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Trip ideas  /  North America  /  United States  /  New Orleans, Louisiana  /  2-day itinerary
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New Orleans, Louisiana: 2 days in New OrleansPhoto by Joe Lavigne on Unsplash
Celebration ToastIndulgence TreatTrip idea · New Orleans, Louisiana

2 days in New Orleans

The 3-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.

2 daysAnyoneMid November8 places4 views
Copy this plan to your own trips, then change anything you like.
New Orleans: A pink building stands on a city street
Photo by Alain Pierre-Lys on Unsplash
New Orleans: Cannon sits in front of a large building
Photo by Alain Pierre-Lys on Unsplash

Foods the guides mention in New Orleans

Dishes the travel guides name for this place, and the restaurants they list for them.

From Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Listings are what the guides list, not a ranking, and places change, so check before you go. Photos: T.Tseng, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

How many days?Pick yours and the plan rearranges.
Rearranged from the 3 day plan. See it as written

Best time to go

February to April and October to December are the most comfortable months for walking around.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Arrival day

Before Day 1. The city is built for slow evenings, so there is no need to rush tonight.Details
From the airport
The airport is about fifteen miles from the French Quarter, in the suburb of Kenner. Take a taxi or rideshare, and allow longer at rush hour.
Settling in
Check-in is usually in the afternoon. The sidewalks in the Quarter are old and uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
First evening
Walk to Jackson Square and listen to the street musicians, then eat early. Day 1 is the French Quarter, so you will be back here tomorrow.

Day 1. The French Quarter and Frenchmen Street and Bywater

4 stops · 5.6 mi

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Jackson Square

    The green square at the heart of the French Quarter, with St. Louis Cathedral at the head and street artists along the iron fence. A good place to get your bearings.

    Go when Early morning, before the square fills and the heat builds.

    Local tip Walk to the riverfront on the far side for a look at the Mississippi, only a minute away.

    Jackson Square, New Orleans: white concrete building near green trees under blue sky during daytime
    Photo by Steve Lussier on Unsplash
    About 5 min walk0.3 mi
  2. 2
    MiddayWorth the time

    French Market

    One of the oldest public markets in the country, a long row of stalls beside the river with food, crafts and music. Easy to wander for an hour.

    Go when Late morning, when the stalls are all open.

    Local tip It stretches for several blocks and the stalls change along the way, so walk the whole length.

    French Market, New Orleans: people walking on street during daytime
    Photo by JR Harris on Unsplash
  3. Lunch

    A po’boy

    The classic sandwich here is a po’boy: fried shrimp, oysters or roast beef on soft, crusty French bread, dressed with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

    Local tip Ask for it dressed, which means with the lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

    Places to try4 near French Market
    • Photo: LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons

    Hours change, so check before you go.

    About 13 min by car or transit2.7 mi
  4. 3
    AfternoonPick your galleries

    New Orleans Museum of Art

    The city’s main art museum, set in City Park, with a sculpture garden of old oaks next door that is worth a walk.

    Go when Afternoon, followed by a walk in the sculpture garden.

    Local tip The garden next door is among the most pleasant places in the city to walk, so leave time for it.

    New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans: Ornate sign advertising new orleans square and pirates
    Photo by Aubrey Odom on Unsplash
    About 13 min by car or transit2.6 mi
  5. 4
    EveningWorth the time

    Frenchmen Street

    A short street of small music clubs just outside the Quarter, where most doors are open and the bands play late. Walk it and follow your ears.

    Go when After dark, when the music is at its best.

    Local tip Walk the length of the block once before you pick a club, since every door sounds different.

    Frenchmen Street, New Orleans: man playing instrument
    Photo by Morgan Petroski on Unsplash
If it rains. New Orleans Museum of Art is covered, so keep it. Move Jackson Square, French Market and Frenchmen Street to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. The Garden District and the Warehouse District

4 stops · 1.8 mi

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time, book ahead

    The National WWII Museum

    A large museum of the Second World War, told through personal stories, with several buildings to explore. Allow most of the morning, and book a timed ticket ahead.

    Go when First thing in the morning, since the museum is large and tiring.

    Local tip Do not try to see everything: pick two or three of the buildings and give them your full attention.

    The National WWII Museum, New Orleans: gray and red fighter plane
    Photo by Jessica Tan on Unsplash
    About 9 min by car or transit1.4 mi
  2. 2
    MorningWorth the time

    Garden District

    Streets of grand old houses behind iron fences and live oaks, built in the 1800s. Walk it slowly: the porches and gardens are the show.

    Go when Morning, when the light is soft and the streets are quiet.

    Local tip Take the St. Charles streetcar to get here, and remember the houses are private homes, so look from the sidewalk.

    Garden District, New Orleans: man holding a cross statue
    Photo by Mary Hammel on Unsplash
  3. Lunch

    Lunch on Magazine Street

    Magazine Street has a long run of small cafes and plate lunch counters, a relaxed place to eat away from the Quarter crowds.

    Places to try4 near Garden District

    Hours change, so check before you go.

    About 3 min walk0.1 mi
  4. 3
    MiddayWorth a short stop

    Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

    One of the city’s old cemeteries, where the dead rest in white tombs above the ground. Check ahead whether it is open and whether you need to go with a guide.

    Go when Late morning, while it is open and before the heat peaks.

    Local tip Stay on the paths, and do not touch the tombs, which are fragile and often old.

    Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans
    Photo: President Rhapsody, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 5 min walk0.3 mi
  5. 4
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Magazine Street

    A long street of small shops, galleries and cafes, a good place to wander and stop for lunch away from the Quarter crowds.

    Go when Afternoon, for a slow walk and a stop for lunch.

    Local tip The street is long, so pick one stretch to walk and use the bus or a rideshare to hop between them.

If it rains. The National WWII Museum is covered, so keep it. Move Garden District, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 and Magazine Street to a dry day if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. Late nights are easy to have here, so pack the evening before.Details
Check-out
Set an alarm and ask the hotel to hold your bags if your flight is later in the day.
To the airport
The airport is about fifteen miles from the Quarter, and the road can back up at rush hour, so leave earlier than you think.
If you have a few hours
Have a last coffee and a beignet in the Quarter before you go.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, February to April and October to December are the most comfortable months for walking around New Orleans. This plan is built for mid November, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in New Orleans, planned for mid November. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 1.8 to 5.6 miles between its stops, and 7.3 miles in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.

Keep exploring

Another plan for this city: 6 days in New Orleans for Mardi Gras

Nearby trips

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More guides to New Orleans

Other guides with a page about New Orleans. Each one opens in a new tab.

Photo by Steve Lussier on Unsplash · Photo by Jessica Tan on Unsplash · Photo by JR Harris on Unsplash · Photo by Aubrey Odom on Unsplash

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A trip idea · Updated October 2026

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