Don't skip a visit to Café du Monde - the open-air cafe in the heart of the French Quarter, which looks out onto Jackson Square. Once you're settled at a tiny wrought-iron table, be sure to order a plate of beignets (hot & delicious fried dough covered with a hefty coating of powdered sugar) and a café au lait or frozen coffee. Don't forget to snag a tin of chickory coffee to bring home with you... There are many places to get beignets, but experiencing the tradition of Café du Monde is a must. This is Cheryl's favorite thing to eat when she's in town.
Located in the Historic French Market, this is one of our favorite places to shop for souvenirs. A true co-op, members are the sales staff and provide in-depth information on the work of fellow artists. The shop showcases art and fine crafts by 25 local artists with works in clay, fiber, painting, printmaking, jewelry, photography, glass, wood and mixed media. Shipping is available.
One of our favorites, Tujague’s is New Orleans’ second oldest dining institution, the birthplace of brunch, and home to the oldest stand-up bar in America. The five course Table d’hôte was the only menu served at Tujague’s from 1856-2013 and is an experience not to be missed. America’s oldest stand-up bar can also be credited with the Grasshopper Cocktail. Invented by Philip Guichet in 1918, the cocktail includes white and green crème de menthe, white and dark crème de cacao, heavy whipping cream and brandy. It was created for a cocktail competition in New York City where it came in second place. It has remained a winner at Tujague’s bar ever since.
Similar to some European markets, this historically charming open-air market features shopping, dining, music and local tradition that is uniquely New Orleans. From Café du Monde near Jackson Square to the flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue, the French Market includes five blocks of local produce, specialty art, handmade crafts, retail shopping and more. While there are dozens of vendors selling a variety of inexpensive souvenirs at the flea market, what’s really worth the stop are the boozy counters that line the aisle.
Definitely try a Muffaletta while your in town. This Italian sandwich was created in New Orleans and is filled with ham, pastrami, provolone, and an olive salad stuffed into a giant seeded bun. Usually sized for sharing, there is some controversy over whether they should be served hot or cold. Central Grocery on Decatur Street claims to be the original creator and serves their sandwiches cold, but we love to stop at Cafe Maspero just down the street where their sandwich is served warm. We share the sandwich and a bowl of French Onion Soup while sitting near french doors that open onto the streets.
We'd be remiss if we didn't include good ole Bourbon Street on this list. While this strip is touristy, there are a number of very cool, classic bars & Jazz clubs on Bourbon St. which are definitely worth a visit. Our favorites include The Old Absinthe House (frequented by the likes of FDR, Mark Twain, Liza Minnelli and more), Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (the oldest bar in the USA!), and Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse (features free local music every night). Be aware that the crowd does get a little more rambunctious after dark.
Love antiques and art? Look no further than Royal Street! Royal Street and Chartres Street are home to some of the most interesting and elegant shops in the U.S. Here the serious collector will find museum quality furniture, art and jewelry. The Travel Channel named Royal Street the “World’s Best Street for Antiquing,” and collectors world wide agree. If you're looking for some traditional souvineers, skip the shops on Bourbon street and check out some of the cute shops on Royal like Forever New Orleans, Dirty Coast, or Roux Royale (there's plenty more to choose from as well)!
Before Louis Armstrong even formed his first band, oyster shuckers at Acme were entertaining people in the New Orleans French Quarter. Originally opened in 1910, they relocated to the current location following a fire in 1924. During an economic downtime in the early 80’s, Acme had just one waitress on staff and the iconic “Waitress Available Sometimes” sign was born. Obviously famous for their raw oysters shucked right in front of you at the oyster bar, they have plenty of other options available as well. This is Annie's favorite place to get a fried shrimp po-boy.
Carriage Tour: Every day from about 8 a.m. to midnight, mule-drawn carriages line up on Decatur Street in front of Jackson Square. These tours are a staple in New Orleans tourism. Some carriages hold four people, others hold six. They roll through the French Quarter, rain or shine, pointing out all of the expected sites. Walking Tour: Nola Tour Guy offers a “pay what you feel” tour experience of the Quarter. Well known and respected by both locals and repeat visitors to the city. Reservations are Required. nolatourguy.com
Facing Jackson Square and flanked by the historic Cabildo on one side and the equally historic Presbytere on the other, St. Louis Cathedral is among the tallest, most imposing, and most recognizable structures in the French Quarter. It is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States, originally built in 1727, the original St. Louis Cathedral burned during the great fire of 1794 and was rebuilt. The present structure was completed in the 1850s. Jackson Square is a historic park in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, as the site where in 1803 Louisiana became a United States territory pursuant to the Louisiana Purchase.
Step inside the walls of the oldest and most legendary burial ground in New Orleans. The storied graveyard—which can only be visited with a guide—is the final resting place of many illustrious Louisiana families and has been featured in Hollywood films like ‘Easy Rider.’ Learn about the city's curious above-ground burial practices as you walk among elaborate vaults and see the mysterious tomb of Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. If you'd prefer to not pay $20 for the tour ticket, check out the nearby (and equally enchanting) Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 instead.
You'll find some of New Orleans' best boutique shopping on Magazine Street which offers 6 miles of intermittent shopping and dining. While you will find a few national brands, locally owned is the norm. Unique boutiques, top chefs, art studios and markets have been popping up along this exceptional thoroughfare since the early days of New Orleans. Some of our favorite places to eat, drink, and shop on magazine street: The Bulldog Fleurty Girl Home Malone Juans Flying Burrito Mignon Faget Reginelli's
Noted New Orleans artist and designer Mignon Faget creates jewelry and houseware designs reflecting the history, nature, and architecture of her native environment. Since 1969, Mignon Faget has been a pioneering creative and design force in the New Orleans community and beyond, establishing the legacy of her namesake brand on honoring the city’s rich cultural heritage. Mignon Faget’s unwavering commitment to quality and handcrafted design means that all pieces are designed in New Orleans and handmade by skilled artisans. The heritage of the brand is anchored in making handcrafted jewelry that is not just an accessory but a wearable piece of art.
Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum is located in downtown New Orleans on a six-acre campus. Ranked the #1 attraction in New Orleans on Trip Advisor and recipient of the Travelers’ Choice Award three years in a row. The Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and oral histories to take visitors inside the story of the war.
Take a tour at Mardi Gras World to get a peek at authentic Mardi Gras floats and see firsthand what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life year after year. You’ll get an overview of the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans before continuing through the float den, where artists work year-round to build spectacular floats and props. Blaine Kern Studios is an operating workshop that has created breathtaking floats for Mardi Gras and other parades around the world since 1947. Tours begin every 30 minutes and last approximately 1 hour. A free shuttle is provided with ticket purchase and provides pickups from Canal Street. Please call the gift shop to schedule a pick-up, 504-361-7821.
Located in a huge warehouse space with tons of seating, their brightly colored tap-room is open every day and is even kid friendly. They have an open layout, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, about a half dozen arcade games, and space for food trucks/popup vendors. The beers are fantastic and they carry an extensive variety including taproom-only releases and seltzers.
Rumbling down the ''neutral ground'' or middle of St. Charles and Carrollton avenues for more than 150 years, the St. Charles Streetcar has become a symbol of the charm and romance of New Orleans. The dark green St. Charles streetcar is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. Vintage streetcars still run along the 6-mile crescent from the Central Business District through the oldest and most majestic section of Uptown New Orleans, and around the Riverbend. Swaying along St. Charles Avenue through a tunnel of Live Oaks, the streetcar passes dozens of antebellum mansions, Loyola and Tulane universities, and breathtaking Audubon Park. You’ll start your journey near the corner of Canal and Carondelet streets. You can purchase a $1.25 one-way ride on the famous St. Charles streetcar (with exact change!), or if you're looking for more flexibility, you can purchase a "Jazzy Pass" online, which allows you unlimited rides at one-day, three-day, and five-day intervals.
New Orleans' Garden District is the first "suburb" of New Orleans and oozes Southern Charm. This 'American Sector' developed as a reaction after the Louisiana purchase when the new "American' arrivals were not entirely welcome in the city's established Creole neighborhood, what is now referred to as the French Quarter. Plantation style mansions have wrap-around porches and verandas, where friends and family enjoy sweet tea and stories in the humid New Orleans climate. Streets are separated by stretches of green parks and the historic street car line that runs along St. Charles Avenue. Take a walk around the Garden District's lush avenues and you'll feel transported into a southern oasis shaded by blossoming magnolia trees. Whether you decide to take a walking tour, there are both guided (check out the daily tour by NOLA Tour Guy) and self guided options, or decide to just catch a glimpse while riding the streetcar uptown, you dont want to miss the historic mansions and architecture!
Aquarium: Located on the Mississippi River adjacent to the French Quarter, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is consistently top ranked. Rated as one of the 10 Best Aquariums in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure it is also voted as one of the top five aquariums in the country in the USA Today "10Best" reader poll. Zoo: Located in historic Uptown New Orleans, Audubon Zoo cares for animals from around the globe, engaging educational programs, and hands-on animal encounters. Unique natural habitats such as the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle showcase the relationship between people and nature. Audubon Zoo is consistently one of the country’s top-ranked zoos, voted as one of the top ten zoos in the country in the USA Today “10Best” reader poll and ranked as one of the top things to do in New Orleans.
Audubon Park: Wedged between the Audubon Zoo and Loyola and Tulane universities, the park offers a 1.8 mile paved loop surrounding the Audubon Golf Course in the center of uptown New Orleans. The park is dotted with beautiful ponds, stone arched bridges, amazing oak trees, and many gazebos and benches that line the waters edge. Plenty of wildlife can also be found in the park. Just across the street from the park you'll find the universities. Take a stroll around Loyola University's beautiful campus to see where Annie spent her college years. From St. Charles Street you have an excellent view of Marquette Hall which is the oldest campus building. Immediately adjacent to Loyola is Tulane University.
If you've ridden the streetcar to the end of St. Charles Avenue, The Camellia Grill is definitely worth a stop. This fabled diner in Uptown New Orleans opened its doors in 1946 and has since been a beloved part of the community. Sit at the counter and be treated to classic diner fare by bow-tied servers. You won't be disappointed!
Although no longer in its original second story location, the new location just down the street carries on the spirit. A well known local spot, this is not only to a place bowl but as the name suggests, to hear great local music most notably Zydeco Music on Thursday nights. Grab a snack and a drink while you're there.
Started as a pop up in 2012, they moved to their permanent location in 2016. If you do find yourself here, the meats are all amazing, but definitely don't skip the sides! Our favorite are the garlic mac-n-cheese and the potato salad.
Jacques-Imo's is a Cajun/Creole mecca notable for its eclectic design and the truck-turned table for two out front. Delicious food and a lively atmosphere make Jacques-Imo's a popular spot for locals and out-of-towners alike. The waits are long and it’s only open for dinner, but Jacques-Imo’s is an essential experience that you should have at least once in your life. George's favorite was the fried chicken and the cornbread.
The Joint is known for serving the best BBQ in New Orleans. The restaurant's slogan, "always smoking," is a true testament to The Joint's dedication to serving the most delicious and authentic Southern BBQ dishes and sides in the city. It was featured in Guy Fieri’s Food Network program “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" and has been in top 10 BBQ lists in publications from Bon Appétit to Zagat. One of our more recent discoveries, The Joint is Drew's new favorite place to eat.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is a former gas station built in the 1940’s and designed by noted industrial designer Walter Teague. His ‘Style C’ Texaco station was easily recognizable for the fins atop the portico. Tacos al Pastor are the cornerstone of the menu, prepared on an 800-degree vertical rotisserie. Galaxie’s bar features an expansive Mezcal selection, as well as frozen drinks and classic cocktails. All the tacos are amazing, but don't miss out on the grilled queso (it's not what you think)!
Frenchmen Street might just be the most consistently musical stretch of asphalt in New Orleans. Its venues offer an array of live performances ranging from traditional jazz to blues to reggae and rock and are, themselves, famous, attracting audiences from all over the world. With one trip around the clubs on Frenchmen, you are likely to hear all kinds of music, as it is what the street is known for. It’s not the first place most visitors know to go to, but inside the clubs and even outside on the street, you’ll hear some of the best live music produced anywhere in the world. Most clubs are 21 and older.
New Orleans’ ORIGINAL weekly night-time art market featuring authentic art, dazzling jewelry and creative crafts produced by local and regional artists. Enjoy a cultural experience within nightlife of Frenchmen Street. Lively music drapes the background while you browse the art, find gifts, and chat with local artisans.
The Louisiana bayous and swampland are stunning, majestic and mysterious. Experience the beauty of South Louisiana in a swamp boat. Guides will reveal the mysteries of the swamps and bayous and the Cajun “joie de vivre”. Hear how the Cajuns turned soup into gumbo, the washboard into a musical instrument, and the swamps of Louisiana into a paradise. Observe the nesting grounds of alligators, egrets, raccoons, nutria, and many species of snakes.
Vieux Carré at the Carousel Bar Pimm's Cup at Napoleon House French 75 at The French 75 Bar Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's Grasshopper at Tujague’s Absinthe Frappe at The Old Absinthe House Ramos Gin Fizz at Bar Tonique Cafe Brulot at Antoine's Hand Grenade at Tropical Isle Voodoo Daiquiri - "Purple Drink" at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Sazerac at The Sazerac Frozen Irish Coffee at Molly's at the Market