There is so much to see and do in New Orleans. If you are only here for a couple days, we recommend walking around the French Quarter. The French Quarter is the oldest part of the city and it is full of old buildings, beautiful ironwork on the balconies, lots of history, cute shops and great restaurants. It is also very walkable. And do not forget to check out the dueling Piano Bar at Pat O’ Brians.
New Orleans is unique among many way, one of which is that dead are buried above the ground. The cemetery tours are always entertaining, and the guides are full of stories. Also, please note that some cemeteries can only be entered if you are on a guided tour.
It is not a visit to New Orleans if you do not visit the Mississippi river. The best view is hiking up the steps opposite Jackson Square. There you will get a great view of the river and Jackson Cathedral. After that little bit of exercise, you can treat yourself with a beignet and a café au lait at Café Du Monde.
Our house is nearby Bayou St John- a 10 minute drive from the French Quarter in a quiet neighborhood. We live on the border of Gentilly and Mid-city. We recommend visiting the Bayou and getting a poyboy at Parkway. And if you want to drive another 10 minutes away from the river, you can check out Lake Pontchartrain, which has the longest bridge in the US.
For those who like shopping, Magazine Street is full of local shops with all kinds of great clothing. You will find Passion Lilie at Feet First and at The Good Shop. While uptown, you can also take the streetcar. Just make sure to have some change on you. The streetcar goes down St. Charles, where the Oak trees cover the street creating a magical canopy. You may even spot some beads on the trees from past parades.
If you are staying a few more days beyond the wedding or before the wedding, we recommend taking a swamp tour. It is a bit of a drive depending on where you go- about an hour from downtown New Orleans, but the drive is worth it. You can see how the topography changes and you will get to see how much of New Orleans is surrounded by water. There are different kinds of swamp tours that take you out on a boat, and if you are lucky you will get to see an alligator or tour. Don’t worry- you will not be eaten by an alligator.