NOLA New Orleans in a weekend

New Orleans (NOLA) in a weekend

Stay:

Wyndham Hotel

6401 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70003

(504) 885-5700

This hotel is very close to the airport and gave me the most reasonable deal.

Cons-

-No breakfast included though you can purchase a small breakfast buffet at the hotel for $10

-Beds are small for 2 people on a bed

Car Rental:

I used priceline.com to rent a car from the aiport.

Day 1 (evening)

Exploring the Uptown party area.

Make a dinner reservation at Jacques-Imo's and while you wait for your table, explore the Maple Leaf Bar next door.

Jacques-Imo’s

http://jacques-imos.com/jacques-imos-menu/

(504) 861-0886 | 8324 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA

-Very cozy and colorful ambiance

-Exceptional food and service

-Highly recommend trying Alligator Savory Cheesecake

Maple Leaf Bar

www.mapleleafbar.com

8316 Oak St., New Orleans, LA 70118

(504) 866-9359

Oak Street has several small bars and gift shops that are fun to checkout.

Day 2 (All day)

French Quarter area is the highlight of NOLA. I recommend spending an entire day there.

You can start your day with a couple of tours of the area. 'Free Tours by Foot' offers free guided tours which are very intresting.

Free Tours by Foot

http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/

I took the Cemetery Tour (1.5 hours) and French Quarter Tour (2 hours). Both tours were good and informative. 

There is a Flea Market is the area which is worth a visit. They sell everything from clothes and sweets to Voodoo Dolls and alligator heads.

French Market

http://www.frenchmarket.org/

French Market Pl, New Orleans, LA 70116

Lunch: 

Cafe Maspero served good food and has decent ambiance along with great location.

Cafe Maspero

http://www.cafemaspero.com/

601 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 523-6250

800 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 7011
800 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 




Towards the evening, gear up to hit the party places on Bourbon Street which is closed for traffic and accessible only by foot.
Start by stopping for a NOLA famous Hurricane cocktail at
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 525-4823, (800) 597-4823
Original Pierre Maspero's: Cajun Restaurant New Orleans

(504) 524-8990
110 Frenier Road

Dessert: 

Cafe Monde is the place to go to while visiting NOLA. This place is famous for their Biegnets (donuts with powered sugar) and is open 24 hours.

Cafe Du Monde

http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Decatur street is loaded with gift shops, restaurants, dessert shops & all fun things! Remember to get a Mardigras facemask and alligator head magnet or key chain as a souvenir!

Pat O'Brien's (bar)

Famous for their signature Hurricane Cocktail (you get to take the glass home)

www.patobriens.com

718 St. Peter St.

NOLA allows people to drink on streets so if you cannot finish the entire cocktail, you can ask for a To Go glass.

Bourbon street is full of bars, clubs, pubs, strip clubs, Jazz bars and everything else! Plan to spend at least some part of night here partying!

For dinner, I tried Pierre Maspero's Restaurant which was great.

www.originalpierremasperos.com/

440 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Day 3(All Day)

Swamp Tours are popular in NOLA. Though I didn't find this tour very impressive since the alligators are quite small (3-4 feet) but it could be worth your time.

Cajun Pride Swamp Tours

http://www.cajunprideswamptours.com/swamp_tours.htm

LaPlace, Louisiana 70068
Telephone: 504-467-0758

Plantation visit should definitely be on your list since this plantation offers the most breathtaking view of the outdoors. 

Oak Alley Plantation

Exceptional view of the outer area. Definitely try the mint drinks.

http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/plan-your-visit/hours-admission

Oak Alley Plantation, 3645 Louisiana 18, Vacherie, LA 70090

You can consider revisiting the French Quarter area for a quick bite of Beignets or just to have some more fun!