New Orleans Is So Fun to Explore
You don’t need to go far—spending just two days in New Orleans’ French Quarter is more than enough to have a great time! From street music and century-old buildings to lively bar streets… there are new discoveries from morning till night. I’ve put together a super practical guide for sightseeing and food—foodies and explorers, dive right in! 🚶 🌿 French Quarter Sightseeing List: Non-Stop Fun All Day 1. Taste of Nawlines French Quarter Tour (with Breakfast) ✨ Highlight: Booked this tour on Groupon, and exploring the French Quarter with a local guide is super immersive! You’ll hear fascinating stories behind the century-old buildings—like the origin of vampires and the story of how “sugar daddy” got its name—full of fun. Most old buildings in the French Quarter are hundreds of years old, each hiding little surprises; you’ll only realize how interesting they are when you listen to the explanations~ ⚠️ Minor Letdown: You have to get up early, and the included breakfast is ordinary with no local features. It’s recommended to find a local spot for a proper brunch after the tour~ 2. French Market The guide said this is where you’ll find “the cheapest souvenirs,” but in my experience, it’s more like an “American version of Yiwu Wholesale Market.” The jewelry and decorations sold here are quite homogeneous, and it’s not necessarily the best value for money. Just wander around to soak up the atmosphere—no need to spend too much time shopping~ 3. Bourbon Street (Bar & Carnival Hub) You’ll never run out of things to do at night! This bar street is incredibly lively~ Almost every bar has a live band, and it’s packed by 8 or 9 PM. Everyone on the street seems to hold a green cocktail 🍹—try the Hand Grenade! It’s sweet and easy to drink, perfect for a tipsy vibe~ 4. Must-Visit Landmarks: Photo Spots Galore The LaBranche House: famous spot, known as “the most beautiful house in the French Quarter.” Its unique architectural style stands out among the old buildings—every photo taken here looks great; Jackson Square: A classic check-in spot. You can hear street jazz performances early in the morning, and there are also vintage carriages passing by slowly. The square is especially atmospheric in the morning light; Steamboat NATCHEZ: 🚢 Book in advance for a Mississippi River cruise on this steamboat. It’s recommended to choose the package with dinner and live jazz! The buffet dinner has a wide range of dishes, including steak, chicken, crawfish rice bowl, pasta, corn, and potatoes. Eating while listening to jazz and watching the river views is an amazing experience~ 5. Cultural Experiences: Unlock NOLA’s Unique Charm The Sazerac House: New Orleans has a strong cocktail culture, and this is a museum by a well-known local cocktail company. You need to book a free tour in advance, and you can also taste three signature cocktails 🍹. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys a casual drink; Street Art Vibe: The French Quarter’s streets are full of energy! You’ll see street music performances, artists painting, and voodoo fortune-tellers everywhere—oozing with artistic charm. There are also many cute small shops to explore; Nearby Gems: There are museums just a short walk away, as well as an aquarium and outlets. The food is great too—this area has all the travel perks you could want! 🍴 French Quarter Specialty Food: No Bad Choices Po-boys: Local specialty sandwiches. Almost every restaurant has them—just pick any spot and you’ll be good; Beignets: French fried doughnuts. You must go to Cafe Du Monde! The French Quarter location is cash-only—just find a seat, and a waiter will come to take your order (no need to wait for someone to seat you). I even found a Cafe Du Monde at the airport when I left; Chargrilled Oysters: I ended up ordering grilled oysters at every seafood spot I visited. Ranking them: Big EZ > Drago‘s > ACME—Big EZ’s oysters are incredibly fresh and juicy, with garlic and cheese enhancing the flavor perfectly, while ACME’s are just average; Crawfish: ACME has crawfish rice bowls, and Big EZ serves spicy crawfish (ma xiao)—if you love crawfish, try both spots for different styles! #nola #NewOrleansFood #NewOrleans #TravelGuide