Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in New Orleans?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in New Orleans?
Many visitors spend two to three days in New Orleans during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to dine out at amazing restaurants, dance the night away, listen to some live music, and browse around the old town.
New Orleans is at the heart of the southern party scene. It has many music roots and plays host to many festivals that feature music, food, and fun. The city has an all night nightlife scene that is concentrated in the French Quarter and it's at its peak during Mardi Gras season. The local food scene has also grown rapidly and there are now a combination of celebrity and local chefs that create incredible dishes.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit New Orleans? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in New Orleans?
Three days in New Orleans is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend two to three days here. This amount of time is perfect if you want to dine out at amazing restaurants, dance the night away, listen to some live music, and browse around the old town. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
How to spend 3 days in New Orleans
When visiting New Orleans, you can't miss the French Quarter as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
The delicious food of New Orleans is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.
A few tour suggestions include:
- New Orleans Hands-On Cooking Class with Meal ($162)
- Hands-on Cajun Traditions Cooking Class ($164)
- Small-Group New Orleans Food Walking Tour and Cooking Class ($109)
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.
A few tour suggestions include:
- French Quarter History Walking Tour by a Local ($25)
- Creole Louisiana: A French Quarter Walking Tour (English) ($30)
- Small-Group French Quarter History Walking Tour ($49)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.
A few tour suggestions include:
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel ($25)
- Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl ($15)
- True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans ($37)
New Orleans is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. It sits on the Mississippi River and is known for its Mardi Gras celebrations and many festivals.
A few tour suggestions include:
- The Original New Orleans Airboat Tour with Optional Transport ($98)
- Private New Orleans City Tour with Local Expert Guide ($155)
- New Orleans Small-Group Airboat Swamp Tour ($89)
Live music is very popular in New Orleans, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half-Day Private Nola Culture Second Line Tour and Music Experience ($50)
- Music Party Bike Ride ($48)
- Citywide Driving Tour with Local Jazz Musician ($83)
Is 4 days enough time in New Orleans?
With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that New Orleans has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use New Orleans as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the food, the nightlife scene, and plenty of live music at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 4 days in New Orleans
If you have more than 4 days in New Orleans, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
New Orleans offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. The French Quarter has a lot of history and unique architecture. Many homes and buildings have the unique New Orlean's style balconies that give the region its character.
A few tour suggestions include:
- New Orleans Garden District Architecture Tour ($35)
- French Quarter History Walking Tour by a Local ($25)
- Private New Orleans Garden District Highlights Tour ($143)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in New Orleans.
Is 5 days enough time in New Orleans?
Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to New Orleans, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to dine out at amazing restaurants, dance the night away, listen to some live music, and browse around the old town on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use New Orleans as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend 5 days in New Orleans
Having 5 days in New Orleans will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
After you've explored most of New Orleans, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about New Orleans, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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