Guest post by jen0517
Map tips: each color represents a different day. Click a marker to learn more about the spot, and click the star in the map header to save the entire map under Your Places in Google Maps.
Day 1
We stayed at the Mercantile Hotel, which is just outside the French Quarter. Would recommend – not in the chaos/loud area, but close enough that everything is accessible. Bourbon Street is a 20 min walk.
After checking in, we hopped on a trolley to downtown and grabbed a quick bite to eat since we didn’t get there until later in the day.
Day 2
- Canal Place
- Harrah’s Casino
- Bourbon Street
Spent most of the day exploring the area on foot. We shopped at Canal Place, which is a huge mall at the end of Canal Street. Lots to do in that area – the aquarium, casino, and butterfly garden are all right there. Had some beignets, of course (most amazing, puts any donut to shame). We then went next door to Harrah’s, and walked up Canal Street a few blocks to Bourbon Street and spent the rest of the day there. Took an Uber for dinner at Paladar 511 – excellent food a little bit out of the touristy area. Lots of locals, diverse menu.
Day 3
- Cemetery Tour
- Jackson Square
- St. Louis Cathedral
Did the Cemetery Tour in the morning and had a great guide, wonderful experience. We passed several other groups and ours was the best, by far, so it would probably depend on which guide you get. It was very interesting and fun, got to learn the history behind New Orleans and the different areas.
Stopped for lunch and then walked along Decatur Street (3 streets over/towards the water from Bourbon Street), which borders into Jackson Square. Walked through the area and admired the cathedral from the outside.
Walked to the Carousel Bar on Royal Street, would recommend going early if you want a seat. Bartender put on a great show. Then took Uber to have dinner at Atchafalaya – even more amazing than Paladar 511. This was a very long meal, 5-courses. Owners, waiters, service – everything great.
We flew out the next day. The best part of the trip was the food and walking down Bourbon Street. One of the coolest things is that no matter where you go in the city, there are always people playing music in the streets. Young and old alike.
Traveled in May 2018
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