We put together a google map that highlights our favorite bars, restaurants, and activities in the city. Click "View" to access the map. If you aren't Google Maps Savvy, we've listed some additional recommendations below.
New Orleans has seemingly endless options of things to do. The hotel blocks are situated walking distance to the French Quarter. We recommend walking to the Quarter and exploring the many antique shops, restaurants, and bars. While Bourbon Street is the most famous/infamous street downtown, it is definitely not where we'd recommend spending most of your time. Think of Bourbon Street like you'd think of Times Square in NYC or the Sunset Strip in LA. It is VERY touristy and will not give you an authentic sense of the culture of the city. We'd recommend quickly walking down Bourbon to check it out (so that you can say that you did) and then plan to spend your time elsewhere. We love Frenchman Street, which is a short walk from Bourbon. You could even stop for a Beignet at Cafe Du Monde on your way. The bars/venues on Frenchman will allow you to experience some of the best that NOLA musicians have to offer.
The lush greenery of the Garden District is beautiful and a quintessential representation of New Orleans. We would recommend strolling down Magazine Street - a street that spans through all of Uptown NOLA and is easily accessible via the St Charles Streetcar. Some of our favorite places on Magazine include: Rum House, Saba, Lilly's, and Hotel St Vincent for a cocktail. You can take the St Charles Streetcar from downtown to uptown and take in the beauty and magnificent homes that line the famous St Charles Avenue.
Take the Streetcar from downtown to uptown and it’ll drop you off right at the entrance of Audubon Park - situated between St Charles & Magazine. The park has a wonderful walking path that forms a large loop. It is stunning - take in the beauty of the massive oak and willow trees.
Up for another park? Take the Canal Street streetcar to the entrance of city park. The streetcar will drop you off at the New Orleans Museum of Art entrance where you can wander around the massive park and sculpture garden.
Classic seafood-focused eatery (although they actually have one of the best steak frites dishes EVER!!). Get the seafood tower appetizer. It is impressive to look at and delicious!
Saba is our favorite "we want to go out for a fancier date" spot. We love it here. We could live off of the tapas alone, but also love the main dishes they have to offer. Dining here will also bring you uptown, which is an entirely different part of the city than the French Quarter/downtown.
Caribbean-inspired menu in the heart of the French Quarter. We love the patio in the back! They offer delicious (primarily) rum-based cocktails.
Elon Shaya's third (and newest) restaurant in the city. They are famous for their whole fried chicken!
On the same block as The Roosevelt Hotel.
The best chargrilled oysters in the city!! Grab a seat at the bar and prepare to be absolutely blown away. Acme Oyster House across the street also has good oysters, but Felix's is better. They don't take reservations, so we typically go during off hours.
This is our favorite cocktail bar in the city. We have ended many "French Quarter wandering" days here!
This is probably where we have gone on the most dates. Great happy hour, great cocktails. Fun fact: Sam's parents (along with John Bailey's parents and Eric's parents - hey JB & Ric!) hosted a grad party here when we graduated from Tulane in 2015. We then hosted an impromptu engagement party here when we got engaged in 2023! We love celebrating big life moments at Cure.
Beautiful hotel turned restaurant/bar. Sit on the tropical patio and enjoy a beverage while snacking on some light bites. Fun fact: Sam and Grace used to bike here all the time in college. Grace once totally wiped out on her bike on the way there (on the median on Saint Charles...it was a scene), and had to use a first aid kit provided by the kind folks at the Columns. Sam did a great job helping manage the situation -- perhaps a glimpse into his future as a physician??
Tucked away in the Bywater, Bacchanal offers wine, cheese, charcuterie, and other light bites in a beautiful setting. You enter the bar/restaurant via the wine shop and pick out your wine, cheese, and accoutrements. The restaurant then plates everything for you and serves you your wine of choice as you enjoy live music on the lush patio.
This is where we picked up pastries before Sam proposed! Remember the engagement pics that featured an almond croissant? That was from Le Boulangerie.
Great breakfast spot in the Bywater. This is where our wedding cake is from. Fun fact: The owner of this bakery invented the Berry Chantilly cake (which you'll be able to enjoy at our wedding!!)
Great for breakfast or brunch. There are two locations, one uptown (called Satsuma Maple), and the one in the Bywater (on Dauphine Street). We prefer the one in the Bywater!
It wouldn't be a trip to New Orleans without a warm beignet. Cafe Du Monde on Decatur offers a perfect breakfast treat or afternoon pick-me-up as you explore the French Quarter.
This museum is unbelievable. Prepare to be here for a few hours!
This is a small museum that explores New Orleans traditions, with exhibits on brass bands, jazz funerals, Mardi Gras Indians, and more.
Royal Street is known for its antique shops. We have wandered around MS Rau many times and are always amazed by the extravagance of these antique pieces of jewelry, furniture, flatware, and more. This shop would be a great starting place if you wanted to wander around Royal perusing antiques.