Ah, New Orleans. Mon amour. I didn’t meet her until October 2011, but I returned a mere five months later and then again in October of last year. We have no trip planned for this year, and I am missing her desperately.
My parents are traveling to New Orleans for the first time in a few months, meeting friends who are near and dear to me (Hi Karen and David!). Knowing my infatuation with the city, they’ve asked me for suggestions of places to eat and things to see and do. While I doubt their visit will involve as much imbibing as mine did, I hope these ideas will give them (and you, if you are planning a trip) a place to start. If there’s not a trip in your future, just take a look at the photos and add a visit to your bucket list.
Caveat: Please know that my suggestions are likely to be very different than a local’s. I know a few bloggers from New Orleans, and I’m sure my list will appall them. I’ve had limited experiences, and frankly most of the ones that I’ve had after dark are a bit hazy. But if you’re looking for a fellow tourist’s perspective, I’m your gal. Also be aware that restaurants come and go; please check to make sure any dining establishments you plan to visit are still up and operating.
Lodging in New Orleans:
Twice Matt and I stayed in the Hilton Garden Inn in the Central Business District. It’s non-descript but a 10 minute walk to the French Quarter, and reasonably priced. Like most of the chain hotels in this area, it could have been in any city; there is no New Orleans feel. But we were barely there and that wasn’t a priority for us.
When I was in New Orleans with girlfriends, we rented a row home in the French Quarter through VRBO. Definitely worth checking out. Our house had two bedrooms and one bath, and was fine for five women. It would not have worked for couples, though.
I would suggest staying in the French Quarter or the Central Business District for convenience’s sake, particularly if you don’t have a car.
Dining in New Orleans:
So many excellent choices, and we barely scratched the surface. Here are some places we tried and enjoyed.
Casual and moderately priced:
Napolean House – tons of character and variety of dishes
Coop’s Place – a hole in the wall, great for a quick lunch or a beer. This was recommended to Matt by a local.
Somethin’ Else Cafe – great for a simple breakfast when your stomach can’t take any more New Orleans’ cooking! (bottom left pic)
Cafe Du Monde – beignets and chicory coffee – a New Orleans tradition. Don’t let the long line dissuade you; it moves quickly. (middle pic)
Crescent City Brew House – great place to get a sampler of great beers and some decent food (top left pic)
Acme Oyster House – On our last trip, we went here every night. The chargrilled oysters are divine, and I don’t even eat oysters. (top right and bottom right pics)
Mr. B’s Bistro – Creole and regional cuisine
NOLA – one of Emeril’s restaurants – pricier but good for foodies.
Dressier, white tablecloth restaurants (expensive):
Commander’s Palace – old school, pants/collared shirt restaurant. You have to try it once, and if you go for weekend brunch the martinis are 25 cents (limit two per person). But if you only drink one, your husband can have your second one as his third. (middle left pic)
Brennan’s – where Bananas Foster originated. Great brunch.
Antoine’s – Out of all the old school restaurant’s, this was the least impressive. Mediocre, overpriced food, and our waiter was a snooty jerk. This may not be representative of a typical dining experience here, but with so many restaurants to choose from we won’t go back.
Broussard’s – decent dinner, great service, right off Bourbon Street. Their website says they are undergoing renovations, so call before you make plans to go there.
Things to Do in New Orleans:
I’ve taken three tours:
Cemetery tour
There are many operators to choose from, so I would suggest vetting one on Trip Advisor. The first I tried started in the French Quarter and visited St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, home of voodoo queen Marie Laveau’s grave. Very cool! (bottom row, left and center pics)
The second tour visited at least three cemeteries outside of the heart of the city. We went with Bloody Mary tours, and our guide was a funky lady who communed with spirits. We had to walk out of the cemeteries backwards so the spirits wouldn’t follow us out, and she threw gumdrops in ahead of us to let the spirits know we meant no harm. I thought it was fun, but I’m glad I was with my girlfriends. I think my husband would have ditched the tour once the guide told us we should ask the spirits’ permission to take pictures. (lower right pic)
Other tours
The third tour I took was a cocktail tour. From 5:00 to 7:30, the tour visits various bars in the French Quarter, as the guide regales participants with scandalous stories of New Orleans history. Cocktails are not included, but you have the opportunity to purchase one at each place visited. This was a fun way to begin the evening, and to try some drinks you may not normally order.
If you have the time, there are also day tours to plantations and the swamps of Louisiana. My getaways involved sleeping late, though, so I was never up early enough to try these.
Touring the Garden District
While there are organized tours, we took the St Charles streetcar from Canal Street to the Garden District, and walked around on our own. I pulled up a self guided walking tour on my phone and narrated as we strolled the tree lined streets with their huge old houses. (top three pics)
Nightlife
Since these vacations were sort of grown up Spring Break trips, we didn’t venture out of the French Quarter. Sure, Bourbon Street is crowded and seedy and dirty, but we had a blast just bar hopping, dancing, and people watching. I know they are plenty of more upscale establishments in which to spend an evening, but do they have 3 for 1 drinks served in huge plastic cups? I think not. I doubt my parents will see the charm in Bourbon Street, but that’s ok. That’s the beauty of New Orleans; there is something for everyone!
Have you been to New Orleans? If you have any suggestions for things to do, please leave them in the comments!
This post makes me want to pack my bags and go 🙂
Me too! I’m so sad that I won’t go back this year 🙁 Maybe in 2014!
New Orleans is definitely on my bucket list! I really want to go there someday! And I just showed my husband that picture of the “Big Ass Beers” cup to try and convince him!
Tell him that it holds 32 ounces of beer and costs only $7! And you can take it in and out of bars and on the street, so you don’t have to chug it in one place. That was good for me; I’m not much of a chugger 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go but now I’m dying to go! I’m bookmarking this, because obviously!
I love New Orleans…there is something about the “vibe”of the city that just calls to me! Hmm, maybe it’s time for another trip….
I love New Orleans. I went twice for Jazz Fest and had the best time, then went with girlfriends one spring. These are perfect lists. You can’t go wrong with beignets at Cafe du Monde!
We brought home a box of beignet mix and made some – not nearly as good as the real thing. Just gives me something else to look forward to when I go back!
I have ALWAYS wanted to go to New Orleans!! When I make it, I’ll have to take your suggestions! 🙂
Thanks, Natalie – I hope you love it when you go!
Great review and suggestions. Never been to New Orleans but plan on going later in the year. Bookmarking your page now!
Oh, I am so jealous!! Have a fabulous time – I know you will.
Thanks for the great trip down memory lane. Haven’t been back to NOLA in a very long time. Miss the food. Hello from SitsSharefest
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you can get back someday (to NOLA, but come back and visit me, too) 🙂
Dana, you and I talked about N.O. when you commented on my post about my 3 hour city tour of N.O. although I live in the area. You did a great job of describing the sights and the eats. Acme is my favorite place for raw and chargrilled oysters even though they are a chain. I like Mr. B’s Bistro also. You captured the “classy glassware” perfectly! I’ve had a drink from every one of those cups. And you are absolutely right about staying in the French Quarter if you want to spend most of your time there. No need for a cab or your car if you brought one. Brennan’s and Commander’s Palace are still on my list of restaurants to go to. Enjoyed this.
I’m so glad you liked it, Kimberly – I was particularly concerned about doing right by the city with those of you who live there! I may have to pick your brain a bit before we head down again 🙂
I enjoyed checking out your suggested places to eat in New Orleans. I have one to add to your list. Stanley’s on Jackson Square makes my mouth water just thinking about it. They have a heavenly Eggs Benedict that is to die for. It’s delicious. They usually have quite the wait.
I hate the smells of NOLA but love the architecture.
Oh – I’ve seen Stanley’s and wanted to try it, but never wanted to wait. I’ll pass that along to my parents – thanks!
Never have been to New Orleans, but after reading this post…I am so jealous and so want to go… what a trip…what a vacation.
All three trips were fabulous. I can’t say enough about the city; I’m in love <3
Oh wow! I love the cocktail tour! I’ve never been there, but I know already I love it. I’d really like to go to NO. It’s on my “must go to” list. These are great suggestions and great tips. I’m pinning this for the day I finally get to go!
Yay – I hope that day is soon, Alexa!
I went after I graduated from college. I have been trying to get back there for years, but we keep wanting to go other places we have never been before. I remember the hurricanes being so yummy and so strong. I had the best crawfish served in a hubcap at a hole in the wall bar. I can’t remember the name, but it had bras hung all over the walls. Those are the best kind of places!
They are, Lisa. I know what you mean about wanting to try new places, and I usually feel like that too. But I could make an annual trip to New Orleans and find something new every time.
I now feel that way about Ireland. Unfortunately it is a bit expensive to go every year, but we will definitely be going back.
You’re definitely my go-to website for tips on hotels and restaurants! I loved your hole-in-the-wall restaurant recommendations! Those are the types we love to go to!
I’m so glad, Roshni! That’s part of what I wanted this blog to be – like asking a friend for suggestions. Those hole-in-the-wall places are always the best!
I’ve never been to New Orleans but I’d love to visit. I have a restaurant here in Westbrook and it’s call Cajun and Creole and I could just eat there every night! Nice job on this post. The pictures are beautiful!
Thanks, Julie. I didn’t think I would like the food because I’m kinda picky, but I managed to find something yummy everywhere we went. My waistline was not happy, but my tummy was!
I have never been but would love to go there someday! Thanks for the travel guide — I love when people tell you where to go and what to do! I did go to Savannah once and had an amazing time!
I went to Savannah once but it was a day trip and I was a teenager – I’m sure I would appreciate it more now. I haven’t visited many southern cities, but I’d love to.
New Orleans is on my list of places I must go soon right after Nashville and Austin. Going to bookmark your post!
And I hope you’ll report back about Nashville and Austin – I’ve never been to either of those places. So many places to go, so little time!
Well, I live here and I think your list is great! You can not NOT find a good place to eat- just throw a stone and walk in. It may look crummy but the food will be sublime. I might suggest a Plantation Tour. You will need transportation. I LOVE Laura Plantation. Or visit Longwood in Metairie (very close) which is NOT a Plantation but a grand house built by Sears relatives.
I’m so glad, Cheryl – I was thinking of you when I wrote this and hoping you wouldn’t think my list sucked! Thanks for the suggestions – I will tell my mom and maybe try one myself the next time. And of course look at your blog first for some other great places to go!
Your list is wonderful. Please tell your family they can all me with QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS AND THE NEXT TIME YOU COME DOWN GIRL, WELL, THAT’S IT!
I will tell them, Cheryl – and I will let you know when I’m in town 🙂
I’ll hold you to this. 🙂
I have never been to New Orleans, but these pics are beautiful and your suggestions sound like fun!
Thanks, Lisa – these trips were the first ones my husband and I took with other couples and no kids. It was amazing!
Can I just tell you how much I share your love! I too am missing my N’awlins 🙂 I need to add the oysters at Dragos to the list of eating. It’s in the Hilton, and it’s SOOOO good! They are the best ever, seriously. I always stay in the Hilton and I dip off into the casino 🙂 I will take heed of all of these suggestions for next time!
Yum – I’ll add Dragos to my list. I tried to keep my husband away from the Hilton, though…that casino is too tempting for him!
Love New Orleans! Have only been twice, but had a fantastic time both trips! Your pictures are great! :)-Ashley
Thanks Ashley!
The biggest takeaway I got from the locals is how they correctly pronounce New Orleans. (New Or-lins rather than Or-leans). And they never say “Nawlins.” I get that! In New Jersey, we NEVER said “Joisey” and in San Francisco, it would be a crime to say “San Fran.” “SF” is ok. Anyway that was a ramble. I remember that well and I remember they had these strange cats. They didn’t have cute faces – they had wildcat faces. Like lions and tigers in little bodies. See them? I heard it was from years of inbreeding! I remember nearly getting locked in the zoo because it was closing and somehow they didn’t know we were there. I remember the aquarium being the best one I’d ever been to and I remember being creeped out by everything. Mainly I remember the coffee from Cafe Du Monde. Whoa. Anyway I was 19 and with a wild, reckless boyfriend. Those were times!
Didn’t see the cats – how weird! We never made it to the zoo or aquarium, Cafe Du Monde…yum! I’m drinking (not as good) coffee out of my Cafe Du Monde mug right now. I hope you can go back as a more mature adult, Tamara – the photo opportunities are amazing. You could create masterpieces!
One of those places on my bucket list! 🙂 I enjoyed looking through your links. NO looks like a ton of fun!
So much fun, Crystal. I hope you get there one day!
Never been to New Orleans myself, but having read your article here sounds like an awesome place and would love to go. Hope you do get to go back this year or soon!!
Thanks, Janine – so do I!
Yaaaay! We made it into your blog! We are so excited to be planning our first trip to NOLA and sharing it with your folks. So much to see and do, and I’m printing out this entire entry to add to my travel folder. Thanks for your insights and this great information. I’m sure your Mom and I will continue to pick your brain over the next few months ; )
My pleasure, Karen. If I get any good suggestions from comments or otherwise, I will pass them along. I am so jealous you are going, but I’ll try to control my envy and be happy for you 🙂
I am a jazz lover and would love to visit New Orleans. Wonderful write, Dana.
I’m not a jazz aficionado, but I did love listening to live music as we walked the streets in the French Quarter in the afternoons – strolling, shopping, listening to great music. It was fabulous. I hope you can get there one day, Michelle!
Well done summary for the newbie NOLA traveler! I wish I had had this when I went for the first time! Didn’t know Brennan’s was closed. A favorite memory is you narrating through the Garden district – you forgot to mention our brush with fame and John Goodman’s dog :)! Trying to resist the urge to get on Southwest and book a flight right now! May fall 2014!
Ah yes, the famous dog – wasn’t she named after a literary character – was it Daisy Buchanan Goodman? Let’s go again soon!