Bourbon Street is always a center of activity.

Weekend in New Orleans

By Terri Kaupp

The Big Easy is almost back to normal
and is anxious to welcome tourists.

>Day One
>Day Two

Day One

Stroll from your French Quarter hotel to the world-famous Café du Monde on Decatur Street for a tasty beignet and a hot cup of homegrown chicory coffee. Seat yourself facing the street and enjoy the sights. (30-45 min.)

Head over to the Moon Walk on Decatur Street and admire the beauty of Jackson Square. It also provides a great view of the riverboats on the mighty Mississippi River. Horse-drawn carriages await for a ride, or take a photo with the statue of Andrew Jackson and the gorgeous St. Louis Cathedral as your backdrop. (10 min.)

Explore beautiful St. Louis Cathedral after being serenaded by talented street performers. Local artisans display original works along the fence in Jackson Square. Just browse or choose a favorite scene of the city to take home. (20-30 min.)

Walking toward St. Peter Street, be sure to visit The Cabildo, the site of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies, located at the corner of Chartres and St. Peter streets. (1-2 hrs.)

Across the street you’ll find Le Petit Theatre, the oldest community theater in America. Make a wish by throwing a penny in the courtyard’s fountain. (30 min.)

Continue down St. Peter Street to Royal Street, where antique shops and art galleries await. You won’t want to miss The Historic New Orleans Collection to view its latest exhibit.
(1-1.5 hrs.)

Nearby, enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Omni Royal Orleans in the famous Rib Room or at the 200-year-old Napoleon House. Complete your dining experience with a Pimm’s Cup. (1-2 hrs.)

Proceed down Chartres Street and visit the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. La Pharmacie Francaise was constructed in 1823 for Louis J. Dufilho Jr., America’s first licensed pharmacist. (1 hr.)

Buy a $20 advance ticket for the Satchmo Frenchmen Street Club Strut, the annual jazz lovers’ event during Satchmo SummerFest, held every August. New Orleans’ premier music clubs will entertain you with the sweet sound of jazz and feed you authentic New Orleans cuisine into the wee hours of the night. (1-3 hrs.)

Night owls should ask the cabbie to drop them at Fulton Street. Stroll down this thoroughfare and eat great food, listen to music, or cross the street to try your luck at the casino. (1 hr.)

Day Two

In a city that offers some of the world’s best food, music and art, choose from any number of cultural adventures.

The French Quarter. There are numerous restaurants to choose from. Food in New Orleans is an art. Sample the food again and again; you won’t regret it. (45 min.-1 hr.)

Walk off your meal by heading to The French Market, the country’s oldest continuously operated open-air market. Treasures are to be had, from local art to silver jewelry and everything in between. This is the place to wander, see crafts found nowhere else, and sample the local flavor of the city. (1 hr.)

Don’t leave New Orleans without bringing home a souvenir of music. Most local musicians sell CDs while they play, or you can visit the Louisiana Music Factory, the authority on all Louisiana musicians. Whether you are a fan of Louisiana jazz, blues, zydeco or reggae, you will find an addition for your collection, and maybe even hear a live performance at the store. (30 min.)

Be sure to also pick up a sweet treat from one of the many candy makers nearby. A city classic is the famous New Orleans pralines. (15 min.)

Head over to the Mississippi River and board the Steamboat Natchez behind Jax Brewery. Take a ride to Chalmette Battlefield and back, soaking up the sun and a history lesson. (2 hrs.)

Walk from the river to the 800 block of St. Louis Street to the Hermann-Grima House and see what life was like in New Orleans in the 1800s. This handsome Federal mansion, with its courtyard garden, boasts the only stable and functional 1830s outdoor kitchen in the French Quarter. (1.5 hrs.)

Walk three more blocks to the 1100 block of Royal Street and tour the Gallier House. Experience this wonderfully furnished home with its detailed garden, elegant carriageway and restored slave quarters. (1-2 hrs.)

Heading back to the river, enjoy the splendor of lush, green Woldenberg Park as you head to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, a cool stop for little ones and big kids alike. While you’re there, check out the Entergy IMAX® Theatre. (2-3 hrs.)

End your day dining on Bourbon Street at a restaurant more than 100 years old. Finish your stay with a fine glass of wine and an authentically French Creole meal at the old-line New Orleans restaurant Galatoire’s. (2 hrs.)

A true classic experience in New Orleans is a night out on Bourbon Street. Don’t miss Jean Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House, a Bourbon Street favorite. A final taste of the city? Pat O’Brien’s famous drink, the Hurricane. (1-4 hrs.)

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