There’s no place like the city of New Orleans, filled with character, fun, and entertainment that will dazzle any travel goer. New Orleans is filled with excitement for all ages and its unique and quintessential charm cannot be ignored. So to any traveler or adventurer looking to take a shot at the Big Easy here are some of my must see places to go……..
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In this blog post I will list important stops to make that will bring to life the New Orleans lifestyle and its vibrant culture during your stay.
The French Quarter is filled with life, fun, and is a standing embodiment of New Orleans culture. In the French Quarter, you can expect some of the most reknowned chefs making international award winnng cusine and an unforgettable dinning experience. Whether you chooseto dress down or dress up, New Orleans has the perfect culinary experience for every occasion.
Restaurants:
– Galatoire’s
– Brennans
– Muriel’s Jackson Square
– New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co.
– Bayona
– Acme Oyster House
– Criollo
– NOLA Poboys
– Cafe Du Monde
– Tropical Isle’s bayou Club (offers the famous Hand Grenade drink)
While you might spend your time eating in restaurants take time to explore because more oftern than not there is a festival in the French Quarter where you can get well seasoned and scrumptuous eatery without breaking the bank.
Beyond the cuisine, New Orleans social scene rivals any other city in the country, because of one main reason, its open container laws. That’s right you can take a drink to go and party all night!
New Orleans is filled with clubs and entertainment in every corner. Because of the immense number of street performers and jazz music spilling into every street, it is really a personal preference if you want to party in a club or in the streets.
Clubs like the Republic or the Red Dragon are a few popular clubs, and of course there are many others that line Bourbon street and within the French Quarter.
Tip#1: Frenchman street on Fridays is an amazing place to experience jazz and all that the New Orleans’ nightlife has to offer. You can hear jazz, pop into a bar, or just explore the streets of New Orleans at night.
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| Take a Tour of the City |
Explore the French Quarter in an informative and historical perspective from a knowledgeable guide. The best way to truly see New Orleans and get a more in-depth perspective on its history and culture is through one of the many excellent tours offered in the French Quarter.
Some tours I would personally recommend are the:
- New Orleans City Tour- This tour will give you an in-depth persepctive on the history and architecture of New Orleans. It will cover the neighborhoods of the Garden District and its breathtaking mansions, the Ninth ward, Lakefront, and briefly touch upon Hurricane Katrina. It’s a good introductury tour for your first time in New Orleans, or for anyone interested in an informative and guided perspective beyond the just the French Quarter.
- New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat-The two hour tour is mostly focused on Louisiana’s most protected wetland, Honey Island Swamp. You can get picked up from your hotel and catch a boat that takes you throughout the swamp, where you will have a tour guide giving remarks on the floura, fauna, and wildlife in the area. In addition, be on the lookout for alligators, turtles, eagles, wild boar, and many more interesting local animals.
- New Orleans Walking Tour of the French Quarter- New Orleans is iconic for its food and world-reknown culinary cuisine. Jambalaya, beignets, gumbo, crawfish ettoufee, and more you name it this tour will give you the opportunity to try food from many famous restaurants within the city.
- New Orleans Bike Tour- The tour is a 3.5 hour tour ride that takes you to the top sites the city has to offer and through the French Quarter, the Marigny, and past the famous Creole cottages. This tour is perfect for the active explorer and a great way to be mobile and immerse yourself into the hustle and bustle of the Big Easy.
- New Orleans City of the Dead Cemeterey No. 1 Tour- Learn about the city’s creative way of dealing with its dead and visit the graves of some iconic figures that are the face of New orleans culture and identity. Marie Laveau is one of the graves you will get the opportunity to visit and learn about the Spanish, French, and Creole architecture in nearby neighborhoods in the area.
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| Explore the neighborhoods via streetcar or by a city sightseeing tour bus |
The streetcar system is an easy and fairly affordable mode of transportation to getting around the Crescent City. It cost $1.25 for one direct pass or $3 to your streetcar driver for a one day pass. There are currently 5 streetcar routes: the Riverfront; St.Charles; Canal (Cemeteries); Canal (City Park/Museum); and Rampart/St. Claude lines.
1. The Riverfront line (runs from 5:30am to 11:30 am, everyday)
Travels through the Mississippi River from the Ernest N. Morial Convention center to the French market
2. St. Charles (runs 24/7)
The line starts on Canal street and makes stops to WW2 museum, Garden District, Lafayette Cemetery #1, Audubon Park and Zoo
3. Canal Cemeteries (runs 5:15am to 3:00am, everyday)
This line runs from Canal street (the riverfront) to the different New Orleans cemeteries
4. Canal City Park/Museum (6:15am to 1:00am, everyday)
This line runs from the Mississippi River at Harrah’s casino on Canal street to City Park
5. Rampart/St. Claude (runs from 6:00am to 12:00am, everyday)
This line runs from Union Passsenger Terminal and makes stops to St. Louis Cemetery #1, Louis Armstrong Park, Treme, Marigny, and Frenchmen street.
The Sightseeing City Tour Bus Hop On Hop Off is also a great way to see New Orleans if you are visiting and want to see all the major sights that make New Orleans internationally known. Tickets for 1 day cost $39 for adults and $10 for kids. For a 3 day pass and free guided walking tours the price is $49 for adults and $10 for kids. Some stops that will be made are at Jackson Square, French Market, Esplanade, Treme, the Superdome, WWII museum, Magazine street, Garden District, St. Charles Avenue, and many more areas throughout the city.
Tip #2: Museums such as the WWII museum and NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art) are great places to stop and take in the incredible artwork and well done exhibits inside while also cooling off from the humidity and heat outside.
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| Get a Souvenir to remember you trip to New Orleans |
There are many places to shop and get souvenirs from New Orleans. Whenever I travel I always make it a point to at least buy one thing to remember my trip by whether its a t-shirt or hand painted artwork, that’s up to you. Some best places to shop for souvenirs are:
– The French Quarter (French Market): Walking down the streets of the French Quarter, you can find artwork, t-shirt shops, hand carved artwork, and more. Take time to explore you can find all kinds of interesting finds in the French market and even get a sample of some delicious eateries.
– The Riverwalk: The Riverwalk Outlets is a typical outlet you can find anywhere in the country, but its still a convient place during your trip to shop for shorts, shirts, and other clothes from department store brands if necessary.
– Magazine Street: Magazine Street is the most fun place to shop because they have all the trendy boutiques and vintage shops within walking distance. You can shop at Flirty girl and get custom local t-shirts, or go vintage shopping in the store called Funky Monkey. There is plenty to do in this area so when you are done shopping you can either take the St. Charles streetcar back to your accomodations or explore the many restaurants and parks nearby.
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| Spanish Moss hanging from an old Oak Tree in City Park Explore nature in New Orleans |
City park and Audubon park are two breathtaking parks in New Orleans that are perfect for taking a relaxing pace through nature’s landsape. While your in New Orleans make sure to stop here for breathtaking views of the flora and fauna of Southeast Louisiana.
The time spent in New Orleans will fill your sense of adventure and fun, leaving you wanting more. Although it might seem like there is an overwhelming amount of activities to do in New Orleans, I have learned that when in New Orleans let loose and “let the good times roll.”
