I could honestly say that New Orleans is one of my favorite places to visit. I love everything from their delectable cuisine to their vibrate live-music and would recommend it to everyone. NOLA is know for its outrageous nightlife but there is so much more to this city. I've composed a list of 15 things to do in New Orleans.
Probably what's on everyones bucket list when they visit New Orleans is to explore the French Quarters. You probably expected from the name that the city is hugely influence by the French colony. However, the buildings are actually from when the city was under Spanish ruling. A little something I learned during my ghost tour. Most people want to walk along Bourbon Street because it is a party hotspot but it can get quite crowded. If you want the same charm as Bourbon Street but without the crowd, opt for Royal Street, Decatur Street, or St. Ann.
2. Visit a cemetery.
One of my favorite thing to do in NOLA was the cemetery tour. I liked it so much that I went twice but with 2 different tour companies. I would have to say that both companies were awesome and highly recommend both of them. If you're planning to visit the cemetery, you must have a tour guide with you. They will not let you in without one. I will not go into details about the tour, you just need to see it for yourself!
https://www.hauntedhistorytours.com/index.php/our-tours/new-orleans-cemetery-history-tour $25 per person/adult. (Big Group ~ 20/30 people in a group)
https://twochickswalkingtours.com $25 per person/adult. (Small Group ~ 10 people in a group)
(GROUP SIZES MIGHT JUST DEPEND ON HOW MANY PEOPLE BOOKED FOR A TOUR THAT DAY).
3. Go on a swamp tour.
Take the time to get out of the city and go on a swamp tour. It's about a 45 minute drive outside of the French Quarters. You can either drive to the location yourself or have a charter bus pick you up in the French Quarters. Since I was with a group of 8 girls, we opted for the charter bus. If you're planning to drink on the swamp tour (yes, you're allow to drink!) the bus is probably the best option. I honestly thought I was going to be bored on the tour. I thought I was going to see 1 or 2 alligator but the whole tour was amazing. It took about 2 hours and our tour guide was so knowledgeable about the whole swamp eco-system. We saw a dozen alligators, wild boar, turtles, and snakes. We got so close to the alligators and wild boars that I thought they we're going to jump onto the boat. I feared for my life a couple times but was reassured that I was very safe.
http://cajunencounters.com/tours/swamp/ $56 per person/adult- hotel pickup. $29 per person/adult- providing your own transportation.
4. Take a haunted tour in the French Quarters.
New Orleans is considered the most haunted city in America, so it was given that we take a walking haunted tour in the French Quarters. Many companies offer a variety of tours, such as a ghosts, voodoo, crimes, witches, and vampires tours. So you just have to choose which subject you're more interested in. Well since we couldn't decided, we chose a 5 in 1 tour where they cover all the subjects. You're going to learn about the Axeman, the Voodoo Queen, Pirate's Ally, and so much more. We even stopped at a haunted pub for drinks half way through the tour. The tour is about 2 hours so I suggest bringing some water with you because it gets very hot.
https://www.hauntedhistorytours.com $25 per person/adults
5. Go to the National WW2 Museum.
The National WW2 Museum is the #1 attraction is New Orleans and I understand why it is. The museum is huge with 5 pavilions to house the different exhibits. The museum has an impressive display for artifacts and weaponry but my favorite was the aviation collection. The aircrafts are suspended from the ceiling and you can climb the stairs or take the elevator to go see the aircrafts at their level. If you're planning to visit the museum, make sure you have plenty of time to go through all the exhibits. We spent a good 5 hours there but we still couldn't go through everything. The museum is located in the Central Business District, about 15 minute drive from the French Quarters.
https://www.nationalww2museum.org
The National WW2 Museum is the #1 attraction is New Orleans and I understand why it is. The museum is huge with 5 pavilions to house the different exhibits. The museum has an impressive display for artifacts and weaponry but my favorite was the aviation collection. The aircrafts are suspended from the ceiling and you can climb the stairs or take the elevator to go see the aircrafts at their level. If you're planning to visit the museum, make sure you have plenty of time to go through all the exhibits. We spent a good 5 hours there but we still couldn't go through everything. The museum is located in the Central Business District, about 15 minute drive from the French Quarters.
https://www.nationalww2museum.org
6. Sleep in a haunted hotel.
Sleeping in a haunted hotel might not be a must for some people and frankly I'm a big baby when it comes to that stuff. However, my friend was the one that booked for the hotel and my first reaction was "DID YOU SEE BUZZFEED UNSOLVED! THAT PLACE IS HAUNTED!" We stayed at the Dauphine Orleans Hotel. It's one of the oldest and considered one of the most haunted hotels in NOLA. Honestly, while I was there nothing happened. I didn't feel or see anything out of the ordinary. I guess just knowing that something could happen had on edge. I shared a king sized bed with my friend and throughout the night I would kick her just to make sure she was still there. She will never share a bed with me again :/ Overall, I would still recommend the Dauphine Orleans Hotel. It's a beautiful hotel and the staff are so friendly and helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thR7IhHV554 (Watch Shane and Ryan investigate the Dauphine Orlean Hotel)
https://ghostcitytours.com/new-orleans/haunted-places/haunted-hotels/dauphine-orleans-hotel/ (The history of the hotel and why it is consider haunted)
http://www.dauphineorleans.com
Sleeping in a haunted hotel might not be a must for some people and frankly I'm a big baby when it comes to that stuff. However, my friend was the one that booked for the hotel and my first reaction was "DID YOU SEE BUZZFEED UNSOLVED! THAT PLACE IS HAUNTED!" We stayed at the Dauphine Orleans Hotel. It's one of the oldest and considered one of the most haunted hotels in NOLA. Honestly, while I was there nothing happened. I didn't feel or see anything out of the ordinary. I guess just knowing that something could happen had on edge. I shared a king sized bed with my friend and throughout the night I would kick her just to make sure she was still there. She will never share a bed with me again :/ Overall, I would still recommend the Dauphine Orleans Hotel. It's a beautiful hotel and the staff are so friendly and helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thR7IhHV554 (Watch Shane and Ryan investigate the Dauphine Orlean Hotel)
https://ghostcitytours.com/new-orleans/haunted-places/haunted-hotels/dauphine-orleans-hotel/ (The history of the hotel and why it is consider haunted)
http://www.dauphineorleans.com
7. Explore the Garden District.
The two times that I've visited New Orleans, I never got to explore the Garden District. So why is it in this post if I've never been there? It's more of a reminder for me that I still need to check it out.
The two times that I've visited New Orleans, I never got to explore the Garden District. So why is it in this post if I've never been there? It's more of a reminder for me that I still need to check it out.
8. Eat an obsessive amount of Beignets.
I think I had a beignet almost everyday that I was in NOLA. They're a fluffly pastry of deliciousness. If you don't know what beignets are they are basically deep fried dough topped with powder sugar. It's a must that you pair your beignet with a cup of cafe au lait (hot or ice- both are very good). In most travel blog post, they will say the Cafe Du Monde is where you can get the best beignets. Now I'm not saying you shouldn't go there. You definitely should! Cafe Du Monde is an iconic place and there is a reason why their lines go out the door. I just think Cafe Beignet is a little better. I personally think their beignets are a little fluffier than Cafe Du Monde. Go to both and see which one you like for yourself. (Cafe Du Monde or Cafe Beignet?) *If you want to get a table at Cafe Du Monde, go early in the morning or late a night (it's open 24/7). I went late at night-- around 7ish and I didn't have to wait in line and the service was really fast.*
I think I had a beignet almost everyday that I was in NOLA. They're a fluffly pastry of deliciousness. If you don't know what beignets are they are basically deep fried dough topped with powder sugar. It's a must that you pair your beignet with a cup of cafe au lait (hot or ice- both are very good). In most travel blog post, they will say the Cafe Du Monde is where you can get the best beignets. Now I'm not saying you shouldn't go there. You definitely should! Cafe Du Monde is an iconic place and there is a reason why their lines go out the door. I just think Cafe Beignet is a little better. I personally think their beignets are a little fluffier than Cafe Du Monde. Go to both and see which one you like for yourself. (Cafe Du Monde or Cafe Beignet?) *If you want to get a table at Cafe Du Monde, go early in the morning or late a night (it's open 24/7). I went late at night-- around 7ish and I didn't have to wait in line and the service was really fast.*
9. Listen to live Jazz music on Frenchman Street.
If you want to listen to great live music, Frenchman Street is the place to be. It's about a 10 minute walk from Bourbon Street. It's a lot calmer than Bourbon Street and not as touristy. Some of my favorite bars on Frenchman Street are the Maison and Blue Nile.
http://bluenilelive.com
http://www.maisonfrenchmen.com
If you want to listen to great live music, Frenchman Street is the place to be. It's about a 10 minute walk from Bourbon Street. It's a lot calmer than Bourbon Street and not as touristy. Some of my favorite bars on Frenchman Street are the Maison and Blue Nile.
http://bluenilelive.com
http://www.maisonfrenchmen.com
10. Walk down Bourbon Street with a hand grenade or a hurricane.
Proceed with caution with this one. Hand grenades and hurricanes are so good but are so strong. I don't know why I bought my own when I should have just shared with my friend. I didn't do any bar hopping down Bourbon Street because it's so smelly and crowded. But it was fun walking down Bourbon Street and watch all the debauchery happening around me. A little warning if you're planning to walk on Bourbon Street don't walk underneath the balconies. I literally saw a group of guys pouring drinks down on people's head (rude!).
Proceed with caution with this one. Hand grenades and hurricanes are so good but are so strong. I don't know why I bought my own when I should have just shared with my friend. I didn't do any bar hopping down Bourbon Street because it's so smelly and crowded. But it was fun walking down Bourbon Street and watch all the debauchery happening around me. A little warning if you're planning to walk on Bourbon Street don't walk underneath the balconies. I literally saw a group of guys pouring drinks down on people's head (rude!).
11. Try alligator meat.
Alligator meat wasn't my favorite food to try in NOLA but it's also not the worse. If you're into adventurous food give it a try. It honesty taste like chicken but it's tougher and chewier. Oceana Grill makes really good blacken gator bites.
Alligator meat wasn't my favorite food to try in NOLA but it's also not the worse. If you're into adventurous food give it a try. It honesty taste like chicken but it's tougher and chewier. Oceana Grill makes really good blacken gator bites.
12. Visit Jackson Square.
Jackson Square is pretty much the heart of the French Quarters. The main feature of Jackson Square is the St. Louis Cathedral. It's the oldest Cathedral in the United States. While I was there, I got to see live music and performers. My favorite was walking around the park to look at the all the artworks. My friend bought 2 portraits from a local artist in NOLA.
Jackson Square is pretty much the heart of the French Quarters. The main feature of Jackson Square is the St. Louis Cathedral. It's the oldest Cathedral in the United States. While I was there, I got to see live music and performers. My favorite was walking around the park to look at the all the artworks. My friend bought 2 portraits from a local artist in NOLA.
13. Eat your way through NOLA.
1. Acme Oyster House: Chargrilled oysters, fried soft shell crab, and seafood gumbo.
2. Oceana Grill: Chargrilled oyster in cream herb cajun sauce, fried and blacked gator bites, and tropical storm cocktail.
3. Coop's Place: Seafood gumbo, rabbit and sausage jambalaya, smoked duck quesadilla, cajun fried chicken, Abita 22oz local beer (strawgator). It's kind of a hole in the wall but everything was excellent!
4. Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar: Shrimp and Oyster Po'boy and fried pickles.
5. NOLA Restaurant: Shrimp and grits, alligator sausage bao, cornbread and collard greens, stuffed chicken wings, pomme frites, and candied apple creme brulee.
6. Sucre: Macaroons (favorites are salted caramel, banana foster, jasmine tea, and hazelnut).
7. Spitfire Coffee: Las tres flores (latte with lavender milk, orange blossom syrup, and rose petals)
14. Visit the French Market.
The French Market is near Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarters. It's a huge open market that sells clothes, souvenirs, and food. Unfortunately, I didn't get to explore the whole market but only to stop by to get food. I'm glad I did because they have the cutest crepe cart in the French Market. The place is literally call Crepe Cart NOLA and they sell vegan and gluten free crepes. I had a mushroom, spinach, and cheddar cheese crepe and my friend had a beignet crepe with Nutella added in. Both were so good, I was debating to get another one.
15. Get a Tarot card reading.
Your trip is not complete without a tarot card reading by a street psychic. It's just fun. Don't read too much into it.
Your trip is not complete without a tarot card reading by a street psychic. It's just fun. Don't read too much into it.
15 Things to do in New Orleans.
Reviewed by travel flirts
on
August 01, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by travel flirts
on
August 01, 2018
Rating:
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