This experience was sponsored by New Orleans and Company, but as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s safe to say that New Orleans is world-famous for a lively night life tasty adult beverages, and amazing French/Creole/Cajun cuisine. A trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans is practically a rite of passage for many American college students. However, New Orleans is more than just a big party; it’s actually a fantastic destination for solo travel, with plenty of cultural and outdoor attractions to augment the renowned nightlife in New Orleans. I highly recommend a New Orleans weekend trip to acquaint yourself with all the fun things to see in New Orleans, Louisiana.

New Orleans French Quarter

The most famous part of New Orleans is the French Quarter, one of many historic neighborhoods in New Orleans. A New Orleans weekend trip is not complete without a trip to the French Quarter. Bordered by the Mississippi River, the French Quarter includes Jackson Square and Bourbon Street, which is lined with jazz clubs and Cajun restaurants. By day, the French Quarter is great for people watching and shopping, but this area is best known for its nightlife.

Vue Orleans

Other than a helicopter tour, the only way to get a 360-degree view of the city is from the observation deck at Vue Orleans. Before you ascend to the observation deck, they have a great interactive display about the history and culture of the city. Learn about the jazz music that shaped New Orleans, the important influence of the Mississippi River, and the confluence of French and Cajun cultures in the region.

Then, take the elevator up 34 floors to enjoy unrivaled views of New Orleans. This birdseye view is a great way to get your bearings and start to plot out your plan to explore New Orleans.

The Sazerac House

Sazerac is the official drink of New Orleans, and the Sazerac House is the best place to learn about this whiskey cocktail. Located on the southern edge of the French Quarter, this “boozeum” offers complimentary tours, interactive exhibits, and spirit tastings. This is a great spot to kick off a night on the town in the French Quarter.

Drinking Walking Tour

For solo travelers, exploring the nightlife of New Orleans can be a bit intimidating. Luckily, there’s a great tour to experience some quintessential New Orleans cocktails, while also getting a walking tour of the city. Drink & Learn takes you through three centuries, with four cocktails, in two hours. The founder and tour guide Elizabeth is super knowledgable but also wildly entertaining.

Frenchmen Street

Just north of the French Quarter is another popular area for live music. Frenchmen Street is lined with live music venues offering a variety of music including jazz, blues, reggae, and rock. You’ll even have street performers roaming around and adding to the fun atmosphere.

If you’re looking for nightlife outside of the French Quarter, Frenchmen Street is a great choice! The Spotted Cat Music Club is a great place to start your night out.

Swamp Tour

Of course, there’s more to New Orleans beyond the French Quarter, and a swamp tour is a great way to see what nature looks like on the Bayou. Grayline New Orleans offers several tours of the area, including an airboat tour, plantation tour, and a swamp/bayou tour.

I joined a swamp tour, which is probably the most popular New Orleans activity outside of eating and drinking. You can expect to see tons of alligators, plus other unique animals that live in the lush jungle-like bayou.

Crescent Park

East of the French Quarter is the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. Crescent Park is one of the newest parks in New Orleans. This 1.4-mile riverfront urban park offers great views of the New Orleans skyline and is a great destination for a bicycle ride from the French Quarter. The surrounding neighborhood is also known for a more laidback nightlife scene if you’re looking for something a little more subtle.

The Spa at Four Seasons New Orleans

With all of the walking, eating, and drinking I did in New Orleans, a massage is exactly what I needed before heading back home to Los Angeles. My massage with Alison was easily one of the top five massages I’ve ever had! I can’t recommend it enough! After my massage, I stopped in at Chermin a la Mer for a tiki drink, oysters, and blue crab boulettes, one of the best things I’ve ever eaten!

Getting Around New Orleans

Getting around New Orleans is so easy! Uber is readily available, but if you prefer to take public transportation, there’s a streetcar system that is affordable and easy to use.

The St. Charles Streetcar line is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world! I had no idea this was an option for getting around New Orleans!

Where to Eat (and Drink) in New Orleans

While there are so many cool things to see on your New Orleans weekend trip, the real draw is the food and drink of the Big Easy. Narrowing down the best restaurants in New Orleans is too big of a job for anyone who doesn’t have years to explore the best food in New Orleans. So I’ll share the highlights from my New Orleans weekend trip; I didn’t have a bad meal during my entire trip!

Like they told me when I got a Bloody Mary to go at 8:30 in the morning, “It’s always 5:00 in the French Quarter” so feel free to imbibe at any time!

Breakfast in New Orleans

Cafe du Monde is probably the most famous New Orleans restaurant. Their beignets and cafe au lait are a must for any first-time visitor. It’s also famously crowded; I came by here in 2007 and it was so busy that I decided not to wait. Come early if you can; I went at 7:30 and it wasn’t crowded. Even if you have to wait, it’s totally worth it.

For the best southern breakfast, head to Ruby Slippers. I had the biscuits and gravy and was not disappointed!

Brennan’s is where Bananas Foster was invented and you can have it prepared tableside. I opted for eggs benedict and I don’t know how they make their sauce, but it’s the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had! They also have a really tasty homemade spicy bloody mary mix you should try.

Lunch Spots in New Orleans

Turkey & the Wolf was named Bon Appetit’s best new restaurant of 2017. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I hate lines, and how good can a sandwich really be? But, wow! It was so worth the wait. I had the collard greens sandwich and it was unreal! The cabbage salad was also incredible.

Chamin a la Mer at the Four Seasons is the place to come for an upscale lunch. It features some beautiful views of the city and some of the best food I had during my stay. I sampled multiple types of oysters, and my favorite was the blue crab boulettes— they are essentially a fried crab ball with an incredible remoulade.

Dinner and Drinks in New Orleans

Jacques-Imo’s Cafe is a hot spot for Cajun food in New Orleans Garden District; they don’t take reservations, but it’s worth the wait. Put your name on the list and go grab a drink at the Oak Wine Bar down the street.

Snake & Jake’s Christmas Lounge is one of the most unique dive bars in New Orleans.

The Maple Leaf Bar has been hosting live music acts since 1974; hear blues, funk, R&B, rock, and jam bands, featuring both local and national acts.

The Elysian Bar in the Hotel Peter and Paul features a fantastic all-day menu of small plates and cocktails.

Bacchanal is a wine bar and more. They have live music in the courtyard, and you can order cheese plates customized to your wine selection. This became a fast favorite of mine.

Arnaud’s French 75 Bar makes some of the best cocktails in New Orleans, using only the highest quality ingredients and spirits.

Antoine’s Restaurant has been family-owned for five generations since its founding in 1840 and was the original inventor of Oysters Rockefeller. The history is really impressive and there are so many rooms and hidden places from the Prohibition era.

Maypop features a blend of Southeast Asian and Southern Louisiana cuisine. The seasonal menu is accompanied by a well-paired wine list.

For amazing views, head to Hot Tin Bar on the roof of Pontchartrain Hotel. The rooftop space has a 270-degree view of the Mississippi River and the New Orleans skyline.

You can’t come to New Orleans and not get oysters. In fact, I had them several times on a short trip. Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar has fantastic oysters, and the Bloody Mary here is a whole event.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is another historic dive bar. Opened in 1722, it’s the oldest structure used as a bar in the US. It has a great vibe with super dark lighting and a piano in the back.