Ryan and I took a short trip to New Orleans, Louisiana to visit family and have fun! We were only there for 3 days but it was the perfect amount of time for us. We did a little bit of sight-seeing, some ghost hunting and a good amount of eating. NoLa has something for everyone to enjoy.
So, we packed our carry-ons and kissed Kona baby goodbye. We were so excited to explore it. By the end of our New Orleans trip, we knew how to get around the city seamlessly and all the best places to go.
My New Orleans Travel Guide includes great places to Eat, Shop, Stay, and Play during your visit. Most of the places listed are easy to get to from the French Quarter and affordable for the average person. We got most of these things done within our short trip and I recommend them from first-hand experience! Cheers!
Note: Unfortunately, all our photos were deleted with the iPhone update so all photos used are from TripAdvisor and New Orleans websites.
Eat
Cafe Du Monde is at the western tip of the Market at Jackson Square. You NEED to go there for coffee and beignets! Just walk in. You seat yourself- the line is for people who think there’s a line. It’s a tradition to blow the powdered sugar at a person who is there for the first time.
Quick Tip: Cafe Du Monde is open 24/7. Go before 9 am or after 9 pm to avoid crowds. It is also cash-only.
Daisy Dukes is a bit of a hole in the wall but absolutely delicious! We ended up here by chance but we’re glad we did! (After walking around all morning, I was hungry and just picked the closest place.) Daisy Dukes has great prices for traditional New Orleans dishes like cajun shrimp, alligator, oysters.
Commanders Palace is a very popular restaurant in The Garden District of New Orleans. We ended up not going (due to time restraints) but I still wanted to add it to this list. The food has been highly acclaimed and service is impeccable. Try to go for lunch Monday through Friday, when you can get martinis for 25 cents.
Quick Tip: Commanders Palace has a dress code. Women must wear dresses and men must wear pants.
Treme Coffeehouse was right around the corner from our Airbnb in the Treme area. The coffeehouse is a cute, tiny place offering coffee and small bites. We loved going here for breakfast. However, the Treme area isn’t the safest so you just need to be alert. It reminded me of coffee shops back home in Raleigh with a welcoming atmosphere.
Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse is a bit of a splurge but totally worth the money. Dickie Brennan’s is an amazing, fine dining experience. I got a 6 oz filet and Ryan got the Barbeque Ribeye. We were in heaven. You should also try a signature cocktail (Pineapple Mojitos, Strawberry Hibiscus, Cucumber mint Smash and Mango Ginger martini…) or one of their many wines.
Quick Tip: If you don’t feel like dressing up, sit at the steakhouse bar. The bar also offers full-menu service.
Ryan’s Aunt and Uncle took us to The Rum House for an early dinner. The Rum House is also in the Garden District, close to Commander’s Palace. The restaurant is known for its amazing, unique tacos. Our favorite tacos were The Carolina BBQ and The Drewbrees- named after the NO Saint’s Quarterback. Keep in mind, the place can get extremely packed and noisy (especially on game day).
Shop
French Market is the perfect place for cheaper souvenir t-shirts, local foods, and silver jewelry. I ended up with a few coasters, magnets, socks, and a beaded bracelet. It can get very crowded and hot in the Market so bring water if you want to spend some time here.
Royal Street is a shopping paradise. Royal Street is a repository of grand family-owned antique shops and fine art galleries. The shopping street stretches from Canal Street to Esplanade in the French Quarter, through the residential Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods all the way to the Industrial Canal. Take the afternoon and enjoy some great window shopping along Royal.
Get out of the french quarter! You need to see the Garden District. Wander around the historically spooky St Louis Cemetery, take a carriage ride tour and look at the beautiful mansions, and stroll the shops along Magazine Street. There are tons of great vintage and thrift shops to stop in and try on some funky looks.
A notable mention is Queork. A super cool, local New Orleans business that manufactures products made of cork. Including shoes, watches, hats, belts, and more.
Stay
For the record, Ryan and I did not stay in a hotel. During our travels, we tend to opt for an Airbnb. Airbnb has always been great for us and a way cheaper option. Still, not everyone goes the Airbnb route so the hotels I’m recommending are highly rated and have unbeatable locations.
If you are interested in Airbnb or booking one, please use my Airbnb link to help me keep traveling! (Sign-ups with my link will give you and I both a 20$ credit.)
Dauphine Orleans Hotel is an adorable, French Quarter hotel with lots of southern hospitality and historic charm. It is a block from Bourbon Street and a 9-minute walk from Jackson Square Park. Additionally, It is said to be extremely haunted by civil war veterans and “ladies of the night”. Spooky.
Quick Tip: There is a whole nother city within the residential walls of New Orleans. Courtyards are a beautiful tradition of NoLa housing. Courtyards are full of lavish greenery, perhaps with a trickling fountain or pool. It’s a little slice of paradise in a city full of hustle and bustle. The Dauphine has a beautiful courtyard.
The iconic Bourbon Orleans Hotel is located between Bourbon and Royal Streets in the French Quarter. The Hotel features a rich history and opulent French styling reminiscent of the early 1800s. It is also haunted and offers free in house ghost tours to guests.
Hotel Indigo is a great hotel in The Garden District of New Orleans. The hotel is situated directly on the scenic St. Charles Streetcar line and the Mardi Gras parade route, just a short ride or walk from the famed French Quarter and other destinations. The hotel is absolutely beautiful with its magnificent oaks, lush gardens, and distinctive architecture.
Play
Bourbon Street is a must-see even for non-party people. For many New Orleans visitors, Bourbon Street embodies the life of a party town. The street is lit by neon lights, throbbing with music and decorated by beads and balconies. Named for a royal family in France and not the amber-colored alcohol, Bourbon Street has become a place for revelry of all sorts.
Some places of interest on Bourbon include Pat O’ Brien’s and Laffitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Pat O’ Briens is home to the original flaming fountain and hurricane cocktail. Laffitte’s is in one of the oldest original French structures from the 1770s, has a super cool vibe, and is totally haunted.
Quick Tip: Go-cups are legal here so bar hopping is easy. As long as your drink isn’t in a glass or metal container.
Spotted Cat Music Club is on the opposite side of the French Quarter. That’s where you want to go to hear great music! The Spotted Cat is a great jazz club away from the craziness of Bourbon. There is a small $5 cover charge, and I think a one or two-drink minimum.
The famous Carousel Bar is in the Hotel Monteleone on Royal St. was just restored in 2011, it’s beautiful and it moves, so if you go to the ladies room and come back and your friends are not where you thought they were don’t panic! It can be difficult to actually get a seat at the carousel, but wait around for a little, and snag one when someone gets up.
Jackson Square is a historic park in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, for its central role in the city’s history. Jackson Square is filled with buskers and other entertainers during the day, so stop and watch a magic show or dance group on the steps of St. Louis Cathedral. You can also go inside St. Louis and check out the beautiful interior.
World War II Museum, formerly known as The National D-Day Museum, is a military history museum located in the Central Business District of New Orleans. The Museum makes a great half-day trip spent exploring all the buildings and learning about our country’s history. The whole thing can take up to 6+ hours or longer if you peruse everything! Why? The Museum is on a six-acre campus, where five soaring pavilions house historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a period dinner theater, and restaurants. Aka: It’s HUGE! Block off a good chunk of time for your visit.
Keep this blog post tabbed for your NoLa trip and circle back to it when planning what to do. The city is so lively and full of unique history. I want to leave you with a few last Quick Tips before heading off to New Orleans!
- The city is wonderful but just like any city, it can be dangerous. Do not walk around at night alone and keep an eye on your possessions. Especially on Bourbon.
- There are a good number of beggars and homeless in New Orleans. It is upsetting and can be uncomfortable when confronted by someone. Agree beforehand how you are going to handle this situation. Whether you have a few bucks to spare or will be polite and say you don’t have the time.
- Wear comfortable close-toed shoes. The French Quarter may look small but you will be walking a lot! I also say close-toed because there will be puddles along the streets of NoLa. (It’s not water.)
Is there anything you think I missed in my guide? What are some of your favorite spots in New Orleans? Comment below and share your NoLa musts. Or let me know if you’ve been to any of the places on my list!
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