3-Day New Orleans City Walk | A Midsummer Night’s Dream
As a long-time casual jazz lover and American Horror Story fan, I finally visited the New Orleans I’d been dreaming of! The summer downpours I hadn’t seen in ages, the crisp pop of oyster shells, and beer bubbles cutting through the muggy, post-rain air—this is the kind of midsummer magic I’ll miss long after leaving 🌧️🦪🍻. I’d heard the French Quarter had bad safety, so I stayed on Poydras Street, about a 10-minute drive from the Quarter. The hotel was on a main road—safe and quiet. Following the main road, I could wander all the way to the Mississippi River and into the French Quarter. All the attractions are compact; you can reach everything on foot 🚶. Day 1: Luke’s → French Quarter → Mississippi River → Mahogany Jazz Hall First stop: Luke’s for their afternoon happy hour. Seafood lovers, RUN! The 12-oyster platter (only around $20+) was super fresh, and paired with half-priced cocktails—I’d come here every day if I could 😍. French Quarter route: Bourbon St. ➡️ St. Louis Cathedral ➡️ LaBranche House ➡️ Jackson Square ➡️ Mississippi River I admired the French-style architecture along the way, and there are lots of vintage shops to browse—perfect for photos 📸! When I got tired, I sat on the steps by the Mississippi River, felt the river breeze, watched street jazz artists perform, and even played with the white geese—so relaxing 🦢. That night, we went to Mahogany Jazz Hall, a hidden gem recommended on Xiaohongshu. Highly recommend! No cover charge—just order a drink and enjoy the evening show. The vibe was amazing, with diverse, energetic performances that included improvisation and solos 🎷. Day 2: National World War II Museum → Preservation Hall Day 2 was for the National World War II Museum—it’s huge, so set aside 4-5 hours! It’s a very story-driven museum; following the timeline, I didn’t even realize half the day had passed 🕰️. In the evening, we visited Preservation Hall, a famous jazz venue. Tickets are around $40, and you need to buy them weeks in advance to get a seat. It’s full of tourists who come for its reputation—the performances are top-tier, but the musicians looked so drained (total "work fatigue" vibe 😂). This jazz hall is in the French Quarter; it’s a historic-looking building (read: a bit run-down)—don’t worry if you think you’re in the wrong place! Day 3: Sazerac House (Cocktail Museum) We only had half a day on Day 3, so we went to Sazerac House—it exceeded all expectations! The museum combines historical elements (like New Orleans during Prohibition) to tell the story of the city’s drinking culture and the birth of iconic cocktails. Super interesting! There’s also a stunning wine wall perfect for photos 📸. Best part: 3 free drink tastings! 🥃 #NewOrleansTravelGuide #NOLA #CityWalk #LifeExperiencer
