New Orleans Girls Trip: Best Activities & Weekend Guide

New Orleans is the ultimate girls trip destination. The culture celebrates friendship, good food, good drinks, and good stories. Brunches are legendary, spas are affordable and group-friendly, live music is everywhere, and strangers will buy you drinks if you’re having fun. Three days with your friends in New Orleans creates memories that last years.

Why New Orleans Is Perfect for Girls Trips

The city caters to groups of women celebrating. Bars know girls trips, restaurants expect them, and there’s zero judgment about taking shots, singing, or being loud together. Plus, the mix of refined dining, casual bars, music venues, spa options, and shopping means everyone in your group finds something they love.

Brunch—The Heart of a Girls Trip

Brennan’s ($$-$$$) Famous for Bananas Foster prepared tableside. Upstairs dining is elegant, cocktails are strong, atmosphere is celebratory. Reservations months in advance for weekends.

Compère Lapin ($$-$$$) Contemporary Creole, excellent cocktails, group-friendly vibe. Menu is creative and Instagram-worthy. Book well ahead.

Boucherie ($$) Farm-to-table brunch, relaxed vibe, excellent food, good value. Less stuffy than above, equally good.

The Vintage ($$) Wine-focused brunch spot. Natural wines, interesting food, perfect for wine-loving girls. Smaller and harder to get into—book early.

Café Du Monde ($) Casual, iconic beignets and chicory coffee. Day or night, groups sit together at long tables, vibe is fun and social.

Willa Jean ($$) Casual, Instagram-friendly brunch. Good coffee, pastries, group-friendly. Less fancy than above but excellent value.

Spa & Wellness

Spa Hours New Orleans ($$-$$$) Group massage packages, facials, body treatments. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for group rates. Takes 2 hours and leaves your crew refreshed.

Urban Spa ($$) Modern spa, manicure and pedicure stations side-by-side, perfect for group mani/pedis while you chat. Day-of often available.

Floataway Spa ($$) Floatation pods and massage. Unique experience, relaxing, smaller groups work better. Book ahead.

Bliss Spa ($$-$$$) Day spa in the Quarter. Facials, massages, good product quality. Group reservations available.

Shopping

Magazine Street (Multiple blocks) Boutiques, vintage shops, galleries, and home goods stretching miles. Walkable, group-friendly, mix of price points. Budget 2-3 hours minimum and stop at cafés.

French Quarter (Royal Street) Antique shops, galleries, jewelry. More touristy than Magazine Street but concentrated. Good for a 1-2 hour walk between bars.

Oak Street Vintage and independent boutiques. Hipster vibe, walkable, good for finding unique pieces. Less touristy than above.

The Shops at Canal Place Upscale mall with designer brands. Indoor, air-conditioned, full-service shopping. For girls who want traditional retail.

Wine & Cocktails

The Dungeon (Rooftop bar) Craft cocktails, views of the Quarter, sunset drinking. Less chaotic than Bourbon Street. Groups reserve tables. $$-$$$

Harrah’s Rooftop Bar Upscale, bottle service available, table reservations recommended. Great views, higher price point. $$-$$$

The Vintage (Wine bar) Natural wines, small plates, intimate vibe. Perfect for wine-loving groups. Book ahead, small space.

Bacchanal Wine (Wine bar) Large wine selection, casual, good for groups. Multiple small tables, natural feel.

Pat O’Brien’s (French Quarter) Famous for hurricanes. Loud, touristy, group-party energy. Groups fit right in. Cash drinks. $-$$

The Spotted Cat (Marigny) Live music, standing room, fun energy. Less bachelorette-central, more authentic. Good vibe for mixed-age groups.

Wine Down (Magazine Street) Casual wine bar, walk-in friendly, good for groups. Relaxed vibe, small plates available.

Group Activities

Cooking Class ($$) Hands-on Creole cooking. Learn gumbo, jambalaya, beignets. Takes 2.5-3 hours, you eat what you cook, fun group bonding.

Jazz History Walking Tour ($$) 2-3 hour guided tour through Marigny/Frenchmen explaining jazz history. Groups of 6-15 people. Educational and fun.

Daytime Bar Crawl ($$) Hire a guide to lead 3-4 stops before noon. Organized, group discounts at bars, natural energy escalation. 2-3 hours.

Swamp Tour ($$ $$) Half-day adventure. See alligators, cypress swamps, real Louisiana. Groups travel together, memorable, unique photo ops.

Brunch & Paint ($$) Bottomless mimosas while a guide teaches you to paint. Some venues in New Orleans offer this. Book ahead.

Girls-Only Yoga Class ($$) Morning or evening vinyasa or relaxation class. Many yoga studios offer group bookings. Starts the day right.

French Quarter Scavenger Hunt ($$) Hired guide runs a bachelorette-style scavenger hunt through the Quarter. Team competition, photo ops, bar stops.

Streetcar Brewery Tour ($$) Visit local breweries, learn how they’re made, tastings included. Groups welcome, educational, fun.

Where to Stay

French Quarter Heart of action, walkable to everything, group hotels and suites available. Book now—it’s competitive. $$-$$$

Marigny/Bywater Slightly quieter than Quarter, one block from Frenchmen Street music, artsy vibe. Great for groups wanting authenticity. $$-$$$

Central Business District (CBD) Business hotels, cheaper, quieter, less character. Good if budget is priority. Requires Ubers to action. $-$$

Warehouse District Trendy boutique hotels, walkable to restaurants and some bars, good value. Mid-point vibe between downtown action and distance. $$

Garden District Elegant and peaceful. Historic guesthouses and hotels. Best for groups wanting quieter base but requires transportation. $$-$$$

Sample Girls Trip Itinerary (3 Days)

Day 1: Arrival & Quarter Exploration

Check in and drop bags
Lunch at casual spot
Explore French Quarter galleries, shops, and architecture
Rest at hotel (important)
Early dinner at mid-range Creole restaurant
Drinks at Harrah’s rooftop or Dungeon
Late-night Bourbon Street or Frenchmen Street

Day 2: Spa, Brunch & Full Night Out

Leisurely breakfast at hotel
Group spa experience (massage/facial, 2 hours)
Late lunch on Magazine Street with shopping
Rest/shopping/museum
Dinner at Brennan’s or Compère Lapin (brunch vibe dinner)
Nightlife (4+ hours): Harrah’s, bar crawl, or Frenchmen Street venues

Day 3: Activity & Farewell

Brunch at Boucherie or Willa Jean
Half-day swamp tour OR cooking class OR Magazine Street shopping
Late lunch
Spa mani/pedi or rooftop drinks
Early dinner
Pack and prepare for departure

Planning Tips for Girls Trips

Book 10-12 weeks ahead. Accommodations, spa services, and nice restaurants all require advance reservations. Weekends in March-May and September-November are competitive.
Set a group budget. Meals, activities, drinks, tips—work out a daily number and split costs via Venmo or pre-collect funds. Prevents awkwardness.
Mix activity types. One pampering day, one activity day, one full-night-out day. Keeps energy varied and appeases different interests.
Book one fancy dinner. Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, or Compère Lapin. It justifies photos and creates a “wow” moment for the trip.
Designate a point person. Someone coordinates hotel, restaurants, activities, timing. Reduces chaos and ensures nothing slips through cracks.
Build in rest time. By day two or three, groups need downtime. A 2-3 PM rest at the hotel lets everyone recharge for evening activities.
Have a group chat. Confirm plans, share costs, manage RSVPs. Reduces confusion and last-minute scrambling.
Wear something identifiable. Matching shirts, sashes, or hats help you stay together and locals know to give you deals.
One chill evening is okay. If the group wants low-key dinner and early night on day three, lean into it. You’ll need rest before travel day.
Take lots of photos. That’s half the point. Good lighting at brunch, spa, and rooftop bars. You’ll replay these stories for years.
Don’t schedule every minute. Leave afternoon open for spontaneous discoveries. That’s when the best memories happen.
Hydrate and eat regularly. The party moves fast. Regular food and water prevent hangovers and keep everyone in good spirits.

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New Orleans Girls Trip — Best Activities & Weekend Guide