Melissa & Jorge
Things To Do
Garden District/Uptown
Stroll around in this historic neighborhood and see some of the most gorgeous, historic homes. Take a guided walking tour or just explore by foot. You can also walk past the major universities or ride the streetcar for part of the tour. We've included a few things to do here in our recommendations.
Audubon Park
Spanish oaks galore (oh my!), it is a place to be seen first hand. While there, swing by to visit the "Tree of Life." It is also right between the major universities (Tulane, Loyola) in Uptown and the Garden District, so makes a great day trip.
St. Charles Street Car
You can't go to Nola and skip a street car ride! This is the oldest operating streetcar line in the U.S., which has been running for 150 years. $1.25 will get you from Uptown (near universities and Audubon Park) to Canal Street (in the French Quarter).
Magazine Street
Magazine street is great to explore by foot (and it is located in the Garden District). There are little boutiques, bars, and restaurants, and it boasts a chill, Southern vibe.
Commander's Palace
Come for an old-world experience and delicious, traditional creole food (complete with turtle soup!). Located in the Garden District, walking distance from Magazine Street.
Coquette
This restaurant offers creative, locally sourced Southern cuisine, an international beer and wine list and inventive New Orleans cocktails.
Cavan Restaurant & Bar
This beautiful restaurant and bar serves Nola coastal food in an old 19th century mansion. Located in the Garden District.
Lilette Restaurant
Lilette is an imaginative French and Italian-inspired restaurant with a bit of an old-world feeling. Located in the Garden District.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
This above-ground cemetery (built as such to keep Spanish and French traditions) is the oldest of 7 city-operated Nola cemeteries. There are people from over 25 countries and nationalities buried there. Open daily until 3pm.
The Columns Hotel Bar
Visit this gorgeous, old world hotel for the bar and a classic cocktail.
The Blind Pelican
This unassuming, no frills bar boasts some really excellent chargrilled oysters (for 25 cents/piece), boiled shrimp, and lots of tap beer. You can take the streetcar and get off on St. Charles Avenue for an easy trip.
The National WWII Museum - Forbes Theater
Great for history and WWII buffs, this museum is interactive and boasts a 4-D experience complete with fog and other warlike elements. Entrance is $28 for adults and $24 for seniors over 65.
American Sector Restaurant & Bar
American Sector is a good place to pop in after the WWII Museum to get a good happy hour and grub for great prices. Located in the Warehouse/Central Business District.
French Quarter
Ok, sure, it gets crazy, but when in Rome, right? Walk around and just check it out, grab a drink at one of the many bars, or just marvel at the gorgeous old world, French-Spanish architecture.
Cochon Restaurant
If you are after good meat (and seafood), try Cochon. The chef offers traditional cajun southern dishes - locally sourced pork and fresh seafood. Located in the Central Business District/French Quarter.
Mothers Restaurant
This Southern restaurant advertises "best ham" (I cannot vouch for that, but if it's like the rest of the food, it's probably fantastic). Tasty jambalaya, shrimp po' boys, cornbread, mmmm so good.
Preservation Hall
All I gotta say is, I don't do lines, yet this is well worth the 20-min wait! It's jazz at its origins (such a unique experience!). $35 entrance fee. Located in the French Quarter.
Cafe Du Monde
Come to Jorge's favorite no frills "cofee stand" in the French Quarter for the traditional beignet and a cafe au lait. You really shouldn't leave Nola without eating a beignet, a French, (very) powdered donut!
St. Louis Cathedral
This cathedral is a national landmark and is also located right on the path to Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter.
Ghost, Swamp, or Cultural Tours
There are tons of different tours in the city - if getting spooked is your thing, check out a ghost (or swamp) tour. There are also walking tours in most neighborhoods like the French Quarter, the Garden District, and the Bywater/Marigny. Some companies (i.e. Gators & Ghosts cover multiple interests).
The Bywater
This is such an adorable neighborhood with colorful creole cottages. Take a stroll around to check out the houses or head to Bacchanal, Parleux Beer Lab, or head out to the historic Marigny Opera House.
Bacchanal Wine
This place is so great - wine to your heart's content and all the live music, all in a big back yard experience. Located in the Bywater.
Marigny Opera House
This gorgeous, insta-worthy antique building hosts musical performances if that is your jam. Check out the calendar on the website to see if something is going on, or just take selfies by it. Located in the Bywater/Marigny neighborhood.
St. Roch Market
This food hall is a great stopover for good eats and drinks if you head out to the Bywater/Marigny.
Crabby Jack's
If you are seeking an adventure (and good, cheap Nola food), Uber/Lyft out to Crabby Jack's, a no-frills restaurant offering excellent seafood, po' boys, and cajun cuisine. Located past Uptown.