New Orleans Travel Recommendations

Usually when I sit down to write a travel post, I like to optimize on the Search Engine Optimization click-bate title writing techniques. For example: 10 Off-The-Beaten-Path Places to Visit in New Orleans, or 8 Drinks You Must Try on Bourbon Street, or 6 Things to See in New Orleans that have Nothing to do with Alcohol. But I can’t bring myself to do that for this post.

New Orleans is my favorite city in the world. I haven’t done all the things yet. I haven’t even done all the touristy “must-do” things yet. I have, however, spent a heck of a lot of time there, am good friends with a handful of folks who live there, and make sure to visit at least twice a year to get my Bayou fill in.

So what I’m saying is I have opinions.

They’re not the absolute greatest things to do. They’re not the most cultured things to do. They’re just the things that I really like to do. And since at least a few times a year people ask me for recommendations, I decided it was time to write it down; hence, Chrystina Noel’s New Orleans Travel Recommendations.

Now that I’ve caveated the crap out of this post, let’s begin.

Getting to New Orleans

• If you live within four hours of New Orleans – that’s anything from Houston, TX to Tallahasee, FL – just drive. You live in the south, four hours is nothing when it comes to a drive.

• If you live further away, you’ll probably be flying into the New Orleans airport. The airport isn’t really near downtown, it’s located in Kenner, LA. At this point in time, it is about a $45 Uber or Lyft ride from the airport to downtown (with no “pool/share” options). Depending on a car rental rate you can get, it may be worth getting a car if you know of a place to park for free.

Transportation in New Orleans

• Your best bet is going to be a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.

• There is a Street car that is fun to ride, but doesn’t hit all the places on the map.

• There is garage parking and hourly street parking. I have yet to find too much actual free parking unless you’re in a neighborhood – even then, it’s questionable.

What To Expect from the Weather

• If it is anywhere from April to November, it will be anywhere from hot to HOT. It’s mostly bareable from December to March.

• It will, however, ALWAYS be humid. Whether it is hot or cold outside, it will be humid. What does this mean? If it is cold, it is a new level of cold that we don’t get up north, because you’re not only cold, you’re cold and wet.

• The hotter it gets outside, the colder it gets inside. Don’t forget to bring a sweater.

• Check the weather. When it rains, it rains. An umbrella may help you, but it’s not guaranteed. I recommend just hunkering down when the skies open up if you can.

• Possibly try to avoid hurricane season? But hurricane season is from May 15 to November 30 according to the National Weather Service. So, just keep your fingers crossed.

Things to Eat (Cajun Food)

Obviously one of the big reasons you’re in New Orleans is for the food. After all of my trips, I’ve learned that Cajun and Creole foods are definitely not my everyday food, but I make sure to hit the basics at least once every time I’m down there. You will notice that I’m not going to list places to go for traditional Louisiana food, I’m going to list dishes. Why? My friend Stephen said it the best. Everybody’s favorite po’ boy place is the one closest to their house. If you do a quick Yelp search and find a Cajun or Creole restaurant that has four or more stars, the food will be good.

So now that I’ve confused you by listing both Cajun and Creole as types of foods (unless you’re from Louisiana), let’s go into a bit more of an explanation. (Thanks, Mallory, for point this out to me, I appreciate it!) The Louisiana Travel site lists it super simply:

Creole cuisine uses tomatoes and proper Cajun food does not.

That said, there’s also way more to know about this involving how Cajun and Creole are “two distinct cultures… and both have their own unique stories.” Read more here.

And before I dive in, there’s something else that took me a while to wrap my brain around. I kept looking at the menus down south and being completely overwhelmed. Why? Because literally every dish said something to the equivalent of: have this kind of fish (fried or not fried) with this type of sauce on it. Everything sounded exactly the same to me. And then I realize that that’s how most non-Italians probably feel in an Italian restaurant. What the heck is the difference between linguine, fetuccini, penne, ziti, and papardelle? They’re all pastas with some kind of sauce on them. What I’m saying here is, be patient with yourself, and feel free to ask the waitor or waitress for clarification – it’s a whole new language.

Here are the things you should make sure are on your checklist though:

• Jambalaya and/or Gumbo: These are essentially the same ingredients and spices – both delicious. Gumbo is served as more of a soup (with rice in it), and jambalaya is served as more of a rice dish.

• Red Beans and Rice: Always delicious. Even better with spicy sausage. And it’s usually served on Mondays. Apparently, in the olden days, Monday was always wash day, so the beans could soak all day and be ready to cook when the working folk got home from work. Also always better with hot sauce.

• Po’ Boys: Now. I’m hit or miss on this. I just don’t like sandwiches. That’s right, a po’ boy is just a sandwich. Depending on where you are, also known as a hoagie, a grinder, a sub – or I’m sure a million other things. Po’ boys is short for poor boys. I’m a little behind on the history, but I’m sure Wikipedia has the answer for you. The difference is that here you can get them stuffed with fried catfish or fried shrimp. That’s definitely the way to go if you’re going to do it.

• A Cream-Based Soup: This might sound silly because it’s so flipping hot in New Orleans for most of the year, but (1) it will be cold inside restaurants if it is really hot outside, and (2) you’ve never had soup like this before. I recommend something like “corn and crab bisque.” It’s all the buttery, creamy goodness right there.

• Oysters: Oysters down in Louisiana are unlike those I’ve had anywhere else. They’re huge. Definitely an experience. There’s some more meat to them. I really like them. If you’re an oyster fan, do it.

• Grits: My dad always loved grits, but I thought they were a breakfast food. The shrimp and grits are good, but I prefer cheese grits, a must-try side dish. Completely unhealthy. It’s totally okay.

• Beignets: Jumping to dessert. Now. For the other things on this list, I’m not giving you places. For beignets, I’m going to give you some places though. YOU MUST GO TO CAFE DU MONDE. It is delicious, an experience, and has a great vibe. Bring cash. They come in orders of three. If you’re a coffee drinker, the frozen cafe au lait is delicious. If you want to branch out though, go ahead and try New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Company. They make chocolate beignets too.

• Snow Balls: This is not a snow cone. It is fluffier than a snow cone. With better flavors. And you can get it topped with sweetened condensed milk. Do yourself a favor and go find a place. My favorite so far has been the cardamom flavored one with sweetened condensed milk on top from Imperial Woodpecker Snowballs.

Muffalettas are also a pretty New Orleans thing, but they wouldn’t be on my “must have” list. But that’s probably just because I don’t really like sandwiches. Not sure what that is? Emeril’s website says it’s full of “Italian charcuterie and a spicy Creole olive salad.”

Also, the bananas foster from Brennan’s is pretty legit. Not a must-have on the checklist, but if it strike’s your fancy, that’s definitely the place to do it.

Things to Eat (Not Cajun Food)

This is what I’m eating most of the time because I’m not a huge Cajun food fan. Also – it’s definitely one of those things that is great on vacation, but not great if you’re there for months at a time trying to stay the same weight. So I’ve had to find some other things to eat and drink along the way –

• Juans Flying Burrito: It’s a Mexican food chain down there. And it’s delicious. The price is right. And the queso is delicious. (If you are from up north and have never had queso from down south, queso is a must add to the list.)

• St. James Cheese Company: A restaurant where everything has some kind of amazing fancy cheese on it. Highly recommend as a lunch option.

• Creole Creamery: If you want ice cream, this is your answer. It’s delicious. I was in a restaurant once and was considering dessert and asked the waitor to tell it to me straight – should I get the “X” or should I go to “Creole Creamery” – he confirmed that the answer is pretty much always Creole Creamery.

• Dat Dog: It’s really irrational how much I like Dat Dog. They have hot dogs, veggie dogs, and sausages. They’re all incredible. With all the toppings you want. There’s a few of them around town, and they’re excellent drunk or sober. My favorite veggie dog right now is the smoked apple sage one.

• Stein’s Market and Deli: I looked far and wide in this city for a bacon-egg-and-cheese-on-a-bagel and couldn’t find one. Until Stein’s. And it’s absolutely delicious. There’s also a bunch of Philly memorabilia up on the walls and you can get porkroll there, so clearly I felt at home.

• I hear the Vietnamese food is actually incredible down there. I haven’t dived far into the scene yet, but I hope to do so soon.

And when in doubt –

• Go in the French Quarter and search on Yelp.

• Literally anything on Magazine Street. They have every kind of food you want.

I’ve visited some of the more expensive restaurants. And yeah, they’re good. But in New Orleans, I’m just as happy with the simple cheap food, so don’t think that you need to pay a lot to get the best. The city is full of delicious food.

Things to Drink (and How to Drink)

One of the other reasons people tend to end up in New Orleans is because you can take your drinks to go there (in a plastic cup.) Please note that you can take your drinks to go whether they are alcoholic or not – if you ordered a diet Coke with lunch and want to take it with you, you can ask for a to-go cup and they’ll give it to you – and probably a refill.

Anyway. This taking your drinks to go thing didn’t really appeal to me at first. I’m not big on the bar scene. I don’t really like to be drunk. And the idea of hopping from bar to bar sounded exhausting. Then I realized, that’s the way tourists view drinking in New Orleans. Not the locals. Drinking is legitimately part of the culture there. It’s not a thing you do to get drunk. It’s not even just a thing you do in the evenings. For better or worse, it’s just a thing that you do all the time.

And while my tolerance isn’t that high, once you start looking at it as an opportunity to drink while doing normal everyday things, it gets a little more interesting. Up early on a Sunday morning exploring the quarter? Take a mimosa for the road. Just finished lunch and want to walk around and explore the shops? Take a beer to go. (Keep in mind that depending on the shop, you may not be able to take it inside, but that’s a risk you’re just going to have to take.) So much more fun to me than the drunk Bourbon Street vibe.

If you’re looking to try some New Orleans-y drinks, I’d start with:

• Sazerac: A whiskey-based drink with bitters, absinthe, and a sugar cube

• Pimm’s Cup: A gin-based drink with liqueur, fruit juices, and spices

• Gin Fizz: A gin-based drink with an egg white, some juices, half-and-half, and simple syrup

• French 75: A champagne-based drink with lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin

• Mint Julep: A whiskey-based drink with mint, sugar, and water

• Abita Beer: Any and all types. One of the local brands that you definitely must try.

• Sweet Tea: This is non-alcoholic, but delicious. If you live up north, the best place to get sweet tea is McDonalds, and that just makes me sad. I believe tea is assumed to be sweet when you order it, so maybe just clarify if the waitor or waitress doesn’t.

Things I realize I ‘should’ be recommending, but I’m not personally recommending:

• Hurricane: This is the drink of Pat O’Brien’s. It’s rum-based with fruit juice, and syrup or grenadine. It is sweet, it is the thing that causes hangovers, and they remind me of jungle juice.

• Hand Grenade: This is the hurricane’s older hot mess sister. And the one that should probably actually remind me of hungle juice because the ingredient list includes vodka, gin, rum, and grain alcohol. And some melon liqueur.

I also hear good things baout the frozen daiquiris (and drive through daiquiris), but don’t have much personal experience there either.

Also. Because my ideal vacation always includes some coffee shop time, here are my favorite coffee shops from around the city:

• HiVolt: The chai is pretty good and the breakfast burrito is delicious. I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve gotten here though. Coffe drinks also seem happy.

• Gracious Bakery: The pastries here are just fantastic. The chai is pretty good. Coffee drinkers also seem happy.

• French Truck: I discovered this one in Baton Rouge, but have been to one in New Orleans too. Very cute. Coffee is supposedly great, chai is pretty good.

• Revelator Coffee: This one is located downtown and is adorable. And they have oat milk. And the oat milk in their chai is everything. There’s also lots of fancy coffee options including (I’m pretty sure) nitro options.

Things To Do In the French Quarter Area

• Visit Bourbon Street: I know I gave Bourbon Street a lot of flack up above. And I really don’t enjoy going to Bourbon Street. But I understand it’s a must do. Walking there in day time doesn’t count, sorry.

• Walk around the French Quarter: It seemed silly both to put this on and leave this off the list. It’s an area about 6 blocks by 6 blocks. Absolutely worth it. There are so many cute shops and restaurants – it’s full of nooks and crannies. And if you’re looking for a place to grab a drink for the walk I recommend Laffite’s Blacksmith Shop, the oldest bar in the city, built in approximately 1761.

• Eat beignets at Cafe Du Monde: I know I said it up above, but it’s really worth a bullet point of its own. Go eat beignets at Cafe Du Monde. You will not regret it. Don’t wear anything black because you will be covered in powdered sugar, especially if it’s a windy day.

• Walk Around Jackson Square and look at the art: During the daytime there are artists selling their work in the square. It’s really fun to look at everything. One day I hope to own a wall big enough that requires fun art on it.

• Visit Frenchman Street: This is the used-to-be more hipster area of town with more jazz clubs, but it’s definitely become more mainstream over the years. Worth the walk from the Quarter. The Night Art Market (link) is fabulous.

• Stop by the piano bar at Pat O’Briens: Yes, I just told you not to drink the hurricanes, but you should absolutely still stop in the piano bar at Pat O’Brien’s. I’d recommend going early or on a weekday to get in because the line can definitely get long. I’d recommend drinking beer or wine as the hurricanes lead to a night of ridiculousness and the cocktails are all sugar.

• Go listen to Robin Barnes sing at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone on Friday nights: You should probably just go see the carousel bar in general (it’s a bar with a slow rotating carousel in it that you can sit at), but admittedly it’s hard to get a seat at the actual bar and the drinks are pretty pricy. What makes it absolutely worth it? Seeing Robin Barnes perform. Currently evern Friday night.

• Walk through the Roosevelt Hotel lobby: It’s just pretty. There’s also a bar inside called the Sazerac that’s pretty swanky.

• Visit Crescent Park: This is not near anything. It’s just an interesting city park that you have to cross a footbridge to get there. You can even go take a free fitness class there if you’re looking for something to do to burn all those calories you’ve been eating.

Things that I’m not super well-versed on that you may also want to consider doing / doing more reserach on:

• Concerts

• Tarot Card Readings

• Visiting Crystal Shops

• Ghost Tours

If you’re a woo-woo person at all, you will not be at a loss of things to do. And if it’s something you’ve been considering getting into, or curious about, this is the city to do it in, I promise you.

Things To Do Outside of the French Quarter Area

• Walk up and down Magazine Street: My favorite area of town. There are so many shops and restaurants it could entertain you for an entire day. Honestly, if I had a whole day to spare, I would start at Hi-Volt Coffee and walk all the way to PIZZA domenica (about 2.3 miles) and stop everywhere along the way. With no stopping, this could be done in less than two hours. But what would the fun in that be?

• Go visit City Park: I’ve only been up to City Park once, and that was to go to a conference in the New Orleans Museum of Art, but it seemed really cool, and like it would be worth exploring more.

• Ride the St. Charles street car to Audubon Park: I don’t know why it took me so long to do this. The Street Car is an adventure in itself. You get to ride all the way down St. Charles Avenue – and it’s pretty cheap. Then you get to Audubon Park and you can walk around, go to the zoo, and see lots of fancy houses. Here‘s some more information on riding the street car.

• Drink at some breweries: There’s lots of breweries in the area. The quick tour my friends and I did one afternoon included The Courtyard Brewery, Urban South Brewery, and NOLA Brewing, which area all in the Lower Garden District Area. You will need to take an Uber between them, but they’re close enough to make a day of it.

• Visit the TEP Center: TEP stands for Tate, Etienne, and Prevost. These are the last names of the three girls who desegregated McDonogh 19 in 1960. Leona Tate started a foundation that is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and disseminating the story of the Civil Rights struggle for equal education in New Orleans. They bought McDonogh 19 post-Katrina and are using it as a mixed use facility featuring education and exhibitions. Go see the space and hear the story of those three girls. It’s worth it.

There are other things you could also probably do like Swamp Tours and visiting Plantations. I haven’t done enough research into any of the moral implications of any of that stuff though and cannot personally recommend any things. That said, I trust Mallory’s recommendation of Whitney Plantation, a plantation that focuses specifically on tellign the perspective of Louisiana’s enslaved people.

Festivals

My second favorite thing about New Orleans is the fact that the locals, no matter what they’re doing or where they are, can stop everything and party. It’s literally woven into the culture of New Orleans and it constantly amazes me as a New Englander who sometimes has a stick up her butt. All this to say, there’s no shortage of festivals or celebrations.

If you see a parade led by a brass band with people dancing behind them, that’s called second line parades. They’re used for weddings. They’re used for funerals. They’re all sizes, all organizations, and span all types of traditions. There are also just lots of brass bands hanging out around the Quarter. Not sure what I’m talking about? Just YouTube “Rebirth Brass Band” as a starting point.

The three bigs ones off the top of my head are:

• Mardi Gras: In Louisiana, Mardi Gras is celebrated from January through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The parades really start to pick up a few weeks before Ash Wednesday with the biggest ones being the weekend before. If you plan to go to Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras, wear shoes you can throw out afterwards.

• Jazz Fest: Jazz Fest is always in April and brings in some great names. It’s a fun day of walking around from tents including big names and smaller local jazz musicians. Oh, and there’s definitely plenty of food.

• Voodoo Fest: Another music festival that happens in Halloween every year. I haven’t been to this one, but I’ve heard excellent things.

• French Quarter Fest: Another Mallory recommendation. This also happens in April and was started in 1984 as a way to bring residents back to the Quarter, following the World’s Fair and extensive sidewalk repairs. There’s music, food, and other special events.

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As I said, I have some opinions. They’re not the best things to do, they’re not necessarily what a local would suggest, it doesn’t hit all of TripAdvisor’s top 10 list, but it’s my favorite things to do in the city.

And when in doubt, ask a local. My favorite thing (I’m sure you were curious since I said second favorite thing earlier on) about New Orleans is that everyone is so open. Any Uber you get in, people will want to tell you about the city and help find awesome things to eat and fun things to do.

If you have anything that you love to do in New Orleans that I missed, absolutely let me know in the comments below, I’d love to check out some new spots next time I’m in town!

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PS. My third favorite thing is the house architecture. Windows down to the ground man, stunning.