Having lived in New Orleans for most of my childhood I really never understood how amazing and different this place is from anywhere else. The people are the friendliest you will ever meet I guarantee it, and no it’s not just southern hospitality it’s New Orleans hospitality. Everywhere you go whether you’re a tourist or home grown you get the overwhelming feeling that you’re always welcome and there will always be a seat for you at this city’s diverse table, (even if you can’t pronounce our street names correctly and don’t know how to second line)!
Where to stay: So since my family is from NOLA I get the luxury of staying with my grandparents which is great because I get home cooked food, a free place to stay, and to top it off they are pretty centrally located to everything I like to see when I visit. Of course I know everyone doesn’t have this luxury so I would recommend staying somewhere close to the action like on Canal at the river you’re close to shopping and the French Quarter. If you’re totally into the action and complete tourist experience you can stay inside of the French Quarter itself. Staying there gives you everything you would need as a visitor, you’re close enough to just about anything you’d want to see. If you want to stay a little bit out of the way of all the action, you can stay a little further out at one of the bed and breakfast type places that are on the outskirts but you’re still close enough to everything.
How to get around: What I love about New Orleans is that nothing is that far! Literally everything is about 15 minuets away, 30 in traffic (coming from Houston that’s like half of everyone’s daily morning work commute). Depending on where you want to stay you can actually walk to most everything you want to see. Personally I would recommend taking the street car it’s a fun, unique, and a really cost efficient way to get around I would recommend buying a jazzy pass, you can download the RTA app on your phone and purchase an all-day ticket for about $3.00. (you can’t park anywhere in the French Quarter for $3.00). The street car runs from Mid-City around City Park- Uptown in the Garden District- St. Charles Ave.- The French Quarter!
What to do: There are countless things to do in this colorful city. So I’ll give you the must do’s…
Have beignets at Café Du Monde in the French Quarter! Just do it you won’t regret it. Will you have powdered sugar all over you? Absolutely, but so will everyone else!
Walk through the French Market they sell everything from food, to drinks (yes they have alcohol in them), to touristy T-shirts and souvenirs to take home to those people who were so unfortunate to not be there with you!
You must try a place I recently discovered called Drip Affogato! It’s the cutest place to grab a coffee, ice cream, or both, and map out your day or night. The owners are so great! I am mega indecisive about everything in life so I asked what they would recommend based on what I liked and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest! It was so delicious!
Go to one of the parks: City Park or Audubon Park! If the weather is nice pack a lunch or snacks and hang out under the huge Oak Trees!
Where to eat: Umm pretty much anywhere! Seriously almost anywhere in NOLA with creole inspired food is going to be good. Try the off the beaten track hole in the wall type places, like anywhere those are where you find the best food. While you’re here you must have a Po- Boy, you’ll find these at almost every restaurant in the French Quarter. My favorite place to get them from is Gene’s Po-Boy!
Where to shop: Ok just my favorite thing to talk about!
In the French Quarter: there is your typical tourist shopping but if you walk down Decatur Street which is one of the main streets that run through the French Quarter there are some really unique boutique like shops where things are handmade and original. One of my favs that I visit every time I come to town is “Head to toe”. They have the most unique handbags and jewelry (I buy something every time I go here). They also have some familiar stores like H&M and Urban Outfitters down this popular strip.
Uptown in the Garden district- Magazine street is where you’ll find some great boutique shopping and my favorite PJ’s coffee shop! I like to make a stop in Jean Therapy when I’m looking for something specific in the world of denim. They also carry fun locally inspired T-shirts and Tanks. Miss Smarty Pants is cute jewelry/accessory boutique. I must say the resident famous puppy Lucky Girl was the highlight of this shopping experience!
Other things to note- If you go to NOLA during a popular time like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest or like this time when I went I found myself at French Quarter Fest, be prepared for crowds and lines. Especially at the popular places like Café du Monde, there will be a healthy line of people waiting for tables so if you have your heart set on a beignet just be patient and enjoy the live music that is sure to be playing while you wait.
Wear comfortable clothes! You are going to walk a lot so be comfortable bring your sneakers or whatever your most comfortable shoe is. If you don’t want them to get dirty think twice before you put them on if you’re walking through the French Quarter your shoes will get dirty!
Most of all don’t take yourself too seriously while you’re here, it’s not called the Big Easy for nothing! People are laid back and don’t stress about much… so relax you’re home after all!
C’est la vie!
XOXO
Shopping Links…
Where I shopped in NOLA…