TrekUnity
Ideal length
4 days
Best time
February–May
Budget / day
$90–170 / person
New Orleans is one of America’s most distinctive cities — French and Creole roots, live jazz spilling from every doorway, and a food scene worth the trip alone.
Three days covers the French Quarter, live-music nights on Frenchmen Street, and a swamp or plantation day — a top-tier group destination.
Top things to do in New Orleans
French Quarter
Jackson Square, balconies, and street performers.
Frenchmen Street
Where locals go for live jazz.
Garden District
Streetcar past oak-lined mansions.
Swamp tour
Airboat through bayou and alligators.
National WWII Museum
One of the best museums in the US.
Where to eat & drink in New Orleans
Café du Monde
Beignets and chicory coffee, 24/7.
A po-boy joint
Fried shrimp or roast beef, dressed.
A gumbo/jambalaya spot
Creole classics done right.
A sample 4 days New Orleans itinerary
1French Quarter
- •Morning: Café du Monde + Jackson Square
- •Afternoon: quarter wander
- •Evening: Frenchmen Street jazz
2Uptown
- •Morning: St Charles streetcar + Garden District
- •Afternoon: WWII Museum
- •Evening: gumbo dinner
3Bayou
- •Morning: swamp tour
- •Afternoon: City Park + Bayou St John
- •Evening: live music
4Music + markets
- •Morning: French Market + riverfront
- •Afternoon: Magazine Street shops
- •Evening: a jazz club send-off
Want this as an editable trip you can share with your group?
Money-saving tips for New Orleans
- Live music is often free with no cover on Frenchmen Street — tip the band instead of paying club prices.
- Ride the historic streetcar ($1.25) instead of cabs — it’s a sightseeing tour in itself.
- Lunch on po-boys and muffulettas (huge, cheap) and save the fancy Creole dinners for one splurge.
Frequently asked questions
Is New Orleans just Bourbon Street?
Not at all — locals prefer Frenchmen Street for music and the Garden District, City Park, and museums for daytime. Bourbon Street is a small, rowdy slice.
When is Mardi Gras?
It peaks on Fat Tuesday (Feb/March), but parades run for about two weeks before. Book far ahead — the city fills up and prices spike.
Planning New Orleans with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see where everyone is in real time.
Start planning free