New Orleans, the vibrant jewel of the South, is a city that captures your heart from the moment you set foot on its storied streets. Known for its soulful music, delectable cuisine, and captivating history, this city embodies a unique blend of cultures, where the influences of French, African, and Caribbean traditions intertwine. As you wander through the lively neighborhoods, the intoxicating melodies of jazz permeate the air, and the tantalizing aroma of gumbo and beignets waft from bustling eateries. From the colorful celebrations of Mardi Gras to the haunting allure of its cemeteries, New Orleans is a mesmerizing tapestry of enchantment and revelry, inviting you to indulge in its magnetic charm.
We’ve curated a short-list of moderately priced boutique hotels perfect for your next girls’ weekend.
Note: some of the boutique hotels we recommend have a nightly amenities fee for some awesome extras included in your stay. Be sure to read about what’s included to take full advantage!
This historic gem, located in the heart of New Orleans, exudes charm and sophistication. The elegant rooms offer a blend of modern comfort and timeless allure. Indulge in the hotel's amenities, including an onsite restaurant, bar, live music and picturesque courtyard pool. Immerse yourself in the city's rich culture and nightlife, as the hotel's prime location grants easy access to famous Bourbon Street and nearby attractions. Be sure to request a courtyard view room if you are early to bed as the neighborhood is quite lively!
Hotel Perle is modern, spacious, and purpose‑built for group travel. Offering multi‑bedroom suites with full kitchens, communal living spaces, and a rooftop pool, it feels more like a luxury apartment than a traditional hotel. Best for girlfriend groups who want to stay together (bachelorettes, birthdays, or long weekends) without splitting into multiple rooms. Ideal for hosting pre‑drinks, getting ready together, and maximizing group energy.
This boutique hotel captures the city's vibrant spirit with its stylish and modern decor. Indulge in luxurious accommodations that blend contemporary design with local charm. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the French Quarter, just steps away from renowned restaurants, trendy boutiques, and lively jazz clubs. Whether you're sipping cocktails by the rooftop pool, pampering yourselves at the on-site spa, or exploring the rich cultural heritage of the city, One11 Hotel offers an enchanting retreat for a memorable girls' getaway.
We’re not gonna lie, trying to recommend a great place to eat in a large metropolitan area is like trying to hit a moving target. Where you stay and the activities you have planned often dictate where you will end up eating.
Most often when planning our weekends away, we put in a little time looking for nearby places that match our taste. Rather than give you a long list of places that might not be right for you, we’re giving you our favorite local search links to help you get started.
Neon lights, live jazz, balconies packed with revelers, and drinks in hand at all hours, Bourbon Street is New Orleans turned all the way up. This legendary 13‑block stretch runs through the heart of the French Quarter from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue and is famous for its nonstop party vibe, day or night.
Bourbon is best known for its open‑container culture, meaning cocktails are served in plastic go‑cups and drinking on the street is totally legal. Classics like the Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s and the bright‑green Hand Grenade are practically required. The action is especially intense in the Upper Bourbon area, where karaoke bars, live music venues, and clubs keep the energy high well past midnight.
Music spills out of doorways everywhere, from jazz and blues to cover bands and sing‑along anthems. You can grab live jazz at spots like Maison Bourbon Jazz Club, or step back in time at Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, one of the oldest bars in the U.S., dating back to the early 1700s. The 800 block is the heart of Bourbon’s LGBTQI+ scene, with longtime favorites like Oz and Bourbon Pub Parade. When hunger strikes, you’re surrounded by Cajun and Creole restaurants, late‑night bites, and street food vendors ready to fuel the fun.
Bourbon Street isn’t subtle, and that’s exactly the point. Come for the spectacle, stay for the stories, and pace yourself, because on Bourbon Street, the night always lasts longer than planned.
Be Aware: Pickpocketing is a known issue in the busy crowds of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. Hold your valuables close!
Loud, colorful, historic, and impossible to forget, this is where New Orleans comes alive. The French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carré, is the city’s vibrant heart, founded in 1718 along the Mississippi River and still pulsing with life today.
Famous for its French, Spanish, and Creole architecture, the Quarter is a visual feast of wrought‑iron balconies, hidden courtyards, and pastel façades dripping with character. Wander through Jackson Square, listen to street musicians fill the air with jazz, and soak up the nonstop buzz of Bourbon Street, where nightlife spills into the streets day and night.
No visit is complete without a stop at Café du Monde for powdered‑sugar‑covered beignets and café au lait, a classic New Orleans ritual that never gets old. From historic landmarks to legendary food and nightlife, the French Quarter is bold, beautiful, and bursting with personality!
Follow the music, it’ll lead you straight to Frenchmen Street. Once a local secret and now one of New Orleans’ most beloved nightlife spots, this buzzing stretch is where jazz, blues, reggae, and brass spill out of club doors and into the street, creating an atmosphere that feels electric, spontaneous, and unmistakably NOLA.
Tucked just away from the chaos of Bourbon Street, Frenchmen runs parallel to Elysian Fields Avenue and sits between the French Quarter and Marigny, stretching toward the residential edges of Gentilly. The vibe here is all about authentic live music, and with one stroll down the street, you’re almost guaranteed to hear multiple genres, sometimes all at once.
Music lovers flock to iconic venues like Snug Harbor, The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., Blue Nile, and Café Negril for some of the best jazz in the city. Ready to bounce around? Pop into The Maison, 30°/-90°, Bamboula’s, Three Muses, or Dragon’s Den, each spot has its own personality, sound, and crowd.
When the sun goes down, don’t miss the Frenchmen Art Bazaar, a nightly open‑air market showcasing local artists. Browse paintings, sculptures, mixed media, jewelry, handbags, and other creative finds, it’s the perfect place to snag a one‑of‑a‑kind New Orleans souvenir. The bazaar opens at 7 p.m., wrapping up at midnight Sunday through Wednesday and staying open until 1 a.m. on weekends. Live music, local art, and a vibe that feels effortlessly cool, Frenchmen Street is the kind of place where you don’t rush, you wander!
Think shady oak trees, grand Southern mansions, and a slower, more romantic side of New Orleans. The Garden District is one of the city’s most beautiful and historic neighborhoods, offering a peaceful contrast to the energy of the French Quarter while still delivering plenty to see, eat, and explore.
Located Uptown, the district is famous for its antebellum mansions, lush gardens, and quiet, oak‑lined streets, especially along St. Charles Avenue, which also happens to be part of the Mardi Gras parade route. Hop on the iconic St. Charles Streetcar for a scenic ride through the neighborhood, or wander on foot to soak up the architecture at your own pace.
One standout stop is Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, filled with ornate 19th‑century above‑ground tombs that give a fascinating glimpse into the city’s history and traditions. Just nearby, Magazine Street adds a modern twist with its mix of boutiques, antique shops, local bars, casual cafés, and well‑known dining spots, perfect for shopping, snacking, and people‑watching with the girls.
With its grand homes, leafy streets, and laid‑back elegance, the Garden District feels like stepping into a postcard, a beautiful, breezy break that rounds out any New Orleans girls’ getaway.
Magazine Street is six vibrant miles of boutiques, cafés, and local flavor that make it perfect for a girls’ day out in New Orleans. Stretching from Uptown through the Lower Garden District and into downtown, this iconic avenue blends historic charm with an eclectic mix of vintage shops, bakeries, art galleries, and trendy boutiques. Most of the businesses are locally owned, giving the whole street an authentic, creative energy you feel as you wander from one storefront to the next. You and your friends can browse everything from handmade jewelry and home décor to costume shops, spas, record stores, and cozy coffee spots. With outdoor bars, grab‑and‑go bites, and plenty of places to pause and people‑watch, Magazine Street invites you to shop, sip, and savor the day together—New Orleans style.
The Shops at Jax Brewery bring together the best of New Orleans’ French Quarter charm with a gorgeous riverfront setting perfect for a girls’ day of shopping and soaking up the city’s history. Housed in the former Jackson Brewery, a landmark built in 1891, the space blends its storied past with a fresh, modern mix of boutiques and eateries. Once the largest independent brewery in the South, Jax survived Prohibition and decades of change, and today its beautifully restored building is home to some of the French Quarter’s premier retailers. As you and your friends wander through the shops and take in the sweeping Mississippi River views, you get that perfect blend of culture, style, and New Orleans magic.
For those of you looking for a fun night out on your girls’ getaway, we’ve got your back. Whether it’s dancing the night away or girl talk over delicious cocktails, we’ve got options. We’ll help you find the right fit with our favorite local search links below.
Are you a travel blogger who lives in this destination? Write for us!
We are accepting Girlfriend Weekend Itineraries for this destination. Find out more here.
