Things To Do (New Orleans)
Question
Coming early/staying for French Quarter Festival?
Answer
The largest free music festival in the US will be happening during the wedding weekend. Although it won't be possible to go on Friday or Saturday (dang weddings always getting in the way of fun things...), you can experience FQF on Thursday and/or Sunday. The festival is free but we recommend booking accommodation ASAP since things book up fast. Feel free to reach out if you need any recommendations. https://frenchquarterfest.org/
Question
Staying for Jazz Fest?
Answer
The reason we are getting married this weekend is so that we (and y'all) have the chance to stay for Jazz Fest the following weekend (or two weekends if you got it like that). Things book up, so if you are planning on staying for the following weekend, start planning and booking your accommodation ASAP. Again, feel free to reach out if you need any recommendations. PSA: the drinks may be cold, but that sun is hot. Drink water and take shelter. Cool your body, mind, and soul in the Blues or Gospel tent. Ryan's favorite day at Jazz Fest is Locals Thursday. It's less crowded (the weekend can be up to 65,000 people) and usually has a band like Tedeschi Trucks or Widespread MF Panic on the main stage for a good 2.5 hours. But everyday is great. Make sure to check the schedule to see which days you're interested in. Don't sleep on the Crawfish Monica or Cochon de Lait Poboy (extra Crystal puhlease). https://www.nojazzfest.com/
Question
Late Night Jazz Fest?
Answer
Jazz Fest ends at 7:00 pm, but the music does not. New Orleans comes alive at night during Jazz Fest. You can dance and sweat to world class music until the sun comes up (literally). The music is endless. Check out http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/ for all the late night options. We recommend going to at least one "super jam" to get the authentic experience. Some say it's a marathon, not a sprint. But some also say you better learn to sprint a marathon.
Question
Restaurants/bars in New Orleans - endless list but here are a few of our tops:
Answer
Restaurants: - Pêche (Central Business District) - Parkway Po-Boys (Mid City) - N7 (Bywater) - Clancy's (Uptown) - Bacchanal (Bywater) - Bywater American Bistro (Bywater) - GW Fins (French Quarter) - Antoine's (French Quarter) For the French Quarter courtyard feel: - Cane and Table - Orleans Grapevine (bacon happy hour from 4:00-5:30 PM) - The Will and the Way - Jewel of the South For breakfast: - Leo's for bagels - Pagoda for breakfast tacos (these two spots are right across from each other in Mid City) - Camilia Grille (Uptown) - Elizabeth's for New Orleans breakfast (bywater) For Honduran/ Central American (ie. baleadas / papusas): - Tacqueria Guerrero (Mid City) - Tia Maria's (Mid City) For live music (bars/venues): - Maple Leaf Bar (small venue, great New Orleans local music) - Tipitinas (ticketed concernts/shows) - Le Bon Temps Roule (Soul Rebels play every Thursday, also this is a 24/7 bar..) - Chickie Wah Wah (New Orleans music) - Down the Rabbit Hole (late night DJs) - If you go to Frenchmen Street, we recommend The Spotted Cat and Apple Barrel
Question
Some other things to do...
Answer
- Kate loves a Magazine stroll (shout out to Tess), where you can bop along the many shops on Magazine Street with a Bloody Mary in hand - Get a drink in one of the fabulous French Quarter courtyard bars (see above list) - April is crawfish season. Bayou beer garden does pop up crawfish boils, and they have a wine patio and beer patio (Mid City) - Wandering around the French quarter with a frozen daiquiri in hand on a sunny New Orleans day. Start on royal street (lots of art galleries on this street) and walk around from there. Also recommend getting some frozen Irish coffees at Erin Rose or Molly's at the Market -Museums - World War II museum in the Central Business District for the history buffs -If you are just really hot and need to be in water, there are lots of fun pools bars around the city where you can pay for a day pass. We both love the Country Club in the Bywater