The unique blend of French, Spanish, and African influences that converge in New Orleans has shaped the unmatched culture of the Big Easy—and continues to reveal itself throughout the city. While Mardi Gras may be its most famous party, this city never stops celebrating, so you’ll find its enthusiasm for life on display year-round. No matter when you visit, here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in New Orleans.
Try these top New Orleans bites
You could build an entire New Orleans itinerary around its food, so let’s begin with the best opportunities to indulge your taste buds.
While there are many fabulous breakfast and brunch spots in New Orleans, Ruby Slipper Café is a local legend. Known for its indulgent Southern comfort food and an impressive eggs Benedict menu, this is the place to start your day with flair. Try the eggs cochon, which features apple-braised pork over a fluffy buttermilk biscuit, topped with two poached eggs and rich hollandaise.
For lunch, continue the comfort food theme with a stop at Cochon, a rustic spot in the Warehouse District specializing in Cajun cuisine. The wood-fired roasted Gulf fish is an excellent choice, but if you’re in the mood for more pork, try the Louisiana cochon with cracklins—a dish as hearty as it is flavorful. In the French Quarter, Café Amelie serves classic Creole dishes in its idyllic courtyard. For a lighter spin on local flavors, the shrimp and grits in Creole sauce delivers just the right balance.
When it’s time to celebrate, New Orleans-style, reserve a table at Commander’s Palace. This Garden District institution is a favorite for its elegant ambiance and updated Creole menu. The turtle soup is legendary—rich, aromatic, and unlike anything else. Another excellent bowl of turtle soup (a NOLA must) can be found at Muriel’s Jackson Square. Don’t forget to ask the staff for a tour of the building, including the reportedly haunted rooms upstairs.
For a casual yet standout dinner, Liuzza’s is a neighborhood gem dishing out generous portions of classic Creole cuisine alongside beloved Italian comfort fare. The oyster po’ boy and Cajun gumbo—loaded with smoked sausage, chicken, shrimp, and okra—are top picks.
And finally, it would be a sin to visit New Orleans without trying a beignet, a fluffy, doughnut-like pastry dusted in powdered sugar. Today, they’re served throughout town, but if it’s your first visit, head to the legendary Café Du Monde. The line for a table can be long, but the side takeout window is often shorter and faster. Grab your treats, and enjoy them on a bench in Jackson Square—or stroll along the mighty Mississippi River as you savor every bite.
Explore New Orleans’s iconic highlights
The French Quarter is a must-see for new visitors, but even repeat travelers will find a stroll here worthwhile. Take in the colorful houses and iconic wrought-iron balconies, often draped in dramatic plants and leftover Mardi Gras beads any time of year. There’s a timeless Parisian charm to the French Quarter—filtered through the soulful, eccentric spirit of New Orleans.
For something a little more mystical, visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where you can see the tomb of famous voodoo queen Marie Laveau. Keep in mind, you must join a guided tour, as visitors can no longer enter this cemetery unaccompanied. You can also take a voodoo walking tour to learn more about the spiritual history and folklore that have shaped New Orleans. Some of the best tours are offered through the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.
New Orleans is a haven for musicians, and the sound of live music spills onto its streets, especially once the sun goes down. You can sample the signature brass sounds of the city almost anywhere, but Tipitina’s is an essential stop for local jazz, blues, and funk. The energy is electric, and catching a live set here gives you a true taste of the city’s unmatched music scene. Preservation Hall is another essential stop for some of the city’s most locally authentic sets. But if there’s one place every first-time visitor should experience after dark, it’s Frenchmen Street, where music pours from open doorways, brass bands play on street corners, and the spirit of New Orleans comes alive under strings of glowing lights.
A scenic boat ride on the Mississippi River offers a laid-back way to experience the city’s history, cuisine, and music—especially if you opt for a jazz brunch on the City of New Orleans riverboat. If you prefer a steamboat, hop aboard sister vessel the Natchez.
Explore these top New Orleans museums
The National WWII Museum offers an immersive experience through exhibits, personal stories, and artifacts from the war. Plan to spend three to five hours exploring its powerful storytelling and extensive displays. This is one museum that truly rewards taking your time, so budget an entire morning or afternoon to avoid feeling rushed.
Another great option is the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, which celebrates the diverse artistic culture of the American South. Highlights include works by lesser-known Southern visionaries, powerful photography documenting civil rights history, and rotating exhibits that reflect the region’s evolving cultural identity.
For something less traditional, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum delves into the history of medicine and pharmacy with a collection of antique medical equipment, vintage medicinal bottles, and quirky artifacts—all housed within a historic 19th-century apothecary.
Sleep in style at this historic New Orleans hotel
There’s always something festive going down at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, a AAA Four Diamond property on the edge of the French Quarter. The hotel offers walkable access to the best of Bourbon Street and beyond, complete with impeccable service and elegant rooms that provide a relaxing retreat between adventures.
The spirit of the city is especially present in M bistro, the hotel’s lively dining and gathering space, which often features live music and special guests just off its elegant outdoor courtyard. Even the on-site spa leans into the local flavor, offering a treatment called Voodoo Ritual—an 80-minute multisensory massage enhanced by voodoo-inspired sounds and scents.
Time your trip with a New Orleans celebration
There’s no better place to party than in the Big Easy. New Orleans hosts more than 130 festivals each year—the most famous of which is Madi Gras, of course. Whether you’re toe-tapping at the Satchmo SummerFest, a blues and jazz festival held each summer in honor of NOLA’s legendary native son Louis Armstrong, or sampling some of the best deep-fried delights at the National Fried Chicken Fest, you’ll be soaking up the fun-loving spirit of New Orleans alongside locals. Just be sure to book your hotel early if your visit overlaps with a festival, especially Mardi Gras.
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Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, New Orleans invites you to embrace its vibrant rhythm and bold tastes—even if you have just two days, it’s enough time to experience this city’s unforgettable joie de vivre.