One of America’s most interesting and historic cities, New Orleans is a legendary destination for authentic jazz music, delicious Creole cuisine, and plentiful night life. Full of soul, New Orleans is unlike any other city in the United States. Whether you want to sip a hurricane outside as you wander through the Garden District, bar hop on Bourbon Street, or get versed in voodoo, New Orleans is a city you must add to your bucket list!
1. EXPERIENCE THE INCREDIBLE JAZZ MUSIC SCENE
Live music is at the top of most people’s to-do list when visiting New Orleans. Widely considered the birthplace of jazz, the city prides itself on preserving and cultivating the genre. I didn’t know too much about jazz before visiting New Orleans but even if you aren’t familiar with the songs, it’s easy to get into the music during a live performance. The energy from the musicians is contagious.
Considered by locals as the “place to hear real jazz music,” Frenchmen Street is where to go at night for live jazz and strong drinks. It seemed like the crowds at Frenchmen Street were younger and included more locals than the bars on Bourbon Street. All the bars are right together on the same street so you can hop between bars easily. I’d recommend Blue Nile, the Dragon’s Den, and The Spotted Cat.
For the ultimate traditional jazz experience, visit Preservation Hall which was founded in 1961 with the mission of preserving the traditional New Orleans jazz music. There are shows nightly at 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10:00pm and you can wait in line or buy tickets online. There tends to be a long line because the venue is really small. I showed up around 7:30pm on a Sunday night and ended up being the first person in line for the 9:00pm show and got to sit front row. It’s definitely worth the wait – Preservation Hall was one of the highlights of my trip!
2. STUFF YOURSELF WITH DELICIOUS SEAFOOD
From po-boys and jambalaya to gumbo and crawfish, there is no shortage of delicious food in New Orleans. With the mouthwatering Cajun spices, home-style Southern cooking, and endless supply of fresh seafood, be prepared to gain a few pounds during your visit. In addition to using Yelp, I got some of the best restaurant recommendations from locals – some of my favorite meals were at places I learned about from my Uber drivers.
For lots of seafood at reasonable prices, go to Cajun Seafood (there are multiple places that go by this name, so make sure you go to the one on Claiborne Avenue). You can purchase crawfish, shrimp, and crab by the pound so it’s great for groups and those with a big appetite. They also have a huge selection of po-boys and combo meals. I ate there three times during my stay!
In the French Quarter, try Stanley’s for brunch. It’s located right off Jackson Square and has a fresh, upbeat atmosphere with a great selection of brunch classics with a New Orlean’s twist (think Creole breakfast potatoes and cornmeal-crusted oysters with poached eggs). I had the most delicious Reuben sandwich at Mr. B’s Bistro, an upscale restaurant where you can add $1.50 martinis to your lunch. Port of Call is another place that shouldn’t be missed. This interior looks like a charming dive-bar and they serve up one of the best burgers I’ve ever tasted. They’re open late too so keep it in mind as a post-going out stop on the way home.
3. SUNBATHE IN JACKSON SQUARE
Named after President Andrew Jackson, Jackson Square is essentially the center hub of the French Quarter. At one end of the park sits St. Louis Cathedral and at the other end are the steps overlooking the Mississippi River. People gather at Jackson Square to relax on the grass, browse the street artist stands, and enjoy the shows from street performers.
After checking out the street artists and watching a performance or two, head to Café Du Monde, a legendary New Orleans establishment known for their beignets and coffee. You can dine in, but if the weather is nice I recommend taking your fried sweets to go and enjoying the beignets on the grass in Jackson Square.
4. WALK THE FRENCH QUARTER
Walking is in fact the only way to explore the French Quarter because the streets are very narrow and not good for cars. The French Quarter is very walkable and you can wander the streets to find specialty boutiques and funky voodoo and souvenir shops. The architecture with balconies of flowers and wrought iron details make the streets unique among American cities. You can find everything from stores boasting the spiciest hot sauces and biggest selection of Mardi Gras beads to shops selling artisan t-shirts and galleries of local artwork.
When planning my trip to New Orleans, I knew I had to visit United Apparel Liquidators. The discount boutique did not disappoint. While it’s a small store, I could have spent hours browsing their selection of designer pieces at unheard of prices. Every fashion girl must visit this store on a trip to NOLA!
5. EXPLORE THE GARDEN DISTRICT
The French Quarter isn’t that large, so you’ll have plenty of time to check out the Garden District as well. Visit Lafayette Cemetery #1 to get a taste of why New Orleans is famous for ghost tours. The cemetery has been active since 1833 and still has burials taking place there. Slightly eerie but also historical, my visit to the cemetery was a great peek into New Orleans history.
After visiting the cemetery, go shopping along Magazine Street where you can pop in and out of boutiques and thrift stores. If you continue walking down Magazine Street, you’ll eventually run into Audubon Park (warning: it will be about a 45-minute walk). In the park, you’ll find beautiful Spanish Oak trees lining meandering walking paths.
The St. Charles Streetcar also stops along the park and I would highly recommend taking it back into the French Quarter. The streetcar is an experience in itself. Sit near a window to see the streets of New Orleans with large traditional Southern houses and beads hanging from trees. You’ll get to see more of how the city looks beyond of the French Quarter.
