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From the vibrant art scene, famed French Quarter and all that jazz – a trip to New Orleans may just be the easiest “yes” you’ll say to a trip.
Here are our top must-dos for a classic, New Orleans experience:
1. Explore Bourbon Street at night
We arrived in New Orleans in the evening and checked into the Hotel Indigo New Orleans – French Quarter. This IHG property is adorned with lots of NOLA-esque touches. We loved the colorful décor and jazz/Cajun themed prints scattered throughout. A main reason why we chose to stay at this hotel is because of its location. Situated in the French Quarter it made exploring the city at night on foot easy which meant we could forgo the $40+ rideshare prices we were seeing on Lyft and Uber that night. Plus, our room was very affordable.
After checking in, we walked a few blocks to Bourbon Street: a bustling hub of all thing’s nightlife: neon, live music and lots of bars. Right when we arrived on Bourbon Steet, we were greeted with an impromptu, live music performance. We listened to trombones, saxophones and drums before going into Mambo’s, the only place with a rooftop bar on Bourbon Street, for dinner. Unfortunately, the rooftop was closed but we were able to be seated upon arrival. The menu is full of classic New Orleans cuisines: jambalaya, gumbo, po’boys and more. For fellow vegetarians out there, they do have a separate vegetarian menu available on request. Prices were reasonable but the dishes could have been better. If you’re looking for a spot that doesn’t necessarily require a reservation that is located right on Bourbon Street, Mambo’s is a solid choice.
With full stomachs, we felt ready to enjoy our first hurricane – a classic New Orleans drink. This is a sweet cocktail made of rum, lemon juice and passion fruit juice/syrup. If you’re looking for a solid hurricane to try, look no further than Pat O’Brien’s. This place tends to be busy especially in the evening. They have dueling pianos, a bar space and a courtyard equipped with heat lamps in the colder months. We ordered two hurricanes ($12 each) and enjoyed them in the courtyard with a view of the water fountain – a place that seemed to be a very popular place to take pictures.
Next, we continued exploring Bourbon Street. We made pit stops at a few other bars – deciding to enter and stay based on the music scene. We spent time at Bourbon Live, Fat Catz Music Club and Famous Door New Orleans. Each of these venues had live music and we danced our hearts out. You’ll be hard pressed to find a place on Bourbon Street that you won’t want to check out. The possibilities are endless, and we think there is something for everyone to enjoy here!
The Look-See: Things that caught our eye in the city
You’ll find blue and white ceramic tiles on some streets all over the French Quarter. The ones used as street markers were a gift from Spain sent to the city in 1959 to commemorate the city’s Spanish rule during the 18th century.
2. Take a Stroll Around Jackson Square
Anchored by a statue of President Andrew Jackson, this part is the heartbeat of the French Quarter. The public park is free to access and located on Decatur Street and St Ann Street. Here you’ll find spectacular views of the St. Louis Cathedral. The park is surrounded by pedestrian walkways and while you may venture here for the street performers and tarot card readers, the art scene is really the star here (if you ask us).
If you’re interested in a horse drawn carriage ride, you’ll find this activity available by the square as well.
3. Eat beignets at Café du Monde
We personally think a trip to New Orleans would not be complete without a stop at this café which as been operating since 1862. Everyone seems to know that this is a must-do. Open 24 hours, the line can get very long at this place where you can expect to spend about 30 – 60 minutes. They don’t take reservations and the afternoon seems to be a very busy time to visit. We stopped here at about 11 a.m. on a Friday. Instead of waiting in the walk-up, take-out line, we walked around the café seating area and were able to find a table in about 10 minutes. It is a bit chaotic, and we didn’t see a formal wait line for a table, so I hope we didn’t skip in front of anyone unknowingly! After taking a seat, we were quickly helped by a friendly server who wiped down our table while taking our order.
We ordered 2 plates of beignets, café au lait and a hot chocolate. The beignets (3 per order) were coated in powdered sugar and served hot and fresh. Where my coffee fiends at?! Café au lait is a popular French coffee drink in New Orleans. It is made with milk and coffee mixed with chicory. Delish!
Address: 800 Decatur St., New Orleans, Louisiana
Other spots to check out nearby
Café du Monde is located right next to the French Market, the oldest public market in the U.S. There are a ton of retail and artisan shops as well as more food stalls including confectionaries selling freshly made pralines another NOLA classic.
Our fav eatery in the city was Bésame located in the Central Business / Warehouse District. We ordered four small plates or tapas and each one was better than the one before. The menu covers a wide range of Latin inspired dishes including cauliflower tapas, ceviche and Yucatan pork. If you come with a mammoth appetite, the restaurant also serves larger plates which are sure to satisfy. The seafood paella seemed to be a popular crowd-pleaser among guests.
If you’re still looking for fun things to do in NOLA, discover additional activities, tours and more on TripAdvisor.
The possibilities are endless in the French Quarter – easily the most recognizable area in the entire city. Between the charming architecture and culture there is no shortage of things to do and see here!
~ Justin + Alyssa
A Map of the French Quarter
