Day:  NEW ORLEANS                                    

DAY 1: Your first day should be spent in the famous French Quarter, and on foot. Have breakfast or brunch at any café in this neighborhood. No food is just food in New Orleans! After breakfast, visit some historical landmarks like the Gallier House and The Historic Voodoo Museum to get a glimpse of some New Orleans heritage. Other interesting sites include the Musee Conti Wax Museum, the Herman-Grima House and the Old Ursiline Convent. For lunch, ask a local about a good place nearby. Again, there are really no bad places to eat here. Spend the rest of the afternoon in the Jackson Square area. Located here are magnificent structures like St. Louis Cathedral and The Cabildo. And if you can pull your attention away from the numerous street performers and local artists, head over to the 1850 house inside the Pontalba buildings.

For a refreshing break, stop over at Café du Monde for some café au lait and beignets. Following your snack, browse the Historic French Market, as it begins at Café du Monde and continues eastward. The Old U.S. Mint is nearby as well, which is always a good historical tour. From here, head over to Pat O’Brien’s for a Hurricane or two. But take it slow; these drinks can put you out of commission before night’s end. After cocktail hour, have dinner at the Napoleon House (yes, it was a home of the French General). This place embodies old New Orleans. When dinner is over, you must catch a jazz show at either Preservation Hall or Tipitina’s, two famous music venues. For something a little less touristy, go to the Funky Butt, this place is indeed funky! But it offers the best in New Orleans jazz.

DAY 2: If you were able to withstand the temptations of the French Quarter the previous night, wake up early on your second day. You should be well enough oriented with the Quarter by now to find a good breakfast location; if not, just ask somebody. (Note: at some point during the day, make reservations for dinner at Commander’s Palace).

After breakfast, you’ll be heading to Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo -- both are excellent destinations offering a slew of activities. If you want to spend the first part of your day at the Zoo, and then the park, take the John Audubon Cruise Ship from the riverfront in the French Quarter. The Cruise lets you off right at the zoo. (Be sure to bring a lunch if you don’t plan on eating at the Zoo). When your day is concluded here and you’re through at the park, pick up a St. Charles Streetcar at the northern end of the park (it’s the only way) and ride it all the way back to the Quarter. This ride will take you through some of New Orleans’ most intriguing neighborhoods, like the Garden and Business Districts. Keep in mind you can get off anywhere you want—check out the shopping on Magazine Street! Naturally, if your plans at Audubon are the reverse of the aforementioned, simply ride the Streetcar first and take the Cruise back to the Quarter.

For dinner it’s the magnificent Commander’s Palace (you did make those reservations, right?). The restaurant is rated as one of the top three in the nation, so dress up and enjoy! After your meal, walk off all that food by strolling down Bourbon Street, or simply let loose anywhere in the Quarter.

DAY 3: After breakfast, locate one of the famous cemetery tours. New Orleans cemeteries are unique in that the city “buries” its dead in tombs above ground because the area is below sea level. This avoids floating corpses when the floods come. Do not visit the cemeteries alone. These areas are notorious for muggings and the like, as many are located in sketchy neighborhoods and make great hideouts for these pitiful criminals. But in a group tour you are as safe as can be. (Note: at some point during the day, make reservations for dinner at Antoine’s). After your cemetery tour, take a taxi to the New Orleans Museum of Art and catch a glimpse of world-class art collection, both from New Orleans artists as well as international ones. Also, the museum is located at City Park, one of Louisiana’s best recreation areas. Here there are many activities, ranging from golf to playgrounds to canoeing and more.

In the evening, take a horse and carriage ride through the French Quarter. Although your tour guide will most likely be relaying more myth than pure fact, it is a great experience nonetheless. And who’s to say some of the information isn’t true? If you’ve got the time and energy, check out one of the haunted house tours, or a ghost and vampire tour, they are captivating!

Finish your day with dinner at Antoine’s, another nationally recognized restaurant, located in the heart of the French Quarter. And for the rest of the night, check out Mid City Lanes Rock & Bowl for a cool night/bowling Zydeco experience—there’s nothing like it.