French Quarter
Start with café au lait and beignets, browse Royal Street, wander Jackson Square, and let the architecture do most of the flirting.
See the weekend plan →The grown-up girls’ guide to
New
Orleans
Good food. Great music. Zero boring moments.
A long weekend of storied streets, unforgettable meals, live jazz, and just enough mischief.
Build your weekend ↓Best for3–4 daysFood lovers · Live music
Why New Orleans?
A city that knows how to make an entrance.
New Orleans is built for the kind of girls’ trip where the days unfold over long lunches and the nights find their own soundtrack. It’s historic, soulful, delicious, and wonderfully impossible to over-schedule.
The essentials
Three neighborhoods. Three completely different moods.
Garden District
Ride the St. Charles streetcar, admire the grand homes, then shop and snack your way along Magazine Street.
See the weekend plan →Marigny & Frenchmen
Come for an unhurried dinner and stay for live jazz. Frenchmen Street is the grown-up answer to a Bourbon Street night.
See the weekend plan →“Come for the beignets.
Stay because the trumpet player knows your song.— The Getaway Girls way
Your 72-hour plan
A weekend with rhythm.
Built for a Friday arrival and Monday-ish recovery.
Arrive & ease into it
- Check in near the French Quarter or in the CBD
- Toast the weekend with a classic New Orleans cocktail
- Dinner somewhere you can linger
- Live jazz on Frenchmen Street
The full New Orleans mood
- Beignets and coffee before the crowds
- French Quarter history, food, or architecture tour
- Royal Street browsing and a long lunch
- Dress-up dinner, then a ghost tour or piano bar
Brunch, beauty & one last song
- A celebratory brunch—reservations are your friend
- Streetcar ride to the Garden District
- Magazine Street shops or a spa reset
- Sunset by the Mississippi River
Leave one pocket of time unplanned. New Orleans has a habit of improving the itinerary.
Order like you mean it
The delicious short list.
You cannot eat everything in one weekend, but we support a brave attempt.
Beignets
Powdered sugar is not a flaw. It is the outfit.
Café du Monde is the icon—open 24/7 in the French Market.
Local picks: Café Beignet for a Royal Street or Bourbon Street stop, or Loretta’s Authentic Pralines for a filled twist.
Gumbo
Everyone has a favorite. Consider the research delicious.
Dooky Chase’s is the legendary Creole gumbo stop—Leah Chase’s kitchen, and worth the detour.
Easy French Quarter option: Gumbo Shop on St. Peter Street.
Po’boys
Perfect for lunch, especially when nobody wants to share.
Domilise’s is the Uptown institution for cash-only shrimp or roast beef.
Also top-tier: Parkway Bakery & Tavern.
Pralines
A small, packable souvenir—if they survive the weekend.
Aunt Sally’s is the go-to—watch them being made, then pack them (or ship them) home.
Local favorites: Southern Candymakers and Loretta’s for a creamier style.
Brennan’s brunch
For birthdays, milestones, and excellent excuses.
Brennan’s is the original, home of Bananas Foster and a very good reason to book ahead.
Sazeracs
Sip slowly. New Orleans is generous with its pours.
The Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel is the classic setting.
For history and free tastings, visit The Sazerac House.
Where to stay
Choose your home base.
For a long weekend, location beats a bargain hotel three rideshares away.
French Quarter
Atmospheric, central, and easy to explore on foot. Pick a quieter side street if sleep is part of the itinerary.
Browse hotels ↗CBD / Warehouse District
Stylish hotels, strong dining, and close to both the Quarter and museums—with a little breathing room at night.
Browse hotels ↗Garden District
Leafy streets, beautiful homes, and boutique charm. Ideal if your group prefers elegance over 2 a.m. energy.
Browse hotels ↗Make it easy
Book the memorable parts first.
Lock in a well-located hotel, one special dinner, and one group experience. The rest can stay loose—this city rewards a little spontaneity.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you book through them, GGC may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
Small notes. Better weekend.
Wear the right shoes
Sidewalks are historic, which is a charming way of saying “watch your step.”
Reserve the big meals
Book brunch and your splurge dinner early, especially around festivals and holidays.
Stay street-smart
Keep the group together after dark, use well-lit routes, and take a rideshare when in doubt.
Check the calendar
Festivals change the energy, hotel rates, and availability—in wonderful and expensive ways.
New Orleans Girls' Trip FAQs
How many days do you need for a New Orleans girls' trip?
Three full days is a strong first visit. You can explore the French Quarter, add a Garden District or museum afternoon, hear live music, and still linger over the meals you came for.
Where should first-time visitors stay in New Orleans?
The French Quarter is the most convenient for a short first trip. The Central Business District offers polished hotels nearby, while the Garden District suits groups that prefer a calmer base.
Do you need a car in New Orleans?
No. Walking, streetcars, taxis, and rideshares are easier than parking for this itinerary. Use a rideshare after dark or whenever the route feels uncertain.
What should we book ahead in New Orleans?
Reserve your hotel, celebration dinner, popular brunch, and any must-do music or tour first. Festival weekends change prices and availability quickly, so check the city calendar before choosing dates.
One last thing
Let the good times roll.
Save this guide. Send it to the group chat. Pick the weekend.