New Orleans
April 24–27, 2026 · 3 nights
Friday, April 24
Morning
Fly into MSY, check into Hotel Peter & Paul
Drop our bags, catch our breath. Our neighborhood for the next three days.
Lunch
Commander's Palace
25¢ martinis at lunch. Yes, real martinis. We're getting the turtle soup and dressing up a little.
Afternoon
Garden District walk
We're just walking this one. Magazine Street, the mansions, big oaks everywhere. No rush.
Evening
Preservation Hall
This is the real thing. Tiny room, massive sound. We should get there early, no reserved seats.
Late night
Frenchmen Street jazz crawl
We're hopping between bars on Frenchmen. Live music pouring out of every door, most places no cover.
Saturday, April 25
Morning
French Quarter stroll
Jackson Square, the galleries on Royal Street, a quick walk down Bourbon just to say we did.
Lunch
Dooky Chase's
We're getting the fried chicken and the gumbo z'herbes. I'm not accepting debate on this.
Afternoon
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 tour
You have to do a guided tour to get in. Above-ground tombs, wild stories. You'll love this.
Evening
Bacchanal Wine
We grab a bottle and a cheese plate inside, then head to the courtyard. Live jazz under string lights.
Dinner
Cochon
Rabbit and dumplings, fried alligator (yes, we're trying it), and the smoked pork. Real Cajun food.
Sunday, April 26
Morning
Jazz Fest
Fair Grounds Race Course. We're getting there when gates open. Comfortable shoes, babe.
Lunch
Willie Mae's Scotch House
THE fried chicken. There will be a line. I promise you it's worth it.
Afternoon
More Jazz Fest
Multiple stages, food everywhere, local crafts. We pace ourselves.
Late night
Café Du Monde
Beignets and chicory coffee at midnight. No line, just us and powdered sugar everywhere.
Monday, April 27
Morning
Sleep in, slow breakfast
Last morning in the Marigny. Nowhere to be. Let's just soak it in.
Midday
Check out, fly home
Where to Eat
-
Commander's Palace
Creole fine dining
We're ordering the turtle soup and the pecan-crusted Gulf fish. And yes, 25¢ martinis at lunch. Not a typo. $$$
-
Cochon
Cajun
Rabbit and dumplings, fried alligator, the smoked pork. We should make a reservation. $$
-
Willie Mae's Scotch House
Southern soul food
The fried chicken. That's the whole reason we're going. There'll be a line. $
-
Café Du Monde
Beignets & coffee
Beignets and chicory café au lait. Cash only. We're going at midnight to skip the line. $
-
Bacchanal Wine
Wine bar & courtyard
We pick a bottle inside, grab cheese and charcuterie, and sit in the courtyard with live jazz. $$
-
Dooky Chase's
Creole soul food
Fried chicken, gumbo z'herbes, stuffed shrimp. This place is a piece of New Orleans itself. $$
Good to Know
- The French Quarter is totally walkable. The Marigny and Bywater are right next door, so we'll be on foot most of the time.
- Some spots are cash only (Café Du Monde, some Frenchmen Street bars). We should keep $40–60 on us.
- 25¢ martinis at Commander's Palace are lunch only. Yes, twenty-five cents. Yes, they're real. We're taking advantage.
- Mornings can be cool, afternoons get sticky. Layers and comfortable shoes, because we're walking a lot.
Booking Checklist
- ✓ Hotel Peter & Paul — booked
- ✓ Flights to MSY
- ○ Commander's Palace lunch reservation
- ○ Cochon dinner reservation
- ○ Preservation Hall tickets
- ○ St. Louis Cemetery tour
- ○ Jazz Fest tickets