3-Day Itinerary New Orleans in December + Where To Stay & Eat
If you’re like me, you’ve binge-watched every vampire show on the planet (I see you, The Originals fans), and now you’re ready to visit New Orleans to live out your vampire fantasies. My husband laughs when I tell him this, but the allure is real.
If you’ve been itching for a trip to New Orleans, I’ve got you covered because it is my favorite city in the U.S. Something about the history, supernatural lore, music, and food lures many to visit. Mix all this with holiday lights, Réveillon multi-course holiday dinners, and cooler weather, and December is the best time to visit.
How To Get Here
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If you’re not within driving distance, fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
You don’t need to rent a car to get around, so grab a Taxi, Uber, or Lyft, and they’ll take you to your hotel.
Where To Stay
If this is your first time in New Orleans, I recommend staying close to the French Quarter. That way, you will be within walking distance of many top restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions, like Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and the Voodoo Museum.
If you don’t want to walk, you can always grab a ride somewhere else, like to Frenchmen Street (the jazz music area).
We stayed at the Hotel Monteleone. They decorate the lobby beautifully for Christmas, and the Carousel Bar is famous. The hotel is said to be haunted, but we had a pleasant stay.
Book your stay at the Hotel Monteleone on Expedia.
The Best Hotels for Christmas Lights
If you visit during December, the Hotel Monteleone, the Roosevelt Hotel, the Windsor Court, the Royal Sonesta, the Ritz Carlton, the Bourbon Orleans, and La Pavillon all spectacularly decorate their lobbies for Christmas.
Find mid-budget places to stay in New Orleans.
Day 1: Arrive, Dinner + Holiday Lights
Welcome to NOLA! You’ve arrived at your hotel, and the streets are buzzing.
If you’re staying at the Hotel Monteleone or nearby, head down to the Carousel Bar, find a seat, and grab a drink. Heads up, this bar is quite famous, so finding a spot to sit can be tricky.
Depending on when you’ve arrived, if you have time, go for a stroll down Bourbon Street and then grab dinner at the Criollo Restaurant in the Hotel Monteleone. The turtle soup is to die for; after all the places we ate in New Orleans, this is one of our favorites.
After dinner, walk to the Roosevelt to see the holiday lights and grab a cocktail.
You’ll want to dress up a little because these places are classy.
Day 2: Explore the French Quarter and Bourbon Street
We’d heard Café du Monde was THE place for breakfast, so we kicked the day off walking there – it’s in the French Quarter. Pablo ordered their famous beignets, and I grabbed a coffee.
If you’re gluten-free, like me, Café du Monde only serves beignets, which are (obviously) not gluten-free. If you can eat gluten – you’ll enjoy this place. Pablo loved their fluffy beignets covered in powdered sugar.
Café du Monde is across the street from Jackson Square, so you can mosey over and walk through the St. Louis Cathedral.
Afterward, wander around the Woldenberg Riverfront Park.
Next, we headed towards Bourbon Street to visit the Voodoo Museum. It was a little darker than I realized, but it was interesting. There are some neat Voodoo shops in the area, too. Yes, I got a Voodoo doll (also called a Gris Gris doll), and contrary to what we are told on TV, they can bring good luck and protection — depending on the magic spell.
When you’re hungry, have lunch at Maspero’s. It’s known for its authentic NOLA vibes, and it is affordable.
Wrap up the day enjoying dinner at your leisure. We headed to dinner at Brennan’s. This upscale restaurant is famous for its Creole food, and December is one of the best times to eat here because they serve Réveillon specials.
Day 3: Oak Alley Plantation, Swamp Boat Ride, Psychic Reading, & Frenchmen Street
We didn’t just want to bar-hop and eat the entire time we were in New Orleans, so we booked a tour to see Louisiana’s Oak Alley Plantation and go on a swamp boat ride. We’re not from the South and wanted to do as much as possible. Let me tell you, it was worth it.
Visit the Oak Alley Plantation
A small tour bus picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the Oak Alley Plantation. I’m from out West and had never seen a plantation before this trip. It was surreal.
In one moment, you see such a beautiful property that looks like it should be in a movie, with a driveway meticulously lined by giant oak trees. Still, at the same time, you’re on a tour learning about the people horribly enslaved here not that long ago. It’s worth going on a tour to get educated.
There’s also a place on the property to try mint juleps — we’d never had one before, and they were strong. We pretended to like them, but we aren’t bourbon fans.
Cruise in the Swamp
After touring the plantation, our guide drove us to the next stop for a swamp boat ride. It was colder than usual during our December trip in 2017, so we didn’t see any ‘gators, but the swamp was beautiful in its own right, and it was fun to ride an airboat for the first time and hear stories from our Cajun captain.
If I look cold in most photos, it’s because I am. They had an unusual cold snap in 2017. So be sure to check the weather before you pack to ensure you have the correct clothes for your adventures.
After the day’s events, the bus dropped us off at our hotel.
Try a Psychic Reading
I had always wanted to do a psychic reading, so I Googled the best psychics in New Orleans, and Cari Roy popped up.
She managed to get me into her schedule, but I recommend booking months in advance. Psychic readings are very personal, and Cari Roy was welcoming, kind, and shockingly spot-on.
After the reading, we grabbed dinner at an amazing oyster place — Gallier’s Oyster Bar. You have to ge their Rockefeller oysters.
We caught a taxi and hit up Frenchmen Street and visited a few jazz clubs. Be sure to swing into The Spotted Cat. It’s iconic.
Where To Eat
Over the years, I’ve had a handful of friends from Louisiana who have suggested the following restaurants (yes, I took notes for you all). Here are some of the best places to eat in New Orleans.
Breakfast
- Stanley: It is in Jackson Square and is authentic to New Orleans and affordable.
- Cafe du Monde is the place for beignets and coffee.
- Brennan’s: It is well-known but upscale and pricey.
- Court of Two Sisters is great for brunch. It’s also authentic to NOLA but pricey.
Lunch
- Maspero’s: It has authentic NOLA vibes, and it is affordable.
- Central Grocery is THE place for muffulettas.
- Drago’s has amazing, chargrilled oysters.
- Mr. B’s Bistro is another popular lunch (and dinner) spot.
Dinner
All the restaurants below are NOLA’s famous “greats.” They are all pretty expensive to eat at (but it’s worth it).
Use your hotel concierge to help you make reservations. If you try calling yourself, you won’t get on the list unless you plan way in advance.
Cocktails
If you’re in the mood for drinks, check out:
- Pat O’Brien’s
- The Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone.
- Cat’s Meow is fun for karaoke
More Things To Do
If you have more time to spend in New Orleans, people love going on a ghost tour, seeing one of the famous cemeteries, and visiting the National WWII Museum.
You can also shop on Royal Street, look for antiques on Magazine Street, or take the streetcar.
I hope you have a great time visiting New Orleans in December.
❤️ Images captured with love from our December trip in 2017. I thought you’d appreciate them more than stock images.
