Things To Do
Coffee + Quick Bites
Cafe Beignet Cafe du Monde (Traditional beignets, get a cafe au lait to go with it, bring cash the cash line is always shorter) French Truck Coffee
Brunch Restaurants
Atchafalaya (Pronounced “Uh-chaff-uh-lie-uh”. It’s tiny so make a reservation, even for brunch!) Bearcat Cafe Brennan’s (Home of Bananas Foster) Commander’s Palace (Make a reservation for Friday lunchtime for the $0.25 martinis) Molly’s Rise n Shine Red Dog Diner (Regula family favorite Irish coffee spot) Toast (Be sure to get the aebleskivers!) Willa Jean
Lunch Recommendations
Barracuda Cochon Butcher Domalise’s (Famous poboy shop, when they ask if you want it “dressed”, they mean with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo.) Francolini’s Mais Arepas Parasol’s (Sara & Garrett’s favorite poboy spot) Sneaky Pickle St. Pizza (Pizza by the slice, great for grab and go!) The Chloe (Also a great spot for drinks!) Turkey & the Wolf (Known for its viral "fried bologna" sandwich and fun atmosphere.)
Dinner Recommendations
Acamaya Antione’s (Oldest family owned running restaurant in the US. Try their famous Oysters Rockefeller and an Antoine's Smile cocktail!) Arnaud’s (According to Sally Quinlan, it’s “the best meal in NOLA!”) Bacchanal (Grab a bottle of wine, some cheese, and enjoy some live music. Then you absolutely must finish it off with the sea salt + olive oil chocolate bark!) Beggars’s Banquet (around the corner from Sara and Garrett’s apartment) Costera (Get Garrett’s favorite drink, Costera’s G&T) Galatoire’s (Traditional New Orleans restaurant) GW Fins (Stop at the French 75 Bar before heading to Garrett’s favorite restaurant) Herbsaint (Garrett’s favorite duck confit) Mr. B’s (Known for their BBQ shrimp) Mr. Ed’s Peche (Sara’s favorite restaurant) Pigeon and Whale (Garrett’s #1 Negroni) Saba (Abundant vegetarian options!) Seaworthy (Our first date spot!) St. Pizza Sylvain (Fabulous upscale cheeseburger & don’t forget to order the bottomless champagne and fries) The Husky
Bar Recommendations
Barrel Proof (Sara & Garrett’s neighborhood bar) Carousel Bar Erin Rose (Top Irish coffee spot) Fat Harry’s (Great sports bar) Fives (Sara says they have the best Pimm’s Cup, don’t forget to try some oysters) French 75 Bar Hot Tin Rooftop (Best views of the city) Jewel of The South (Rated top 15 bar in the country) Jolie Lafitte’s Blacksmith (Known for the purple drink!) Lucy’s Pat O’Brien’s (Birthplace of the hurricane drink, dueling piano bar inside) Peacock Room Peychouds The Columns Hotel The Cure (Sara and Garrett’s favorite happy hour bar) The Drinkery The Hideout (Tom Quinlan’s swears by this bar’s music and wings) Will & The Way
Music & Nightlife
The calendar at WWOZ will list all the music shows happening as our date approaches. There are brass band shows every week: Soul Rebels at Le Bon Temps on Thursdays, Hot 8 Brass Band at Howlin' Wolf on Sundays. Fritzel's is a great place to catch a Jazz Show, and there are several music clubs along Frenchmen (such as Blue Nile, Spotted Cat, 30/90, Maison) with nightly shows as well. Wednesdays at the Square: This is a free concert every Wednesday night in the spring at Lafayette Park in Downtown New Orleans. They have local musicians play from 5-8 PM with local food, beer trucks and artists.
Museums and Tours
The National WWII museum: Tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world, why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means. The Cabildo and Presbytere: In the heart of Jackson Square they feature exhibits on Mardi Gras and Hurricane Katrina. Mardi Gras World: This is where many Mardi Gras floats and props are made and stored. Seeing the huge, beautiful floats up close really helps to show what Mardi Gras is all about. NOMA & Sculpture Garden: Both located in City Park. The Sculpture garden is free and located next to a beignet shop. Walking tours of the French Quarter, Garden District, a cemetery tour, or a ghost tour via Free Tours by Foot. The Audubon Aquarium and Zoo: New Orleans has an Aquarium/Insectarium with a live Butterfly Habitat and the ability to eat bugs. The Aquarium is known for on the world’s only white alligators! The Sazarac House: A free museum about the history of cocktails in New Orleans, with samples provided along the way.
Sightseeing
A ride on the St. Charles streetcar to the end of the route and back downtown is only $1.25 exact change each way or electronically via the "Le Pass" app. This route takes you past some of the most beautiful mansions and oak lined streets of New Orleans. You can also get a day pass for the streetcar that works on the buses as well (which run on Magazine St.!). Don’t forget about Louisiana’s natural beauty! The swamps are gorgeous, either a drive out to the Jean Lafitte wildlife preserve for a hike* through the swamp, or a swamp tour. Many tour companies offer shuttle services from hotels. Either way you’re likely to make an alligator friend or two. (*hike is strong word, there are walking paths throughout and approximately zero elevation change.)
Shopping
Magazine St. is Main Street USA in true NOLA style, offering 6 miles of intermittent shopping and dining. While you will find a few national brands, locally owned is the norm. Unique boutiques, top chefs, art studios and markets have been popping up along this exceptional thoroughfare since the early days of New Orleans. Some of these family owned shops are closed on Sundays, so be sure to check their hours. Royal and Chartres Streets in the French Quarter also have lots of fun and unique boutique shops.
Getting Around New Orleans
New Orleans is very walkable in the French Quarter and CBD, but rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are the easiest way to get between neighborhoods. Streetcars are also a fun and iconic option, especially the St. Charles line, but they move at a leisurely pace, so plan accordingly. Parking can be limited in popular areas, so we recommend avoiding a rental car if possible.
Local Tips
1. Cash is helpful for small spots and beignets 2. Wear comfortable shoes! Cobblestones + walking = lots of steps 3. Many restaurants require reservations, especially weekends 4. Don’t rush meals here, service is part of the experience 5. If a brass band is playing in the street… follow it
