New Orleans Travel Guide

Last weekend, I was in NOLA hanging out while my husband was at a conference. This was my fourth time in the Big Easy but I think this was my favorite trip yet! I’m breaking down all we did in today’s New Orleans travel guide post.

New Orleans Travel Guide:

EAT

• Killer Po Boys – You can’t go to New Orleans and not have a Po Boy. Here I had the chicken Po Boy with a spicy, barbeque, coffee rub. It was heavenly!
  
• Cafe Du Monde – I know, I know. People tell me that there are better beignets than Cafe Du Monde but I haven’t found it. The tip here is to get your beignets to go and then sit down and eat them. You shake the bag and let the powdered sugar really coat the beignets. (NOTE: They only take cash!)
  
• Auction House Market – This adorable spot was found courtesy of the photographer I met. They had different food stations like oysters, sushi, coffee, sandwiches, etc. The decor was adorable and it’s a great spot to pop in a recharge. (P.S. Ladies, you’ll love their chic bathroom.)
  
• Clesi’s – We asked a few locals where to go for crawfish and every person said Clesi’s. We became BFFs with the manager Nick and he had us eating crawfish, corn on the cob, potatoes, sausage, and jambalaya all night long. We spent a while there hanging out and enjoying the laid back vibe.
  
• Elizabeth’s – This was the perfect place for a NOLA farewell brunch. Try the Banana’s Foster French Toast or the French Toast Burrito. Everything on the menu is the bomb.
  
• Cochon – Close of Magazine Street, Cochon is a good lunch spot. Enjoy ribs, loaded baked potatoes, rolls and other delicious dishes.

DRINK

• The Monteleone – One of the first NOLA stops on this trip was Monteleone. It’s a bar in a hotel and there’s a giant carousel in the center of the room. Grab a drink at the bar and see the room as the carousel turns.
  
• Big Easy Daiquiris – You can find these all over the French Quarter. New Orleans has an open container law so you can walk around with beverage in hand. These are sugary but yummy! Strawberry is my favorite flavor.
  
• Cane & Table – The front of the restaurant is cool, but we loved the back patio. It was a slow night so we had the back area to myself. They have specialty cocktails or wine by the glass.
  
• Bacchanal Wine – My new favorite place in the world. We got to Bacchanal early and was there for the long haul. They have wine on tap or you can get your wine by the bottle. They also have food! We munched on cheese plates, bread and butter, hummus, you name it. They also had live music and the prettiest outdoor space. When we finally did leave, the line was wrapped around the block!
  
• Bar Redux – Down the road from Bacchanal is Bar Redux. This is a great place where the locals hang out and making friends is easy. We had the best time here talking to other customers and hanging with the bartender named Dameon.
  
• Cure Nola – 2018 Winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Cocktail Program, Cure is such a cool spot to be. We sat on their outdoor patio and it was super chill and relaxed. I had the Bramble and it was so refreshing.
  

DO

• Check out the Eliza Jane Hotel – When I was doing a shoot, we went to the Eliza Jane Hotel to change and the decor was absolutely gorgeous! This is a newer hotel and worth a stop.
  
• Canal Street – One of the many famous streets in New Orleans, Canal Street has a very LA kind of vibe. The streets are lined with palm trees and the trolley runs down the middle. There are food, shopping, and cool hotels. Definitely walk around.
  
• Walk around the French Quarter – When my husband was at the conference I would walk around and explore. There are so many places for art, antiques, shopping. Plus it’s fun to walk around and see all the pretty buildings!
  
• Shopping on Royal Street – There’s already a post on here about my 7 favorite places to shop in the French Quarter. Royal Street is my favorite street and has the cutest little boutiques and shops!
• Roam Magazine Street – The best afternoon I had was roaming Magazine Street. I put in my earphones, let the music go and I did whatever I wanted. There was stopping for coffee, record shopping at Peaches, popping in and out of boutiques and just enjoying the day. Magazine Street is magical.
  
• Music and Art of Frenchman Street – Love live music? Frenchman Street is where it’s at. Just know that on the weekend it’s packed out and there’s a cover for most venues. There’s also night art market with great local vendors.
  

Have you ever been to New Orleans? What are some of your favorite spots? Share with me in a comment below!

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