Best Restaurants, Hotels & Things to Do in New Orleans
Curated By
Pamela Hines
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Louisiana
New Orleans
Arts & Culture
Black Travel
City Travel
Couples Travel
Domestic Travel
Food & Wine
Family Travel
Local Culture
Sightseeing
History
Curator’s statement
If you love jazz, Cajun food, Mardi Gras, history and diversity then New Orleans, or as I like to say, NOLA is the place to be. NOLA has a culture like no other place in the world. You can cruise on the Mighty Mississippi, kayak in the bayous, walk the historic streets of the French Quarter, tour the cemeteries, ride a street car, listen to live bands, eat French cuisine, and enjoy fresh hot beignets. From breakfast to lunch to dinner and late-night snacks, you’ll find some of the best meals you’ve ever eaten. Full of history and charm, NOLA is a city you will quickly learn to love.
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Insider knowledge
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Where to stay in New Orleans
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Things to do in New Orleans
New Orleans is located on the Mississippi River with many options and things to do. Daytime, nighttime, weekday and weekends - there is always something.
Tours
Swamp tours give you an opportunity to see the wildlife that lives in and around the Mississippi. Things like fish, snakes, alligators and other creepy crawly things, oh my.
Plantation tours. NOLA is known for its antebellum history and past.
French Quarter. Take a walk through NOLA’s French Quarter and you will discover like I did, what brings this city to life.
Haunted Tours and Cemetery Tours. I would have never thought I would enjoy walking through a cemetery. The history is amazing. On these tours, you will learn about voodoo, and ghosts and see some amazing cemeteries.
Attractions
City Park is a must-see. You could spend the whole day here and not see it all. It is one of the largest parks in the United States. Included within the park are the New Orleans Botanical Garden, the New Orleans Museum of Arts and the Louisiana Children’s Museum (a must-see if you are traveling with children). You can walk the park or rent a bike or paddle boat.
Museums
New Orleans African American Museum
Le Musee de fpe.
House of Dance and Feathers.
The Lower 9th Ward Living Museum: This is another must-see very moving museum. The 9th Ward was one of the areas that was hit the hardest during Katrina.
Music
Jazz clubs include the Palm Court Jazz Cafe and of course Tipitina's.
Nightlife
Pat O'Brien’s Bar, Preservation Hall and you will find much to do on Bourbon Street!
Places to eat & drink in New Orleans
Cafe De Monde is the original French Market Coffee Stand and where you will find the best and I mean the BEST Beignets in not only NOLA but the entire USA.
Willie Mae’s Scotch House: Here you will find the best fried chicken in NOLA.
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant: Here you will find American and Creole cooking (I highly recommend the Louisiana Red Fish umm, umm good).
Brennan’s is the place to go if you love Banana Foster. It’s a good place for breakfast.
Looking for good seafood try Elysian or Seafood Sally’s.
For my vegan and vegetarian travelers, a place my husband loves is Sweet Soulfood. I would recommend their Jambalaya or okra gumbo. The menu is a little different daily.
Need to Know
For more travel tips, check out this guide to New Orleans by Fora Advisor Lissa Caltrider: Girls Getaway Weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Travel Advisor
Pamela Hines
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