New Orleans – A Big Easy Weekend Getaway

Which city in the US comes to mind when you think of Spring Break, Jazz or Mardi Gras? There can only be one unique American city common to all three of these very different cultural institutions –  New Orleans, Louisiana – also known as NOLA or The Big Easy. With its relaxed vibe, amazing food and legendary music scene, a New Orleans weekend getaway can be about perfect. No wonder then that it is one of the top ten most-visited cities in the US! Travelers of nearly every sort will find enough here to keep themselves occupied. Not surprising then that when I had a few days free while visiting family in Atlanta, I decided to take a quick trip for a New Orleans weekend getaway.

Some History of New Orleans

New Orleans was founded in 1718 by French colonists along a trading route beside the Mississippi river. The French ceded it to Spain in 1763, only to regain control in 1802. In 1803, when Napoleon sold New France to the United States under the Louisiana Purchase, New Orleans also became a part of the US. Thanks to the multiple cultural influences of the colonists and later immigrants (African, Haitian, German, Irish etc.), New Orleans has developed a very unique cultural flavor of its own.

By 1840, New Orleans was the richest city in the US and the largest city in southern US. This changed with the start of the Civil War later. Luckily the War didn’t destroy the historic town, and we can still see the original 19th century buildings on a stroll through the French Quarter. Although the city survived the war, it has not been so lucky with other disasters – having faced multiple large-scale instances of fires, hurricanes and floods. However, after every episode the city has come back fighting to rebuild.

Today, New Orleans has the highest number of Historic Districts anywhere in America. It is also celebrated as the place where jazz, blues and rock and roll were born. Interestingly, it is also a favorite city for ghost hunters because of the high amount of paranormal activity reported here!

Our New Orleans Weekend Getaway,

or How to Spend your Big Easy Weekend.

Since I only had two days in which to see as much of this lovely city as possible, I had to prioritize my time. I decided to spend most of my time exploring in and around the French Quarter, and leave most of the farther off places for another time.  You may want to consider a similar strategy if you are planning a New Orleans weekend.  If you have another day or two, or I haven’t given you enough things to do, we’ll soon be publishing a 5 day New Orleans itinerary, and here is our insanely huge list of things to do in New Orleans, for every type of traveler! 

The French Quarter (Vieux Carre) is the oldest neighborhood in the city, and its most unique cultural hub. This is where you will find all those picture postcard views of Creole houses, wrought iron balconies and colorful homes. The architecture here is a blend of French, Spanish, Creole and American styles. The Quarter is charming, great for people watching, and wonderful for walking around. Here are some of the places I visited during my weekend in New Orleans.

St Louis Cathedral

The St Louis Cathedral is one of the most iconic and recognizable images associated with New Orleans. It is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the US. The original building from 1727 was damaged in a fire and rebuilt in the 1850’s. After the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1987, the Cathedral became a Basilica. At night parts of the Cathedral are illuminated and it looks really wonderful.

Jackson Square

This is one of the most visited places in the Quarter. It is a picturesque square with gardens and the beautiful St Louis Cathedral in the background. Here you will find street performers, musicians, local artists etc. Once you are done enjoying the views and perhaps taking a horse carriage ride, you can step over to the iconic Cafe Du Monde across the street. This legendary cafe has been serving beignets (a kind of square French doughnut) and coffee since 1862 and is open 24 hours a day, closing only on Christmas Day.

French Market

Cafe du Monde can be considered the beginning of the French Market. The French Market is another must visit place in New Orleans. This is the oldest public market in America. It started in 1791 as a Native American trading post; with time more cultures kept adding their shops, till the current structure was built in the late 19th century. Today the French Market District is spread across six blocks.

At the French Market you will enjoy strolling around and will have the opportunity to grab a drink or a bite, pick up souvenirs, buy a sketch or painting from a local artist, and shop to your heart’s content. I bought a set of two beautiful pencil sketches of New Orleans from a local artist, which will always remind me of my trip. If you visit the market on a Wednesday or Saturday you can also catch a special Farmers’ Market here.

Royal Street

Everyone talks about walking along Bourbon Street, but take my word here, go to Royal Street instead. Royal Street is definitely more elegant than Bourbon, and in many ways it became my favorite place for a stroll. It is the perfect place for window shopping as it is lined with boutiques, art galleries and antique shops. You will find some extremely eye-catching and photo-worthy buildings and lace balconies in this part of the town. Also, as a plus, this is where I found the best beignets in town at Cafe Beignet.

Bourbon Street

Alright, so you cannot visit New Orleans and not see Bourbon Street. This is where you will find the spring breaker crowds and all the Mardi Gras beads. Take in the atmosphere, grab a drink in one of those tall plastic tubes, and walk on to where the real (grown-up) party is.

Frenchmen Street

Frenchmen Street is a short walk away from the French Quarter, but it is a world away from the neon party of Bourbon Street. This is the real music hub of New Orleans, where the locals hang out. It is a compact area lined with clubs and bars, with a huge variety of live music options on any given night. The best part is that many offer admission at little or no cover charge. I heard an amazing array of music that evening, and it was definitely the highlight of my trip. If you enjoy music, do not skip this one.

St Charles Avenue

Take a ride on one of the quaint New Orleans streetcars on the St Charles Lines towards St Charles Avenue, and you will discover a different side of town. This area has probably the best and most well-preserved collection of historic mansions in the southern US, and offers visitors a peek into what New Orleans might have been like in the 19th century. You can stroll around by yourself or even opt for a longer guided tour.

The National World War II Museum

This, the official World War II Museum of the United States, is located in the Arts District and is a short street car ride away from the French Quarter. It is an extraordinary collection of artefacts, pictures and exhibits about the war in various theatres and from various angles. I found it absolutely fascinating, especially since the gentlemen guiding you around are actual veterans from the same war! If you visit, make it a point not to miss the Tom Hanks film “Beyond All Boundaries” that is offered at an additional price but is totally worth it.

Other Things to Do In New Orleans

Cemetery Tour

The cemeteries of New Orleans make for interesting tours due to the nature of the tombs. Graves and tombs tend to be ornate structures built above the ground and decorated with style. Some of these tombs date back to the early 18th century. A number of tour operators offer cemetery tours to various famous cemeteries of New Orleans.

Swamp Tour

If you want to spend a day away from the town amidst nature, you can try a swamp tour. You will be driven out into the countryside into swampy land where you will take a boat ride for a couple of hours. On this tour you would get to see local wildlife like alligators, raccoons, various birds etc.

New Orleans Museum of Art

The NOMA is over a hundred years old and stands in the City Park. It houses nearly 40,000 pieces in its collection – majorly French and American art, glass, photography, and African and Japanese works. If you plan to visit, keep in mind that it is closed on Mondays.

Casinos

New Orleans has casinos like Harrah’s and Treasure Chest with a range of options to try your luck, if that’s your kind of thing.

Where to Eat

The Ruby Slipper Cafe for delicious breakfast or lunch
Cafe Beignet for breakfast or just beignets and coffee
Cafe Du Monde for anytime beignets
Meals From The Heart Cafe for lunch at the French Market
Antoine’s for a special dinner or Sunday Brunch
Arnaud’s for a fancy dinner with live Jazz
Mimi’s in the Marigny for tapas, dancing and live music
Camellia Grill for old fashioned diner food and late closing hours

Where to Stay

Camping: French Quarter RV Resort
Hostel: IHSP French Quarter House
Inn: French Market Inn
B&B: Sully Mansion Bed and Breakfast
Hotel: Hotel Le Marais

Getting There

New Orleans is connected by flight with most major cities through the Louis Armstrong International Airport.  Amtrak Train service is also available from many locations.

If you live anywhere on the map below, you are probably close enough to drive to your Big Easy weekend, especially a neighboring state like Mississippi or Texas.  Keep in mind that getting a parking spot can be both difficult and expensive.

If you are planning to visit this city any time in the near future, you might be interested in dates for the many festivals celebrated in the city.  Check out this inclusive calendar: New Orleans Events. 

If you are traveling along the Gulf Coast, you may also want to spend time in Coastal Mississippi, for some amazing beach time, or Lake Charles, Louisiana for some fascinating natural areas.  If you are driving the Great River Road, you’ll most definitely want to make other stops in Memphis, and St. Louis.    If you are looking for charming southern cities to visit, you may be interested in Richmond, Virginia, or a Savannah Weekend Getaway.

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Neha lives in India and is a part-time blogger who loves to travel, usually solo. She started her blog Nomadic Dreamz as a way to share her travels with others. When not planning strategies at her full-time product job, she is busy researching her next trip!  You can also find her on Twitter at Nomadic Dreamz.

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If you are looking for a quick escape, but New Orleans doesn’t suit your tastes, check out our other Weekend Getaways.

Or, for more in-depth information, try our US Destinations.