Sadie & StefanSadie & Stefan
Let's Get BusyLet's Get Busy
Frenchmen StreetFrenchmen Street
The "local's French Quarter" of New Orleans, this iconic area is a short walk from Bourbon Street and offers the best live music scene in the city every night of the week. Grab a cocktail and stroll through the Frenchman Art Bazaar, a nighttime art market showcasing a variety of local artists which is open until 1AM on the weekends, while listening to the music spilling out from the bars. Lore says Snug Harbor first opened in the 1800s as a pirate bar and Sadie's great aunt danced on the tables there when she was 18. While it's hard to go wrong with any of the live music options, D.B.A. is usually where we end up when we visit!
French QuarterFrench Quarter
Obvious? Of course. A necessary stop on every New Orleans trip? Absolutely! Warm up your karaoke skills for Saturday at Cats Meow (they have a dangerously fun 3-for-1 drink deal on Thursday nights), enjoy the antics at Pat O'Brien's Dueling Piano Bar, or simply stroll the streets taking in the sights and sounds of New Orleans!
The Carousel Bar & LoungeThe Carousel Bar & Lounge
One of the most celebrated bars in New Orleans for over 75 years now, this classic haunt at the Hotel Monteleone features a central circular bar that revolves like a real carousel. A very fun stop to treat yourself to a fancy cocktail or two in the Quarter!
Felix's Restaurant & Oyster BarFelix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar
The Felix’s story is that of the New Orleans oyster bar. Ask any New Orleanian where their dad or grandpa took them for their first oysters. The answer is always Felix’s... Back in the 1940’s, Felix’s put the New Orleans oyster bar on the map, creating a place where oyster-lovers could ‘belly up to the bar’ and have the freshest oysters shucked right in front of them. Felix’s fast became a New Orleans’ institution that drew a devoted local, national and international following which has inspired generations of oyster fans. Be it fresh or chargrilled, this is THE place to get your oyster fix!
New Orleans Ghost and Vampire TourNew Orleans Ghost and Vampire Tour
We highly recommend participating in a ghost tour of some sort while you're in town! There are many different tours and companies to choose from, and it's very fun to hear the spooky tales from the very knowledgeable guides while sipping on a to-go cocktail. They offer a unique lens to explore the city and learn some of the history of New Orleans through!
French MarketFrench Market
Similar to some European markets, this historically charming open-air market features shopping, dining, music, and local tradition that is uniquely New Orleans. From Cafe du Monde near Jackson Square to the flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue, the French Market includes five blocks of local produce, specialty art, handmade crafts, retail shopping, and more.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Burying the dead in a place built below sea level was a problem that faced the earliest residents of the French settlement that became New Orleans. The solution agreed upon, to entomb the departed in elaborate marble chambers above ground, created one of the city’s most lingering attractions: cemeteries that are both historic and hauntingly beautiful. Wander the purported resting places of voodoo queen Marie Laveau, musician Al Hirt, and Civil War general P.G.T. Beauregard, all residents of what is known in New Orleans as the Cities of the Dead. Many offer guided tours, others you can explore on your own. Some of the most notable cemeteries include St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, and Metairie Cemetery. Voodoo queen Marie Laveau is entombed here at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans' oldest cemetery where nobles were traditionally buried, and can be visited on guided tours for anyone interested!
Audubon AquariumAudubon Aquarium
No visit is complete until you locate the "GEAUTHREAUX" brick outside of the aquarium! First one to spot it gets a special Bourbon Street Surprise (boobs, it's always boobs on Bourbon).
Mardi Gras WorldMardi Gras World
Go behind the scenes to tour the 300,000 square foot working warehouse where floats are made for the various Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans! Also housing the floats during the year when not in use, it's an experience you truly cannot find anywhere else.
Tipitina'sTipitina's
Tipitina's is one of New Orleans’ most iconic music venues of all time. Started in 1977 by a group of young music lovers, Tipitina’s has stood the test of time as one of the premier clubs in the country by featuring some of the most celebrated musicians, not just from New Orleans, but from around the globe. The venue, named for one of Professor Longhair’s most enigmatic recordings, “Tipitina", grew to become THE venue for all local, national, and international recording artists performing in city. Today, Tipitina’s continues to present the biggest names in music along with up and coming artists that will become the next generation of musicians.
City ParkCity Park
Over 170 years old, New Orleans' City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, in the top 20 most visited every year, and features a variety of attractions. A community hub for the city, you can often find live music to listen to on casual park days, in addition to the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Children's Museum, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, putt putt, Storyland, a sculpture garden, and the botanical garden.
The Singing OakThe Singing Oak
The melodious 125-year-old tree towers in the heart of City Park. The ancient oak tree, adorned with chimes by local artist Jim Hart, offers enchanting tunes from the wind chimes strung from the branches. The chimes are all tuned to play as one in the pentatonic scale, (which is the scale used in West African music, early Jazz, and Gospel music, linking it with New Orleans' rich musical heritage) and are painted black to blend in with the plant's natural shadows. The seven instruments range in size, with one reaching a length of 14 feet. The harmonious effect is that of a relaxing, tinkling natural symphony. Although the Singing Oak is in plain sight of visitors, not many people know about this hidden New Orleans gem next to a beautiful lake. Take a few minutes to sit beneath the Chime Tree and walk away just slightly more relaxed than when you arrived.
Train GardenTrain Garden
The Historic New Orleans Train Garden is one of the Park’s hidden gems, tucked away in a vibrant, lush corner of the Botanical Garden. The Train Garden features typical New Orleans home and building architecture made with botanical materials, and replicas of streetcars and trains that wind around the track. As visitors walk, they observe 1,300 feet of track carrying streetcars and trains like those that traveled the city in the late 1800s to the early 1900s, at 1/22 of their actual size. The thoroughly whimsical Train Garden experience were designed and constructed from organic, natural, biodegradable materials by renowned artisan Paul Busse, who has built the “mechanical and botanical” displays in gardens from New York City to Chicago.
Couturie ForestCouturie Forest
Hidden within the vast expanse of New Orleans' City Park, the Couturie Forest Nature Trails present a refreshing escape from the city's bustle. Covering 60 acres, this remarkable space showcases eight distinct ecosystems, each teeming with life. The trails, gentle, well-maintained, and nicely shaded, are perfect for leisurely walks or family adventures, offering a tranquil setting among native trees and serene waterways. The Forest is also home to New Orleans’ highest point of elevation: Laborde Mountain. Measuring a daunting 27 feet above sea level, oxygen and sherpas are available upon request.