city guides

If you have a free hour…

Wander the French Quarter with no destination in mind. This district is arguably the nation’s preeminent architectural treasure, full of Spanish-style courtyards and Parisian-style balconies. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, stroll up Decatur to Frenchmen Street in the Marigny neighborhood and sample the gumbo at the Praline Connection or a mojito at the Marigny Brasserie.

If you have a free day…

Explore Uptown, which is something of its own republic within the kingdom of New Orleans. Walk, bus, or cab to this leafy and architecturally eclectic area, which begins where the Garden District ends. You can shop along the six miles of antiques stores, galleries, and boutiques on Magazine Street, visit the AudubonZoo, and stroll under the live oaks at Audubon Park. Uptown is also home to dozens of outstanding restaurants—some fancy, like La Petit Grocery (4238 Magazine Street, 504-891-3377); and many not, like Domilise’s po’ boy shop (5240 Annunciation Street, 504-899-9126).

If you have a free weekend…

Cajun country is about two hours’ drive west of New Orleans, centered around the city of Lafayette. It’s the rare weekend that doesn’t feature one festival or another. Try the zydeco breakfast at Cafe Des Amis in Breaux Bridge on Saturday morning, then scout out local delicacies such as boudin (rice-and-pork sausage) and gumbo at area shops. Just south of New Iberia, you can tour the sprawling Tabasco plant, then wander through the subtropical wildlife preserve the company maintains nearby.