When it comes to culture, flavor, and unforgettable experiences, New Orleans knows how to deliver. From soulful Creole dishes to modern takes on Southern favorites, the city is a true foodie destination. If you’re planning a trip and want to uncover the best restaurants in New Orleans, this guide will help you eat your way through the city while also pointing out fun things to do in New Orleans between meals and tips on where to stay in New Orleans for the ultimate getaway. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, New Orleans always serves up something new to discover.
New Orleans Itinerary
Dates: October 24-27
Airport: BWI to MSY
Since a lot of people are headed to NOLA for the Essence Festival, I thought it would be a great time to write about my trip there. I was invited to be a plus one to a wedding. Last time I went to NOLA, I was about 22 years old and went with my mom. I didn’t get to experience the city like I wanted nor get to go to the famous Bourbon Street. I was super excited to visit again to see/do as much as I could.
Flight
Flights were a little pricier than I thought they would be. It may have been because it was close to Halloween and/or a festival that was probably going on during that time. I was able to find a flight through Southwest for $199. I would have 2 days before the wedding to sight-see. I’m slowly starting to like Southwest simply because I can check two bags for free; an over-packer’s dream lol.
Where to Stay in New Orleans
I arrived a day before my friend so I decided to stay in an Airbnb for one night. It was a studio guest house apartment that was $65/night located in the Bywater-Marigny neighborhood. There was a separate entrance with a keypad, which made checking-in easy. The place was very quaint and welcoming. It was about a 10 minute Uber ride to Bourbon St. I was pleased with my stay and would stay here again.
Click Here to check out the listing.
For the rest of my trip, I stayed at Hampton Inn & Suites in Downtown New Orleans. I was pleased with my stay there as well. It was a 10 minute Uber ride to Bourbon St.
Restaurants in New Orleans
I was looking forward to the food. Living in D.C., I don’t get eat southern comfort food often. The food is one of the things I miss about living down south. Here are some restaurants in New Orleans I tried.
The food here was delicious. I ended up eating here twice. I went once by myself and the next day because my friend raved about the Taste of New Orleans (not pictured).
I could not come to NOLA without eating some fried chicken. It’s a southern must-have. The chicken was very good, but the sides were just okay. I did get a recommendation to try Dooky Chase as well. I will have to check them out next visit.
Home of the World Famous Hurricane. This is a must try place. The drink comes in a souvenir glass, but if you don’t want to keep it, you can turn it in for money off the drink. I chose to keep mine. If you didn’t get to finish your Hurricane, no worries. They will give you a plastic cup for the remainder of you drink and bag your souvenir glass for you.
*NOLA has a 24/7 open container law meaning you can walk around Bourbon Street sipping on your drink.
Every time I go to Savannah, GA, I always get a praline from River Street. I had to try out these pralines. If you like pralines, stop here!
Here’s a list of places on my list that I didn’t get a chance to visit:
- Cafe Du Monde: famous for their beignets. The line was super long and didn’t feel like waiting.
- Mothers Restaurant
- Parkway Po Boy
- Ruby Slipper
- Deanies
- Neyows
- Rum House in Garden District
Things to Do in New Orleans
There’s various cultured and unique things you can do on your visit here. I’ll high light places I got to visit.
I was here around Halloween and I could not come to NOLA and not do something scary. This was one of the top-rated haunted houses. They had actors walking through the lines attempting to scare you and a huge countdown clock when it was your group’s turn to go in. My Uber driver had actually went here and her story had me laughing the whole ride there (she was terrified and didn’t finish). I don’t scare easily, but I thought it was well put together.
Mediterranean restaurant with chill vibes and good hookah. I went here my first night solo and met some locals who I still keep in touch with today. They took me to another Hookah bar, Haifa Cuisine & Hookah Bar, that was similar to the typical hookah lounge with good music.
I walked around Bourbon Street area taking in everything.
Here’s some things on my list that I didn’t get to do:
- Swamp tour
- Rum tour
- Harrahs Casino
- Frenchman Street area
- Garden District
- House of Blues
- Razoos Lounge
- Maison
Wedding
Venue: Marche
I just wanted to share a few pictures of the wedding I attended. It was very beautiful. All the guests were given a tea towel to use for a NOLA style walk around Bourbon Street and the jazz band and all. I truly had a great time.
New Orleans is more than just a destination, it’s an experience for all the senses. From iconic spots like Café du Monde to fine dining gems and hole in the wall favorites, the restaurants in New Orleans showcase the city’s culture and creativity with every bite. And while the food is reason enough to visit, pairing your meals with fun things to do in New Orleans, like exploring the French Quarter, catching live jazz, or joining a riverboat cruise, makes your trip even more memorable. With plenty of options for where to stay in New Orleans, from charming boutique hotels to luxury escapes, planning your visit has never been easier. Whether you come for the food, the music, or the history, New Orleans is guaranteed to leave you craving more.
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