Hurricanes, Hand Grenades, and Bourbon Street. If any place lends itself to 24 boozy hours its New Orleans. We’ve distilled our experiences down to just 24 (or 48) hours to help you get the most out of your time in the Big Easy. Ready to les en bon temps rouler?
Orientation and Planning
The taxi from the airport to downtown is just shy of $40 at the writing of this post, so there’s no reason to pay for a rental car. Ubers/Lyfts are plentiful and you’re looking to be uber lazy (see what we did there) and money isn’t an issue there are plenty of pedicabs in the French Quarter to get you from place to place.
We stayed at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street just three and a half blocks from Bourbon. This was a great location as we were close enough to walk to the most popular places but far enough that we could get a good night’s sleep. There are plenty of other hotels on Canal Street catering to a host of budgets and needs, so do some research and find the right one for you.
The places that we are covering here are spread over about 5 miles from one end to the other. While this may not sound far if you’re visiting in the summer the heat and humidity can be a factor so take that into account when planning your stay and how you plan on getting around the city.
We suggest that you make a couple of reservations prior to heading into the city to make the most of your time. First is to Preservation Hall and the next is to Three Muses (links below).
The itinerary we suggest makes the most of 24 hours in NOLA. Be honest with yourself, pick and choose how much to imbibe, make sure you hydrate (with water), always be aware of your surroundings and the people you’re with. Finally be responsible. Never drink and drive and always be respectful of the city your visiting and the people you meet.
All of the places mentioned here along with some additional suggestions can be found on our New Orleans list on Google Maps. If you’re looking to get in the NOLA mood check out our NOLA brass band playlist on Spotify. Also don’t forget to follow us on Untappd, Twitter, Instagram, Vivino and Distiller. Ok lets get going.
A Boozy 24 Hours
Café du Monde/French Market (Until 1PM)
Start your morning off at Café Du Monde. No, it doesn’t serve alcohol but you’re preparing for a long day. Grab a seat and order up some beignets and frozen Café Au Lait to make sure you’re sufficiently fueled. Morning is the best time to visit before it gets too busy and seats are easier to come by. Even when its busy orders are quick and turnover is relatively quick. Savor the sweet sugar covered fried dough and enjoy some people watching. There is a takeout line if you prefer not to sit or if there are no seats available.
Once you’ve fueled up on beignets, make your way over to Jackson Square where variousartists and street performers are always waiting to entertain or inspire you. Prefer something a little more low key with views of the might Mississippi? Head to the river, take a left (if you’re facing the river) and walk along the berm to to the French Market and grab a souvenir. Make a short stop at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park for a little culture.
Ready for lunch? Grab a cab and let’s visit a brewery.
Café du Monde 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 https://shop.cafedumonde.com/
French Market 700-1010 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 https://www.frenchmarket.org/
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park 916 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70116 https://www.nps.gov/jazz/index.htm
Port Orleans Brewing (1:30-3)
Pull up a stool and order a sample (or two we have some time to kill) at Port Orleans Brewing. This brewery boasts a wide variety of beers on tap which include slate of flagships along with a rotating group of seasonals so there should be something for everyone.
On this trip the highlights were the Strawberry Swirl Milkshake IPA and the Séance chocolate Chai Stout, however we only recommend the stout in taster size as the Chai can be a bit much by the end.
The decor is clean and modern with a large window into the brewing area. There’s spacious inside seating along with an outdoor beer garden for when it’s not extremely hot out.
For food, try the Port Orleans burger. The sweet bacon and tangy barbeque sauce will help make sure you’re prepared for our next few stops. Once you have a good base, we’ll walk some of it off on our way to the next stop, just over a mile away.
Port Orleans Brewing 4124 Tchoupitoulas St. New Orleans, LA 70115 https://portorleansbrewingco.com/
Miel Brewery (3:30-5)
Get ready for the best local brews we found in NOLA. Like many places in NOLA, Miel has a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. The interior is rather spartan but helps it to feel open even with a crowd. Grab a board game from the variety provided and settle in for a tasting but keep an eye on the clock, we need to be in a car just after 5!
WWith a brewer trained at Harpoon Brewery, you’ll find a good selection of high-quality beers. Normally I’m not a big sour fan but there are two here worth mentioning: Rubus Cube brewed with a raspberry Puree and Flor De Jamaica with notes of hibiscus. If you visit on a hot day, try one of their beer slurries. Being a lover of the Ghostbusters I couldn’t resist the Ectocooler made with their Ecto-1 cream ale.
Miel Brewing and Taproom 405 6TH St. New Orleans, LA 70115 www.mielbrewery.com
Pat O’s and Preservation Jazz Hall (5:30-7)
Finish up your beer and jump in a cab or rideshare to Preservation Hall where you’ll check-in for your 6 PM performance. You made your reservation, right? Once you checked in, head over to Pat O’Briens for a traditional hurricane (and bathroom break as there are none at Preservation Hall). Check out the flaming fountain out back and maybe see if there is someone performing inside.
Around 5:50 head back to Preservation Hall (you can bring your drink, thanks to no open container laws) for an amazing concert with the Preservation Hall All Stars. The show is only 45 minutes and reserving a seat will get you one of the more comfortable (although not that comfortable) seats in the house. Take your pictures early and then put away your phone as they won’t start playing until all recording devices are put away. Sit back and relax to the sounds of New Orleans.
Pat O’Brien’s 718 St Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116 https://patobriens.com/
Preservation Hall 726 St Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116 https://www.preservationhall.com/
Three Muses (7:15-9)
Once the show is over head west on down one of the main streets to Frenchmen Street and our favorite dinner spot. Three Muses serves New Orleans inspired tapas style food in a cozy setting. Come hungry and with a group so you can share the entire menu!
You’ll be entertained by a band of local musicians who can’t help but add to the ambiance. Tap your feet while you sip on their signature cocktail, The Muse, which contains cucumber infused gin along with blueberries and St. Germain. It’s the perfect refresher after the walk over.
We’ve tried almost everything on the menu over a number of visits and no matter what you go with you won’t be disappointed. I’d be remiss not to mention our favorites: the blue cheese stuffed dates, braised meatballs and rice bowl. If you’re looking for a sweet ending the Peanut Butter Pie will certainly hit the spot.
Three Muses 536 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 http://www.3musesnola.com/
Spotted Cat & Frenchman Street (9-12)
Once you’ve finished dinner, it’s time to really get your night going. Stay on Frenchmen Street and check out one or several of the many music venues. It’s easy wander around this area listening for a band that pulls at your ear. Maybe you’ll even find a wondering brass band along the street as we did one night on our trip. The music on Frenchmen is more traditional bands and jazz.
Depending on the day there will either be a small cover or two drink minimum most venues. Almost directly across the street from Three Muses is the Spotted Cat, and just down the street are Bamboula’s and The Maison. All offer high quality music, seated and standing areas along with ample bar area to make sure you won’t wait too long to get a drink and still allow you to see the stage.
The Spotted Cat Music Club 623 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70117 http://www.spottedcatmusicclub.com/
Bamboula’s 516 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 http://www.bamboulasnola.com/#!location/csxp
The Maison 508 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 http://www.maisonfrenchmen.com/
Balcony Music Club 1331 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 http://balconymusicclub.com/
Bourbon Street (12-???)
You’re probably wondering “are we ever going to get to Bourbon Street?” Well, the time has finally arrived. By midnight Bourbon Street will be rocking. Find the first place you can and grab a drink, then wander down the bar lined road as you people watch. Keep an eye out for flying beads from above!
All the bars on Bourbon are pretty much the same, night clubs with DJs or bands playing current dance music, . We prefer the traditional jazz Frenchmen Street offers, so our recommendation would be to walk around, find a place that suits your mood, go in and enjoy.
Did you wake up late this morning and skip Café Du Monde? Need a late-night snack? Think that Bourbon street is lame and overrated (yes, that’s us)? Late night is a great time to visit Café du Monde as well. Once you’ve had your fill of Bourbon Street head down towards the river and grab a table. If you’re leaving from Frenchmen Street, you can walk straight down Decatur. Late night fried donuts – what’s there to regret??!!
More Happy Hours in NOLA
Do you have some more time in NOLA? We have a couple of more recommendations for you to check out which are great, but we just couldn’t make fit into 24 hours.
World War II Museum
The National WWII museum seems to be ever expanding. Allocate a good 3-4 hours or more depending on how interested you are in the history of the second great war, but 2 hours is the BARE minimum. Here you’re able to visit exhibits on both the European and Pacific theaters, and interact with replicas of submarines, tanks, panes and more.
Learn what it was like as young men shipping off to war and how women supported them on the home front.
The National WWII Museum 945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 http://www.nationalww2museum.org/
Mother’s
A good place for breakfast or lunch, Mother’s boasts the “worlds best baked ham” and we can’t disagree. From the moment you walk in you’ll salivate over the aroma of baked ham. We’d recommend skipping the chicory coffee. Order at the counter and grab a seat with your number.
Mother’s Restaurant 401 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130 https://www.mothersrestaurant.net/menus/
Ghost Tour
New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in America, and so join a ghost tour to hear the terrible tales of past dirty deeds and unexplained happenings. We recommend the Ghost and Vampire tour. It leaves from the Voodoo Lounge where you can grab a pair of hurricanes (they’re 2 for 1) for the walk to prepare for some truly horrific stories.
French Quarter Phantom Tours 718 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116 https://www.frenchquarterphantoms.com/
A Streetcar Named Desire
OK, we don’t actually know if they name their streetcars, but traveling by streetcar is a fun and unique way to get around the city. You also can’t beat the price – an all day pass is only $3 at the time of this post! Download the app before you go and plan a trip or two to get the full New Orleans experience.
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority https://www.norta.com/
21st Amendment
This tiny little bar and restaurant just off Bourbon Street has some great (but pricy) drinks. The staff is helpful and attentive and there’s some great live music. Check out 21st Amendment for traditional NOLA music if you don’t want to travel all the way down to Frenchmen or if staying on or near Canal.
21st Amendment Bar at La Louisiane 725 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130 http://www.21stamendmentlalouisiane.com/
Other resources
https://www.wwoz.org/calendar/livewire-music
https://www.instagram.com/visitneworleans/
Stay in good spirits!
-The Boozy Travelers