Explore Bourbon Street – The Heart of New Orleans Nightlife

No bachelorette party in New Orleans is complete without a stop on the city’s most famous (or infamous) street. Bourbon Street is where you’ll find many of the most popular bars, clubs, restaurants and live music venues that give NOLA its reputation as a 24/7 party town. Stretching 13 blocks through the heart of the French Quarter, Bourbon Street comes alive after dark when the neon lights start glowing and the streets fill up with revelers looking to have a good time. Bachelorette groups will fit right in! Some highlights of Bourbon Street for bachelorette parties include:

  • Pat O’Brien’s Bar – Famous for inventing the vibrant red Hurricane cocktail, Pat O’s is a New Orleans must for drinks and piano music. Their expansive courtyard is perfect for large groups.
  • Bourbon Cowboy – This Western-themed bar with a mechanical bull is ideal for a rowdy bachelorette crowd looking to ride into the night!
  • Oz New Orleans – If your bride loves The Wizard of Oz, she’ll adore the themed karaoke and dueling piano performances at this lively club.
  • The Dungeon – For a naughty night out, don’t miss this Goth lounge’s drag shows, dance parties and circus sideshow acts.

The best way to experience Bourbon Street with a bachelorette group is to bar hop your way down the strip. Just be sure to stay together, watch out for traffic, and drink responsibly. Your hotel or a pre-arranged transportation service can get your group home safely after a long night out. Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

Enjoy a Scenic Jazz Brunch Cruise on the Mississippi

Start your NOLA bach bash with a leisurely jazz brunch paddlewheel cruise along the Mississippi River. It’s a classic New Orleans experience that’s ideal for bachelorette groups looking to relax and take in the sights. You’ll dine on an indulgent southern-inspired buffet while a live jazz band provides a festive, toe-tapping soundtrack. Between courses, head to the deck to soak up unbeatable views of downtown New Orleans and snap group pics with the river and the Crescent City skyline in the background. Jazz brunch cruises last 2-3 hours and most include two drink tickets per person. That’s plenty of time for your crew to fuel up before heading out to explore the city some more! Some top riverboat companies for NOLA bachelorette brunches include:

  • Steamboat Natchez – This iconic paddlewheeler hosts a legendary Sunday jazz brunch. Their Bloody Mary bar is a hit with bachelorette groups!
  • Creole Queen – Boasting stunning views from the wraparound promenade deck, Creole Queen’s jazz brunch buffet packs in all the NOLA favorites.
  • New Orleans Steamboat Company – With live music from a renowned local jazz band, the Steamboat Company’s brunch cruise will have you dancing between each delicious course.

New Orleans Steamboat Company: (504) 586-8777 Creole Queen: (504) 529-4567 Steamboat Natchez: (504) 569-1401

Stroll Through the Historic French Quarter

From its vibrant architecture and wrought-iron balconies draped in ferns to its narrow cobblestone streets, quirky shops and restaurants, the French Quarter is quintessential New Orleans. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, this 78-square block area is packed with historic homes, museums, art galleries, and other sights. You could easily spend an entire day exploring the Quarter with your bachelorette crew. Top spots for bachelorette groups include:

  • Jackson Square – This picturesque park surrounded by 18th-century buildings is the heart of the French Quarter. See street performers, artists and fortune tellers around the square.
  • Cafe Du Monde – No trip to the Quarter is complete without indulging in beignets and cafe au lait at this landmark cafe. Expect a line but it moves fast!
  • Royal Street – Browse art galleries and shops selling antiques, jewelry, accessories and souvenirs along this bustling two-lane street.
  • Bourbon Street – Stop to people watch or pop into a bar for hand grenades or hurricane cocktails as you walk along party-central Bourbon Street.
  • St. Louis Cathedral – Snap pics of this iconic church then stop inside to see stunning stained glass and Rococo-style decor.

Be smart navigating the Quarter’s raucous revelry by staying together as a group, avoiding dark side streets, only visiting reputable bars, and taking Ubers or a shuttle bus between destinations. Jackson Square, Decatur St & St. Peter Street.

Join a Haunted French Quarter Ghost Tour

For an spooky twist on a New Orleans bachelorette party, join a ghost tour exploring the supernatural side of the French Quarter after dark. On these guided walking tours, you’ll hear chilling tales of voodoo priestesses, tragically murdered socialites, haunted hotels, residual spiritual energy and the origins of vampire lore in NOLA as you wind through candlelit backstreets. Some companies offering fun, fright-filled tours for bachelorette groups include:

  • Haunted History Tours – Their Bachelorette Boo-Bash Tour is tailored for wedding parties looking to get their spook on! Ghost stories and scandalous history plus a souvenir cocktail and group photo op in a haunted hot spot.
  • French Quarter Phantoms – This highly-rated tour takes you inside an 1850s-era haunted mansion and a voodoo shop for a reading.
  • Ghost City Tours – Skip the lines by booking Ghost City’s exclusive small group bachelorette ghost tour ahead of time for a more personalized experience.

If ghost stories don’t interest your crew, these tour companies also offer true crime and vampire-themed walking tours of the Quarter. Haunted History Tours – (504) 861-2727 French Quarter Phantoms – (504) 666-8300 Ghost City Tours – (504) 861-2727

Party Aboard a Mississippi River Dinner Cruise

For a memorable group dining experience, book your bachelorette party a seat on a dinner cruise along the Mississippi. You’ll be treated to incredible views of New Orleans’ glittering skyline while enjoying a gourmet meal, live entertainment, and dance party aboard the ship. Most dinner cruises last 2-3 hours and include welcome drinks, a multi-course plated meal, and music/dancing. Upgrade your booking to reserve a private table just for the bride squad. Some top picks for New Orleans bachelorette dinner cruises:

  • The Steamboat Natchez – This iconic paddlewheeler hosts monthly Bachelorette Party Cruises with bonus cocktails, photo opps, games and a champagne toast.
  • Creole Queen – Their Bachelorette Dinner & Dance Cruise features a southern-inspired menu and wedding trivia game for the bride.
  • Celebration Belle Riverboat – With DJ tracks on the open-air top deck, Celebration Belle brings the French Quarter nightlife vibe aboard their dinner cruise.

Just be mindful of cruise timing with your full bachelorette agenda. You’ll want to be back on land before the French Quarter gets too rowdy after nightfall. Steamboat Natchez: (504) 569-1401 Creole Queen: (504) 529-4567 Celebration Belle Riverboat: (504) 310-1133

Tap a Streetcar Pub Crawl

Put a local spin on your Bourbon Street bar crawl by hopping between watering holes on the historic St. Charles streetcar. These guided bar tours give your crew insider access to NOLA’s coolest local bars while eliminating logistical headaches. Participants pre-load a special Mardi Gras bead wristband with drink tickets good for a cocktail at each of 4-6 bars on the route. At each stop, you can skip any lines and flash your wristband for your pre-paid cocktail. Some bachelorette-friendly pub crawls to check out include:

  • Naughty N’awlins Bar Crawl – This wild group pub crawl takes you to raucous Bourbon Street bars and includes free cover into a strip club. For adventurous bachelorette crews!
  • French Quarter Phunny Phorty Phellowship – In addition to 4 cocktails, this hilarious pub crawl includes a handcrafted cocktail and a special scavenger hunt across the Quarter.
  • Crawl With Us NOLA – Along with exclusive bar discounts and drinks, this party bus pub crawl features fun burlesque and drag entertainment aboard the bus between stops.

A streetcar bar hop is a unique, affordable and safer way to bar crawl in New Orleans. Just be sure to watch out for traffic when hopping on and off the streetcar after drinking. Having a minibus or pre-arranged rides can provide backup transportation if needed. Crawl With Us NOLA: (504) 515-6159 French Quarter Phunny Phorty Phellowship: (504) 339-3813 Naughty N’awlins Pub Crawl: (504) 224-2193

Go Wild on a Swamp Tour

Get out into Louisiana’s wilderness for a daytime adventure on an airboat swamp tour from New Orleans! Bachelorette groups can spot alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets and herons as they zip through the bayous and marshlands of the Louisiana swamplands. Most tours allow you to hold a baby alligator for photos. And if you aren’t afraid of spiders, you may get to hold a giant creepy-crawly tarantula too! Some reputable swamp tour companies near New Orleans include:

  • Honey Island Swamp Tours – Led by local Cajun captains, these small group swamp tours get rave reviews for seeing gators up close in their natural habitat.
  • Cajun Encounters – Their hilarious, theatrical boat captains will thrill and entertain your group while touring the swamps and bayous via airboat.
  • Zam’s Swamp Tours – Get off the beaten tourist path for more secluded swamp experiences like night tours. Customer favorite for getting deep in the swamp!

Don’t forget your camera, sunscreen and bug spray! Getting out on the swamp is an awesome outdoorsy adventure for bachelorette crews craving a taste of real Louisiana. Cajun Encounters: (504) 830-4124 Honey Island Swamp Tours: (985) 641-1769 Zam’s Swamp Tours: (985) 641-1769

Take in Live Music on Frenchmen Street

Frenchmen Street has eclipsed even Bourbon Street as the hottest live music strip in New Orleans. The two parallel streets are just a few short blocks apart but Frenchmen offers a more local, authentic vibe. Stroll from one incredible music venue to the next as you listen to New Orleans’ signature jazz, blues, funk and brass bands playing free shows and jam sessions on Frenchmen Street. Some stellar music clubs to catch acts at include:

  • Spotted Cat Music Club – This tiny, funky club books fantastic jazz bands and never charges a cover. Arrive early as it’s cozy and often crowded.
  • Blue Nile – Lively balcony bar featuring a mix of brass band blowouts, jazz, funk and dancing.
  • Maison – Young hipster crowd fills this multi-level music club offering an eclectic lineup from electronic to indie rock.
  • d.b.a. – Variety is the spice of life at this club booking blues, folk, brass band and rock acts nightly.

Time your visit to Frenchmen Street for an unforgettable NOLA bachelorette music experience! Add transportation stops along your route to avoid walking alone at night. Spotted Cat Music Club: (504) 949-0696 Blue Nile: (504) 948-2583 Maison: (504) 371-5543 d.b.a.: (504) 942-3731

Rent a Party Bike or Pedal Pub

If your bachelorette crew really wants to own Bourbon Street, consider renting a giant party bike or pedal powered trolley also known as a pedal pub for an evening. These wacky wheeled contraptions offer a hilarious experience as your entire crew of up to 15 pedals down the street together in your rolling bash on wheels complete with music and BYOB options. Some companies to check out include:

  • NOLA Party Bike – Explore downtown New Orleans on these fun 15-passenger pedal powered bikes you operate yourself.
  • The Pedal Pub – Their 16-person pub bike has bench seating and a bar table for taking in Bourbon Street by pedal power.

Just be sure to reserve well in advance as they are very popular, especially around festival season and weekends. Your pedal bike guide can recommend the best routes to avoid heavy traffic areas. NOLA Party Bikes: (504) 356-8918 The Pedal Pub: (504) 518-1728

Plan Your Trip With Charter Bus Company New Orleans

So there you have it—over a dozen awesome ideas for an unforgettable bachelorette party in exciting New Orleans! With so many activities, attractions, tours, restaurants and nightlife options to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect combination for your bride tribe to celebrate the bride-to-be’s last fling in style. Just don’t try to pack too much into one weekend. Leave room for sleeping in, grabbing beignets late night and most importantly—bonding with your best gals! Once you decide on your NOLA itinerary, contact Charter Bus Company New Orleans at (504) 681-9177 to get a free quote on bus rentals to handle all your group’s transportation needs. Our experienced team will help you book a spacious, comfortable motorcoach or shuttle bus for bar hopping, daytime excursions, airport transfers or any other transportation you’ll need for the ultimate New Orleans bachelorette bash!