48 hrs in New Orleans😉 A 2-Day Guide to This Charming City!

New Orleans is absolutely amazing! From its colorful streets and everywhere jazz music to its sugar-dusted treats… It’s no wonder it’s been on my wishlist for over a year—I fell in love the second I arrived～💖 🍩 Must-Try: Beignet Bliss at Cafe du Monde The Beignet experience at Cafe du Monde is truly irreplaceable! Step inside and you’re instantly wrapped in vintage charm, plus it’s cash only—the perfect way to amp up the ritual～ A Vietnamese auntie asks “honey what do you want” in a thick accent, warm and endearing 🥰; the freshly baked Beignets are coated in a thick layer of powdered sugar—take a bite and your nose and mouth get dusted with sweetness. Crispy, sweet, and pure joy! ⚠️ Pro tip: We went at 10 AM on our first day, and the line was already over 100 meters long. Go early to avoid the rush～ Also, you must try their cafe au lait! A specialty born during the war when coffee was scarce, it’s made by mixing coffee with chicory root. Rich and mellow, it pairs perfectly with Beignets to cut through the sweetness～ 🎨 French Quarter: The Joy of Wandering & Sipping The colorful townhouses in the French Quarter are so photogenic! Drinking on the street is legal here, and many bars have “to go” signs outside—you can grab a cocktail and wander from noon onwards～ We ordered four specialty drinks in a row, wandering through street performances and handmade shops with a light buzz. That sense of relaxation was perfect ✨! By afternoon, Bourbon St comes alive—sunshine, loud laughter, blaring music, and people dancing freely. Watching everyone’s unapologetic joy makes you happy too～ 🏨 Accommodation Gem: Hotel Peter&Paul We finally stayed at the iconic Hotel Peter&Paul! Converted from a church’s student dormitories, the decor is simple yet full of details. The rooms are neat and organized, like a scene from a novel—super photogenic 📸～ The location is also unbeatable: a short walk to the jazz bars on Frenchmen Street, making it easy to get back after a night of music～ 🎷 Jazz Night: No Regrets at Mohogany With only one night, we were nervous about picking a bad jazz bar. After researching, we chose Mohogany—and it didn’t disappoint! The vibe was incredible: soft lighting, musicians playing with so much passion. Even if you don’t know jazz, you’ll be swept up in the energy, swaying to the rhythm, grinning the whole time 🥳～ Every guest must order a drink, and the cocktails were fantastic too. Sipping while listening to live jazz—this is how you experience New Orleans! 🍴 Food Recap: Hits & a Miss ✅ Luke Restaurant: A winner! Besides the must-have oysters and fried oysters, the chicken liver mousse was a surprise—smooth and creamy, melting in your mouth, totally changing our view of chicken liver; skip the tuna tartare though—it was underwhelming～ ❌ Tableau Restaurant: A bit of a letdown. Compared to French restaurants in Chicago, both the taste and presentation were average, with low value for money～ Sadly, there were still a few bars on our list we didn’t get to visit—save that for next time! New Orleans, we’ll be back～👋 #NorthAmerica #StudyAbroad #WeekendGetaway #NewOrleans #NorthAmericaTravel