Order cocktails at Carousel Bar

Part drinking establishment, part fairground ride, the legendary Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone has been a New Orleans staple since 1949, and it’s just as enchanting today. After grabbing a spot at the revolving 25-seat bar, the traditional order is a Vieux Carré whiskey cocktail. The real trick? Making each drink last a full 15-minute turn and recognizing when your head starts spinning faster than the bar.

Order Cocktails at Carousel Bar

Part drinking establishment, part fairground ride, the legendary Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone has been a New Orleans staple since 1949, and it’s just as enchanting today. After grabbing a spot at the revolving 25-seat bar, the traditional order is a Vieux Carré whiskey cocktail. The real trick? Making each drink last a full 15-minute turn and recognizing when your head starts spinning faster than the bar.

Wander the French Quarter

Set aside a few hours to stroll through New Orleans’ celebrated Gallic grid, with its labyrinthine lanes, tightly packed Creole townhouses, wrought-iron balconies and tranquil courtyards. Take in the stately St. Louis Cathedral and lively Jackson Square before browsing the quirky shops and street performers along Royal Street — and the unique arts and crafts of the historic 18th-century French Market.

Savor New Orleans Classics at Brennan’s

Serving delicious Creole-inspired food for more than 75 years, Brennan’s is a true French Quarter icon. Situated in its signature pink building on Royal Street, the restaurant is famed not only for local delicacies like Eggs Sardou and turtle soup, but also as the birthplace of bananas foster, a fiery Louisiana treat flambéed tableside for you.

Ride the Garden District Streetcars

You could easily spend an entire day riding New Orleans’ iconic streetcars, but the leafy avenues of the Garden District are a particular treat. Hop on and off among the grand homes and hip boutiques before stopping for lunch at the legendary Commander’s Palace on Washington Avenue. Here you’ll find haute Creole cuisine served to live jazz music in a stunning Victorian mansion.

Bite Into Beignets at Café du Monde

New Orleanians love their sugar-dusted beignets: hot, soft, square-shaped donuts without a hole. The classic place to enjoy them is Café du Monde on Decatur Street, which has been frying up these sweet treats since 1862. They come in orders of three and are best paired with rich, dark-roasted chicory coffee.

Admire the Bywater Street Art

Thanks to a recent influx of artists and creatives, the formerly run-down Bywater enclave is now one of the hippest neighborhoods in town. Wander through the riverside streets in search of vibrant murals, stenciled poems and abstract designs that bring the district’s colorful spirit to life.

Pay Your Respects at Preservation Hall

A mecca for music lovers, Preservation Hall has been showcasing traditional New Orleans jazz for more than 60 years. The intimate music hall on St. Peter Street is one of the city’s most beloved, hosting several 45-minute performances a day — and it’s a sight to behold in full flow. Just remember your dancing shoes: It’s hard to sit still in this place.

Indulge in New Orleans' Signature Cuisine

No trip to New Orleans is complete without trying the city's most iconic dishes. Start with a po'boy at Parkway Bakery and Tavern, one of the oldest purveyors of this beloved sandwich invented for striking streetcar workers in the 1920s. The overstuffed fried shrimp and gravy-soaked roast beef versions are local legends. Then head to Heard Dat Kitchen in Central City for gumbo — the rich Louisiana stew brimming with shrimp, chicken, sausage and "a crazy amount of spices." While you're there, don't miss the lobster mashed potatoes and barbecue shrimp fries.

Experience the Nightlife of
Frenchman Street

While Bourbon Street may be more famous (and raucous), locals flock to Frenchman Street for its authentic music-driven bar scene and artsy cocktail lounges. Located in the Marigny neighborhood, it’s lively and endlessly strollable. Follow the music and laughter to iconic venues like The Spotted Cat and Snug Harbor, or browse the nightly Frenchmen Art Bazaar, an open-air market showcasing local artists.

Unwind in the Heart of City Park

The beloved vast green oasis is known for its ancient live oak trees draped in lichen and scenic lagoons. It’s also home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, Sculpture Garden, Botanical Gardens and family attractions like Carousel Gardens and Storyland.