Plan Your Visit

Late dinner at Osteria Lupo (upscale) or Pizza Domenica (mid-priced). After dinner, walk to Le Bon Temps Roule to catch Soul Rebels' weekly concert (tickets are $20 at the door, Thursday nights only, starting around 11 pm). After the concert, walk to Ms. Mae's or Brothers Three, both classic New Orleans 24-hour dive bars.

Brunch at Atchafalaya. Then stroll along Magazine Street for shopping and wander around the Garden District (between Magazine St and St. Charles Ave) to check out some amazing homes. Stop at The Bulldog for a drink outside, or for something fancier, head to The Chloe or The Columns.

Head to Superior Seafood for one of the best happy hours in the city: $1.25 oysters and drink specials (4 to 6:30 pm every day). You can either stay for dinner or continue on to New Orleans' most famous restaurant: Commander's Palace. Then head to Tchop Yard or Miel, two large outdoor bars off Tchoupitoulas St.

Check out the Audubon Zoo. It's a fun and pretty zoo and a nice way to spend a couple of hours, with a large section dedicated to native animals. After the zoo, drive or walk to the levee (labeled Audubon Riverview Park on Google Maps), a park along the Mississippi that's popular with locals and Tulane students. If you're hungry, walk 15 minutes (or drive) to Picnic Provisions (casual) or Saba (fantastic sit-down restaurant). From there, continue down Magazine Street. There are shops, restaurants, and bars all the way to the French Quarter.

Start with breakfast at Willa Jean (pricey) or Bearcat (less pricey, but long waits and no reservations, so expect 30 minutes). Then walk to the WWII Museum or The Ogden Museum for engaging exhibits. The Contemporary Arts Center has more art if you haven't had your fix, and make sure to grab a mid-day latte at Mr. Wolf Espresso.

For a great seafood dinner, Peche and Seaworthy are your best spots in the Warehouse District. Next door is The Barnett for live music and drinks in their lobby and club room. To top off the night, take the elevator to High Five, their rooftop poolside bar (closes at 10:30 pm). If one rooftop poolside bar isn't enough, mosey over a block to The Pool Club at The Virgin Hotel.

Pre-dinner drink at Arnaud's French 75. Dinner at Galatoire's (jackets required) or Antoine's. After dinner, head to Pat O's, which has a great outdoor area and a piano bar inside (in the back, across from the bathrooms). Then walk to Caesars for gambling.

Enjoy coffee and beignets at Cafe Beignet before brunch at Brennan's. Then walk around the French Quarter, making sure to check out the galleries and shops on Royal Street and Jackson Square.

Dinner at Cane and Table. Then walk to The Will and The Way, a popular new bar with a nice courtyard. Finish at the Chart Room, a classic French Quarter dive bar.

Start with a pre-dinner drink at the Elysian Bar. Walk to dinner at N7 for great outdoor dining (they offer a prix fixe for parties of 10 or more). Finish the night at Bud Rip's or Anna's, both fun dive bars.

Start with brunch at Paladar 511 or Country Club, a restaurant, bar, and pool with a drag brunch (reserve months in advance for the brunch). Then walk to Studio Be (opens at 2 pm, reserve before) to check out some art. Walk to Parleaux Brewery, which has a nice, large outdoor area. Then make your way to Bacchanal, a backyard venue where you can order bottles of wine and watch live music.

Dinner at Acamaya. Then walk to R Bar for a few drinks before making your way to Frenchmen Street to catch live music. Most of the venues are similar, so pick by the band playing. If you're still unsure, The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., Blue Nile, and Maison are all good options. You can walk to the French Quarter from here, and if you do, stop at Lafitte's on the way.

Start with beignets and coffee at Cafe du Monde in City Park. After breakfast, walk across the bayou to check out some of the oldest live oaks in the city. Then walk to the New Orleans Museum of Art or the Sculpture Garden (adults), or Storyland, the Children's Museum, or City Putt (kids). For lunch, head to Parkway Tavern, which has some of the best po-boys in the city. In the mood for something lighter? Mediterranean restaurant 1000 Figs is a NOLA lunch favorite.

Order pre-dinner drinks at Bayou Beer and Wine Garden, a large outdoor courtyard bar with small bites and a big drink menu. Once you build your appetite, enjoy dinner at Addis NOLA for great Ethiopian fare. In the mood for music? The Broadside and Bank Street Bar have events happening nearly every day.