New Orleans (NOLA)

Jackson Square - French Quarter, NOLA

New Orleans is one of the world's most fascinating cities. Steeped in a history of influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond, it's home to a truly unique melting pot of culture, food and music.

You'll find bowls filled to the rim with gumbo, late nights in dark jazz clubs, strolls through historic neighborhoods, and tantalizing festivals throughout the year. It is certainly one of America's most culturally and historically-rich destinations. The partying never stops on Bourbon Street, the French Quarter's liveliest and wildest thoroughfare, where the rhythmic sounds of jazz, country western, Dixieland and sultry blues permeate the air. Brimming with life, you'll find everything from shopping to music to Cajun food to nightclubs. Its famous for the crazy Mardi Gras parades and The Hand Grenade, a special drink available only in NOLA.

The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carré - or the “Quarter” to locals, sits on a crescent in the Mississippi River on some of the highest ground in New Orleans. Not only, this is city’s cultural hub, but is a community where residents take time to reminisce with neighbors about times gone by and to welcome visitors in the streets.

This is a 2 day trip itinerary I have made for people visiting with family and friends. This includes few of the major must-see attractions the area offers for its countless visitors every year. The itinerary is intended to cover the major attractions at a relaxed pace.

Day 1: The French Quarter

• Have heavy breakfast and leave for the Jackson Square. 
• This is a very famous landmark facing the Mississippi River. Its surrounded by some historic buildings including St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytere and Cabildo (Louisiana State Museums), not to mention the Lower and Upper Pontalba Apartments, the oldest apartment buildings in the United State.
• Local artists paint, draw, create portraits and caricatures, and display their work on the square's iron fence.
• Attend morning service at the cathedral, explore local arts and décor shops, get a caricature made from a local artist, have lunch in a nearby restaurant – try Gumbo, and then take a relaxing horse buggy ride to various locations starting from here, we took the one to the Garden District, it was beautiful.
• In the afternoon, visit Harrah’s Casino and try your luck with some rounds of craps, roulette and slot machines. Enjoy drinks on the house while you play.
• For the sunset, take a ride on the Mississippi River with Algiers Ferry. See the city skyline from the Mississippi River for free. Nothing fancy, but kids are sure to love the pelicans and photographers will love the sights on the way to historic Algiers. Visit the Woldenberg Park and relax along the river side.
• For night life, visit The Bourbon Street. This is a crazy place to be at night. Finding a parking spot can be very tough so look for public parking signs on the way. You will find every kind of people in here, drunk, extremely drunk, lunatic, scary, overjoyed, disheartened, solo, in groups, throwing beads at each other, doing crazy stuffs to win beads from others and yeah few good ones as well. Though it’s a rowdy place to be, you will be fine as its very well monitored by local police. Its famous for various drinks, one of them being the “Hand Grenade”. This is a special drink which is available only on this street so do try it, it’s amazing. There are pubs, local bars, artistic galleries, live music and millions of people hanging out. One advice here, if possible avoid eating here, have heard a lot of food poisoning cases in the past.



Bourbon Street - Mardi Gras Parade

• Go home, if you can leave Bourbon street drama. Take rest.

Day 2: Outdoor Activities (Choose per your liking's from various options mentioned below)

Air Boat Swamp Tour

• Have heavy breakfast and leave for swamp tours in the morning. Advance booking recommended.
• The Air boat Swamp Tours are approximately 2 hours long in which you can see alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets, herons and ibis. You can also see white tailed deer and other mammals during the ride. Its fast and its fun.
• Visit Audubon Zoo, kids will really love this place. They have a huge variety of animals and a lot of live shows to offer. For hot days, they have a Cool Zoo, a wild and wet splash park, is one of the top water parks New Orleans has to offer. It is the hot spot for kids to cool down at Audubon Zoo.
• Visit Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, nice place for a rainy day. Kids love it. Good place to spend a hot day. A lot of interactive programs and an IMAX Theater showing amazing animals related 3-D movies
• You can take a Cemetery Tour while in New Orleans. Only in New Orleans could cemeteries be major tourist attractions. With a spooky history, unique, ornate tombs, and some of them dating back to the late 1700s, it’s no wonder that travelers are usually eager to explore New Orleans’ famous resting places. There are dozens of cemeteries throughout the city, but most organized tours will take you through St. Louis Cemetery #1, home to Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau's grave, and Lafayette Cemetery - a popular location for movies shot in New Orleans, and situated directly across from Commander's Place in the Garden District.



Mercedes Dome, NOLA

• In the evening, catch New Orleans Pelicans NBA game/NFL game, if visiting in the season, at the Mercedes Dome. It is an amazing stadium and watching a NBA game is always like a dream. Lot for food options for the dinner.

Accommodation:

• Stay in French Quarter, preferably close to Bourbon Street as all the major attractions are there. Ideal location would be 10 mins walk from Bourbon street as it would be at a walking distance at the same time a little bit away from the noise(all night).

Hope you have a Wonderful Trip. If you have any suggestions regarding this trip, please add those in the comments below.