Think about this: If you’ve had it with a lockdown that seems to be going on forever – how about a quickie two-day trip to New Orleans. Yes? No? First, we’ll give you ideas for two days in NOLA. Then we’ll follow up with a second two-day blog/schedule later. This will add up to ideas for a four-day sojourn in The Big Easy. Think you can swing that?

DAY ONE: THE FRENCH QUARTER

MORNING:

Enjoy a coffee and croissant at Croissant D’Or Patisserie. This is a French bakery, pastry and sandwich shop located at 617 Ursulines Avenue – which is in the heart of the French Quarter.

“Friends of the Cabildo” (FOC) walking tours depart every day at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm from the 1850 House Museum Store on historic Jackson Square at 523 St. Ann Street.

The lively, active French Quarter with flags flying and folks strolling

 LUNCH:

Stop at the Sylvain Restaurant located at 625 Chartres Street (a block off Jackson Square) and enjoy lunch at an elegant gastro pub with cocktails and American fare. It’s located in a former carriage house with courtyard seats.

The New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint celebrates jazz in the city where it was born. It’s located at 400 Esplanade Avenue and can be reached at (504) 568-3659. They offer free afternoon concerts on the third floor in an intimate performance space.

DINNER

The Bayona Restaurant offers creative Louisiana fare in a charming old cottage with a lush courtyard. You’ll find this gem at 430 Dauphine Street, (504) 525-4455.

Relax with a drink at French 75, a cocktail bar you’ll find at 813 Bienville Street. The drink itself is a champagne cocktail made with gin, grenadine and, of course, champagne.

 Take in a show at Preservation Hall – a jazz venue in the French Quarter that you’ll find at 726 St. Peter. One visitor says, “It was a lot smaller and more intimate than I thought it would be – but it was perfect and we loved it.”

 Follow this up with One-Eyed Jacks, a nightclub that’s at 615 Toulouse Street. It’s named after the 1961 movie with Marlon Brando and is the funkiest spot to let loose and dance to DJ + live music in the French Quarter.

 When this is over you can eat with abandon at the Clover Grill, a retro-styled diner that draws folks from nearby bars. It’s located at 900 Bourbon Street and has been serving night owls its three-egg omelets since 1939.

DAY TWO: CBD & THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

MORNING

For the record: CBD means “Central Business District” – now we suggest spending a morning at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art that you’ll find at 925 Camp Street in the Warehouse District. It holds more than 4,000 paintings, watercolors, photos and sculptures from the American South.

 LUNCH

You’ll agree that Cochon Butcher is perfect for lunch. It can be found at 930 Tchoupitoulas Street and serves this eye opener: Herb-roasted chicken with an olive tapenade (a Provençal paste or dip) + lemon on a baguette.

After this you should hop onto the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar. It’s one of the oldest and most notable streetcar lines. A 45-minute trip takes you from the CBD to Audubon Park plus Tulane and Loyola universities. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CLICK HERE for a video on how to pay for and ride our streetcars.

DINNER

Tipitina’s began as a neighborhood juke joint in 1977. One visitor reports, “It’s about 15 minutes away from the French Quarter (Canal Street) by car and is one of the best-known clubs in New Orleans.” You’ll find it at 501 Napoleon Street. If you are looking for dinner while there, go to nearby

Casamento’s Restaurant at 4330 Magazine Street (in the heart of Uptown New Orleans) -- it’s a cash-only spot serving fresh oysters and other seafood. Believe it or not, this place is over 100 years old!

WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? Did you know that the French Quarter is only a 15-minute stroll from Rathbone? The list above has more than one can do in two days – it allows you to pick-and-choose what you’re interested in seeing. Or perhaps, you’ll decide to stay longer! Please check the web for any additional info.

COMING UP SHORTLY: Restaurant Week in New Orleans takes place from Monday, June 21st until Sunday, June 27th. You’ll pay $25 or less for a two-course lunch and $45 or less for a three-course dinner. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

Shaun Nelson-Henrick