The Big Easy Made Easy

I normally write about a specific trip rather than encapsulating multiple visits into one post but if you've ever been to New Orleans, you know that just isn't possible!  New Orleans is quite simply a “must do” for anyone who loves travel, food and music.  Since my first trip in 1993 to watch UNC win the NCAA basketball championship to finally attending my very first Mardi Gras last year, I’ve been to NOLA at least twenty times and always find something new and different.  It’s a city that appeals to any age (and my visits have definitely changed over the years!).

When to Go
There is always something to do in this city.  It just depends on who else you want to do it with.  It's a huge convention city as well as the host to major events like Mardi Gras, music festivals like Jazzfest and the Voodoo Music and Arts Experience and football classics like the Bayou Classic and Sugar Bowl.  It's always a good idea to check New Orleans Online before you find yourself in the middle of something you might not want to be in the middle of!

Safety, especially during high traffic times is an increasing concern for visitors to New Orleans.  The Quarter does have it's share of crime so don't carry big purses, flash fancy jewelry or wander down dark streets (alone or otherwise).  You know, just use the common sense that has kept you from getting killed so far.

Places to Stay

No trip is complete without crawfish!

Deciding where to stay can be a bit overwhelming.  If you like being in the middle of everything and don’t mind loud noises while you are trying to sleep, the French Quarter may be right for you.   The Central Business District is a quick walk to the Quarter and is a little quieter. 

Thoughts on places I’ve stayed: 

J.W. Marriott –  The rooms are nice and updated but it was definitely no fun being on the 23^rd floor when some jackass pulled the fire alarm at 3:30am.  It's located across Canal Street from the Quarter.  We stayed during Mardi Gras and it was a good location for the parades, etc.  

Royal

Bourbon Orleans –located on Bourbon Street in the Quarter a couple of blocks from Jackson Square.  The main entrance is on St. Louis so you don’t have to step over drunks and trash (I mean walk down Bourbon) to get in and out.  The rooms were very charming (i.e. clean but old) and the service was great.  We faced the pool which meant we had little to no noise at night which was a bonus.  

Omni Royal Orleans - just down the street, it's the Bourbon Orleans slightly classier neighbor.  If you are lucky you'll get a room with a balcony.  The downside however is that my balcony was shared with three other rooms.  I was traveling by myself for business and it was a bit disconcerting thinking that someone could easily access my door and window abutting the balcony.  I mean….a cute girl like me, who knows what could happen?

Impromptu Parade

Hilton Riverside – this hotel is located at the end of Canal near the convention center.  It’s a quick walk to the Quarter, the shopping mall (i.e. Saks) and is on the waterfront.  It is a high rise hotel so depending on what type of events are there it can be a bitch trying to get an elevator or a cab. 

Sheraton – this is a typical convention hotel located on Canal.  Standard rooms, standard service and Starbucks in the lobby.  What more can you ask for?  However, it does have a great lobby bar if you want to watch business people trying to pick up one another versus college kids drinking till they puke on Bourbon Street. 

Windsor Court – located across from Harrah’s Casino and just off of Canal this is a little bit of luxury located in the middle of everything (think the Four Seasons in Las Vegas and you get the drift). 

Where to Eat

Breakfast at Stanley  is a must.  The Old Coffee Pot is also a great choice in the Quarter for soaking up last nights drink specials.  Camellia Grill now has a location in the quarter in addition to their original on Carrollton and is great for breakfast or lunch.

Reservations are a good idea for Mr. B’s Bistro at lunch because they have $1.50 Bloody Mary’s.  Does it even matter what the food is like?  Pier 424 has some of the best etouffee we’ve found in NOLA.  They also have a great upstairs patio space you can rent which gives you great views of Bourbon Street craziness.  Mothers is a must if you like po' boys.


Port of Call is one of my favorites for lunch.  Located on Esplanade at the far end of the Quarter, you can't go wrong with a place that serves tropical drinks and some of the best burgers around.  It's a true dive and doesn't take reservations so be prepared to wait at times.

Any place with John Besh’s name attached to it is a winner in my book.  Restaurant August is his fanciest restaurant and has great signature cocktails.  It’s in an old house and can be a bit stuffy.  However, the food is amazing.  The Blue Crab and Burrata cornbread tart and Scallop and Pork belly were ridiculous. Domenica is great Italian.  The Roasted Cauliflower is required.  You don't like Cauliflower?  Tough.  Order it anyway because you will be a convert after having theirs.  American Sector is his restaurant at the WWII Museum so it's worth visiting if you go to the museum.     

Dinner at Peche

Restaurant Revolution, Peche, La Petit Grocery and Doris Metropolitan are all great choices for dinner.  Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse and Muriels are also old standby's that never disappoint.  Honestly, I've never had a bad meal in New Orleans.  That being said, I did not love Cochon or Bayona as much as I wanted to.

Where to Drink

Anywhere!  One thing that you will not find in NOLA is a lack of alcohol.

Pat O's

You have to do the requisite visit to Pat O'Briens.  Check out both the courtyard and the piano bar.  Cat's Meow is another tourist haven that must be checked out at least once.  They typically have 3 for 1 drink specials which significantly

increases the number of people willing to sing karaoke on their stage.

Carousel Bar

Saints and Sinners is Channing Tatum's place and believe me it's named appropriately.  There is red velvet, black lights and even a stripper pole.  Let's just say that I can't un-see the things I saw when I was there over over Mardi Gras.

If hanging out in karaoke bars and watching college kids grope one another isn't your thing, check out Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone.  I love this place.  It's round and the bar actually spins around the bartenders in the center.  If you have enough to drink, everything actually evens out in the end.

What to Do

Eat.  Drink.  Shop.  It's all at your fingertips.

Go to the National WWII Museum.  Even if you aren't a history buff, you need to check this out.

Spotted Cat

Spend an afternoon strolling down Magazine Street.  Sure, you can shop in the Quarter but if you are looking for something other than beads, masks and tacky t-shirts Magazine Street is the place to go.  There are tons of cute boutiques and art galleries plus lots of opportunities for drinks and snacks along the way.

Check out the clubs on Frenchmen Street for live music.  Snug Harbor, the Spotted Cat and Apple Barrel are some of our favorites.  Vaughan's Lounge on Dauphine is a bit further but it is true NOLA at it's best.

The Boss

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of our favorite things to do.  The music starts at 11am and goes until around 7pm every day.  There are shuttles from downtown but it can take forever to catch the bus back so we've typically taken a cab in recent years.

Endymion Parade

Mardi Gras is one of the truest celebrations of life I've ever seen.  There are parades throughout the city and the entire town is decorated.  You can go to Bourbon Street with several hundred thousand of your closest friends or you can enjoy the parades from Uptown with the locals.  Either way, you can make Mardi Gras as crazy or as calm as you want.

Bourbon Street during
Mardi Gras

There are so many fun things to do in NOLA that I can't possibly list them all but this should be a good start!

Jazzfest