2 Days in New Orleans – Things to Do & Eat

Planning a quick trip to New Orleans? This 2-day New Orleans extended list covers the best things to do, eat, and experience in just 48 hours.

New Orleans, located in southeastern Louisiana, USA, is an eclectic and soulful city known as “The Big Easy” for its laid-back energy and “The Crescent City” for the curve of the Mississippi River surrounding it.

While many travelers associate New Orleans with Mardi Gras, the city offers far more than its famous spring celebration. New Orleans the birthplace of jazz, the site of the Louisiana Purchase, and a cultural melting pot shaped by French, Spanish, Caribbean, and Southern U.S. influences. You’ll see this blend reflected in everything from architecture to cuisine.

If you only have 2 days in New Orleans, focus on a mix of history, music, and food.

Below is a curated guide to help you make the most of your time.

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Things to Do in New Orleans

History & Regional Culture

Jackson Square

• Jackson Square – The heart of the French Quarter and a great starting point.
  • St. Louis Cathedral – The oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S.
  • The Cabildo – Site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer
  • The Presbytère – Humble museum covering both Hurricane Katrina and Mardi Gras history
    • ~$10 entry

Cemeteries

• St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – See the tombs of Marie Laveau and Nicolas Cage
  • guided tour required, $28.50
• Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 – Currently closed (as of late 2025), but filming site of The Vampire Diaries spin-off, The Originals

Other Sites and Activities

• Congo Square (Louis Armstrong Park) – A deeply important historical site where enslaved people gathered in the 1800s to play music. Often considered a birthplace of jazz.
  • Free, or sometimes part of paid walking tours
• New Orleans Voodoo Museum – Learn about the city’s spiritual traditions
• Ride the St. Charles street car
• Stroll Magazine Street and take a picture of the “Greetings from NOLA” mural and peek in the cute boutiques
  • Address: 2104 Magazine Street
• Check out the French Market
• Walk along the Mississippi River waterfront
• If you have an extra day, take a trip for a swamp or plantation tour

Music & Nightlife

• Bourbon Street – Notorious party street. Expect a lively, high-energy atmosphere.
  • Pat O’Brien’s – Check out the dueling piano room.
• Frenchmen Street – A more local, less chaotic alternative to Bourbon Street with incredible live jazz and brass bands.
  • Bamboula’s – A fun stop featured in The People We Meet on Vacation movie
• Preservation Hall – A historic venue dedicated to preserving traditional New Orleans jazz.

Pop Culture Stops

• Explore Lil Wayne’s hometown
  • home said to be on the corner of Apple Street and Eagle Street in the Hollygrove neighborhood
  • Visit Eleanor McMain Secondary School, where Weezy was an elementary student
• Peek through the gates at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 for a filming locations from The Originals
• Visit The People We Meet on Vacation filming spots:
  • Café du Monde
  • Bamboula’s
  • Tulane University

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What to Eat in New Orleans

Iconic New Orleans Foods to Try

Main Dishes

• Gumbo – Louisiana’s official state dish. A hearty stew with a thick, dark roux. Can include sausage or seafood. Usually served over rice. 
• Jambalaya – flavorful rice dish with the Holy Trinity and sausage, chicken, and/or crawfish
• Crawfish Étouffée – crawfish in a rich, buttery gravy served over rice. 
• Po’boys – a French sub sandwich filled with fried seafood
• Muffuleta – a round sesame bun sandwich filled with marinated olives and Italian meats and cheeses.

Desserts

• Beignets – fried dough covered (and I mean covered) with powdered sugar (seriously, don’t wear a black shirt)
• Bananas Foster – Caramelized bananas with ice cream (originated at Brennan’s)
• Pralines – Sweet pecan candies with French roots

Where to Eat in New Orleans

Classic, First-Time Stops

• Café du Monde – Iconic beignets (go early or late to avoid long lines)
• Gumbo Shop – Reliable for gumbo and jambalaya
• Central Grocery & Deli – known for the original muffuletta. Walking distance from The French Market.

Local Favorite

Luizza’s by the Track – Cozy, local dive bar 10-15 minutes from the French Quarter by car. Excellent étouffée. Daily rotating dessert.

When You Need a Break from Southern Cooking

The Daily Beet

Lighter, health-forward options (smoothies, salads, bowls).

Southern food is heavy. When you feel like some vegetables, The Daily Beet is amazing. Very flavorful protein shakes, salads, breakfast burritos, etc. They have 3 locations – the Central Business District downtown, Magazine Street, and Roche Market.

Barracuda Taco Stand

Fresh tacos with standout blue corn tortillas. Try the carnitas or fish tacos.

Final Thoughts

New Orleans is one of the most culturally rich cities in the U.S., and even with just 48 hours, you can experience a meaningful mix of history, music, and food.

Have you been to The Big Easy? What would you add to this list? Share in the comments!