Epic New Orleans Girl’s Trip Guide & Itinerary for Visitors
New Orleans is one of the top girls’ trip destinations in the United States. It has great nightlife, delicious food, unique culture, and a rich history. This guide to planning a New Orleans girl’s trip includes an overview of the city, where to stay, what to eat, what to do, and all the other travel tips you need.
I visited New Orleans in February 2022 for an annual girl’s trip with my college sorority friends. We attended Mardi Gras, took a 3-hour bike tour of the city, ate, and drank all day every day, and had a fantastic time.
As a previous French and Spanish territory with heavy afro-Cuban influence, New Orleans has a unique and rich history and culture. When you visit New Orleans, you will experience this culture in everything you do from the food to the architecture.
In addition to the culture, New Orleans is perfect for a girl’s trip to let loose when you explore bourbon street and the other nightlife in the city.
If you are interested in planning a New Orleans Girl’s trip, keep reading for a complete travel guide and itinerary.
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Top 5 Things to Do in New Orleans
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New Orleans: Scenic City Bike Tour
✅ Explore beyond French Quarter at 12 different city locations
✅ See the highlights of NOLA and get fresh air
There are so many great things to do on a New Orleans girl’s trip. Some activities are boozy, some are spooky, some are cultural, and some are historic. While you may be tempted to simply figure it out as you go, or attempt to see the city on your own, you will be doing yourself a disservice.
The below top 5 things to do in New Orleans are must-do activities during your vacation. I personally did the first 3 of these activities and regret not doing the other two. While the tours cost between $20-$100, the price is invaluable for taking your trip to the next level.
1. City Bike Tour
This three-hour bike tour of the city was my #1 activity in New Orleans during my recent girl’s trip. In fact, it was everyone’s favorite activity!
The bike tour begins at their shop in the French Quarter, then explores the entire city, stopping at sites such as historic homes, cemetery’s, historical squares, and the city park.
After the tour, I felt like I had a good, basic understanding of New Orleans and its history. It’s also a great way to get in a bit of exercise and fresh air.
2. Ghost, Vampires, & Voodoo Tour
New Orleans is the most haunted city in the United States. The city has a history of slavery, murder, vampires, voodoo, and other nefarious activity. This spooky tour is a great way to explore the city at night, learn about its history, and hear some ghost stories.
Whether you believe in this stuff or not, the tour is super fun and unique. There are also no open container laws in New Orleans, so bring a drink with you and enjoy the tour!
3. Walk the Garden District
The Garden District is the neighborhood of New Orleans with large historic homes and mansions. One of my favorite activities when I travel is seeing the architecture and local homes. Take the trolley to the Garden District and wander the streets.
Many of the historic homes even have placards explaining their history. For a more in-depth experience, this Garden District walking tour will provide even more detail about the neighborhood and New Orleans in general.
4. Jazz Cruise
As mentioned above, New Orleans is the home to jazz music. It also boarders the Mississippi River. This nighttime Jazz cruise is a great way to enjoy the local music, see the water, and take a break from the rush of the city.
5. Food Tour
I could eat my way around New Orleans all day, every day. This tour allows you to do just that for a few hours. The local food in New Orleans is to die for with iconic dishes such as beignets, gumbo, and crawfish.
This food tour is the best way to taste a lot of the local foods in a short amount of time. You will also learn all about the food history of the city and other fun facts.
Where to Stay in New Orleans
Which Area to Stay In
There are three areas in New Orleans the I recommend staying in. They are all located near the major tourist sites and have good hotel and vacation rental options. The difference between the areas is the proximity to nightlife, and therefore, the noise and crowds.
French Quarter: The French Quarter is the center of tourism in New Orleans. This area has strict design guideline that keeps it looking historic. Its also the home to bourbon street, one of the main areas for bars and clubs. The pros to staying in the French Quarter are that you will be in walking distance to almost everything. The cons are that it will be loud and crowded at all hours of the day and night.
Central Business District: The Central Business District is the area that borders the French Quarter. It’s a great place to stay that is near the French Quarter and all the perks listed above, without the noise and crowds.
Garden District: For a quieter experience, stay in the Garden District. The Garden District is full of beautiful historic homes and mansions. There are also great restaurants and shops on Magazine street. The downside to staying here is that you will have to take public transportation or rideshares to the French Quarter, but is a great option for a more high-end experience.
The Best Hotels and Vacation Rentals
The Westin – French Quarter
If you want to stay in the middle of the activity in New Orleans, the Westin is your best option. One of the nicer Westin hotels I’ve been in, the Westin New Orleans is a beautiful, luxurious hotel. The hotel is newly renovated, a great location, and has great amenities.
The Ritz Carlton – Central Business District
The Ritz Carlton New Orleans stands up to the brand’s reputation. The Ritz’s service cannot be beat. In addition to great service, and high-end luxury, the Ritz New Orleans has a great location on the edge of the French Quarter where you are near the French Quarter without the noise.
French Quarter Vacation Rental
For a New Orleans girl’s trip, a vacation rental is a great option. It’s a great way to save a bit of money, stay all together, and find a unique accommodation. If your girls trip is for a bachelorette party, birthday, or other party occasion, this French quarter rental is perfect. This stunning 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom townhouse comfortably sleeps 8. Its also located within walking distance of most major tourist sites.
Garden District Vacation Rental
If your girl’s trip vibe is a bit more laid back or classy, you cannot beat this garden district rental. This historic-style mansion has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and easily sleeps 10 people. The entire home is beautifully decorated, instagrammable, and a great place to stay for a girl’s trip to New Orleans Louisiana.
Where to Eat in Downtown New Orleans
For Beignets- Café Du Monde
This café is the most popular, most touristy, and the most delicious for authentic beignets. Beignets are a New Orleans classic treat. They are basically puffy, fried dough covered in powdered sugar. Buy a pack of 3 beignets for 3 dollars to share with a friend.
For Coffee- Backatown
Backatown coffee is a charming coffee shop in the Storyville neighborhood. There is plenty of seating for a leisurely morning coffee and bite to eat.
For Brunch- Ruby Slipper
My favorite brunch in New Orleans is at the Ruby Slipper. There are multiple locations around town, all equally good. The menu features classic brunch items and some southern food too.
For Crawfish- Clesi’s
A crawfish boil is a must when visiting New Orleans. Especially during crawfish season from February through June. Clesi’s is a local favorite for crawfish, with one- or two-pound servings available.
For a Special Occasion- Antoine’s
Antoine’s is both delicious and historic. The restaurant is one of the oldest in the city, located in a historic building in the French Quarter. The menu features elevated Southern food with lots of seafood. The menu has a lot of great options but be sure to order the charbroiled oysters. I don’t even like oysters and I still dream about these ones.
For Local Food- Mother’s
For a casual local meal, you cannot beat Mothers. They are famous for Po Boys, but also have traditional dishes such as jambalaya and gumbo. At Mother’s, you order at the counter then find a seat in one of the many dining rooms. Mother’s is great for a group without a reservation because there are many large tables.
Check out my New Orleans food guide for more restaurant recommendations.
New Orleans Nightlife for a Girls Weekend
A girls trip to New Orleans would not be complete without at least one night out. There are many bars and clubs in Nola, offering music from jazz to hip-hop.
The most popular street for a night out is Bourbon street. This is the most famous street for New Orleans nightlife. It’s where you will find the biggest crowds and more popular bars.
Another popular street for nightlife in New Orleans is Frenchman street. This street has a more local vibe, and more jazz music compared to the pop you will hear on Boubon street.
Overall, both streets are worth visiting on your girls weekend in New Orleans!
Warning – New Orleans has a bad reputation for women having to “earn” beads. The rumour says you have to flash men on Bourbon street balconies to have beads thrown down to you. Trust me, men will try.
However, we are classy girls around here and DO NOT have to do that. In fact, many bars on Bourbon street hand out beads for free, no strings attached.
Fun Facts about New Orleans Louisiana
- New Orleans has three main nicknames: the crescent city, the big easy, and NOLA
- New Orleans is the home to jazz which originated when the sounds of Africa and the Caribbean merged with American music.
- Nola is known as the most haunted city in the United States, and has many ghost tours to back that up
- The city of New Orleans was established in 1718
New Orleans Louisiana Travel Tips
Getting There– The easiest way to get to New Orleans is by flying into the Louis Armstrong international airport that recently underwent a major renovation
Getting Around– New Orleans is a very walkable city if you are staying in or around the French Quarter. To get to other areas in the city, the streetcar and bus system is comprehensive and affordable. A day pass for the public transportation is only $3 per day.
When to Visit– The best time to visit New Orleans is the spring or fall. The fall is great for Halloween festivals and mild temperatures. The early spring is a great time to visit for Mardi Gras in February and comfortable temperatures into April. Avoid visiting New Orleans during hurricane season from August-September.
How Long to Visit– New Orleans is a great long weekend destination, with 4-5 days being the right amount of time to see all the major sites and activities.
Safety– The city has seen a recent rise in crime. To stay safe, travel in groups, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid carrying valuables.
Visiting New Orleans During Mardi Gras
When is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras is a festival that runs from January through Fat Tuesday in March. The peak of the celebration is the weekend before Fat Tuesday, but I recommend visiting anytime in February.
What are Mardi Gras parades? A huge part of the Mardi Gras celebration is the large parades that go throughout the city. The parades run on dedicated parade routes, that can be easily found online. The parades are run by Krewes, which coordinate the floats, decorations, entertainment, and gifts such as beads.
Should you visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras? I visited New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and I highly recommend you do the same. Some of the pros of visiting during Mardi Gras are being able to take part in the celebration and see all the decorations. The main drawback is the large crowds, but unless you visit on the weekend before Fat Tuesday, the crowds are manageable.
This guide to Mardi Gras in New Orleans includes more details such as what to wear, 5 activities you cannot miss, and more.
New Orleans Girls Trip 4 Day Itinerary
There are many ways to arrange your trip. If you are feeling overwhelmed, I recommend the below 4 day itinerary.
Day 1: Arrive in New Orleans and get a local dinner at Mothers or Antoines. Explore Bourbon Street at night.
Day 2: Brunch at Ruby Slipper followed by a city bike tour. At night, head to Frenchman Street for live music and dancing.
Day 3: Coffee at Backatown, food tour during the day, then a jazz cruise at night.
Day 4: Spend the day exploring the Garden District, then take a ghost tour at night.
3 Things You Cannot Miss During Your New Orleans Girls Trip
There are truly so many great reasons to take a New Orleans Girls trip. You can spend the day exploring the city and soaking in the food, culture, and history. At night, you can let loose and get your dance on at the live music bars. If you take away anything from this guide, the below list is the three things you cannot miss during your trip.
- City Bike Tour
- Beignets from Café Du Monde
- Bourbon Street at Night
If I had to pick one thing to do on my next trip to New Orleans, it would hands-down by the city tour by bike.
FAQ – Girls Trip to New Orleans
New Orleans is the perfect place for a girls trip! There are plenty of fun things to do including ghost tours, mansion tours, food tours, and nightlife. I highly recommend visiting New Orleans for your next girls trip.
Three days in New Orleans is enough time to see the highlights. In a long weekend in New Orleans, you can visit Bourbon street, take a few tours, and try a ton of great local food.
The “fun street” in New Orleans you are probably thinking of is Bourbon Street. This is where most of the nightlife is for tourists. Frenchman street is also a fun street in New Orleans that is more popular with locals.
The best month to visit New Orleans is in February, when Mardi Gras is. This time of the year also has great, moderate weather that is comfortable for outdoor activities.
Related Posts:
- First-Timer’s Guide To Mardi Gras | Planning For New Orleans During Mardi Gras
- What To Do In New Orleans In The Winter | The 10 Best Tours & Activities
- What To Wear To Mardi Gras | Festive Outfit Ideas For New Orleans
- Best Places To Eat In New Orleans For Every Meal & Occasion
- 110 Best New Orleans Captions for Instagram Photos and Reels
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