Planning an Unforgettable Bachelor Weekend in NOLA

Let’s be real: New Orleans makes it easy to plan an unforgettable bachelor party.

The Crescent City is known for being a good time. Beyond the epic Bourbon Street nightlife, NOLA offers plenty of daytime adventures for your guy’s trip as well. Whether the groom-to-be is a sports fan, foodie, music enthusiast, or betting man, his New Orleans bachelor party is going to be one to remember (sort of).

While you can wing it in New Orleans and find plenty of adventures, we recommend starting with the perfect vacation rental, then planning your weekend activities ahead of time, so you do get sidetracked (Bourbon Street will do it to you every time!)

If you are the best man and are struggling under the pressure to create the perfect itinerary, worry no more, we’ve rounded up all of our favorite NOLA bachelor party dining and destinations with a few recommendations for adult beverages along the way.

Getting Around NOLA

Getting to New Orleans

First things first, getting to New Orleans. The Big Easy is a breeze to fly in from any destination thanks to the Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY), approximately 30 minutes from the heart of the city.

Your group has a few different options to get to your vacation rental.

• Rideshare services: Uber and Lyft are readily available at the airport outside of the Level 1 Baggage Claim.
• Taxi services: Taxis are available outside Level 1 Baggage Claim by Door 7. Taxi rides average $36 for up to two passengers and an additional $15 per person beyond two passengers (prices current at the time of publication).
• Airport shuttle services: These provide transportation from the airport to Downtown NOLA. The Airport Shuttle is $24 each way per person.
• Public transportation: This includes a bus option called the Airport Express. It is $1.50 per trip and runs nine times per day.

Getting Around New Orleans

Transportation within New Orleans really depends on where you are staying. For a bachelor party, we recommend utilizing ride-sharing services to get from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Your group can also opt to rent a party bus or limo to take you around town. Companies like New Orleans Party Bus and Jazzy Limousine and Shuttle offer large-group transportation with bottle service.

Most neighborhoods, such as the French Quarter, Mid-City, and Uptown, are walkable once you are there.

Best Daytime Activities

Take An Airboat Swamp Tour

If you’re looking to get out of the city, an airboat swamp tour is a perfect way to do it. Available daily, groups can tour the infamous Louisiana swamps by boat and catch a glimpse of natural wildlife such as alligators, herons, bald eagles, and more.

Airboat Adventures offers multiple tours/day at set times. Prices vary per boat size. Airboat Adventures can even pick up groups in front of any major hotel in the city, making transportation simple. If you want a real Bayou bachelor trip experience, this is it. Happy gator viewing!

Visit NOLA Brewing

• Address: 3001 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA
• Website: nolabrewing.com

New Orleans might be known for its food culture, but its craft beer scene has exploded recently.

Opened in 2008 after Hurricane Katrina shut down the last remaining brewery, NOLA Brewing has become a staple in the local community. Brewing everything from IPAs to stouts to sours, NOLA Brewing delivers exceptional craftsmanship in a fun, festive environment.

Visitors can tour the brewery on weekdays or enjoy the taproom any day of the week. As a bonus, the brewery also owns its own pizza company called NOLA Pizza Co., which they serve in their tap room. Can you think of a better lunch combo than beer and pizza?

Pro Tip: If you’re visiting in the Spring, NOLA Brewing hosts crawfish boils every Friday afternoon that you won’t want to miss.

Tour Sazerac House

• Address: 101 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA
• Website: sazerachouse.com

You’ve probably heard of the famous New Orleans Sazerac cocktail and even tried it a time or two. But did you know that you can tour where it’s made when you visit NOLA?

The Sazerac House is on the corner of Canal Street and Magazine. Visitors can take a complimentary tour through the distillery and exhibits, exploring the history and makings of the Big Easy’s classic cocktail. Or your group can opt for a whiskey, rum, or cocktail tasting for $30 to $45 per person.

Best Sporting Activities

Play a Round of Golf

New Orleans might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of golf, but the city is home to multiple picturesque golf courses that are just waiting for you to tee up.

TPC Louisiana, one of the most popular golf courses in the city, hosts the Zurich Classic of New Orleans every Spring. The golf course is about 25 minutes from the French Quarter and the perfect spot for your group to play a round of golf on a beautiful day.

Your group can also play at Audubon Park Golf Course in the Uptown neighborhood and City Park Golf Course in Mid-City.

Visit NOLA Motorsports Park

• Address: 11075 Nicolle Boulevard, Avondale, LA
• Website: nolamotor.com

NOLA Motorsports Park is a go-kart enthusiast’s paradise. Located just 30 minutes outside of the city, this 700-acre facility is the perfect spot for groups that want to experience the “fastest karting track in the South.”

Open Thursday-Sunday, your bachelor party can book a group visit or pay per person to ride. NOLA Motorsports Park has something for everyone, whether you want to participate or sit back and enjoy the view.

Enjoy a Pelicans or Saints Game

NOLA sports fans are passionately loyal to their home teams. Down here in the Crescent City, our two beloved sports teams are the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints. Between the NBA basketball season and NFL football season, bachelor party groups have plenty of opportunities to cheer on either team.

The Pelicans play at the Smoothie King Center, while the Saints play across the street at the Caesars Superdome; both are in the Warehouse District near the French Quarter.

Best Places to Eat

Parkway Bakery & Tavern

• Address: 538 Hagan Avenue, New Orleans, LA
• Website: parkwaypoorboys.com
• Price Point: $

When in NOLA, you’ve got to try a po’ boy. It’s the city’s food mascot for a reason.

Parkway Tavern is a classic po’ boy spot that has been around since the creation of po’ boy themselves and is arguably one of the most famous. On any given day, you might see a line wrapped around the corner store with eager customers waiting to dig into one of their delicious po’ boys.

But don’t worry; there are incredible po’ boy joints in every NOLA neighborhood. We’ve rounded up our favorites all over the city to ensure your group gets their po’ boy fix for the weekend.

Toups’ Meatery

• Address: 845 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA
• Website: toupsmeatery.com
• Price Point: $$

A Modern Cajun restaurant, Toups’ Meatery is all about celebrating the finest proteins. You’ll find everything from confit chicken thighs, coffee-rubbed lamb, wagyu steak, and even a rack of elk. Yes, you heard me right. It’s a very classy meat lover’s dream meal. The menu is also packed with specialty cocktails and an extensive whisky list.

Be sure to order a few Cracklins for the table for a true Louisiana dining experience.

Pro tip: Another NOLA restaurant famous for its meat collection and phenomenal BBQ is Cochon in the Warehouse District.

Galatoire’s

• Address: 209 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA
• Website: galatoires.com
• Price Point: $$$

If your group is looking for a classic New Orleans fine dining experience, Galatoire’s is the spot. Having won multiple James Beard Awards, Galatoire’s offers traditional French-Creole cuisine that hasn’t changed in a century.

You can expect plenty of seafood options such as Oyster Rockefeller, seafood gumbo, and crawfish etouffee. A full cocktail list and wine bar complete the menu for a classy way to start your evening.

Reservations are required and typically fill up quickly. The dress code is business casual; jackets are required after 5 pm.

Best Nightlife Options

Place Your Bets at Harrah’s Casino

Address: 228 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA

Website: caesars.com/harrah’s-new-orleans

There are many great casino options in the Big Easy. Harrah’s New Orleans Casino is in the heart of the city near the Mississippi River and is worth a stop for your bachelor crew. It has over 1,100 slot machines, with hundreds of one and two-cent games and ultra-high limit slot machines with big payoffs. There are over 116 video poker machines and plenty of table games such as craps, blackjack, poker, baccarat, and pai gow.

Harrah’s recently opened Caesars Sportsbook in 2022. Caesars Sportsbook is a 5000+ square foot betting room with a 147-foot video screen and state-of-the-art audio system to watch and bet on your favorite games. There’s nowhere else like it in the city, and it’s the perfect way to combine sports, good drinks, and gambling on your bachelor trip.

Bar Hop on Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street’s reputation is well-known before ever visiting New Orleans. Bourbon Street is a 13 block stretch of over 50 bars. If nightlife is your scene, you will want to take your time here.

You’ll find everything from jazz bars, fun clubs, relaxed drinks spots, and strip clubs. Make sure to order a classic Hurricane Cocktail at Pat O Brien’s, check out Cats Meow for karaoke, and visit the oldest bar in the city, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.

Live Music on Frenchmen Street

If your bachelor group prefers a more laid-back vibe than Bourbon, Frenchmen Street is where you want to head. The infamous street is known for its music performances, from live jazz to reggae to hip hop.

Similar to Bourbon, Frenchmen Street is lined with over 20 bars, venues, and event spaces. With street performers lining Frenchmen as well, your group can hop from one bar to the next and experience local musical talent the whole time.

Pro Tip: We recommend checking out the Maison Frenchmen while you are in the area. It’s got live music, mixology classes, a full dinner menu, and more to entertain your group of celebrants.

A NOLA Bachelor Party Guide

When is the best time to plan a bachelor trip to New Orleans?

Bachelor party groups can plan to visit during any season and have a great time. The weather is mild in the Spring, Fall, and Winter. Summer is hot and humid, so be prepared for that if visiting from May-August. If you want to plan your bachelor party around popular NOLA events, here are our suggestions:

• Plan your bachelor party from April through August for the festival season when popular NOLA events like Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest are happening.
• Plan your bachelor party in January or February if you want to incorporate Mardi Gras into your bachelor trip.
• If you’re a golf enthusiast, plan your bachelor party in April to attend the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Should I make reservations in advance?

Definitely. For any restaurants that take reservations, we recommend making them at least one month in advance for large parties.

What are the alternatives to Bourbon Street?

Bourbon Street might be the most well-known, but many of our favorite bars are scattered throughout the city. Check out our best bars in New Orleans roundup for plenty of local options. If craft beer is more your group’s speed there are plenty of breweries to choose from; two of our favorite beer gardens are Wrong Iron and The Bulldog.

How much does a New Orleans Bachelor Party cost?

The cost will vary depending on your group size, time of year, and activities. For a budget-friendly bachelor party, take advantage of free activities such as City Park, touring Sazerac House, and enjoying live music performances.

Beyond your vacation rental, expect to pay for transportation, food and drinks, and sporting events.

Have an Epic Bachelor Party in NOLA

No matter what activities your group decides to do, you can’t go wrong planning a New Orleans bachelor party.

It will be a little bit of everything: delicious food, one-of-a-kind entertainment, plenty of outdoor activities, and nightlife you haven’t seen anywhere else, and of course, the vacation rental home base of your dreams.

We hope our list gets you started on all that NOLA has to offer to help you say goodbye to your single days.