I LOVE New Orleans!!! I cannot wait to go back! A year and a ½ ago, a group of my friends spent a week in NOLA with my husband and I for a medical conference and of course a few extra days for some fun!!
I love town with their own culture and attitude!!! And New Orleans is definitely full of attitude!!! The food and drinks alone are worth the visit to New Orleans.
My husband and I love Cajun food and trying new foods, so we spent a good part of our time there trying all of the local favorites, including breakfast. I love to try everyone’s version of gumbo and etouffee.
Your first stop should always be The Port of Call for a giant Monsoon. Which is pretty much the largest Mia Tia/Hurricane I have ever had and it’s served in a 32 ounce to-go cup. Plus the best burger in NOLA if you are hungry. Then it’s on to the Verti Marte for a Po-boy!!
Four of the days that we were there were partially consumed by the OB conference that most of us were attending. In the mornings, my friend Marie and I would grab a crawfish pattie (pastry pocket filled with crawfish goodness) from a local grocery stop, a latte, and take The Riverfront Line Streetcar to Harrods for the conference. It is only $1.25 to ride each way or you can purchase a “Jazzy Pass” for $3, $9, or $55. There was a stop only 3 blocks away from our rented condo. Then after the conference ended for the day we would grab the streetcar back.
On the recommendation of a great friend who visits NOLA several times a year, each couple rented their own little 1-2 bedroom condo, or shared with another couple, on the east side of the French Quarter. This actually ended up to be cheaper than a hotel room in the French Quarter and much more comfortable. We each had a little kitchen, courtyard, and one condo even had a pool!!!! Our condo was right on the corner of Bourbon and Esplanade. Close to Everything and absolutely gorgeous!!
For the rest of the mornings we were in NOLA, we walked the few blocks down to Café Envie and Espresso Bar. Yummy!!! Best bagels and lox I’ve ever had! We saw the same man there every morning having coffee. I’m assuming he’s a local performer of some sort.
After breakfast, we wandered around the French Quarter shopping and taking in all the wonderful street art. The French Quarter has such beautiful, colorful architecture. Even the condo my friend rented was colorful!! The French Market is wonderful. I love all the shops and street artists surrounding Jackson Square. Of course, you must make a stop at Café Du Monde for a beignet!!!
The French Quarter at night is a blast!!! We saw several Second Line Parades, live musicians performing on the street, a drag show, and we loved the Haunted Walking Tour.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love Bourbon Street and all it’s chaos. But, you haven’t experienced true New Orleans until you have been to Frenchman’s Street for the evening!!! Frenchmen Street was only about 3 blocks from our condo, so we ended our nights there dancing and listening to wonderful Jazz music. At The Spotted Cat Music Club there were several couples swing dancing and my friends and I were drug on the dance floor to swing dance too!! SO MUCH FUN!!!
While you are on Frenchmen Street do not forget to stop by the Art Market. This beautiful little art market is only open in the evenings and only features local artist. The outdoor lights overhead make it a great place for fun pictures also!!!
On our last full day in NOLA, we rented bikes against my better judgment; since I am a very klutzy person. I hadn’t ridden a bike in years!! But after a short time, I was feeling more confident and stopped running into parked cars everytime a car came towards me. My friend took us all over the Bywater area and down to the Press Street Wharf where the levee used to be. We made a quick stop at Dr. Bob’s Art studio and several other stops for drinks. There are so many fabulous local bars in the Marigny district. Don’t forget to stop by The R Bar!!
Another of my favorite stops, and newer to NOLA, is the St. Roch Market. It is a cute industrial style indoor market, food hall with everything from creole food and lattes, to fresh oysters!!!
One trip to NOLA will never be enough. It’s almost like you leave a part of your heart there until you can go back. I, for one, can’t wait to go back!!!!!
