Ariel & Hiram
Things To Do
French Quarter
(via Timeout.com) While Bourbon Street can be avoided (unless it’s your first visit to New Orleans - you have to experience it), the French Quarter is always a must-do, any time of year. As the city’s oldest neighborhood, the Vieux Carre is packed with gorgeous architecture, loads of history, a wealth of food and music, and a cast of characters including long-time residents, chatty tour guides, and talented street performers. • Café du Monde – (via Timeout.com) This French Quarter fixture since 1862 serves the the best cafe au lait alongside hot, fresh beignets at all hours. Take a peek in the window to see the magic happen, then dive in to your order of three. If you make it out without powdered sugar on your shirt, you're doing it wrong.
Frenchmen Street
(via Timeout.com) Marigny, the neighborhood adjacent to the French Quarter, is one of the city’s top spots for music. Restaurants offering pub grub, Egyptian fare, pizza, and more will fuel you up for an energetic, music-filled stroll around the neighborhood. This is one of my favorite things to do! – Ariel
The New Orleans Museum of Art
(via Timeout.com) Within City Park, at the edge of the Big Lake, sits the city’s preeminent art museum. NOMA houses more than 40,000 pieces featuring pieces from the Italian Renaissance to modern works. Browse works from Monet, Degas, Rodin and O’Keefe as well as glass, ceramics, pre-Columbian art, and an extensive photography collection. Save time for the adjacent Sydney and Walda Bestoff Sculpture Garden, a beautifully-landscaped showcase of the Museum’s sculpture collection.
Studio Be
(via Timeout.com) This huge warehouse in Bywater welcomes visitors with a massive, colorful mural on its front. It houses the work of BMike — local artist Brandon Odums. He is known for his large-scale murals depicting Black culture in the city, and his studio showcases his floor-to-ceiling portraits of Black leaders and icons.
Tipitina's
(via Timeout.com) In a city full of iconic music venues, Tipitina’s stands out. The Uptown joint on Napoleon Avenue was founded in 1977 and is still going strong. For a good dose of New Orleans funk (the venue is now owned by the band Galactic, who continue the tradition of hosting the likes of Professor Longhair, Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, and more), check out the lineup at this local institution.
Audobon Zoo
(via Timeout.com) Spend an afternoon at one of the top zoos in the country. The Audubon Zoo has world-class exhibits featuring animals from Asia, Africa, and South America. You’ll also see seals, reptiles, and a glimpse of the Louisiana swamp. Located behind Audubon Park, the zoo is dotted with majestic oak trees (keep an eye out for resident peacocks). In the summer, the Cool Zoo water park offers a respite from the heat.