The Ultimate New Orleans Bachelorette Party Guide

For a bachelorette party worthy of the history books, a trip to New Orleans is the perfect plan.

From shopping and dining to live music and nightlife, New Orleans offers everything you could ever want in a fun-filled girls’ trip. But whittling down so many amazing options is no easy task - that’s why we’ve done all the work for you!

Here’s the perfect itinerary for your epic New Orleans bachelorette party:

Start with a Decadent Brunch

Legend has it that New Orleans is the birthplace of brunch, so what better way to kick the party off than with a delicious brunch in an Instagram-worthy setting at either The Country Club or Jack Rose. For a classic New Orleans experience, try the Jazz Brunch at Commander’s Palace, where you’ll enjoy live music while dining on James Beard award-winning cuisine. If you’re looking for bottomless mimosas or Bloody Marys, Saint John in the French Quarter is an excellent choice. Their brunch is offered six days a week, and in addition to their champagne and cocktail specials, you can find decadent Creole and Southern cuisine in a lively atmosphere. You can find even more fun boozy brunches, from classic to drag, in our guide to Boozy Brunches by Neighborhood.

Become a Cocktail Expert

Dig a little deeper into New Orleans’ cocktail culture with an immersive visit to the Sazerac House. Named for the first cocktail created in the city, Sazerac House offers distillery tours, sampling stations, cocktail-making demonstrations, and more. If you find a new favorite cocktail, you can even pick up some spirits of your own at the on-site store. Looking for a hands-on experience? Plan a visit to Happy Raptor Distillery, a woman-owned distillery that produces handcrafted, premium-infused rum. They offer multiple timeslots daily for tours and tastings, but you can also book a private tour or cocktail class for your group. 

Or take your cocktail knowledge on the road with a cocktail walking tour. Drink and Learn combines a bit of history with some of New Orleans’ signature drinks with a cocktail tour. Sip your way around the Crescent City as you visit famous bars and local favorites, sampling iconic drinks along the way.

Take a Stroll through the Historic French Quarter

The French Quarter is a legendary neighborhood, famous for its restaurants, nightlife, and stunning architecture. Plan to spend some time exploring its beautiful streets, stopping along the way for shopping, beverages, or snacks. When it comes to where to start, Decatur Street is one of many can’t miss streets in New Orleans. Home to unique shops, vibrant local art, and iconic New Orleans landmarks, your group will have a good time simply walking around with a cocktail in hand.

Did you know you could see incredible art in the heart of the French Quarter? Royal Street is home to lots of great art galleries, as well as family-owned antique shops and fantastic street artists and musicians. Your whole party will enjoy a trip down these lively blocks.

Spend An Afternoon Exploring Magazine Street

Whether you plan to shop or not, Magazine Street is a destination in and of itself. Head to this fashionable six-mile stretch to find adorable boutiques, jaw-dropping antiques, and home-goods stores, and awe-inspiring art galleries. Best of all, it’s dotted with cute cafes perfect for stopping in for a cocktail, coffee, light lunch, or quick snack. No girls’ trip to NOLA is complete without at least a couple of hours along Magazine.

Learn Your Future With A Psychic Reading

New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in America, so why not do something a little spooky? Tap into the mystic arts with a psychic reading near Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter. With a bachelorette party in New Orleans, your future is sure to hold a ton of fun. Interested in even more spooky or supernatural fun? Take your group shopping at the Marie Laveau House of Voodoo, or schedule some time for either a haunted history or a cemetery walking tour.

Get Your Coffee Fix With A Twist

New Orleans even puts its own spin on coffee! When you start slowing down in the afternoon, drop into Erin Rose for one of their famous frozen Irish Coffees. This whiskey and espresso cocktail will power you through hours more of exploring. Or for the bride with a sweet tooth, head to Drip Affogato Bar, where you’ll find different combinations of locally made gelato topped with premium espresso, as well as a number of other craft cocktails and small bites.

A few of our other favorite places to refuel include Backatown Coffee Parlour in the Treme (their sweet potato pie is a must), The Vintage on Magazine Street (split an order of beignets bites with your table for a sweet treat), or French Truck, which has multiple locations across the city from the French Quarter to Magazine Street and some of the best cold brew in town.

Take A Trip Into The Swamp

How many people can say they got to feed an alligator during their bachelorette party? Head into New Orleans’ famous swamps for a high-speed airboat ride, where you’ll get to see the unique plants and animals that call Louisiana home. Cajun Encounters Swamp Tours is one of many swamp tours you can book while you're here. You might even get a chance to hold a baby alligator – an experience your friends are sure to remember long after the wedding is over!

Check Out Some Live, Local Music

Looking to dance to the rhythm of New Orleans’ best bands? Take your pick from any of the exciting clubs on Frenchmen Street. From jazz and blues to reggae and rock, you’ll find a little bit of everything on this famous street–even a bustling nighttime art market for browsing between shows. For a full list of live music events around the city, check out our Live Music Calendar.

Heat things up with a cooking class

Come back from your bachelorette party with more than just souvenirs – learn a new skill! Cooking classes are a great way to bond with your krewe as you get your hands dirty making signature Cajun and Creole dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, and more. A few of our favorites include the New Orleans School of Cooking and The Deelightful Roux Schools of Cooking. Whether you’re a master chef or a kitchen newbie, you’ll love digging into your creations at the end of these classes.

Create Your Own Signature Scent

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Tijon offers hands-on perfume classes, where you and your krewe can mix and match more than 300 oils to create your own, one-of-a-kind fragrances. Best of all, if you fall in love with the scent, they’ll keep your precise formulation on file so that it can be re-ordered in the future.

Treat The Bride-to-be To A Luxurious Cocktail Hour

Nothing says luxury quite like caviar, and one of our favorite places to get it is at Jewel of the South. Recently named one of the 50 Best Bars in America, this gorgeous Creole cottage on the edge of the Quarter has an atmosphere that’s equal parts cozy and cool (with a beautifully lush hidden courtyard to boot). The cocktails here are expertly crafted, and the caviar service is top-notch.

Or go for a spin at the Carousel Bar. This magical bar inside Hotel Monteleone is one of the best places to grab a nightcap in New Orleans. With a slowly rotating vintage carousel serving as a bar, this peaceful ride is a fantastic way to end the night.

Take In The Good Views

Getting the perfect backdrop for the group pics is obviously a priority, and any of these highly Instagrammable spots will definitely fit the bill. Rooftop bars are also never a bad idea for a bachelorette weekend­–and in the warmer months, who can resist the ones with pools? But if you’re really looking to immerse yourself in the culture and sounds of New Orleans, there’s only one “Vue” that matters–Vue Orleans. Take some time to wander through the exhibits exploring everything from New Orleans’ music to our cuisine, and then head to the top floors for jaw-dropping, 360-degree views of the NOLA skyline. Best of all, you’re only steps from the Four Seasons New Orleans, so once you’re done taking in the sights, head down the elevator to toast your bestie under the massive crystal chandelier in their stunning (and aptly named) lobby bar, the Chandelier Bar.

There’s so much more you can do in New Orleans to make your bachelorette party a once-in-a-lifetime event. Be sure to check out all the incredible New Orleans wedding professionals that can help!