Stories · United States
4 days in New Orleans
Not a list: a thread to follow, at your own pace.
New Orleans is earned slowly. This story follows a simple logic: the icons early in the morning, the neighbourhoods when the city wakes up, and evenings left to chance. 4 days, one thread, no stress.
Day 1 · The icons
To start, head to St. Louis Cathedral. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (5,214 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.
Around noon, it’s The Cabildo Museum. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. 4.5 out of 5 across 592 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around New Orleans: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
In the afternoon, I make my way to Jackson Square. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (28,581 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and New Orleans does the rest.
Day 2 · Fresh air
In the morning, meet me at New Orleans City Park. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (20,078 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.
Then, meet me at Louisiana Children's Museum. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (2,218 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
For lunch, New Orleans is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
Later, meet me at New Orleans Museum of Art. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.7 out of 5 across 5,421 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. New Orleans is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 3 · Fresh air
Early in the morning, it’s Audubon Park. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (8,965 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s Audubon Zoo. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (9,071 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
For lunch, New Orleans is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, it’s Tree of Life. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (2,192 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. New Orleans is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 4 · Museums and culture
In the morning, it’s The National WWII Museum. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (30,697 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s Ogden Museum of Southern Art. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. 4.7 out of 5 across 1,243 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.
For lunch, New Orleans is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, head to Preservation Hall. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.7 out of 5 across 5,300 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and New Orleans does the rest.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Audubon Insectarium, New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Mardi Gras World, The Historic New Orleans Collection, French Market and French Quarter Visitor Center. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
Safe travels. And get lost at least once; that is where New Orleans begins.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.