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How many days in New Orleans? 3 days of jazz, the French Quarter and Creole food
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and one of the most distinctive cities in the United States, with French, Spanish, African and Caribbean roots. Three days covers the French Quarter with its iron balconies, live music on Frenchmen Street, the mansions of the Garden District reached by the historic St. Charles streetcar, the excellent National WWII Museum, and a swamp tour in the Louisiana bayous. Come hungry: the food, Creole and Cajun, is part of the trip.
Short answer
Two days covers the French Quarter, the Garden District and live music. The third adds a swamp tour and the WWII Museum.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: The French Quarter
Morning. Have beignets and chicory coffee at Café du Monde, then explore Jackson Square, the St. Louis Cathedral (the oldest in continuous use in the US), the Cabildo museum, and the French Market.
Afternoon. Walk the French Quarter's streets: Royal Street with antique shops and street musicians, the iron lace balconies of the LaBranche Buildings, and the Historic New Orleans Collection. Take a walk along the Mississippi on the Moonwalk.
Evening. See traditional jazz at Preservation Hall (about US$25-50; short sets, book ahead), then walk down Bourbon Street to see the party.
Bourbon Street is loud and crowded; for better music, go to Frenchmen Street.
Day 2: The Garden District and the WWII Museum
Morning. Ride the St. Charles streetcar (US$1.25), in service since 1835, to the Garden District: Greek Revival and Italianate mansions, and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 with its above-ground tombs (check if it has reopened).
Afternoon. Visit the National WWII Museum (about US$35-40), one of the best history museums in the US, with personal stories, aircraft and the 4D film 'Beyond All Boundaries'. It needs at least 3-4 hours.
Evening. Hear live music in the clubs of Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, such as The Spotted Cat and d.b.a., often with no cover or a small one.
Buy a Jazzy Pass on the Le Pass app for unlimited streetcar and bus rides.
Day 3: Swamps and plantations
Morning. Take a swamp tour by boat or airboat in the bayous (about US$40-80 with transport), to see alligators, herons and cypress trees draped with Spanish moss.
Afternoon. Visit a plantation on the River Road: the Whitney Plantation focuses on the history of slavery and is the most honest; Oak Alley has a famous avenue of 300-year-old oak trees.
Evening. Have a final dinner of Creole food and a cocktail invented here, such as a Sazerac or a Hurricane.
Many tours combine a swamp and a plantation in one day.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Days 1 and 2.
Got extra days?
With more time, see the Tremé neighbourhood, the oldest African American neighbourhood, take a cooking class, or drive into Cajun Country around Lafayette for zydeco music.
Where to stay in New Orleans
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Mid-City / hostels | Cheaper, streetcar to the Quarter. | US$110-180 |
| Mid-range | French Quarter (away from Bourbon) | Walk to everything, historic buildings. | US$200-350 |
| Mid-range | Marigny / Garden District | Frenchmen Street music or quiet mansions. | US$170-300 |
| Comfort | Historic luxury hotels | Grand hotels like the Roosevelt and boutique hotels in the Quarter. | US$350-700 |
Getting around
Walk the French Quarter and the Marigny, and use the streetcars for the Garden District and Canal Street. Taxis and rideshares at night. Swamp and plantation tours include transport. Louis Armstrong International Airport is about 25-30 minutes from the centre.
What to eat in New Orleans
Try gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, po'boys (sandwiches with fried shrimp or roast beef), muffulettas from Central Grocery, red beans and rice (traditionally on Mondays), boiled crawfish in spring, and Creole classics such as shrimp and grits at historic restaurants like Commander's Palace or Galatoire's. A po'boy costs US$12-20; a fine dinner US$60-100.
Best time to visit
February to May is best, with mild weather and festivals: Mardi Gras (February or early March; book months ahead), French Quarter Fest (April) and Jazz Fest (late April-early May). Summer is very hot and humid; hurricane season is June to November. Autumn and winter are mild.
Month-by-month weather for New Orleans →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | US$60 | US$130 | US$300 |
| Food & drink | US$40 | US$80 | US$160 |
| Sights & activities | US$20 | US$50 | US$120 |
| Local transport | US$5 | US$15 | US$40 |
| Total per person, per day | about US$125 | about US$275 | about US$620 |
Approximate 2026 prices in US dollars. Hotel taxes add about 16% plus per-night fees; prices rise sharply during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
Before you go
Common questions
Is New Orleans safe?
The main tourist areas are busy and generally fine, but take care at night: stay in lit, crowded streets and use taxis or rideshares rather than walking long distances.
When is Mardi Gras?
The date changes every year (February or early March), before Lent; parades take place for two weeks before 'Fat Tuesday'.
Where is the best live music?
Frenchmen Street, Preservation Hall, Tipitina's, and brass bands on the street. Many clubs have no cover charge, but tip the band.
Can I drink in the street?
Yes, in plastic cups (not glass) in the French Quarter and many other areas.
Is New Orleans good for families?
Yes: the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium, the streetcars, swamp tours and the WWII Museum suit children; Bourbon Street at night does not.
Which plantation should I visit?
The Whitney Plantation for the history of the enslaved people, Oak Alley for the architecture and the oak avenue.
How do I get around?
On foot and by streetcar. A car is useful only for Cajun Country.
What is the difference between Creole and Cajun food?
Creole food is the city cuisine of New Orleans, with French, Spanish, African and Caribbean roots, often using tomatoes and butter. Cajun food comes from the rural Acadian (French-Canadian) settlers of south-west Louisiana, simpler and spicier. Both share the 'holy trinity' of onion, celery and peppers.
What are second lines?
Street parades led by a brass band, followed by dancers (the 'second line'), organised by social clubs, especially on Sundays from August to June. They are free to join; check the local radio station WWOZ for the schedule.
Are the cemetery tours worth it?
Yes: New Orleans buries its dead in above-ground tombs, and the 'cities of the dead' are fascinating. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where Marie Laveau, the voodoo queen, is buried, can only be visited with an authorised guide.
What are the best music clubs?
Preservation Hall for traditional jazz, the clubs of Frenchmen Street (The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., Snug Harbor), Tipitina's for funk and the Maple Leaf Bar, where the Rebirth Brass Band plays on Tuesdays.
Is it worth visiting in summer?
It is very hot and humid, with afternoon storms, but hotel prices drop and the city's air-conditioned museums, restaurants and clubs stay open. Plan outdoor walks for the early morning and evening.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning USA trips. Prices are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official New Orleans & Company, WWII Museum, Preservation Hall and RTA websites before booking.
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