Making the Most of 48 Hours in New Orleans

If you're in town for a couple of days for a business trip or weekend getaway, take some time to enjoy a taste of New Orleans' charms. Many of the best spots center around the French Quarter and along the meandering Mississippi River. Highlights include:

Jackson Square

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this oasis of shaded benches and walkways is surrounded by alleys overflowing with working artists, impromptu jazz bands, and quaint shops. Named for its prominent statues of Andrew Jackson, who led the city to victory against the British in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, the area has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows. Be sure to stroll through St. Louis Cathedral to admire the architecture, ceiling frescoes, and stained glass, and don't leave the area without trying the beignets at Café du Monde.

Café du Monde

This French Quarter institution serves up divine, pillow-like fried doughnuts known as beignets. Dusted with powdered sugar and served with hot mugs of coffee with chicory and steamed milk (known as café au lait), these delicious treats are a cornerstone of New Orleans street fare. Enjoy them outside on the covered patio, or lounge in air-conditioned comfort inside the café on a steamy day.

French Market

The bustling French Market, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 365 days a year, offers impressive original art and fresh produce in addition to traditional T-shirts, wallets, and costume jewelry. First established as a market area in 1791, the six-block space features food vendors who shuck oysters and serve up local favorites like French bread po' boy sandwiches stuffed with seafood or meat, and sugar and pecan confections called pralines.

Pat O'Brien's

A legendary French Quarter watering hole at 718 St. Peter Street since 1942, Pat O'Brien's actually consists of three bars. Enjoy "dueling" piano players in the piano bar, grab a seat in the outdoor courtyard for some entertaining people watching, or sip a flavorful drink in the narrow juke box bar with sports featured on the big screen.
Pat O's, as the locals call it, is known for its Hurricane cocktail, a red punch and rum drink typically served in a souvenir hurricane lamp-shaped glass. (Your server will box up your glass and pour your drink into a plastic cup if you want to leave the bar.) The menu includes pub fare and plenty of other specialty drinks, including the Cyclone, Rainstorm, and Tropical Depression. Pat O'Brien's offers souvenir T-shirts, drink mixers, and signature barware in its gift shop.

St. Charles Avenue

Dubbed "The Jewel of America's Grand Avenues," this famous street consists of miles of historic mansions and two esteemed universities, Loyola and Tulane. It is home to the St. Charles Streetcar Line, which has boarding stops every few blocks heading uptown toward Audubon Zoo and Audubon Park and downtown toward the French Quarter. Lined with towering live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, the avenue takes sightseers on a trip back in time and is the route for many historic Mardi Gras parades.

Live Music

For amazing live jazz, rhythm and blues, Zydeco, or pop, stroll down Bourbon Street to catch an eclectic lineup of bands every night of the year. Check out Preservation Hall for old-fashioned Dixieland jazz or head to the clubs on Frenchmen Street to experience the authentic local scene. Clubs like d.b.a., The Spotted Cat, and Cafe Negril offer plenty of opportunities to get your groove on. If you get hungry, head to Snug Harbor for jazz and an oversized burger.

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