Hey sweet fellow travelers! This summer, we packed our bags and the kiddos and headed to New Orleans. It was a one of a kind family trip filled with memories to last a lifetime – an amazing vacay in partnership with The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau who helped us come up with the perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans
If you’ve been following along for a while in this series, then you know we’ve covered our trip and each little stop along the way when it comes to our fabulous trip to New Orleans. We’ve covered Where to Eat in New Orleans {Part 1}, What to do in New Orleans {part 1}, What to Eat in New Orleans, part 2, and What to Do in New Orleans {part 2}!
Since we’ve taken this trip to New Orleans with our family, a lot of people wanted to know about a great first time itinerary. So today, we thought we’d share the schedule we used, which in our opinion was oh so perfect for all things family and travel. All of this was suggested by the experts themselves, The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. We thought this would give a great overview of what to try if you’re in the city for a few days, to help with a little planning.
So without further ado, the perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans.
Perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans
Perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans – where to stay
First things first, we have to cover where we stayed! This deserves a feature on its own, for sure – We loved staying at the fabulous Hyatt House in New Orleans.
It was a glorious, not-so-little hotel, perfect for families and business travelers alike.
It came with a great, spacious eatin kitchen area, along with the perfect space for getting a little work done. We adored that it had a full fridge, microwave, stove top, and dishwasher.
Hello, leftover beignets! We absolutely loved that it had space for us to get a little work done if we needed, and for the kids to spread out a bit in between all the fun. Truly a home away from home for all of our needs.
It also came with a full fold out sofa, so that it fit all five of us oh so comfortably.
Between the baths and beds, it felt luxurious. We also loved that you could place an order for your breakfast the night before so it would be ready for your arrival when you came downstairs the next morning.
The staff went above and beyond in hosting us and they were so gracious to help us with any questions we had. It’s really the perfect spot for a family to try out for the first time!
We mentioned this because not only was it perfect for family stays, but a great location for the below itinerary. It’s a convenient, practical location to getting a feel for all of the fun in New Orleans. We thought this was so well suited for all our suggestions on this trip! Family friendly and oh so convenient = Winning.
The views were beautiful, and the pool was a definite bonus for the kids – who knew pools away from home when you have your own pool could be so exciting. We were able to sneak in a quick swim session! ;}
Perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans – the night of arrival
Since we arrived at night after a day drive, we started with a dinner suggestion for your first night: We say kick it off with a fun, casual dinner as a part of the perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans!
• Dinner at Joey K’s • 3001 Magazine Street
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Joey K’s is a quaint local establishment that offers some of the best Creole and local fare in town. Located in the heart of the Garden District, Joey K’s features daily plate specials, fried seafood plates, po boys, fried chicken and so much more.
Check out our take on it, and what we tried right here! – it’s a great way to start your NOLA experience with some down to earth, local fare. Yum! You can even stroll down the iconic Magazine street after for a small preview of the fun to come!
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Perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans – Day 1:
The next morning for breakfast, we started with a classic: Café Du Monde • 800 Decatur Street
How can this not be on the perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans!
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Since 1862, they’re the original French Market coffee stand, they serve cafe au lait and beignets 24 hours daily. Taste the original beignet, Louisiana state donut, coffee w/chicory and half hot milk, also known as a cafe au lait.
Check out why we loved it so much, and what we tried right here! {Beignets + cafe au lait of course!}
While you’re there, take a walking tour of the French Quarter with French Quartour Kids, a tweens and teens French Quarter walking tour, right around the corner.
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
This tour explores New Orleans history through the eyes of a tween/teen. We will visit the Mississippi Riverfront, Jackson Square, the Old Slave Auction House as well as other places in the French Quarter. Kids learn about our unique culture starting with French Creoles, Creoles of Color, and the newly arrived Americans. We’ll also explore why New Orleans played a pivotal role in military campaigns, trade, and the growth of America. Personal stories, historic documents, and an assortment of unique antiques will invite tweens and teens into our past.
Check out our entire experience here. The kids had a blast and it took their education to the next level with such a great, hands-on experience.
After that tour, we were right around the corner for lunch at the Red Fish Grill • 115 Bourbon Street
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Red Fish Grill is an award-winning casual New Orleans seafood restaurant located at the gateway to the French Quarter at 115 Bourbon Street, just one block off of Canal Street. The 19th Century building that houses Red Fish Grill has been praised as one of the finest renovations in the French Quarter’s history!
Check out what we tried here. Those oysters though!
After that, we took a stroll to the river front, since we were right there, to take a Daytime Jazz Cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez • 1 Toulouse Street Wharf
Every perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans should include a some type of river adventure.
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
The New Orleans Steamboat Company locally owns and operates the last authentic Steamboat on the Mighty Mississippi River: The Steamboat Natchez dinner jazz and daytime jazz cruises, run daily, year-round, in the style of authentic steamboats in New Orleans for centuries! Enjoy steam engine room visitation, calliope, live jazz and optional Creole food and local beverages. Come aboard and enjoy New Orleans hospitality, steamboat style!
Be sure to check out what we enjoyed about it in detail, here!
This is a great, jam packed first day to experience so many fun things. From there, scoot back to the hotel to freshen up, or walk .9 miles to Mulate’s for dinner!
Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant • 201 Julia Street
If Mulates could be described in one phrase, it would be: Treat yoself.
Per The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Mulate’s is known as the original Cajun restaurant, famous for preserving and celebrating the food, music and culture found in the small towns and along the bayous of south Louisiana. But the restaurant that prides itself on being true to its roots would never have opened its doors if owner Kerry Boutte hadn’t ventured out of Cajun Country and into restaurants and dance halls of New Orleans, Houston, and even Europe. There is a lot to learn about us, so just stop in and experience the original Cajun restaurant.
Read all about what we tried, here!
After dinner, walk 1.1 Miles to Preservation Hall and catch a Live Jazz Show.
Live Jazz Show at Preservation Hall • 726 St Peter St.
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
New Orleans’ Preservation Hall was established in 1961 to honor one of America’s truest art forms – Traditional New Orleans Jazz. Operating as a music venue, a touring band, and a non-profit organization, Preservation Hall continues its mission today as a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture.
Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Peter Street, the Preservation Hall venue presents intimate, acoustic New Orleans Jazz converts over 350 nights a year featuring ensembles from a current collective of 100+ local master practitioners. On any given night, audiences bear joyful witness to the evolution of this venerable and living tradition.
See our take on it, here!
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Perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans – Day 2
Catch a complimentary breakfast at Hyatt House to recuperate from the fun day before! {Breakfast is always complimentary!}
And then head on over to Mardi Gras World!
Mardi Gras World • 1380 Port of New Orleans Place
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Visit Mardi Gras World to see the largest float designing and building facility in the world. Here more than 80 percent of the floats that journey down New Orleans’ streets during the Carnival season are designed and built. Begun in 1947 by float designer and builder Blaine Kern, Mardi Gras World provides visitors with the opportunity to don authentic Mardi Gras costume and tour enormous warehouses filled with floats.
This is a must see for you and your kiddos – check out our in detail post, toward the bottom, here!
Next up, lunch at Kingfish • 337 Chartres St.
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Kingfish is a popular casual restaurant and cocktail bar in New Orleans that salutes the Huey P. Long era. The Kingfish menu embodies new Louisiana cuisine brought to fruition by renowned Chef Nathan Richard whose trademark style is evident in the multilayer of flavor he presents in every dish.
Be sure to check out what we tried here!
Next up, head back to the hotel, and get ready to be picked up for a swamp tour, A-la Cajun Encounters
Your kids, and you will thank you for adding this fun adventure to the perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans.
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
See the wildlife up close and personal as you explore narrow slews that only our 22-passenger boats are built to navigate. Get the chance to see alligators, raccoons, wild boar, exotic birds, turtles and many more creatures that call the swamp home. Hear all about the Louisiana bayou as your captain tells you all about the different types of flora and fauna that surround you.
One does not visit New Orleans without a swamp tour – be sure to check out how much our kids loved it here!
Clean up for dinner, and head back out to Vessel, for dinner. Vessel • 3835 Iberville St.
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Vessel is an exciting new concept in the heart of Mid-City, offering a menu and bar program that emphasizes fresh and seasonal ingredients in a social setting. The food takes influence from our coastal haven, sourcing as much from our local region as possible while blending coastal influences from throughout the world. The beverage selections include wine from many of the world’s best coastal wine regions, unique craft beers and fine handcrafted cocktails also incorporating many local seasonal ingredients.
Check out our story on the this charming little restaurant, and then check out what we tried – pretty much a sampling of all the fabulous things, here!
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Perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans – Day 3
After an easy morning after a jam-packed couple of days… take the Streetcar from the Hyatt House to Commander’s Palace for lunch. We think you should experience it!
Walk 5 blocks to St Charles Avenue to catch the streetcar headed Uptown, get off the Streetcar at Washington Avenue.
Commander’s Palace • 1403 Washington Ave.
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Commander’s Palace, nestled in the middle of the tree-lined Garden District, has been a New Orleans landmark since 1880. Known for the award-winning quality of its food and its convivial atmosphere, the history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ storied past and has been the go-to destination for Haute Creole cuisine and whimsical Louisiana charm.
A few notes on this – {be sure to check out our entire experience here}
We recommend also trying the Jazz Brunch if you can.
Business attire is required.
Don’t visit without first watching Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table on Netflix.
While you’re there, book a Private Garden District Architecture Tour with Architecture Tours of New Orleans
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Take a leisurely stroll around the historic Garden District to view the exquisite homes and gardens of the American who settled and made their fortunes here after the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The tour includes a short walk around historic Lafayette Cemetery #1 where those wealthy businessmen and many Irish and German immigrants are entombed.
Check out our amazing experience with this great company and all the wonderful highlights, here!
After the tour, we were so close, we wanted to grab something to go from the fabulous District Donuts • 2209 Magazine St.
Another way the hotel comes in handy because you have plenty of room to stash your great little finds, because one does not visit New Orleans without trying all the things!
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
They make everything from scratch, even down to the sprinkles! They use real food made with integrity; no pre-made mixes or artificial flavors. Their team works excellently to create all glazesand pastry creme fillings by hand. They offer seven rotating donuts every day; the catalog is now well over 100 options. In addition to these creative options, you can always count on us to have our staples: glazed, cinnamon sugar and chocolate glazed.
You can’t go wrong with anything here but for a great preview check out our take here!
Check out dinner that night, back at the hotel! An easy night after a busy day with Borgne • 601 Loyola Ave.
From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Borgne’s casual dining room anchored by large columns of Louisiana oyster shells features colorful flooring to ceiling chalkboard panels and artwork by local artists. The modern, open space creates a comfortable atmosphere for friends and family to enjoy Chef Brian Landry’s food. The menu is homage to New Orleans classics and offers a focus on local, fresh seafood.
Check out more of what we tried, here!
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Perfect itinerary for first timers in New Orleans – Day 4
The National WWII Museum • New Orleans’s Historic Warehouse District
From their site:
Ranked by TripAdvisor as the #1 Attraction in New Orleans, named by USA Today as the #1 Best Place to Learn U.S. Military History, and designated by Congress as America’s official museum about World War II, The National WWII Museum features a rich collection of artifacts that bring history to life.
We saw and experienced so many amazingly unique things – be sure to check it our more in detail here!
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Our kids had a blast and it was our only regret that we couldn’t stay longer.
Here are some more awesome local suggestions from The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, some of which we hope to catch next time around that you may want to try:
Stroll through Jackson Square to see the iconic Andrew Jackson statue and the St. Louis Cathedral
The oldest cathedral still in use in North America. Jackson Square is also the location of an open-air artist colony, where artists display their work on the outside of the iron fence. Visitors even have the opportunity to see the artists at work and perhaps have their portrait drawn by one of the many talents utilizing Jackson Square as their studio.
Visit the historic French Market
Reminiscent of some European markets, this open-air area features shopping, dining and music in a tradition that is uniquely New Orleans. From Café du Monde near Jackson Square to the bazaar at the end of Esplanade Avenue, there are five blocks of specialty retail shops and a community flea market with locally-made jewelry, clothing, cuisine and art.
Exploring Royal Street
This area is an eye-pleasing mix of classy antique shops and boutiques, fine jewelry stores, colorful art galleries and world-class hotels and restaurants. It is no wonder tourists and local’s alike flock to Royal Street when they want a real New Orleans experience. Art galleries contain sculptures, paintings and mixed media from artists who are on par with any residing in New York, San Francisco or other fine art meccas, including George Rodrigue and his internationally renowned “Blue Dog.” For antiques, it would be hard to find a better place to shop for them anywhere in this country. Many of the contents of New Orleans’ most elegant estates of the 19th and 20th centuries are for sale there. Exquisite crystal chandeliers, ornate hand-carved furniture, fine silver and jewelry and other table settings and so much more are there for the collector or those looking to decorate their own homes or businesses.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, 514 Chartres Street
This museum’s missions is to further interest in the history of pharmacology and promote its further development for the benefit of the general public. The museum is housed in the site of the apothecary of America’s first licensed pharmacist.
Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, 739 Bourbon St.
Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo and Reverend Zombie’s Voodoo Shop are located in the historic New Orleans French Quarter. Locals, tourists and the strangely curious have enjoyed these stores since Marie Laveau’s it first opened its doors in 1988. They offer a wide variety of items to help in both learning and practicing spiritual and religious ceremony. Tribal masks and statues from around the world symbolizing our ancestors connection with the spirit and earth. Talismans and charms directed towards many different supplications.
Visit the Presbytere,
Part of the Louisiana State Museum, 751 Chartres St.
The Presbytère was designed in 1791 to match the Cabildo, alongside St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. It stands today as a beautiful reminder of both Louisiana’s singular past and its vibrant present. It is home to two permanent exhibits: The Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond exhibit tells of rescue, rebuilding and renewal. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans’ badly engineered levee system, it resulted in one of the worst disasters in American history, leaving 80 percent of the city flooded and hundreds dead. The exhibit documents the event, the aftermath and southeast Louisiana’s ongoing recovery. Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana offers a window into the annual celebration and riotous rituals of Mardi Gras, a festival that is inextricably woven into Louisiana’s way of life and whose roots extend deep into the Middle Ages.
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We hope this itinerary is a great spring board on places to see… be sure to check them all out in detail with our other posts linked in case you have any specific questions we can help with. We loved our trip and couldn’t recommend it more!
As always, we’d love to know if you try some of these places, or have some favorites of your own. Some of the best suggestions come from you!
Be sure to check out the rest of our series.
Lovely
A Trip to New Orleans:
Where to Eat Part 1:
What to Do Part 1:
Where to Eat Part 2:
What to Do Part 2:
{We partnered with the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau to highlight some of the great aspects of this city. For more on our partnerships please visit here.)
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
Such a wonderful trip! I doubt I will ever make it there, so visiting through your post was fun. I am glad the children also seem to have enjoyed the fun, frolic and food.
Jenna says
Love this. You guys have been so helpful with all the things with trips to NOLA. We’re planning a trip for this November and can’t wait!
Alice says
Beautiful photography!
Dianna says
You guys are adorable!
Donald Pew says
This looks fabulous. Thank you for taking the time to document your trip like this. We are visiting Commander’s Palace on our next trip because you recommended it!
Leslie E says
This is so great. Thank you for all the awesome details! We can’t wait to check all this out.