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I just came back from New Orleans with my lady and this is a review based on 5 Stars of all the amazing places we ate at.
-Mulates
Food is amazing. I recommend the sweet corn bread and shrimp étouffée
Veggie pasta is good option for non meat eaters. It was delicious Very flavorful, seasoned to perfection. Sweet tea was so good. Red Beans and rice were fantastic. Gumbo was authentic, but not for me. Still good though.
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-Flamingo-A-GoGo
Random place we went to. The garlic fries were gluttonously delicious. I went back a second time and a third just for those fries. I had a shrimp Poboy sandwich overflowing with shrimp and it was waaay better than I could have imagined. The service wasn’t bad, but they could be more hospitable. The drinks are where it’s at for sure
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-Coterie
I really enjoyed the Pecan Pie and the Shrimp étoufèe. The vegetable Primavera is a good option for vegetarians/vegans. A must try here are the chargrilled oysters it was my first time having them and it made me feel like it’s the only way I can ever eat oysters again. Drinks were strong and sweet.
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-French Market Original Restaurant
The hospitality from our waiter Kendall was great. He was very honest about all questions I had. His recommendations were spot on. I tried the Fried Green Tomatoes and they were perfect. Veggie Burger was not processed, it was so satisfying to have an actual veggie burger and not fake meat. I’ve had jambalaya before, but never this good. Everything about it was real and authentic Louisiana. The fried catfish is something I would definitely say is a must have. Drinks are strong, but good.
Service⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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-Meals For The Heart
Located in the French Market, they had a large offering of Vegan options. The Vegan Crab Poboy was made of artichoke and chick peas, with the perfect amount of seasoning, but could use a little heat. The Vegan Red beans and rice real satisfied the craving for authentic Creole food. A tad more salt and pepper me and onions would really enhance the flavor.
Service N/A because it a market stand
Food ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drinks N/A didn’t try any
Ambience N/A it’s a market
-Ruby Slipper
Went here for breakfast. I had the biscuits with gravy,I’ve had better biscuits, but the gravy was good. The Cinnamon roll pancakes have set a new standard for my expectations moving forward for other cinnamon roll pancakes the mimosa flight was good, the blueberry lavender was the standout. Grits were lumpy and the fruit wasn’t fresh.
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-Cafe Du Monde
A must go for sure. That’s all that needs to be said
-Curio
We came here for drinks only so I can’t comment on the food. I got a “Voodoo Doctor” A white rum based drink. It looks like it could be lean based on its purple appearance. Not too strong but well executed by the bartender. The other drink was a”Current Vibes light and refreshing tastes flowery, citrusy, but not over powering. Tequila based and well balanced
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Food N/A
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Go to Congo Square in Armstrong Part on Sunday at 3pm for drumming and dancing. The tradition goes back to 1724 when enslaved Africans were allowed to go there to dance, commune and enjoy music on Sundays.
The practice was brought back a few years ago and people from the city and anywhere else are welcome to dance, hop on an extra drum and enjoy the historical significance and moment. It’s free and a wonderful experience.
NOLA is known for it’s lively music scene – but, I enjoyed the nostalgic rides on the trolley car into the outer banks of the city to explore a new restaurant or just site see. The Spanish Moss Trees were captivating and hold so much history, it’s enough to just find a park or quiet spot to sit and enjoy a picnic or so. I’d recommend checking out a Tea Spot as well or visiting a museum. I felt relaxed in NOLA. It served its purpose in more ways than one, and I am grateful.
First time in NOLA for Grandma’s 85th birthday and it was a blast.
We ate at Dooky Chase and it was delicious!
We went on the Whitney Plantation tour with Crescent City Tours and Brian was BEYOND awesome and hospitable! I def recommend this tour guide and restaurant.
We stayed at Homewood Suites on Poydras where Angelina checked us in after a wild debacle with Sonder! The room was comfortable, cozy and perfect for myself, Mom and Grandma!
I’ll def be back to NOLA to visit with my family!
We visited New Orleans and stayed at the Four Seasons. The trip was amazing and we experienced a few tours like the graveyard tour and visited a Senegalese tasting at Dakar NOLA. It was beautiful and I highly recommend the pool at the Four Seasons NOLA.
If you’re into charbroiled oysters, go to ACME! When you’re done there walk right next door to Bourbon House and get you a neat glass of some of the rarest whiskeys in the country. The next morning go to the best brunch at the Ruby Slipper to get a Bloody Mary, you’re welcome. ??
I’ve visiting New Orleans twice during December and i think it’s a great time to go. Still nice weather and beautiful decorations. I’ve stayed at a quaint Airbnb but also the Ritz Carlton new Orleans which is amazing, they have great breakfast. Other places to eat include the ruby slipper and Loretta’s authentic pralines. I did a graveyard tour through viator which i found really interesting and fun.
New Orleans is full of history, art, nightlife, and THE best food! For nightlife, of course, Bourbon Street is a must, but a slightly less crazy (and less sticky) hangout area is Frenchmen Street. For art, many celebrities have visited Studio Be, hosting art by New Orleans artist, B. Mike, showcasing the very real black experience. For a more light-hearted whimsical experience, visit the interactive JAM NOLA showcasing local artists and musicians with Instagrammable rooms! History lovers can learn the history of New Orleans while taking in a view of the city at Vue Orleans! There is no shortage of amazing food, but some recommendations are The Crilllo at Hotel Montelone with a unique 5-course experience with a projected show on the table! Le Petit Chef cooks the meals for you right in front of your eyes. Neyows Creole Cafe is also a hot spot. It doesn’t take reservations so be prepared to wait, and order the char-grilled oysters! Finally, for the best beignets, Loretta’s at The French Market is the way to go! But also try the more well-known Cafe du Monde to compare for yourself. There is so much more to do: swamp tours, the World War 2 Museum, steam boat ride. Definitely make New Orleans a high priority!
New Orleans is one of my favorite places to visit. It is Rick with culture, tasty food, nightlife, and things to see. No matter where you eat you will experience amazing cajun flavors. Definitely get some delicious beignets at Cafe Du Monde.
It’s always a party all night long. Make sure you stop by Funky 544 for a good time. Keep the drinks flowing & get some late night eats right off of Bourbon Street.
Activities include swamp tours, plantation tours, cemetery tours, World War II museum, French Market, and much more.
If you’re in New Orleans, traveling while Black, interested in the history of the Black experience in the city, please PLEASE go see Mr. Leon Waters at Hidden History Tours LLC. He is a historian, an advocate, and a treasure of a man. His city tours will show you things other tours don’t cover, and will connect the places and things you see in the city with historical events in a way that brings the city’s history to life right before your eyes. He bypasses the trite, sensationalized stories shared by the other tour companies, and gets deep into why history matters TODAY.
There is so much to boast about when it comes to New Orleans but NEYOWS???? The grilled oysters are so delicious, the drinks are large and got some lick to them, and overall the atmosphere is enjoyable. The wait can, however, be very long. In terms of all the food I had while in the city for Essence Fest, this was 100% the most worth it. A nice walk along Magazine street will also land you at Rum House (across from lush) where you can get more delicious drinks! My favorite was the blueberry mojito. The food was really good and the drinks were even better. Although I would not recommend Justine for anything, if EVERYTHING around is packed and the lines are long and you are FORCED to end up here, try their bread pudding french toast sticks. We tried one and immediately ordered 3 more orders of them. These were 2 highlights (Justine ain’t one of them) from my trip and I definitely recommend giving them a try if you’re visiting anytime soon.
So if you are looking for a place to do a girls trip, have a good time, and EAT good, New Orleans is your city. We stayed very close to all the action and overall felt safe even though the city is very busy. One of the girls on the trip was pick-pocketed but she had a hug purse that didn’t zip up soooooo. Still would recommend the city but be sure to use your common sense. Mother’s restaurant was our favorite. Pro tip: the beignets at Cafe du Monde’s are the most fresh in the morning so get there when they first open!
New Orleans! Who doesn’t know about this city with it’s famous French Quarter, mardi gras, jazz and of course voodoo. I only went once but it was a blast, the living statues are interesting. Unfortunately, I didn’t go during mardi gras but would like to visit again especially for their gumbo. And of course it is majority black so I felt completely safe. Maybe next time ill try to get my future told? I don’t need to recommend because you know you already want to go! I mean who wouldnt want some beads or 2.
Visited New Orleans in April 2023 with a group of friends. We stayed at a beautiful Airbnb and the host was AWESOME. The home was fabulous, lake in back yard, outdoor kitchen, very accommodating and responsive to any problems (which were few). Did the City tour, and New Orleans is a beautiful city, and the people are so friendly and welcoming. Ate at fabulous restaurants, and attended the Jazz and Blues Festival! That was amazing, very organized, good entertainment, saw Lizzo!-she was off the hook. Everyone in crowds was having a good time, no drama, enjoying the wonderful weather and music. I plan to make this trip every year…so much fun, and relaxing, too…Oh, did I mention that home where we stayed had a pool and hot tub…who would ask for more!!! Check it out!
I recently returned from a work trip to New Orleans. I go at least once a month and because I have chosen to work remotely from my home in SC, I must cover my travel costs. I often prefer to stay in Baton Rouge due to the ease of finding cheaper hotels but this month, I had a lot to do in Nola so I wanted to book lodging there.
Unfortunately, I chose some bad dates because I couldn’t find anything decent within my price range and ended up at a place called Contempra Inn in Kenner, LA (www.http://contemprainn.com/). The cheapest rate I could find was on Hotwire ($113 per night) so I went with that. I was not informed of the hotel until after payment—a chance one takes with Hotwire (I don’t think I’ll change it again). I stayed three unfortunate nights in this place. My room had one queen bed and was an accessible room (#115). Here’s the rundown – first, the good news:
I didn’t experience any overt racism or poor customer service. Management was helpful and courteous enough, so all was well in that respect. The place was also located less than a ten-minute drive from MSY airport, which was HUGE for me since my return flight was at 6 am. The room I had also contained a full-size fridge and microwave. That’s where the good ends…
The bad was REALLY bad! The bathroom contained mold and mildew all over the tub tile, and there were horrible drainage issues. I requested bleach cleanser and Drano but there was no fixing either of those problems. This is also a motel so one must access the rooms from external doors.
My main recommendation here is that if you’re going to New Orleans: 1) Go during the off-peak season when hotels are easier to find and less expensive (late May – August); 2) If going during peak season, consider staying someplace nearby; 3) Avoid Contempra Inn at all costs!
New Orleans is an amazing place to experience history and culture! I enjoyed everything. Of course, the food is everything you could imagine. From the gumbo, to chicken, to beignets, you cannot miss! I recommend We Dat wings and Willie Mae’s Scotch house (get the chicken and red beans and rice). On top of the amazing food, Bourbon st ( although touristy) is fun for club hopping and the drinks are soooo good! If you have the chance to experience a second line, do it. It is like no other experience! I have nothing negative to say about New Orleans!
Favorite Area of New Orleans: The French Quarters
This area has a lot of stores and restaurants that you can choose from. You will see the beautiful, architectural, colorful buildings. Keeping walking, you will see Jackson Square and Café du Monde. You must try the Beignets at Café du Monde; it is a MUST! If you are a market person, then you need to visit The French Market. I love markets, so we checked it out. There were plenty of vendors.
We stayed at Magnolia New Orleans. The hotel is in Downtown New Orleans. It is a few blocks away from Bourbon Street, Canal Street, and The Riverwalk. It is about 12 minutes away from The French Market. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. They told us what’s the best place to eat or go. They even told us a little history about the city, and what events are going on.
Favorite Brunch: The Court of Two Sisters
The brunch buffet was very delicious! They had a mixture of breakfast food and Cajun food. It costs $33/person. The price was worth it! You can order benedicts and personalized omelets. The waiters were very helpful, punctual, and great! Also, they played live jazz music, which helped set the tone of the atmosphere.
Favorite Restaurant: Domenica
If you like Italian food, then you need to try Domenica. The lasagna and steak were very good! Our waiter was very knowledgeable and let us know what to expect. The interior was very beautiful. Their house olive oil has a little spice to it, which made our bread taste better.
Favorite Treat:
We went to Café Du Monde for their famous beignets. I love sweets and pastries. There was a LONG line, but it was worth the wait. The price was reasonable. The beignets were hot, which made it better. The powder will get everywhere, so it will get a little messy. It was delicious, and you must try when you go to New Orleans.
Food is everything in this city. You will find some of the best seafood you have ever eaten on Bourban Street. Eating a beignet from Cafe du Monde is a must. The line will be long because it always is. Trust me, it is worth it. I ate there twice during my stay and both times the line was long but it moved pretty quickly. Keep in mind that the museums are closed on Mondays. I made the mistake of waiting until my last day in the city, which was on a Monday, to see the Hurricane Katrina Museum. It was closed and I missed out on visiting it. If you visit in the summer, it will be excruciatingly hot. Take advantage of the trolly to get around the city. It is convenient and affordable.
The local food is EVERYTHING!!! You have to really get out of the downtown and tourist areas to taste the true local food or you will definitely get a low seasoned, watered down version. However, you cannot go wrong with beignets from Cafe Du Monde!!! They also let you take your alcohol beverages to go at many of the restaurants.
If you want an authentic New Orleans experience more removed from the touristy areas of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, head to the lively Frenchmen Street. A popular spot for locals, Frenchmen Street is a four-block stretch of live music, bars, restaurants, night clubs and art galleries. Here, not only will you find fewer crowds, but you’ll also encounter cheaper eats and drinks, and better music – it’s kind of like Bourbon Street’s hipper, trendier cousin. If you don’t consider yourself a night owl, the Palace Market (open daily 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.) is a shopping haven where locals sell homemade art and jewelry. Recent visitors agreed that a trip to New Orleans isn’t complete without stopping by Frenchmen Street. Some even suggest skipping the more crowded and touristy Bourbon Street and instead meandering along Frenchmen Street where you’ll find live music, specifically jazz, and great bars. Travelers and locals alike love The Spotted Cat, Three Muses and d.b.a thanks to their extensive beverage selections, fun atmospheres and, of course, talented musicians. “Frenchmen Street is what Bourbon Street used to be … it’s about four blocks of more laid-back, old-style jazz clubs. Nothing fancy to them, very local with great music. A much more laid-back area to stroll from bar to bar and listen to music. Frenchmen Street is located in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans. Frenchmen Street is easy to reach as it’s within walking distance of the French Quarter and also accessible via car or taxi. Numerous bus routes service the area as well. You’ll find most of the entertainment venues by starting at the 500 block and heading north.
September 2020 traveled to New Orleans…N.O. Is a wonderful place to travel with all its history & stores to visit! My trip when I went in September was strictly for good food & good drink lol.. 1 of my favorite places was “Port of Call” a restaurant right off of bourbon St.
I really like New Orleans, it’s beautiful .
I spend most of my days in Bourbon street and went to several stores.
The food was good, I remember going to “Mother’s Restaurant” it was delicious.
I went to the “french quarter”, “French market”.
It’s pleasant to walk on canal street.
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Choosing to travel to New Orleans was one of the best decisions I have made. New Orleans is full of adventure, tasty food, culture, music, and history. Everyone I encountered was welcoming and full of good energy.
I would recommend visiting the Whitney plantation. The Whitney plantation is one of Louisiana’s largest plantations with a lot of history pertaining to the slave trade and the daily lives of a slave.
Oh Em Gee!! All we did was eat in New Orleans! My girlfriends and I arrived early on a Saturday morning and went straight to Ruby slipper cafe for brunch, it was really good and they give us a drink to go!! We ended up having brunch at Morrow’s on Sunday which was amazing. They don’t take reservations and fill up fast so early arrival is suggested. You must try the charbroiled oysters! We had them everywhere we went! Acme’s were so good! We had dinner on a rooftop overlooking Bourbon Street, I wouldn’t suggest it but definitely a great view for drinks. We also had lunch at Channing Tatum‘s restaurant Saints and Sinners, another place where they did a twist on their Charbroiled Oysters and we sucked crawfish Super good, Super spicy, Super yummy!!!
Must Go:
Acme Oysters (get the charbroiled oyster)
GW Fins (must get the snapper appetizer)
Carousel Bar for drinks (you have to be a little aggressive to sit at the carousel bar bc it’s actually moving ?)
Cafe Beignets over Cafe Du Monde (Still try both lol)
Parkway Bakery-Po Boys (a little out the way but it gives a chance to ride the trolley)
Ruby Slipper Cafe for brunch is a must!
Check out pics on my food & travel blog IG: @prettygirleat
Five stars for food!!
If you’re looking for a party and great food New Orleans is the place to go. The food, guys really, the fooooood. I will probably make a trip back just to eat some more. Do you know how rare it is to enjoy every single meal while traveling ? Like I still dream of the stuffed chicken wings from Nola restaurant. Eat any and everything. Eat at the small diners, even eat from the corner shops.
The only negative about my food experience, I went with a group of about 8 and hardly any restaurant took reservations so sometimes we were split up or had a 40 min wait.
I don’t want to start calling particular restaurants because we didn’t even scratch the surface in 4 days but Flamingo a-go-go has bottomless mimosas, you’re welcome.
I visited “Nola” back in March 2019 for a friend’s 30th birthday. The weather was hot but bearable (mid to high 80’s), no rain but a bit muggy. My hotel was located 5 minutes (walking) to bourbon street in the French quarter. Bourbon street is an all day party from day to night, filled with street performers of all kinds, clubs, bars and restaurants with amazing food! For those interested in adventure we took a swamp boat tour of the gators which was fun (take bug spray and water if not offered in ticket purchase), we also visited a haunted house tour and took a trip on the hop on hop off bus tour around the city. The food itself is worth the trip alone, amazing cuisine! Make sure to visit the garden district where the cities mansions are located. Ride the old fashion trolley car and if you do nothing else be sure to get beignets!!!!!!
My trip to the NOLA/ Lil’ Weezyana Fest!!!
This was my first time in New Orleans. So I will give a synopsis of each day.
I visited from 9/5-9/8. We stayed at the JW Marriott on Canal St. Right in the French Quarter about a 5min walk to Bourbon St. So the location was convenient, and the hotel would get a 4/5 stars from me.
After arriving at the hotel we got food at Morrow’s. What I was most excited with for NOLA was the food, because I heard so many great things about it. (Side Note*** I would have indulged way more in my choices of food but I have some dietary restrictions that won’t allow.) From this restaurant I got a ‘Shrimp Po Boy’, really good and filling. Each meal I had was about $15-20. Next we went to Bourbon Street to see what was going on. We got the famous ‘Hand Grenade’ drink at Tropical Isle. I heard this drink will get you lit off of one, but either it was overhyped or the lady didn’t put a lot of alcohol in it because I really didn’t get a buzz. It wasn’t really much going on, on Thursday at Bourbon St. It was just people walking around not really that crowded. So we left and went to a bar that was recommended to us called ‘The Hangover Bar’ when we got there it was closed ?. So another recommendation we got was ‘Frenchman Street’. It wasn’t really too much going on there either besides some people walking around, a street market, and a few Jazz people playing music on the streets. So we decided to end the night cap with going to the famous ‘Cafe Du Monde’ for Beignets. Ya’ll so many people hyped this up, if you ever had a funnel cake that’s basically what it was formed in a different shape. It was good though, but from the reviews I was expecting something deliciously spectacular that I never tasted before.
Friday
We went to get breakfast at Jimmy J’s. I got the ‘Captain Crunch French Toast’, it was yum! After this we headed over to the Garden District and went to one of the cemeteries, creepy yet interesting to see that they are buried above ground. I think we all expected the Garden District was going to be something else other than what we saw, which were just a bunch of houses ??♀️. So we hopped on the trolly back to French Quarter and went to Bourbon St. We went to Acme Oyster House, and I got the Shrimp and Crab Gumbo, it was good but it needed a little more crab in it. After this we got some huge Daiquiris and hopped around to a couple of the pubs that had a few crowds in them, nothing crazy. So that night we went back on Bourbon St. (I know we went there a lot ?) On Friday night after 10pm it was Lituation lol, like we were expecting it should have been this whole time. We left the strip after about 2 hours. Then we went back to the ‘Hangover Bar’ because the locals told us Friday was popping, so we were like cool we must just went on the wrong day. Ya’ll ? when we got there it was DEAD ?. So we went back to the hotel.
Saturday
We got breakfast at Ruby Slipper. It was busy about an 1 hour 1/2 wait at both locations we went too. So there I got the ‘crispy chicken sandwich’. It was decent, I would give it a 3.5/5. Next we headed over to the Lil’ Weezyana Fest at the UNO Lakefront Arena. Even though the line up acts and concept (carnival rides, food, photo ops) was nice, this was a one and done festival. First thing it was HOT AF ?, it didn’t start on time, it was a 30mins wait in between each act. People started running out of no where twice (as if it was a shooting) so our nerves was bad. They had to call paramedics like 10 times because people kept passing out. During and after the concert, phone reception wasn’t great, and so many people were trying to call uber/lyft when it ended. So it took us an 1 hour 1/2 to finally get one. We were at this festival for like 7 hours in total ?.
Sunday
We headed back to the airport.
All in all I definitely have to come back. Maybe during Mardi Gras to get more of the NOLA experience, also to do the plantation tours, and experience more of the food.
Follow my youtube channel on footage from that weekend! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jD1yZ4iY4iY
There is no seafood like NOLA seafood. Some of the hole in the wall restaurants make Red Lobster seem like garbage. I’m honestly not ashamed to say I literally come here just for the FOOD. If some of y’all don’t know what Copland’s is, try it; it’ll bless ya life.
The food in NOLA slaps.
But beware, there are a ton of tourist traps, and honestly… there are a lot of people who will give you bad recommendations. If someone looks like an auntie and calls you “baby” you can trust it, otherwise, stick to the plan LOL
There are a ton of black-owned places, some of which you can find on a convenient list here: https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/black-owned-businesses-in-new-orleans/black-owned-restaurants-in-new-orleans/
My favourite of all of the restaurants that I went to was Buttermilk Drop. So much that I went back the day of my flight to buy two dozen donuts and some breakfast fried rice.
The biscuits are also phenomenal!
Food, food, and more food. New Orleans is the place to go for great eats. Fresh seafood is my absolute favorite and New Orleans definitely has a lot of it. I would suggest going to New Orleans during the Essence Festival. Cafe Du Monde is a MUST when visiting New Orleans. It’s a cash only restaurant so much sure you have cash on hand. The beignets and coffee are worth the wait. It’s open 24 hours so I’d suggest going late at night to avoid the dreadfully long wait times. If you want some good eats go to Newyow’s Creole Cafe. Not only is the food amazing and affordable (about $15-$20 per entree), it’s also BLACK OWNED! I had the shrimp po boy and I really enjoyed it.
One of the reasons NoLa is one of my favorite cities is because the food is so delicious! Normally I try to watch what I eat, but that goes out the window here! It’s really hard to get bad food in this city. One place I always make a stop at is Cafe Du Monde for beignets and chickory coffee. I know everybody talks about this place, but it’s because it really is that good! The beignets are fluffy little pillows of edible heaven, and the coffee is strong enough to fuel a full day of exploring. An important thing to remember is to bring cash because they don’t take credit cards. Also, try to use the bathroom before you get there because the line is always ridiculous.
My mouth is salivating right now as I’m remembering taking my first bite into a beignet.
New Orleans was a great experience! I went January 2019 with a few girlfriends. I recommend getting an airbnb. If you are a group of girls like we are you will appreciate the amount of women Uber car service out there.
My advice is to bring a jacket as it can get really cold at night. Def check out bourbon street, canal street, and cafe du mon!! The food is unlimited and very delicious. I recommend going to red fish restaurant on bourbon street!
Its soooo hard to limit this review to one travel category because NOLA is everything!! lol This city was absolutely PERFECT for my birthday/ girl’s trip. There is no shortage of things to do. I was only there for a short weekend and I will definitely be returning. I will be honest, my first day there was a Thursday and it was not lit at all lol (I assume because it was a weekday) but I took that time to wander. There was so much to see and do. I ate at some restaurants (Oceana, Willie’s Chicken Shack, Ruby Slipper Cafe, CAFE DU MONDE!!!). There were plenty of boutiques for shopping. There’s also the harbor, plenty of horse-drawn carriages, the St. Louis Cathedral, and other stops along Canal, Decatur street, and basically all around. We booked all of our tours through Expedia. We did a Drunk History walking tour. The stories were very entertaining and we got to visit the house where part of American Horror Story was filmed and other “haunted” attractions. The tour included several stops at different bars for those who wanted to purchase drinks. We had lunch on the Steamboat Natchez Daytime Jazz Cruise. Again, the food was delicious and the music was great. We toured a rum distillery. We had a blast on the Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour. We saw gators, wild pigs, and racoons (weird, right?) There’s plenty more to do that we didn’t have the chance to do… cemetery tours, plantation tours, the Mardi Gras museum, etc. And if all else fails, you can always resort to club/bar-hopping. I can’t wait to go back to experience other activities! Oh, and we stayed at the Astor Crowne Plaza. It is on Bourbon and Canal, right in the middle of the nightlife.
New Orleans is my home city so and I love going downtown every other weekend to act like a tourist. Usually I would start off on Magazine street because it’s not as busy as other the downtown area. I hang out there to shop/ support local business and eat well. There are really nice spas you can visit as well if you’re in the mood for relaxation. Ladies be sure to wear flats because it’s lots of walking. The area is usually filled with tourist and locals but it’s not overcrowded to the point where you’re unable to enjoy yourself. Next, I would stop at We Dats to have wings and fries. My favorite is the Wazzum wings with ranch fries. Then I’d catch the streetcar to the Jackson Square area to go listen to the live music and visit Cafe Du Monde’ for Beginets. After shopping more downtown and in the French Quarter area, I would catch an Uber to Genes Po’boy to get the Roast Beef Po’boy fully dressed. New Orleans is a place where you can be yourself and party all day/night or you can relax by hopping on the streetcar and touring the city. There’s an endless amount of activities and everything is really affordable. There’s always a party or some kind of celebration going on. The city truly doesn’t sleep. Go to Bourbon street at 3 pm on the weekday and you’d hear a live band and see people walking around with drinks.
Je suis tombé amoureux avec NOLA! (I fell in love with NOLA).
I visited in September with a longtime friend to help celebrate the 300th birthday of the city and if what we experienced was a “calm September week” I cannot imagine how crazy the city is during Mardi Gras or Essence Fest!
I highly recommend Willies (Chicken tenders, Everclear, and honey biscuits, need I say more?), Oceana (‘Gator and Crawfish Etouffée), Prohibition (club with a calm vibe… DJ acted as if he didn’t know who Vybz Kartel was… then again he may not have known lol), Cafe du Monde (Beignets!), and The Page (a small Black LGBTQ bar).
BEWARE OF HORSE DROPPINGS AND THE PUDDLES OF UNKNOWN LIQUID ON BOURBON STREET! Also watch, your head! Locals and tourists on balconies along the strip are known to throw beads, haha!
So I love this place. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to have a friend that lives there so I typically stay with her but this is the only place I’ve even been and said to myself “I could live here”. The French quarter is amazing. Everyone (white, black, purple) can cook. The oysters are amazing. The people are friendly. I’ve been a good 5 times already and I promise it’s the place to be! I’ve been for st. Patrick’s day, mardigras, graduation season, and Christmas. It’s a party spot! It’s cheap, fun and fattening. You can’t have a bad time here. I don’t even know how else to put it. It doesn’t make a difference if you buy your plane ticket 2 weeks in advance or 2 months, Louisiana is dependent on hurricanes. So just feel it out and GO!
NOLA is quite the experience, but I love it most for the culture blast. On my most recent visit, I became a shrimp and grits connoisseur because every restaurant makes their own slightly different with their special twist. In New Orleans there were tons of restaurants to choose from, even more interesting to try the same dish with a cajun flare from different locations. I highly recommend stopping by NOLA by the world renowned celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse for an affordable upscale dinning experience. Emeril also own “Emeril’s New Orleans”, which menu varies slightly. For a quick a bite while in the French Quarter, do stop by Mahony’s Po-boys. Ruby Slipper is known for its eggs benedict and somewhat worth, somewhat overhyped. I recommend getting carry-out if you can because the wait was a bit much. Also, remember to make reservations for restaurants in the quarter, they are often swamped with long lines during the dinner hour. However, don’t limit yourself to the confines of the French Quarter. I got the best bang for my buck with a seafood platter from Cajun Seafood in the 7th Ward. The end-all-be-all, is that no trip is complete without an authentic beignet. Cafe Du Monde is just the spot. I definitely need to go back to try more restaurants.
New Orleans has to be one of my favorite places in the world! There is just so much culture and history! It is the best of both worlds, history and party. The day life is great, you can just walk the streets in the French Quarters and your around the city. Pop in on some local antique stores and coffee shops. The local art is great as well. You will see many performers and street artists and it is fairly clean. When walking there will be many tour groups that you pass…. the one that I’ve gone to is located on Canal street near the Astor Crowne Plaza-which is my favorite hotel there btw. They have many tours… some of my faves are The Swamp Tour and the Cemetery Tour-they are pretty affordable and lots of fun. You get the opportunity to feed marshmallows to the alligators and even hold a baby one. The cemetery tour,although very spooky, was very informative. My favorite breakfast restaurant is Jimmy J’s. I love getting the daiquiris for about $5 during the days from Jesters- so by the night I’m feeling great and the next morning I have no hangovers. If you get hungry in the middle of the night there are a few places open Crystals (which is fast food), Cafe Dumonde (beignets-a sugar powdered donut type), and Waffle House (a bit of a walk- so maybe take a lyft or Uber for about $3-$5). The food there is phenomenal and I feel so intune with my inner self. New Orleans is great for anyone- whether a party goer or a history addict.
NOLA become a second home to any and everyone who visits. Full of life, culture, good music, and food that will lead to the best 10 lbs you’ve ever gained. But when you’ve finished hitting Bourbon Street, riding the streetcars, and eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde, there is a side to New Orleans and its history that goes unseen.
Home to a deep south history and a collective of stories passed down from generation-to-generation, Louisiana is home to over 16 plantations. Now I know you are thinking that on your fun, LIT trip to NOLA the last thing you want to do is travel back in time through a plantation, but I promise you won’t regret it.
Particularly the Whitney Plantation in Wallace, La (located in St. Johns Parish). An hour outside of New Orleans, this plantation has since become a dedication and memorial to honor the slaves who turned the Haydel land into one of the most profitable sugar cane producers in the South. Through museum exhibits, memorial artwork, restored buildings and hundreds of first-person slave narratives, it truly was like stepping back in time. Creating a connection beyond the hate, anger, and resentment of slavery to a level of appreciation, gratitude, and resilience serving as a reminder to never stop fighting.
If your looking for amazing food and good fun! New Orleans is definitely the place! The local food spots will definitely give you a taste that you won’t forget!
Tasty treat food truck food is amazing I enjoyed their “Too Legit” Grilled fish, Broccoli and Cheese… it was like heaven!
New Orleans food and spirits had really good food as well! Also one place you have to go to anytime your in New Orleans is Cafe du mode! The beignets omg! Amazing!!! And as far as fun there their is Essence festivals in July for all your nightlife and great music, Jazz festivals and some many great bars to bar hop for drinks and good times with friends! Bar culture and Frenchman street for some good live music!
There are many great things to do and great eats that will keep you coming back!
New Orleans is probably one of the greatest, most eclectic and artistic cities in the USA. There are so many things to do and neighborhoods to see I don’t know where to begin. Traveling to and from NOLA from NY and LA can usually range from $160-$300. The higher range is usually last minute or around holidays. Traveling from ATL or HOU via Southwest is the best route you can get roundtrip flights as low as $100. If you want to be near all of the action in the downtown and French Quarter areas, those hotels will be more expensive though you can usually find a deal on groupon around $80 per night for a 3-4 star hotel. Trust me you will only need it to sleep anyway!
The French Quarter is the artistic hub of the city. If you’re into Jazz music you can walk down Frenchmen Street (drink in hand) and walk in and out of any number of the live music clubs that line the street. There are plenty more off Bourbon street as well. Blue Nile is one of my favorites and it even has a reggae night on Thursday evenings, if that’s what you prefer. The French Quarter is also lined with art galleries, way too many to name. If you’re into history, I encourage you to visit Jackson Square and even take one of the many tours offered. (They have ghost tours too if you’re into Voodoo and/or those sorts of things interest you!) You could also walk the Magazine street mile or take the street car and ride through the garden district down St. Charles street.
As far as nightlife goes, you can’t go wrong with Bourbon Street. (If you’re visiting) Please be aware that it smells and there are passed out drunks all over the place but it is quite the experience. Here on Bourbon is where you can catch the infamous beads. (Hint: You can also buy them but some might argue that is not as fun) Bourbon has a ton of bars and places to dance until your heart is content, which should be about 5:00 am. If you prefer the nightclub scene, where you put on your good clothes, Metropolitan and Masquerade are the go-to’s. Masquerade is actually inside of Harrah’s Casino, which is downtown as well.
NEW ORLEANS IS BASICALLY THE FOOD CAPITAL OF THE US. You might have to fact check that but the food is amazing!! Crawfish, poboys, etouffee, gumbo, fried shrimp, charbroiled oysters… you could live here your entire life and not visit all of the restaurants. I’ll leave a few of our favorites below. The food is only ALMOST matched by the drinks. Guaranteed to find a happy hour at any hour and as mentioned, you can walk the streets with your drinks throughout the city.
Favorite Fancy Restaurants
Emeril’s
Commander’s Palace
The Court of Two Sisters
Favorite Casual Restaurants
Morrow’s
NeYow’s
Acme (Great chargrilled oysters)
Pier 424
Mother’s
Dooky Chase
Favorite Chill Spots/Bars
Bar Culture
Balcony Bar
Rum House
Cajun’s Seafood (Crawfish & other boiled seafood; not a bar)