Kristin & Daniel
Things To Do
Jackson Square
Sprinkled with lazing loungers, surrounded by sketch artists, fortune tellers and traveling performers, and watched over by cathedrals, offices and shops plucked from a Parisian fantasy, Jackson Sq is one of America’s great town greens and the heart of the Quarter. The identical, block-long Pontalba Buildings overlook the scene, and the nearly identical Cabildo and Presbytère structures flank the impressive St Louis Cathedral, which fronts the square.
Frenchmen Street
The ‘locals' Bourbon St’ is how Frenchmen St is usually described to those who want to know where New Orleanians listen to music. The predictable result? Frenchmen St is now packed with out-of-towners each weekend. Still, it's a ton of fun, especially on weekdays when the crowds thin out but music still plays. Bars and clubs are arrayed back to back for several city blocks in one of the best concentrations of live-music venues in the country.
Crescent Park
This waterfront park is our favorite spot in the city for taking in the Mississippi. Enter over the enormous arch at Piety and Chartres Sts, or at the steps at Marigny and N Peters Sts, and watch the fog blanket the nearby skyline. A promenade meanders past an angular metal-and-concrete conceptual 'wharf' (placed next to the burned remains of the former commercial wharf).
Audubon Park
Soak up the sun on the riverfront watching barges slowly move through the Mississippi or take a leisurely stroll through oak tree lined pathways. Be sure to check out the Tree of Life, a gigantic oak tree great for climbing and potential a vantage point for Giraffe watching at the near by Audubon Zoo.
City Park
Live oaks, Spanish moss and lazy bayous frame this masterpiece of urban planning. Three miles long and 1 mile wide, dotted with gardens, waterways and bridges and home to a captivating art museum, City Park is bigger than Central Park in NYC and it's New Orleans’ prettiest green space.
French Market
This long shopping arcade was once the great bazaar and pulsing commercial heart for much of New Orleans. Today the French Market is a bustling tourist jungle of curios, flea markets, food stalls and artist kiosks, some of which sell genuinely fascinating, memorable souvenirs, and some of which sell alligator heads, belt buckles and sunglasses. Whether it's kitch or catch, you can find it here, often with live musical accompaniment. Events sometimes keep the market open later in the evenings.
The National WWII Museum
This extensive museum presents a fairly thorough analysis of the largest war in history. The exhibits, which are displayed across multiple grand pavilions, are enormous and immersive.
Commander's Palace
Commander’s Palace is a dapper host, a seer-suckered bon vivant who wows with white-linen dining rooms, decadent dishes and attentive Southern hospitality. The nouveau Creole menu shifts, and can run from crispy oysters with brie-cauliflower fondue to pecan-crusted gulf fish. The dress code adds to the charm: no shorts or T-shirts, and jackets preferred at dinner. It's a very nice place – and lots of fun.
Red's Chinese
Red's has upped the Chinese cuisine game in New Orleans in a big way. The chefs aren't afraid to add lashings of Louisiana flavor, yet this isn't what we'd call 'fusion' cuisine. The food is grounded deeply in spicy Szechuan flavors, which pairs well with the occasional dash of cayenne.
Sucré
Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory has put away its top-hat and purple suede coat and gone decidedly upscale. Artisanal chocolates, chocolate bars, toffee, marshmallows, gelato and other confections beckon from behind the glass counter. One macaroon will set you back $2 – but you can gain comfort from the fact that Sucré is widely considered the best chocolate in town. Kristin's' brother. Scott, can provide recommendations from the menu.
Dat Dog
Every part of your tasty dog, from the steamed link (sausage) to the toasted sourdough bun to the flavor-packed toppings, is produced with exuberance here. Sausage choices include duck, alligator and crawfish. If you like your dawgs spicy, try the Louisiana hot sausage from nearby Harahan. And grab about 10 napkins for every topping. Even better, there's a 5pm-to-7pm happy hour!
Satsuma Cafe
With its chalkboard menu of organic soups and sandwiches, ginger limeade (seriously, this drink on a hot day is heaven), and graphic- and-pop art-decorated walls, Satsuma is hip and fun. Satsuma is in close proximity to Crescent Park, making visiting the park a great post-meal activity.