Weekend Getaway: New To New Orleans

Weekend Getaway: New To New Orleans

In our generation, New Orleans is most known as a partiers paradise. While this still stands true, there are many other things this amazing city has to offer. From sightseers to foodies, NOLA will most certainly leave an impression on you.

We drove from Nashville, TN. It is about 8 hours and a pretty drive. Pop in a podcast mini series and you should be set. If you are flying, the airport is about 30-40 minutes from the french quarter and you can easily get a uber/lyft when you arrive.

NOTE: NOLA Has passed a law where you MUST show your VAX card or a negative COVID test within 72 hours to enter ANY facility. We set our VAX cards as our backgrounds for easier access but make sure you have a picture of it in a notepad on your phone.

WHERE TO VISIT

  • Bourbon Street: If you are looking to party, This is your district. The streets are filled with back to back bars and it felt like I was in college again. Make sure you stick to the main streets as at times it did feel a bit unsafe. This street is technically a part of French quarter.
  • French Quarter: I would recommended staying here/getting an airbnb as it is much quieter than Bourbon Street but still walkable. Most of the amazing restaurants are over here. Royal Street has a ton of amazing shops and live music.
  • New Orleans City Park: City Park is as magical and unique as the city of New Orleans. The 1300-acre outdoor oasis has enchanted New Orleanians since 1850. The park is so picturesque, Spanish moss drapes over amazing trails to run/walk on. They have a Farmer’s Market on Thursday 3-7pm that you can visit or an incredible members only dog park. The City Dog Park is a must see if you are traveling with your pup. It is members only however, you can purchase a pass in advanced here. We did not purchase a pass as some of the members were kind enough to let us in through the gate for the day. One of my favorite spots I saw while I was here.
  • Garden District: Another amazing place I would recommend staying. Many old manors and gorgeous homes are over here. You can still walk to everything but it is a bit father however it is quieter than French Quarter and Bourbon street. American horror story was filmed here.

WHAT TO DO

  • Ride the Streetcar along St. Charles Avenue: This takes you through the Garden District. Make sure you take it to Uptown. Bring change
  • Voodoo Tour, Vampire Tour, or Cemetery Tour. There is also the Voodoo Museum
  • See a Psychic: Earth Odyssey or Marie Laveu’s House of Voodo
  • Walk around all of the districts (see where to visit above)
  • Walk down Magazine Street: It follows the curving course of the Mississippi River. Has a ton of cute shops and bars, very artsy
  • Book a Swamp Tour: You can either do the public tours or if you have a group of your own book a private one so that you can bring your own beverages in a cooler
  • Burlesque Show: This was our favorite night! This show was incredible and got us super excited before we started our night. There are many different options but MINX Burlesque is what we saw and 100% recommend

WHERE TO EAT

Breakfast/Brunch

  • Cafe Du Monde: Beignet’s are a must. The most famous in NOLA. There is to-go lines or open seating
  • The Chloe: Boujee brunch in the garden district
  • The Columns: Great Cocktail bar, redone hotel and a fun brunch vibe
  • Ruby Slippers**: Join the live waitlist on yelp. Make sure its the location you want (do not make the mistake I did). 100% would recommend this as your go-to. Go to the Garden District one then explore that area after
  • Commanders Place: .25 cent martini’s with a brunch meal. There is a slight dress code, nothing crazy so make sure you check their website
  • Cafe Amelie: Bottomless mimosas, really pretty patio. One of my other favorites for any time of day
  • Camellia Grill: been around for 100 years. Traditional diner style
  • Palace Cafe: famous for their jazz brunch and crab cake Benedict
  • Willa Jean: need brunch reservation. Southern Bakery
  • Atchafalaya: trendy Bloody Mary bar. Southern brunch 
  • The Larder Gourmet Market + Eatery:  dozen entrees, sangria, seasonal mimosas, and bloody mary
  • The Elysian Bar: enchantingly gothic courtyard, for a succinct menu of a smoked salmon omelette; “baked eggs in purgatory
  • Alma Cafe:  Honduran and Louisiana breakfasts
  • Copper Vine: favorite for brunch, decked out with enough greenery to make you forget you are downtown

Lunch/Dinner

Best Patios/Rooftops

WHERE TO DRINK

Bourbon Street

  • Tropical Isle: live webcam at the bar on the corner of Bourbon and Orleans, so you can show the world all of your great Bourbon Street decisions.
  • Pat O’ Brians: Piano Bar, famous for hurricanes (you’ll hear this drink a lot – get it). This was my favorite bar
  • Funky 544: Think New York’s famous disco club Studio 54
  • Beach Bourbon: largest dance floor 
  • Bourbon O: cheap beer and cocktails
  • The Cats Meow: karaoke
  • Fat cats: Live music
  • Gold mines: dance floor goes off
  • Spotted Cat: live music
  • Tipitinas: live music 
  • Razzos: day and night they call people on stage 
  • OZ: this is a gay bar and SO fun. They have performers and it’s a really cool vibe

French Quarter 

  • Old Absinthe House: Supposed to be haunted
  • Bar tonique: happy hour cocktails for $5 during the week
  • DBA: New York City inspired bar, have nightly performances 
  • Markey’s: old Irish bar with shuffle boards, tv’s and darts
  • Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: 300 year old building. It is believed to have been the storehouse of a read pirate, jean Lafitte
  • Manolito: Havana-inspired bar, frozen cocktails 
  • Carousel  bar: bar that rotates in circles good for pre drinks, been around for 70 years. It tuns every 15 minutes 
  • Cane & Table: famous for Pina coladas and good apps
  • Bacchanal Wine: Pick a bottle in the store then head out to the big backyard where you can drink it and watch music and order cheese & charcuterie 
  • Lost love lounge: dive bar but also good Vietnamese food 

There is a reason that it took me over a month to write this blog. We went for Halloween and somehow I am still recovering. If you go on a Holiday weekend, make sure you go in a group, bring Liquid IV and some good vibes. Apart from me being a wimp, no matter what you see or where you go, this city has such an amazing culture & atmosphere. NOLA will most definitely leave you wanting more (as soon as your hangover goes away). My highlights were the burlesque show, wandering around the french quarter, and City Park. I can’t wait to hear yours!

@nourishwithnatalia

Drink responsibly #halloweenlook #neworleans #fypシ #roadtrip #halloween2021

♬ original sound – Katerina