Things To Do

Want to spend a day in New Orleans like we did? This itinerary follows the exact route from CJ's first visit to the city in 2023—the same day he asked Maddy to be his girlfriend! From favorite food spots to must-see landmarks, these places will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we're excited to share them with you. So get your walking shoes on we explored a lot! As an added bonus, our wedding weekend coincides with the French Quarter Festival, one of New Orleans' most beloved annual events. While it unfortunately wasn't part of our original date itinerary, we highly recommend checking it out if you have the chance. It's a great way to experience the city's incredible music, food, and culture while you're in town!

French Quarter Festival

If you have some free time, we highly recommend exploring the festival to enjoy live music, local cuisine, and the vibrant atmosphere that makes New Orleans so special.

Stop 1: Drago's

2 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

Our first stop was Drago's, home of the charbroiled oysters, where CJ got his first taste of New Orleans seafood!

Stop 2: Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium

1 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Our second stop was the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium, where—fun fact—CJ and Maddy ate an ANT cookie!

Stop 3: St. Louis Cathedral

615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116

A New Orleans must-see and one of the most meaningful places in our story. This was one of the first places that we visited during CJ's first trip to NOLA, and 2 years later, it's where he got down on one knee!!

Stop 4: Café Du Monde

813 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

A New Orleans classic! If you're lucky, you might snag a table and enjoy some coffee and beignets while people-watching. We weren't quite so lucky on our visit, so we grabbed ours to go!

Stop 5: French Market

1008 North Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

Next stop is the French Market. Good snacks and local vendor shopping! We got a daiquiri here, and Maddy spilled it all over C.J.'s boots... yikes! You could explore this place for hours and we did just that!

Stop 6: Pat O'Brien's

718 Saint Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116

No trip to New Orleans would be complete without a stop at Pat O'Brien's. We spent some time in the famous courtyard sharing a Hurricane and a Rainbow drink while taking in the lively atmosphere and iconic flaming fountain.

Stop 8: House of Blues

225 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

A special spot for Maddy, who grew up coming here with her dad. We met up with him for dinner in the Voodoo Garden, with live music and some really good food.

For all the days along the way

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C.J. & Maddy