NOLA on a Budget: Jazz, Grits, Ghosts & Beignets

Experience the soulful charm of NOLA without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

A budget-friendly trip to New Orleans can still offer a plethora of experiences. Food options include local favorites like gumbo and po' boys, and affordable music venues offer jazz, blues, and funk performances. Visitors can also explore historical sites like Jackson Square and the French Quarter without breaking the bank.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Jazz and Grits

  • Stay at the Historic Streetcar Inn, a charming boutique hotel in a renovated 19th-century building in the Garden District.
  • Start the day with a hearty breakfast at Ruby Slipper Cafe, where the grits are creamy and the coffee is strong.
  • Take a stroll through the vibrant French Quarter and listen to live jazz music on the street corners.
  • Visit the iconic St. Louis Cathedral and soak in the Spanish and French architecture.
  • Enjoy a po' boy sandwich at Johnny's Po-Boys, a family-owned restaurant that has been serving delicious sandwiches since 1950.
  • End the day with a nightcap at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, a historic bar that was once a blacksmith shop and now serves strong cocktails and live music.
Day 2

Ghosts and Beignets

  • Start the day with fresh beignets at Cafe Du Monde, a New Orleans institution that has been serving these fluffy fried doughnuts since 1862.
  • Take a spooky ghost tour of the French Quarter and learn about the city's haunted history.
  • Visit the National World War II Museum, a fascinating museum that tells the story of the war through immersive exhibits and personal accounts.
  • Grab lunch at Willie Mae's Scotch House, a humble restaurant that serves the best fried chicken in town.
  • Wander through the charming streets of the Garden District, where you can admire the beautiful architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
  • End the day with a dinner at Dat Dog, a funky hot dog joint that serves creative and delicious hot dogs, sausages, and toppings.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to New Orleans by plane is to fly to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport from your departure airport. There are several airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, and United that operate flights to the airport from various destinations.

Car

Driving to New Orleans is an option for those who prefer to have more control over their transportation. You can take Interstate 10, which connects New Orleans with major cities across the US. Some popular stops along the way are Houston, TX, and Pensacola, FL.

Train

While there are no direct trains to New Orleans, Amtrak's City of New Orleans route is a popular train option. You can take a train from various cities to Memphis, TN, and then transfer to another train to New Orleans. The nearest train station to New Orleans is the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal.

Boat

New Orleans is a popular port for several ocean and river cruises. Visitors can board a cruise ship from various ports such as Miami, FL, or Houston, TX, and sail into the port of New Orleans. Some popular cruise lines that stop at New Orleans include Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International.

Bus

Taking a bus to New Orleans is a cost-effective option. Greyhound and Megabus are two popular bus companies that provide service to the city from different locations within the US. The Greyhound bus station is located at 1001 Loyola Ave, and the Megabus stop is located at 1001 Howard Ave.

Destination

New Orleans

Welcome to the home of jazz, gumbo and voodoo! A city so vibrant and lively, you'll feel like dancing with a brass band down the street.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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