Photo courtesy New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau
From Jazz, to a Mississippi cruise, a tour of the French Quarter and of course phenomenal food, a New Orleans tour may just be the perfect women’s weekend getaway for you.
Speak to our travel experts. They have spent a lot of time exploring our destinations. Their first-hand knowledge is the basis for organizing your perfect trip.
Day 1: Arrive New Orleans
After flying into New Orleans, you will catch the airport shuttle to your hotel. Once there, drop off your bags and take a stroll over to the French Quarter to begin your fun weekend.
We start by having lunch at Oceana Grill on Conti St. It’s a casual little spot, but it will allow you to get your first taste of Cajun cooking. You’ll want to try the Blackened gator bites for a true Big Easy experience. For the rest of the afternoon you’ll want to take a stroll up and down the French Quarter, exploring all the little shops, bars and restaurants. You never know what you will find. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to get ready for the evening though, so make sure to head back to the hotel early enough to get ready for your 7pm event.
For the evening, you will be taking a 2.5-hour jazz dinner cruise on the Paddle Wheeler Creole Queen. This sunset cruise along the Mississippi River offers a live onboard jazz band, while you feast on a Creole-style dinner buffet that includes jambalaya, Cajun seafood pasta, chicken & sausage gumbo and more. A beautiful promenade deck offers great views of the city, and a night to remember.
Once the cruise is finished, you can walk back to your hotel through the French Quarter to take in the street entertainers and continue the fun before heading to bed.
Day 2: New Orleans
Make sure to wake up early to start your day right, with a tasty breakfast and morning Mimosa’s at the Ruby Slipper on Canal St. When you’re done, it’s time for The City of New Orleans and Katrina Recovery Tour. This half-day tour of the city will help you to immerse yourself in the culture, history and landscape of the city. It focuses on architecture, the Garden District, the historic cemeteries, the French Quarter and the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. This intimate, small tour will teach you everything you need to know about New Orleans.
Once the tour is complete, take your time eating at the French Market Restaurant, and explore the market for interesting finds and souvenirs. For a quick snack, you’ll want to try the Cafe Du Monde for a fresh beignet and coffee. Nearby is the St. Louis Cathedral, you can enjoy more street music and explore more of the boutiques and shops, or drop by for food and drinks anywhere in the area.
Day 3: New Orleans
On your last full day in the city, you will want to make sure to stop by Stanley’s on St. Ann Street for breakfast. it’s one of the city’s landmarks near Jackson Square. For the afternoon, we will be taking the New Orleans Mardi Gras Tour with Museums, Cocktail and Second Line Parade. Basically, what this means is that you will get to experience New Orleans’ famous festival in half a day, even if it’s not Mardi Gras. You’ll get to try on costumes, learn the history of the “krewes” that run the events, drink authentic local cocktails and go behind the scenes of how they make all those wonderful floats.
Afterwards, you will be taking the City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. You’ll get to ride around the city in an open-top double-decker bus while you tour around the city. With 18 possible stops, including the St. Louis Cemetery, the Lafayette Cemetery, the Garden District and Jackson Square, you will get to catch up on all the areas you missed on your previous day’s adventures.
For dinner, enjoy a meal at Joey K’s on Magazine Street, before heading out to Frenchmen St. and hopping between three of the best bars in New Orleans; dba, Snug Harbor and Port of Call. If bar hopping gets you hungry, you’ll want to stop by DAT Dog to try a Gator dog. Yes, it’s exactly what you are thinking, and they are out of this world.
Day 4: Depart New Orleans
After packing your bags you’ll want to grab a bite to eat before catching your ride back to the airport. Don’t worry…you will be back!
HOTELS
The Blake Hotel New Orleans
Rich in history, with a culture and cuisine to match, there is no place like New Orleans. And, what better place to sample all the sights and flavors of this iconic southern city than at the newly renovated Blake Hotel New Orleans, BW Premier Collection®? Enjoy the picturesque view of the city from one of our spacious rooms, with the deluxe amenities you expect from a true boutique hotel. Spend time with friends at our inviting Café at the Square, where breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner offers you authentic Louisiana fare. Even a wait in our lobby is a pleasure as you delight in the contemporary styling of our décor while people watching on sumptuous furnishings. Suitably situated on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line at Lafayette Square, in Downtown New Orleans, the Blake Hotel New Orleans, offers an ideal place to stay for business or leisure travellers while visiting The Big Easy. Restaurants, shopping, entertainment, Convention Center, Superdome, as well as the world-famous French Quarter are all located within walking distance from the Blake Hotel New Orleans, BW Premier Collection®.
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter
Ideal for business or leisure travellers alike, this luxury hotel in New Orleans welcomes guests in the heart of the renowned French Quarter. This eco-friendly establishment is just a 21-minute drive from the airport and close to Louis Armstrong Park. You will find a host of cafés, bar and restaurants just a few steps from this unique property. Combining comfort with elegant furnishings, this establishment provides a choice of rooms and suites featuring a cosy home away from home with modern conveniences, such as high-speed Internet access and unique sleep amenities. The suites offer affordable luxury and a large separate living room from the main bedroom. This hotel is the perfect base from which to explore all this vibrant region has to offer.
Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter
The Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter is a 3.5 star hotel located in New Orleans in the French Quarter, a block from Bourbon Street and half-block to the business district. The hotel is in close proximity to the National World War II museum, Convention Center, and cruise ship terminals. Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter features a restaurant and bar and offers a heated indoor pool and fitness equipment. A business center is on site, and wireless Internet access is complimentary. The hotel includes a concierge desk, luggage storage, tours/ticket assistance, as well as coin operated self use laundry facilities are available for guest use. The hotel features valet parking for standard sized vehicles for a fee. Guestrooms at Wyndham New Orleans – French Quarter include hair dryers and coffee/tea makers. Televisions come with cable channels. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. Pets not allowed (service animals welcome).
