New Orleans - The Perfect U.S. City for a 2-3 Day Weekend Getaway

New Orleans is the birthplace of Cajun and Creole cuisines, Jazz music, and Voodoo culture. Most major attractions are located in the French Quarter and Central Business District—staying near these two areas is super convenient, as many spots are within walking distance, so you don’t need to rent a car. And just a heads-up: no grilled chicken wings here 🙃 The French Quarter is amazing for exploring, with attractions packed closely together: During the day: Snap photos on Bourbon Street, at Labranche House, and Jackson Square. Grab beignets (fried dough covered in powdered sugar) at Café du Monde (cash only!)😉, or enjoy a coffee at Lafitt’s Blacksmith Shop. In the evening: Catch a Jazz show at Preservation Hall (book tickets on their official website a week in advance!)🎶 or pop into any cozy bistro that catches your eye—grab a drink and listen to live music (Frenchmen Street has tons of great bars). For culture buffs: Check out the Voodoo Museum, the Death Museum, or the National WWII Museum and Jazz Museum—pick based on your interests! 🎈 Other great day trips: Go on a swamp tour to see alligators and visit Oak Valley Plantation (a filming location for Red Dead Redemption 2). The plantation offers guided tours about its history, including stories of enslaved people and the plantation system. 🐊 You can book a combined tour (swamp + plantation) that runs from 10 AM to 5 PM—mini-buses even pick you up and drop you off right at your hotel, which is super hassle-free. Worth it if you’re into alligators, plantations, Red Dead Redemption 2, or want to take stunning photos at the oak-lined plantation! 📸 Food Recommendations: Luke: Their highly recommended oysters are so good—no fishy taste at all! They’re $2.75 each, and from 3-6 PM daily, it’s happy hour with discounts on oysters. 🦪 Felix’s: Their garlic-roasted oysters are delicious! They also serve most New Orleans specialties, so it’s a great spot to sample a little bit of everything. 😋 Galatoire’s: The service is top-notch, and the ambiance is lovely—even the hand towels in the restroom are high-quality! Their warm dinner rolls are amazing, and the crab meat with cheese is rich and tasty. Other dishes are just okay, though. (Pro tip: Try their oysters with a dark spinach sauce on top—it’s a unique third way to enjoy oysters!) 🥐 Cochon: They serve fried alligator meat (tastes like chicken!), plus huge portions of pork with sauerkraut and redfish—almost every table orders these, and they’re all flavorful. Just a heads-up: the place was pretty packed when we went, and it felt like there weren’t enough servers—we often waited a long time to order, get our food, or pay the bill. 🐷 Café du Monde: Their signature beignets are a must-try, but one order is enough—they’re sweet and filling! 🍩 Bearcat Café: A popular spot for brunch, but the line was insanely long on Saturday—we didn’t end up getting to eat there. 😫 A quick note: Outside of the downtown area, New Orleans doesn’t have many notable buildings, so the scenery along the river cruises is pretty underwhelming. 🚢 #NewOrleans #NewOrleansFood #NewOrleansTravel