Day:  NEW ORLEANS                                    

New Orleans in a Day:  If you have but a single day to spend in New Orleans, you need more time! But don’t fret, 24 hours in The Big Easy is still plenty of time for fun. You must spend your precious day in the French Quarter and, if possible, start sometime around 9-10am.

For breakfast, any café in the quarter will do. Start your tour at Bienville and Royal Streets, and head east through the Quarter. Visit places like the Musee Conti Wax Museum, the Gallier House and The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum to get a glimpse of New Orleans’ heritage.

Top your afternoon with a visit to bustling Jackson Square. In addition to landmarks like the Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral and the Pontalba buildings, Jackson Square is home to some excellent street performers and local artists—this is New Orleans! From here, cross Decatur Street and mosey on over to the Café du Monde for a few beignets and some café au lait.

After your snack at the Café du Monde, peruse the famous French Market for a while (moving eastward) then head back to Bourbon Street, which is probably jumping by now with live music booming from every other bar. Pick your spot for a couple of pre-dinner cocktails and be sure to stop at Pat O’Brien’s for a famous Hurricane.

For dinner, if you haven’t made reservations for Antoine’s or Commander’s Palace, see if you can (and dress up if you’re going). Less expensive alternatives include the Royal Café or Mike Anderson’s Seafood. After dinner catch some great New Orleans jazz at Preservation Hall, Tipitina’s or the less-touristy Funky Butt, which is an all-around unique experience of its own!