I got so many messages from people going to New Orleans after we got back recently. So I thought it would be a good idea to do a blog post on some recommendations. We were only there for a few days and felt like we only scratched the surface. The below is what we did and then at the bottom are a whole bunch more suggestions from a local.
1 – French Quarter – There is so much to do and see in this area but I thought I would highlight a few things to do.
- Have a beignets at Cafe Du Monde
- Walk down Bourbon Street and find a Hurricane (a popular cocktail in NOLA)
- Visit Frenchman Street at night for some real jazz
- Go to Jackson Square
- Eat all the foods – Try a poboy, gumbo and def some seafood!!
2 – Take a swamp tour and see some alligators – This one was highly recommended to us HERE
3 – Museum lovers should check out the NOMA and/or WW2 Museum – HERE and HERE
4 – Go to the Bywater and visit the vintage shops and The Joint BBQ restaurant HERE
5 – Take a stroll down Magazine Street and visit this cool local artist HERE
6 – Visit a Cemetery – NOLA is known for their beautiful old cemetery’s – We visited Lafayettes HERE
7 – If you have time and a car I highly recommend going to see Avery Island (2.5 hours away from downtown) – The Jungle Gardens and the Tabasco Factory were amazing – HERE
You can drink on the street here and so in the French Quarter it is one big party. Be careful and have fun.
Other suggestions from a NOLA local below:
FOOD
Sylvain (FQ) great food and cocktails
Willy maes (treme) best fried chicken
Fiorella (fq) runner up for fried chicken – right in the French Quarter
Cafe Amelie (fq) great courtyard – good food.
Petit Amelie around the corner does fresh juices (healthy juices).
Toupes meatery in mid city is yummy. Homemade pig skins.
Killer Po boys is located in the back of a divey Irish pub in the quarter. Good PO boys – more of a mash up style than traditional
The Joint – best BBQ in NoLa. 701 Mazant St. (at Royal). so so good!
Effervescence – Champagne Bar – right near Bar Tonique
Arnaud’s French 75 (French Quarter) – Cocktail bar next to the famous restaurant. Not crowded, very classy service, and DO NOT MISS the costume museum upstairs. Ask your server about it. It’s crazy, all the outfits the old owner’s wife used to wear to Mardi Gras, all displayed on ancient mannequins.-Bacchanal (Bywater) for wine and cheese outdoors, always a jazz band: http://www.bacchanal -Lafittes Blacksmith shop is the oldest bar in the country and never closes and they make the best hurricanes (do not get one at Pat O’Briens)
– If you like the idea of a boozy maltshake type drink – go to Good Friends and ask for a separator – super delicious boozy ice cream/ mcflurry /milkshake.
OTHER STUFF
For live music hit Frenchmen- spotted cat is good, bamboola is fun too.
The vampire tour is also very cool – a walking tour in the quarter.
Cafe envie makes great coffee and boozey ones too. They also make breakfast in a go cup -grits hash browns eggs sausage and bacon all in a cup.El gato negro makes great Mexican and ceviche. Ryan loved this ceviche. Right near French market.
25 Cent oyster specials at blind pelican 4-8pm I believe. Try the Charbroiled – super yummy. They just broil them without all the toppings a la Rockefeller.
Running – there is a great new park along the waterfront called the Crescent City Park – takes you from the French Quarter (new the French Market) to the Bywater
LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!!!!
The Fashion Set 