USA · 3 days · 16 stops
3 days in New Orleans – a ready-made itinerary
New Orleans sits in a bend of the Mississippi and is shaped by French, Spanish, African and Caribbean history. Three days cover the French Quarter with music in the evening, a day on the streetcar to the Garden District, and City Park with the neighbourhoods north of the old town. Each day stays in one part of the city, and the stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 16 stops
- Highlights
- Jackson Square, National WWII Museum, Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Cabildo
- Where to stay
- French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny, Garden District
- Getting around
- Explore the French Quarter and the Marigny on foot.
- Best time to go
- February to May and October to November are the most pleasant.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in New Orleans
13 places you should not miss in New Orleans – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
Jackson SquareThe old parade ground is the heart of the French Quarter. Painters hang their work on the fence and street musicians play from mid-morning.Day 1
St. Louis CathedralThe white church with three spires stands at the head of the square. One of the oldest cathedrals in the US.Day 1
CabildoIn 1803 this Spanish government building beside the cathedral saw the formal transfer of Louisiana to the United States. Today it is a museum of Louisiana's history.Day 1
Royal StreetThe street with the finest iron balconies in the quarter, full of antique shops and galleries. Calmer than Bourbon Street one block over.Day 1
Frenchmen StreetJust past the French Quarter in the Faubourg Marigny. Jazz and blues bands play in the small clubs from early evening.Day 1- National WWII MuseumThis large museum in the Warehouse District tells the story of the Second World War through aircraft, vehicles and personal accounts. Allow the whole morning.Day 2
- St. Charles streetcarThe green wooden cars have run along St. Charles Avenue under old oaks since the 19th century. Board a few blocks from the museum.Day 2
- Garden DistrictGrand 19th-century mansions in large gardens. Walk the side streets between Magazine Street and St. Charles Avenue.Day 2
- Audubon ParkRide the streetcar on to the park opposite Tulane University. A loop path leads around the lagoons under moss-hung oaks.Day 2
- Louis Armstrong Park and Congo SquareThe park in the Tremé neighbourhood is named after the city's most famous musician. On Congo Square enslaved Africans once gathered on Sundays for music and dance.Day 3
- City ParkTake the Canal Street streetcar towards City Park. One of the largest urban parks in the US, with very old oak trees.Day 3
- New Orleans Museum of ArtThe city's oldest art museum stands in the park. Next to it is a sculpture garden set among trees and lagoons.Day 3
- Esplanade AvenueThe wide avenue leads from the bayou back towards the French Quarter. Creole townhouses with tall windows stand under old oaks.Day 3
Day 1
The French Quarter and Frenchmen Street
Jackson Square
The old parade ground is the heart of the French Quarter. Painters hang their work on the fence and street musicians play from mid-morning.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Jackson Squareright next door
St. Louis Cathedral
The white church with three spires stands at the head of the square. One of the oldest cathedrals in the US.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St. Louis Cathedralright next door
Cabildo
In 1803 this Spanish government building beside the cathedral saw the formal transfer of Louisiana to the United States. Today it is a museum of Louisiana's history.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cabildoabout 5 min on foot
French Market
The long market hall by the river is lined with food stalls. Try a po'boy, the city's baguette sandwich, and beignets dusted with powdered sugar for dessert.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): French Marketabout 5 min on foot
Royal Street
The street with the finest iron balconies in the quarter, full of antique shops and galleries. Calmer than Bourbon Street one block over.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Royal Streetabout 2.2 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Frenchmen Street
Just past the French Quarter in the Faubourg Marigny. Jazz and blues bands play in the small clubs from early evening.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Frenchmen Street
Day 2
By streetcar to the Garden District
National WWII Museum
This large museum in the Warehouse District tells the story of the Second World War through aircraft, vehicles and personal accounts. Allow the whole morning.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National WWII Museumabout 15 min on foot
St. Charles streetcar
The green wooden cars have run along St. Charles Avenue under old oaks since the 19th century. Board a few blocks from the museum.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St. Charles streetcarabout 5 min on foot
Magazine Street
This long shopping street on the edge of the Garden District is full of cafés and casual places. A good area for gumbo, Louisiana's spicy stew.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Magazine Streetabout 2.9 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Garden District
Grand 19th-century mansions in large gardens. Walk the side streets between Magazine Street and St. Charles Avenue.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Garden Districtabout 3.8 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Audubon Park
Ride the streetcar on to the park opposite Tulane University. A loop path leads around the lagoons under moss-hung oaks.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Audubon Park
Day 3
Tremé, City Park and Esplanade Avenue
Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square
The park in the Tremé neighbourhood is named after the city's most famous musician. On Congo Square enslaved Africans once gathered on Sundays for music and dance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Squareabout 4.9 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
City Park
Take the Canal Street streetcar towards City Park. One of the largest urban parks in the US, with very old oak trees.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): City Parkabout 25 min on foot
New Orleans Museum of Art
The city's oldest art museum stands in the park. Next to it is a sculpture garden set among trees and lagoons.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): New Orleans Museum of Artabout 20 min on foot
Bayou St. John
Along the waterway south of the park and in the streets of Mid-City, neighbourhood places serve po'boys and Creole dishes.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Bayou St. Johnabout 20 min on foot
Esplanade Avenue
The wide avenue leads from the bayou back towards the French Quarter. Creole townhouses with tall windows stand under old oaks.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Esplanade Avenue
Good to know
Best time to go
February to May and October to November are the most pleasant. Summer is hot and very humid, and June to November is hurricane season. During Mardi Gras in February or March the city is especially crowded.
Getting around
Explore the French Quarter and the Marigny on foot. For the Garden District, Audubon Park and City Park take the streetcars on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street. From Louis Armstrong airport a bus runs into the city, and a taxi or ride-hail is quicker. In the evening it's best to stick to busy streets.
Where to stay
French Quarter
Right in the historic centre, with everything on foot. Around Bourbon Street it is loud at night, while the streets at the lower end are quieter.
Faubourg Marigny
Colourful wooden houses next to the French Quarter, close to the music on Frenchmen Street. A little more relaxed than the old town.
Garden District
Quiet streets of old mansions and guesthouses, right on the St. Charles streetcar. A few minutes into the centre.
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More on New Orleans in our blog: How many days in New Orleans? Plans for 1–5 days
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New Orleans: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in New Orleans?
The must-see sights in New Orleans are Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Cabildo, Royal Street, Frenchmen Street and National WWII Museum. This plan links 13 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for New Orleans?
Yes, for the main neighbourhoods. A fourth day leaves room for a swamp boat tour or a trip to the Whitney Plantation, which is dedicated to the history of slavery.
What should I eat in New Orleans?
Gumbo, jambalaya, po'boys and red beans and rice, with beignets alongside your coffee. In spring there are boiled crawfish.
What should I sort out before the trip?
Check entry requirements with your government's travel advice before you go – many visitors need an authorisation before flying to the US. Around Mardi Gras book accommodation early.
Where is the best place for live music?
Bands play most nights in the small clubs on Frenchmen Street. Preservation Hall in the French Quarter is devoted to traditional jazz.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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