Experience NOLA

Places to Eat

Arnaud's

The 100+ year old restaurant serves up some great New Orleans staples. The tableside bananas fosters is always a fun order!

Brennan's

Great Brunch! Brennan's Restaurant is a New Orleans restaurant tradition since 1946. Their innovative Creole menu borrows influences from French and Spanish ancestry with modern updates and distinct seasonal offerings. Old-world elegance inspired dining rooms, and personable, attentive service, create a unique and sophisticated experience.

Café Du Monde

The Original Cafe Du Monde is a traditional coffee shop. Its menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The coffee is served Black or Au Lait. Au Lait means that it is mixed half and half with hot milk. Beignets are square French-style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar. A true New Orleans Tradition!

Clancy's Restaurant

A Locals favorite located in the Uptown area.

Commander's Palace

Commander's Palace, nestled in the middle of the tree-lined Garden District, has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893. Known for the award-winning quality of its food and its convivial atmosphere, the history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans' storied past and has been the go-to destination for Haute Creole cuisine and whimsical Louisiana charm. The winner of seven James Beard Foundation Awards, Commander's Palace has evolved into a culinary legend.

Mr. B's Bistro

Nicole's favorite restaurant in the city! Mr. B’s is one of the brightest stars in the New Orleans restaurant scene. Nestled in the heart of the French Quarter, Mr. B’s Bistro is located at the corner of Royal and Iberville Streets, across the street from The Monteleone Hotel.

Parkway Bakery & Tavern

A New Orleans institution. This place always is in the running in the controversial "Best Poboy in New Orleans" debate. The lines can get long, but the fried oyster poboys are worth the wait.

Ruby Slipper Cafe

There are several Ruby Slipper's within the city. While it may seem like a chain, they are unique to the city and oh so good!

Turkey and the Wolf

If you're looking for an alternative to Muffulettas and Poboys this is a great spot for creative sandwiches. They are a counter service restaurant. Right off of Magazine Street.

Drink and Be Merry

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits

Bacchanal is a unique destination in the Bywater neighborhood, where you can enjoy wine, craft cocktails, and original jazz in a treehouse bar and outdoor dining area. What started as a sleepy little wine shop on the outskirts of New Orleans slowly emerged as an eclectic Bywater watering hole, and then after Katrina became an epic part of the city's recovery as guest chefs from around the city came and cooked for the crowds on Bacchanal Sundays, NOLA's original pop-up. This iconic day became immortalized in HBO's series Treme.

The Carousel Bar & Lounge

One of the most unique bars in New Orleans for good reason! Carousel Bar is truly beautiful and a slice of history that has been impeccably maintained. If you can't get a spot at the Carousel Bar, the Hotel Monteleone has several bars that are great and have the same ambiance.

French 75 Bar

The French 75 was originally a “gentlemen only area.” When the Casbarians renovated and Arnaud’s reopened in March 1979, the space debuted as The Grill Bar. In 2003, it was reincarnated as the French 75 Bar with emphasis on premium spirits, classic cocktails and fine cigars. The bar was custom-built in the late 1800s, both it and the bar-back are vintage.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop -- built between 1722 and 1732 by Nicolas Touze, is reputed to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States.

Napoleon House

Renowned for its refreshing Pimm’s Cup cocktail, warm muffuletta sandwich, and “dishy” history as a proffered refuge for the embattled and exiled ex-Emperor of France, the century-old Napoleon House is a French Quarter icon exuding the patina, charm, and authenticity of living history. This 200-year old landmark was recently awarded 2019 "Timeless American" award by Tales of the Cocktail for being a pillar in the community and having provided a benchmark for the industry.

Pat O'Brien's

One of Ross's favorite places! Pat O’Brien ran a speakeasy in the 600 block of St. Peter street in New Orleans’ French Quarter, until the repeal of Prohibition. When he officially opened the bar on December 3, 1933. He developed a friendship with Charlie Cantrell and after many years of fun and lots of poker games, the two men purchased the building that is now home to Pat O’Brien’s Bar at 718 St Peter street. This Historical Building was built in 1791 as a private home and later became the first Spanish Theatre in the United States. It was converted back to a private residence until 1942, when O’Brien and Cantrell purchased the spacious place to become home to one of the most iconic nightclubs in the United States. The old bar had an upright piano to entertain, but 718 St Peter allowed them to go bigger and better with two baby grand pianos … thus, dueling piano entertainment was born!

The Sazerac Bar

Named after what many consider to be the world’s first mixed drink, The Sazerac carries as much history as its potable namesake. Just gazing at the famous Paul Ninas murals flanking the African walnut bar takes you back to the grandeur of old New Orleans – a time when Huey P. Long would stroll in, order a Ramos Gin Fizz, and spend the next couple of hours talking to his constituents.

The Tchoup Yard

An outdoor bar and patio that's a hot spot for locals.

Things To Do

Audubon Zoo

Located in historic Uptown New Orleans, Audubon Zoo features exotic and endangered animals from around the globe. Amidst canopies of great oak trees, experience the wonder of nature in a shaded wonderland. Audubon Zoo is consistently one of the country’s top-ranked zoos, voted as one of the top ten zoos in the country in the USA Today “10 Best” reader poll and ranked as one of the top things to do in New Orleans.

Frenchmen Street

Once a hidden gem among locals, Frenchmen Street is now recognized as one of New Orleans’ best spots for finding live music. The sounds of jazz, reggae, and blues spill out of clubs lining the corridor making for a buzzing and vibrant atmosphere. We recommend Frenchmen Street instead of Bourbon any day of the week!

French Quarter Visitor Center

Learn about the city and specifically French Quarter through exhibits, films and illustrations

Garden District Tours

The best way to see the gorgeous homes in New Orleans is to schedule a walking tour throughout the Garden District, but you can easily grab the Street Car on St. Charles, hop off when you see a beautiful home, and just start walking! There are also apps that provide virtual guides. Stop in The Rink for a quick bite to eat or a cup of coffee. There are some great shops in here and Garden District Book Store is not to be missed.

Jackson Square

Known as one of New Orleans’ most recognizable landmarks, Jackson Square is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the center of the French Quarter.

Louisiana Swamp Tours

One of the best parts about living in New Orleans is that it is only 30 minutes from some insane wildlife and nature! Schedule a swamp tour and enjoy the beautiful scenery! Try Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours or Cajun Encounters Tour Co.

Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World allows you to see firsthand what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life year after year. This all-access opportunity winds you through the massive studio, where artists and architects build Mardi Gras floats from the ground up. You’ll learn about the history of this unique and festive tradition, going beyond its reputation to get a deeper understanding of the REAL Mardi Gras.

The National WWII Museum

Not to be missed! 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 today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. You can visit this museum several times and still learn something new.

Preservation Hall

Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Peter Street, the Preservation Hall venue presents intimate, acoustic New Orleans Jazz concerts over 360 nights a year featuring ensembles from a current collective of 50+ local master practitioners. On any given night, audiences bear joyful witness to the evolution of this venerable and living tradition.

Saint Charles Streetcar

The St. Charles Streetcar Line is a historic streetcar line in New Orleans, Louisiana. Running since 1835, it is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Sazerac House

This is your place to see how the Sazerac is part of the customs, traditions and culture of New Orleans. Discover the methods used in distilling Sazerac Rye, learn how we handcraft world famous Peychaud's Bitters and join us for special experiences steeped in the unique character of the city that inspires it all.

Shopping

New Orleans has an amazing shopping scene! Everything from fabulous antiques on Royal Street in the French Quarter to cute boutiques on Magazine St. Some great stores are Azby's, Billy Reid, SoSuSu, Sue Sartor, Cole Pratt Gallery, Dunn and Sonnier Antiques and Flowers Gifts, Hilltop Shoppe, Tyler and Tate, Leontine Linens, Mac Maison, Scriptura, Hazelnut, Hemline (the original is in the French Quarter), and Sotre.