cemetery would top my things to do list, that and the music and food.
I am DYING to visit New Orleans and see the French Quarter. Your post reignited my wander lust and is moving it higher on my bucket list!