New Orleans Travel Guide
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- NEW ORLEANS, LA
The late great Anthony Bourdain said it best. There is no place on Earth even remotely like New Orleans. I haven’t been many places but I trust Anthony and the city was amazing! I put together a New Orleans Travel Guide with all my favorite places and things NOLA has to offer. We are fresh off our first trip to New Orleans and I loved every minute of it. Mardi Gras is obviously on a future dated bucket list but with covid we opted for a trip well after the crowds. I must say May is great to visit New Orleans. The weather is hot though, but coming from Atlanta the heat was no big deal.
TRAVEL GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. When to Visit
2. Getting There
3. Where to Stay
4. Where to Eat
5. What to Wear
6. Things to Do
7. Safety
Read the full post or use the links above to skip ahead to your favorite section!
“There is no place on Earth even remotely like New Orleans. Don’t even try to compare it to anywhere else.”
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
I didn’t research this before going but lucky enough I found out that April, May and October are the best times to visit weather wise. Mardi Gras is also the most popular time to visit for entertainment but prices are much higher. Hopefully when covid subsides a bit we can come back during Mardi Gras. April and May are perfect though as there will be less crowds and the weather is warm but not scorching hot. If you visit during the summer months, be prepared for temps over 100 degrees and humidity!
Like any touristy city this place gets packed during any time of the year. That being said, If you want to get out and take pictures around any iconic landmarks you need to be up at the crack of dawn. or you will be greeted with crowds in the hundreds, maybe thousands.
Getting there
New Orleans is located on the Gulf Coast of southern Louisiana. Depending on where you are coming from it may be a quick drive or a long road trip. Flights to NOLA from within the U.S. are also relatively cheap right now and if you don’t like road trips flying is a great alternative. Check out Travelocity and Expedia are great sites to plan your entire stay all in one place! Due to covid we opted to drive since it’s about 7 hours from Atlanta. We left about 6 am and arrived at 1 pm just in time to check into our hotel and enjoy the city!Both
The Best Places to stay
AIRBNB: If you are traveling on a budget or you just like the feel of staying in a home with amenities you are probably looking for an AirBnb. There are actually some strict regulations on AirBnb’s in New Orleans but you can find them.
HISTORICAL HOTELS: If you are looking for the historical vibes be sure to check out Hotel Monteleone and the famous Carousel Bar. Hotel Provincial and The Olivier House are also great picks if you really want that old town NOLA vibe.
UPSCALE MODERN: For a more modern vibe check out the Marriott properties. We were lucky enough to be hosted by the Marriott for entire stay and they have multiple properties around New Orleans for any budget!
want to hear more about our stay at the marriott?
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The Best Places to eat
CAFE BEIGNET: New Orleans has a huge food and they are known for beignets. When it comes to the best beignets though, there is some stiff competition between Café Du Monde & Café Beignet. Newcomers swear by Café DuMonde but people on the street that have had both to swear by Café Beignet. The most difference is that Café Beignet serves their on the warm and Café DuMonde does not so it depends what you like. I’m not a huge sweets person and in fact, I despise funnel cakes. To me, a beignet tastes just like a funnel cake so I wasn’t a fan of either.
One thing I did love more about Café Beignet though, is that they also serve regular food too so we also had some delicious gumbo and a po’boy! When we tried to go to Café DuMonde they only have coffee and beignets on the menu so we skipped on Café DuMonde. With either place, be sure to get there before opening or you may get stuck in an hour long wait in line!
CENTRAL GROCERY NEW ORLEANS: The famous muffuletta comes Central Grocery New Orleans. This iconic sandwich originated with the influx of Sicilian immigrants and is a must try! Aside from the famed muffuletta this grocery store if full of products straight from Sicily & Italy. It reminded me a lot of some of the Italian grocery stores we loved so much back in New Jersey. They also have a small bar so you can sit down to eat without reservations if you walk in from the street which is a rare find in New Orleans.
PECHE: Located on the gulf, New Orleans is home to some of the most delicious seafood! Per the recommendations of several people we decided to check out Peche, but like many other places there was no walk-in seating available so we booked a reservation for the next day. The food was fantastic and the service was excellent! We shared an oyster platter and the fried bread was to die for!
SOFIA: If you like lighter Italian style food this is a great option! They have a huge wine menu and al fresco dining…my favorite!! Of course my daughters name is also Sofia so they get points for that too!
There were several other places we wanted to eat at as well but 2 of them were closed and the rest were booked but we still found some great places that we feel in love with too. Next time we visit the crescent city we will be checking out Cane & Table, Shaya, Dooky Chase, Willie Mae’s and a few others!
know before you go
what to wear in nola
It’s pretty safe to say you probably don’t need a bikini because there are no beaches in NOLA. Most likely you are going to be out and about exploring the nightlife that makes this city famous. Although just in case maybe bring one swimsuit if your hotel has a pool or jacuzzi. I would definitely pack shorts, tank tops and sandals that are comfortable enough to walk around in. Nightlife is huge here so pack accordingly if you like to go out in the evenings. If you plan on taking a swamp tour, keep in mind you can get dirty and wet so be sure to bring a pair or old sneakers.
things to see and do
ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL: I grew up Roman Catholic and the awe and beauty in the inside of a Catholic Church never ceases to amaze me! St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson square just happens to be the oldest Catholic church in the United States that still holds regular mass services.
THE GARDEN DISTRICT: I loved touring this area and the homes are gorgeous! Built in the 1800’s, the entire neighborhood was once the Livaudais Plantation, (pronounced Lee-Voo-Day). After a divorce the wife of the owner moved back to France and sold the land to business men. From then on wealthy people began to build these mansions that are still just as gorgeous today! It’s hands-down one of the most beautiful neighborhoods I have seen in my life. The pink Carroll-Crawford House and the Pritchard-Pigott House were my favorites!
TOUR A CEMETARY: New Orleans lies below sea level and because of this, the cemeteries are above ground. They are hauntingly beautiful and give you a nostalgia. In the past, cemeteries were open all the time but due to vandalism, you can only enter via tours now. Lafayette Cemetery is one of the most notable cemeteries in the city. We had a cemetery tour booked but had to bail at the last minute due to time constraints but if you are looking to tour one there are tons of options online.
HAVE A DRINK AT THE CAROUSEL BAR: Located in Hotel Monteleone, the famous Carousel Bar spins a full rotation every 15 minutes but it is very hard to get a seat. Try getting there early or just politely ask someone to let you know when they are leaving so you can get an insta-worthy shot at the bar!
VISIT THE SAZERAC HOUSE: Take a tour of the historic Sazerac House and learn all about the history behind prohibition and the famed New Orleans cocktail known as ‘The Sazerac.’ You can tour the multilevel facility at your own leisure and you get to enjoy 3 mini-cocktails during your visit! The best part is that the tour is free and you just need to make a reservation.
NOLA Kayak tours
Thanks to NOLA Kayak Tours for hosting us on the coolest swamp kayak tour! If you are looking to relax and get up close and personal with nature without disturbing the wildlife …this is the tour for you!
TAKE A SWAMP TOUR: A swamp tour is a must when visiting New Orleans especially if you want to see the local wildlife. The kayak tour guides are seasoned veterans when it comes to kayaking and really put you at ease if it’s your first time in the swamp. I was nervous at first but to my surprise they just want to be left alone. Just keep an eye out for anything that resembles a shiny wet log because it’s probably a gator. I also recommend a morning tour because the turtles and alligators love to hang out in the sun after chilly night in the swamp.
As tempting as it is to take a big boat through the swamp and feed/hold the alligators, please don’t. These types of tours are not good for wildlife. They are not pets and as humans we should respect their habitat so I highly suggest one of these Kayak Tours instead!
VISIT A PLANTATION: This was one of the things I really wanted to do but we ran out of time. While visits to plantations are a very sad awful reality of the past they can make for a good educational experience. I recommend checking one out if you have time and Grayline has some of the best packages. Oak Alley and Whitney Plantation are the two most popular among visitors!
new orleans steamboat company
TAKE A STEAMBOAT RIVER CRUISE: If you are looking for a more laid back relaxing activity go for a steamboat cruise on the river. The Steamer Natchez and the Riverboat City of New Orleans offer multiple tours daily. Enjoy 4 levels of fun while cruising the river. The top level features a full bar and seating where you can listen to live jazz! If you get hungry during your cruise there is also a full restaurant on the bottom level.
Is it safe???
Like any big city in any part of the world you should always use your best judgement. The city is relatively safe but at night stick to well populated areas and be sure to keep an eye on your belongings. You may be surprised to learn that most people are friendly and don’t wish to bother anyone. The people of New Orleans are extremely nice to travelers and very hospitable and we loved every person we met there!
All-in-all, visiting the crescent city for the first time was absolutely amazing but my only complaint is that I didn’t have more time to spend. Our trip was packed full every single day so I have to leave several things off my bucket list. But hey, that means I should plan another trip there in the near future right?! Check back again in the near future as I will add additional content to my New Orleans Travel Guide with each new visit!
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Erica
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Loved your article Erica. Makes me want to travel right now!
mother daughter trip????
It’s great to see your link at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
Thank you so much!
I’d love to go to New Orleans, it looks amazing! My husband has been and loved it. It’s definitely on my bucket list!
Emma xxx
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I highly recommend! It is amazing and such a fun place to visit!