New Orleans is like my second home. After college, Ben and I actually considered moving to this wonderful town. My love affair with this city started in college. I went to two Mardi Gras in college and frequently visited my best friend Skuba for years in NOLA. I love the music, I love the people and I love the food. New Orleans has always felt like home and for years I have been sending people my favorite things to do here. Now, I thought I would share them with you! Below are my best New Orleans travel tips accompanied by my 35mm film images developed by Dominion Photo Lab.

Neighborhoods to Explore & Stay

Garden District

French Quarter/Downtown

Uptown

Marigny/Bywater

Mid City

Music

Maple Leaf

Tipatina’s (My personal fave)

Any place on Frenchmen street

Fritzels

Royal St: Meschiya Lake, Tropical Isle Bayou Club: 610 Bourbon St.

Frenchmen St: Spotted Cat NOLA , Snug Harbor NOLA & DBA NOLA

Activities

Swamp Tour– I have never done this but it could be fun for a large group. Here is another swamp tour.

Tree of life– In a park right outside the Audubon Zoo. GREAT spot to picnic

Shopping on Magazine Street

Wander Bourbon Street and the French Quarter- Best done at night to see the debauchery but actually it is fun during the day!

Ghost & Cemetery Tour!- I have never done this but could be fun for October. Also Haunted NOLA is great!

Hop On Hop Off NOLA

Jackson Square is a must see. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, lots of street artists, fortunetellers and musicians. It is on the edge of the French Quarter.

Preservation Hall

City Park

St. Louis Cathedral

Scroll down for food and drinks!

Food

Commanders Palace– Brunch! It is amazing food and they play live Jazz. It is also in the Garden District so you can wander around and look at the amazing architecture after. Make Reservations. This is a great activity too.
Cafe Du Monde– Obviously. You can check out Jackson Square after!
Felipes!– Mexican. There are 3 in the city.
King Cake- There are plenty of places to get King Cake but Manny Randazzo is the best
Milk Bar– Very low key sandwiches but they are amazing if in the area
Drive Thru Daiquiris– Yes, you read that right. It is a lawless land. Called New Orleans Original Daiquiris.
Frankie and Johnny’s
ACME Oyster
Cochon
Basin
Herbsaint .
Others include: Galatoire’s, Brennan’s, Upperline, The Flying Pig
Domilise’s (Best po-boy in town) Parasol’s (2nd best po-boy in town)
Clancy’s (Great seafood)
Surrey’s & Slim Goodies are both great breakfast!

Bars

Avenue Pub NOLA
LaFitte’s Blacksmith Shop is the oldest structure used as a bar in the US and is allegedly very haunted!
Old Absinthe House are famous for their Sazerac cocktail. Also check out The Sazerac Bar for a good bev!
Carousel Bar is an actual working carousel inside the Hotel Monteleone which is gorgeous and allegedly haunted.
Cane & Table NOLA
TIPITINAS!!!! – This should really go under activities but since you all love music this is a must do. It’s kind of a hole but has some amazing local jazz bands! Look at the calendar and pick a band you want to see. Great local feeling here.
Cat’s Meow– This is my favorite bar in the world. It is karaoke and has a stage! Great for people watching. Definitely best very late at night.
Pat O’Briens– Across the street but once you are on Bourbon there are a billion bars so I would just do a bar crawl from one place to another!
Cure