Yes, I’ve written about my love affair with New Orleans before. Twice, actually. Each time Matt and I go back to New Orleans, we revisit old favorites and discover new ones. More than one person has asked me if it’s still as great as it was the first time, or the second, or third or fourth.
The short answer is absolutely. The long answer is the rest of this post.
Before my fifth and most recent visit last fall, two readers of this blog asked me for recommendations of things to do, see or eat in New Orleans. Sharing travel tips is one of my favorite things to do, so here is quick list of what I recommend when visiting one of my favorite cities. This is a great post to pin for later – pin the photo below and save it to your “Oh, the places you’ll go” board.
1. Slightly cheesy but fun and informative tours
I’ve tried the cocktail tour and two cemetery tours, but still haven’t taken a horse and carriage ride through the French Quarter. For $20 per person per thirty minutes, I prefer to walk off lunch and sightsee on foot. Also, horse poop.
There are tons of tour operators, so do a little research online before your trip and pick a reputable one. We once had a tour guide whose front tooth was flapping around by a thread as he talked; at some point in the cemetery, it was gone. He was a decent guide, though, so reputable doesn’t always mean dentally blessed.
We finally tried Felix’s this trip, which is the competing oyster place right across from Acme. Those in the know fall firmly in one camp or the other; Felix vs Acme is like Geno vs Pat for cheesesteak lovers. All four of us landed in the Acme camp, whose grilled oysters have more cheesy deliciousness.
Another new experience this visit, Mardi Gras World gives tourists a behind-the-scenes look at how those amazing floats are built. I learned all about Mardi Gras and its history, and we toured the working warehouse and watched artists at work creating new floats for the coming year. A quick google search for “Mardi Gras World coupon” yielded a Living Social special for half-off tickets. Two tickets for $20 was well worth it for a fun and interesting tour. Bonus: Mardi Gras World has its own shuttle bus that runs a loop through the French Quarter/Central Business District area, and it transports visitors there and back free of charge.
Working on what will become Horton from the Dr. Seuss book “Horton Hears a Who!”
4. A Saints game in the Superdome, or just tailgating.
I’m a mediocre football fan, but I do love being in the stadium during a game. I’ve never been in a dome, and the Superdome is super cool. We hung out outside of the dome before the game and during the first quarter, and then bought tickets for $20 apiece and headed in. Even if you don’t have any desire to watch the game, you can hang out in the area outside of the dome before the game. There’s food, drink and live entertainment, and you don’t need a game ticket to join in the tailgating.
I’m used to seeing vendors sell bottled water out of coolers as we walk to the stadium in Baltimore, but in New Orleans, they were selling beer too.
5. Strolling through the French Quarter
This never gets old. The architecture, the shops, the people – it’s all so very New Orleans. Spend an afternoon, spend a day, spend a few. When you need a break, stop by…
6. Cafe du Monde
Powdery, sugary goodness. The iced coffee is pretty fabulous too. First-timers are easy to spot; they’re the ones with powdered sugar all over their shirts. Don’t exhale while taking a bite!
I am not a jazz connoisseur, but you don’t have to be to enjoy the music of Frenchmen Street. It’s a vibrant and incomparable experience. Where else can you dine on hot dogs and french fries on the balcony of Dat Dog while listening to a ten-piece traveling band playing on the corner below you?
8. Music Festivals
Chances are that when you’re in New Orleans, there will be a music festival. Find it and go. Sit on the grass with the locals and tourists, and soak it in.
If you can’t find a festival, find a band playing in the French Quarter.
Vendors sell everything from alligator heads to local art; spend some time wandering up and down the aisles. Pick up some t-shirts as souvenirs, and strike up a conversation with an artist. I’ve never met one who wouldn’t chat with me about his or her work.
10. Food
While most people like to get restaurant recommendations when they visit a new city, there are so many wonderful places to eat in New Orleans even if you just wing it. I’ve mentioned a few in previous posts here and here, but there are lots of resources for finding restaurants. Ask a shopkeeper, your Uber driver, your concierge, or your bartender. Just be open to trying food out of your comfort zone. (One exception: Port of Call near Frenchmen Street serves the best burgers I’ve ever had. Just be careful of the drinks called Monsoons; they are not for lightweights.)
10a. Bourbon Street
Yes, you should walk down Bourbon Street at least once. Start at Canal Street, and walk until it quiets, past the bar called Lafittes Blacksmith Shop. The busy portion is a spectacle, and has predictably become less appealing for me with each visit. The crowds seem to have become younger, or perhaps I’m just older. Either way, there is so much more to experience in New Orleans.
Laissez le bon temps rouler!
I have only been there once – last April with David. I have to admit, it was not my favorite city, but there were some highlights. I was alone while dAvid was in meetings so I did one of the bus tours. Turned out to be a great plan since it poured rain for much of that afternoon and was very informative. I’m not a seafood lover, so that part is not an attraction for me – but I could easily make up any missed calories by sitting in Cafe Du Monde and eating beignets all day!!! 🙂 One unique thing we did was an airboat tour int he bayou. This was arranged by David’s company, but was so much fun (though a bit far from the city) – next time you go you should try it! (Airboat Adventures in Lafitte, LA)
I’d love to try the airboat tour, Lisa – thanks for the recommendation!
OH Dana how FUN is this? I loved reading this, as it brought back so many memories of when I lived there. Did you know I did my clinical internship at DePaul Psychiatric hospital in uptown? It was the most exciting experience as I set out alone, driving my little ol’ Volkswagen thousands of miles away- after I graduated from college- into a completely new world. New Orleans is truly that.
I not only spent all my weekends in the french quarter, but more importantly, I got to experience the threats of rats coming up into the toilets and cockroaches that are the size of an 18 wheeler that are a part of your every day while living there. I remember vividly hearing the tinkling in my glad on my night stand while I was lying in bed in the dark one night. Yeah- won’t forget what happened after I turned my light on. It’s forever embedded in the traumatic files. LOL. My car got broken into 3 times while having to park it on the street and the lay out of the city is fascinating really. One block is safe, the next is not. I used to go for runs and well, it was like interval training if ya know what I mean. One block, sprint, the next jog. 🙂
(I also flashed my boobs at the parade. I believe this is when I became one with Nawlins. LOL)
I’m still cracking up about “dentally blessed” in #1. Just reading your list makes me want to go visit. The food and music seem wonderful!
It really is! Not the healthiest food, but certainly yummy.
I’ve never been to New Orleans, but if/when I go, I now know where to turn for advice on what to see and do. Of course, I’m sure I’ll be looking for the tour guide with the missing front tooth.
Haha – I bet he’s lost even more by now!
I love “traveling” with you! Looks fabulous! Now I’m hungry…
I can’t imagine why 🙂
Mardi Gras World sounds awesome, and Cafe du Monde is a must!
It’s a must at least twice a visit! Usually three times.
this post definitely pushes New Orleans up a couple of notches on ‘places to go when next I go (somewhere)’… there is something about places that we’ve known since we can remember, through the culture and people we encounter. Always enjoy the ‘this is the real thing moment.
I agree with you – I love that feeling of “I can’t believe I’m actually HERE.”
Almost 20 years married to my husband who is from Lousianna – we have never been to New Orleans together. I went once when I about 8 but I don’t remember much other than a boat ride on the Missisippi and getting stuck in an elevator.
I know for sure I’d remember if I’d seen an alligator head.
I’m wondering if you tried Crawfish Étouffée? I actually know how to make it.
Matt has had it, but I’m not a crawfish fan. But if you made it for me, I’d definitely give it a try!
I would love, LOVE to go and hear the music and see the architecture. Think I might get a bit hungry though! Not sure it’s terribly vegan-friendly!
That is true, Lizzi – vegetarians would be okay, but vegans would have a tougher time. I imagine that can be a challenge many places you would travel, but some more than others, for sure.
I’ve never been. My “place” I’ve returned to dozens of times is Niagara Falls.
This all sounds great though. I would likely go for either a historical or literary themed tour when visiting New Orleans. I am curious how things are the, the effects from Hurricane Katrina. I will share this post. I was excited to read all the things people had to say about travel when I heard what Kristi chose for this week.
Thanks for sharing, Kerry. Yes, New Orleans is so full of culture and history. There are also tours you can take of the areas hit hardest by Katrina, and learn how they have rebuilt. I feel like I haven’t even seen a sliver of all the city has to offer.
Your post reminds me of my family’s fav ‘retreat’ each year. Hawaii!
We visit every December and all our friends laugh over it…But, it’s the LOVE and the Simplicity of those islands that draw us each year…
Never been to New Orleans but your list has fascinated me 🙂
I’ve never been to Hawaii! It’s on my list, but New Orleans is much easier (and cheaper) for me to get to!
I love New Orleans and haven’t been in way too long. And now I want oysters. And the best burgers ever (I haven’t been there). YUM. I know what you mean about Bourbon Street. Sigh. More fun at 18 I think.
I think so too. Sadly, we saw too many drinkers who could not have been legal.
HI Dana! I am heading to New Orleans later this month for a conference so the timing couldn’t be better and it’s my first visit there. Looking forward to it! Hope all is well.
Have a fabulous time, Pam! I hope you get some downtime to soak in the city. Hope all is well with you too.
I did 5, 6, 9 and 10 (both a and b). Whew. Lest I think I’m lame. I went when I was newly 21 with an ex. Such adventures and stories. I really need to write about it sometimes, because that place is insane. In a good way. Cassidy’s brother lives there, so we will have to get back!
You do – I’d love to see the city with a local!
New Orleans is such a fun city! I lived there for a year ( when I was 17 and a freshman at Loyola) and it was wild! If I may, I have a few suggestions. The Audabon Zoo, which is adjacent to Audabon Park and the Mississippi River, is a favorite or ours. Also, walking in the Garden District is fun. The houses are amazing. Finally, a riverboat ride is a must!
Great suggestions, Allie – I knew my list was not comprehensive! We have enjoyed walking through the Garden District, but we haven’t made it to the zoo yet. I will add it to the list for our next visit!
Although, this is one place I have never been to, you can bet that if I ever do get to go I will be asking you for your recommendations as I know you are the authority on all things New Orleans!! 🙂
Thanks Janine!