What to Do on a Semi-Solo Weekend in New Orleans
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Cover Image by Oliver Weidmann from Pixabay
If you’re wondering whether New Orleans is worth visiting for just a weekend, yes, absolutely yes. Even a short trip to NOLA will leave you full (literally), exhausted (in the best way), and already planning your return. I know because I’ve lived it.
If you’re figuring out how to spend a weekend in New Orleans for the first time or you’re a repeat visitor looking for a fresh take, this post breaks down exactly what I did, where I stayed, what I ate, and what I’d do differently. Consider this your weekend in New Orleans itinerary, straight from personal experience.
How I Ended Up in New Orleans
I originally had my heart set on Essence Fest, but one look at that budget made me have to be honest with myself. After chatting with some old coworkers, we made a plan: visit New Orleans the weekend after Essence Fest. Same city, same energy, a fraction of the price. And honestly? It turned out to be one of my favorite trips ever.
This was a semi-solo adventure, meaning I traveled independently but linked up with friends already in the city. If you’ve never tried semi-solo travel, New Orleans is a perfect place to start. The city is walkable, friendly, and has enough going on that you’ll never be bored with or without a group. And if you only have a short window, don’t let that stop you. One weekend in New Orleans is genuinely enough to fall in love with the city.
Where to Stay in New Orleans for a Weekend Trip
If you’re planning a 3-day weekend in New Orleans, Canal Street is one of the best areas to base yourself. I stayed at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street, and I’d recommend it to anyone doing a first-time visit. I had a King-sized room overlooking the pool. It was not the most glamorous view, but having both a kid pool and adult pool on-site was good to know if I came back with my nieces and nephews.
What really sold me on this location was its walkability. The French Quarter was close enough to walk or hop the streetcar to all the action, but just far enough that when I needed to crash, the area around the hotel was calm and quiet. That balance matters when you’re running on “carnival rules” (more on that in a second).
Pro tip: Canal Street puts you within easy reach of the streetcar line, which is both affordable and a New Orleans experience in itself. It’s a much better option than paying for a cab every time you want to get somewhere.
What to Eat in New Orleans: My Honest Recommendations
Let me be upfront: New Orleans will ruin your diet, and you will not be sorry about it. The food was honestly one of the biggest highlights of the weekend in New Orleans for me. Every single meal was memorable.
Breakfast: Café Fleur-De-Lis
I started my Saturday morning with a Big Easy Breakfast at Café Fleur-De-Lis: pancakes, eggs, toast, turkey bacon, and my very first time eating grits. I was technically in the middle of a smoothie challenge. I did not care. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is cozy, and it’s the kind of breakfast that actually prepares you for a full day of exploring. If you’re in the French Quarter area, this is a solid morning stop.
Dinner: The Joint
If you do nothing else I suggest in this post, please eat at The Joint. I had what I can only describe as the best BBQ dinner of my life there. Tender, smoky, perfectly sauced, the kind of meal you think about on the plane ride home. It’s a little off the beaten path compared to the French Quarter restaurants, but that’s exactly why it’s special. The locals know, and now you do too.
Lunch: Pierre Maspero’s Restaurant
My friends and I grabbed lunch at Pierre Maspero’s on Saturday afternoon before heading out for a house and garden tour. It’s a historic spot right in the French Quarter with a casual, welcoming vibe. Good food, great location, and the perfect mid-day fuel stop before more sightseeing.
Brunch: Elizabeth’s Restaurant
My semi-solo weekend ended the way all good weekends should: with brunch at Elizabeth’s Restaurant with my cousin. This Bywater neighborhood spot is a favorite among locals and for good reason. The menu is creative, the portions are generous, and the praline bacon is something I still think about. If you have one brunch in New Orleans, make it here.
How I Spent My Weekend in New Orleans
Take a Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour
After splitting off from my friends, I did a solo city tour on a double-decker hop-on/hop-off bus, and I highly recommend it, especially if you’re new to the city or doing any part of your trip solo. The route covered the French Market, Business District, Garden District, and Mardi Gras World.
Mardi Gras World was a standout stop. It’s a massive warehouse with a walking tour that shows you exactly how the floats for the Mardi Gras Parade are made. Even if you visit outside of Mardi Gras season (like I did), it’s a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at one of New Orleans’ biggest cultural events. I’d recommend it for anyone curious about the city’s traditions.
Attend the NOLA Bull Run
Saturday morning kicked off with the NOLA Bull Run. Think Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, but make it New Orleans. Instead of actual bulls, roller derby girls wearing bullhorns chase the crowd through the streets with foam bats. Registration is recommended but not required, and even if you miss the official run (we did), the crowd energy and live music keep the party going. It’s free, it’s chaotic, it’s so New Orleans.
Bar Hop and Live Music in the French Quarter
My cousin put it best: “Carnival rules apply in New Orleans.” Translation: sleep is optional, and the music never really stops. We did multiple rounds of bar hopping in the French Market area, and every corner had a live band. The mix of vendors, music, and crowds genuinely reminded me of the West Village in NYC, but louder and with better food.
One evening highlight was catching James Andrews & the Crescent City All-Stars along with Brass-A-Holics at Tipitina’s, a legendary local venue that’s been a staple of the New Orleans music scene for decades. If you want to hear authentic New Orleans Jazz, R&B, and Blues in a no-frills, all-atmosphere setting, Tipitina’s is the spot.
What I’d Add on My Next Trip to New Orleans
As full as this weekend was, I left with a list of things I still want to do:
- A swamp tour: Seeing Louisiana’s bayou up close is on every New Orleans bucket list for good reason
- A brunch cruise on the Mississippi River: Because why eat brunch on land when you can eat it on the water?
- Essence Fest: Maybe one day the budget will align!
Even in a short weekend, I managed to eat great food, explore multiple neighborhoods, experience live music, attend a street event, take a history tour, and still have time to rest between adventures.
Whether you’re going solo, semi-solo, or with a crew, NOLA will meet you where you are and give you a weekend worth writing about. And if you ever get the chance to extend into a long weekend in New Orleans, take it. You will absolutely fill the time.
Read More Travel Guides and Tips
How to Spend the Perfect 5 Days in New Orleans
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