How to Spend a Weekday in New Orleans

Whether you’re in town for a midweek business trip, visiting relatives or you just have a schedule that’s flexible, New Orleans on a weekday is always a great choice.  Beat the rush and experience the host of nonstop live music, exclusive deals and special events that the Crescent City has to offer during the weekday.

Early bird gets the worm

One of the best things about the weekend is brunch, but one of the best things about the weekday is breakfast! Rise and shine with breakfast specials across the city. Monday-Friday from 6:30-7:30 am,  Toast offers a classic breakfast and cup of coffee for just $6. Or start your day on Magazine Street with breakfast happy hour at the Red Dog Diner from 8-10 am and enjoy half-priced specialty cocktails. If you still want to try New Orleans brunch, head to Brennan's in the French Quarter. For more ideas of some of the best breakfasts in town, check out GoNOLA’s Guide to the Best Breakfast Spots. 

Beat the crowds while sightseeing

New Orleans has a big city appeal and a small town feel. During the weekend, some of the city’s most popular attractions and destinations can become crowded and difficult to navigate for a first-timer. If you’re new to New Orleans and want to make the most of your time, visiting on a Monday-Thursday will give you optimal views of Jackson Square, plenty of space to explore the French Market and a cozy ride along the streetcar.

Make sure to take advantage of other attractions throughout the city as well.

Attend a weekday fest 

Who said festing is only for the weekend? There’s a number of festivals that kick-off on Thursdays or take place throughout the week to check out during just about any given month. The NOLA Crawfish Fest, Luna Fete, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, Top Taco, and the renowned Jazz Fest are just a few that include weekdays in their lineup. During Mardi Gras season, most major parades such as Nyx, Muses, Rex and Zulu take place during the weekdays. 

Catch happy hour 

Weekend happy hour deals are found few and far - weekdays are where the specials truly lie. Uptown, Downtown, Mid-City and everywhere in between are bustling with happy hour deals on drinks and bites. Lula’s Distillery offers $5 apps and cocktails made with Lula Spirts Monday-Thursday from 4-7 p.m. In addition to their daily specials, Capulet’s happy hour takes place every Thursday from 3-9 p.m. with live music from 6-9 p.m. Deals range from $2 off probiotic cocktails to $5 mules, moonshine and wine. Sofia serves their $7 Spritz and wood-fired Margherita pizza, $6 house wines and $3 meatballs during their weekday exclusive happy hour. Or have happy hour on the lake with the Blue Crab’s $1 chargrilled oysters, $5 apps, $3 wines and more. 

Explore GoNOLA’s Top 20 Happy Hours for more discounted drinks and eats.

Special deals for LA residents

For our local friends looking to plan a day trip to the New Orleans, weekdays are ideal. A selection of museums across the city offer special weekday deals for Louisiana residents with a valid ID. Thanks to the generous donations of the Hellis Foundation, Studio Be and the New Orleans Museum of Art offer free admission on Wednesdays and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art offers free admission on Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (be sure to stick around for Ogden After Hours, which features wine, beer and live music for an additional entrance fee on Thursday evenings). 

Listen to live music 

Seven days a week, New Orleans is known for its live music scene. Iconic locations such as Frenchmen Street, Preservation Hall, Tipitina’s and Kermit’s Treme Mother-in-Law-Lounge are just a few places to catch live music on weekdays.  Outdoor live music events like Wednesdays at the Square and Thursdays at Twilight are popular concert series among locals and visitors. 

Browse our Guide to Daily Live Music and our WWOZ Live Music Calendar for more inspiration. 

Secure the reservation you wanted

Newly-opened, buzz-worthy eateries and longstanding, iconic restaurants can be hard to get into during peak periods of time. Take advantage of the weekday and secure the dinner reservation you’ve been hoping for. Places like Mother’s, Justine, Saba, Neyow’s, Galatoire's and others are easier to dine at during the week.