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. Our group 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 to 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 a 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 were 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!
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
Do you 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 a night art market with great local vendors.
I’ve been dying to go to New Orleans recently! I’ve been three times and still have never been to Cafe Du Monde!
This looks like such a fun trip! The food there is so good, I haven’t tried these restaurants yet, I will have to try them next time I visit, they sound amazing!
XOXO
Cathy
Cafe Du Monde is MY favorite – gimme all the beignets! Looks like you had a great fourth visit to NOLA!
xoxo Sarah
It looks like you had a great time! I’ll have to save this for the next time we visit Nola because I didn’t have the best time the last time we went. I’ll follow your guide for sure!
New Orleans look amazing and totally makes me want to visit!! The food looks delicious and need to put these places on my list!
Kileen
cute & little
Ah, New Orleans is so awesome that you were able to get some great pictures! That food looks great I’ll have to go to those places when I go back!
I’ve been dying to get down to New Orleans! Every time I see photos of food from local restaurants, I have to stop myself from drooling!
Rachel
http://Www.hello-her.com
I have such a love/hate relationship with travel posts. I love them because it’s so cool to read about all the fun spots to visit in a place I’ve never been – but I hate them because all the food suggestions make me crave things I can’t have UNLESS I visit haha! Sounds like Nola is a lot of fun though!
I have been to New Orleans 4 times and the charm of the city never gets old. Love all your pictures.
❥ tanvii.com
Definitely saving this for later!!! Such great info here! Looks like a great trip.
xx rebecca // the crystal press
I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans! My husband and I were just talking about how we should plan a trip on there! This guide is so helpful!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Ah, def bookmarking this one! My husband and I have been dying to visit. Love all of the cool and colorful architecture.
xx, Danielle
I’ve never visited New Orleans, but would love to! Definitely saving this for later 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans! Will definitely be saving the post for when we plan a trip. Love all these recommendations!
Love it!!! I haven’t been to New Orleans since I was 14 – CRAZY! And my aunt lives just 45 minutes from there. Need to make a trip happen and visit all of these places! Definitely looks and sounds like y’all had an amazing time!
xo Laura Leigh
Louella Reese
Looks like such a fun trip! We are trying to plan a girl’s trip to Nola soon!
I have been to NOLA several times and not tried of your suggestions. This can only mean one thing, I’m due for another trip to NOLA, ASAP!! 🙂
Xx, Nailil
http://thirtyminusone.com
I just went to NOLA in November and only went to a few of these places! Just means I have to go back, right ;)? Bookmarking for the future!
Ah New Orleans is def on my list of places to visit!! Looks like such a fun trip!
I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans! The food alone has me sold!