New Orleans, LA is one of the oldest and most haunted cities in the United States. When you walk into this unique city, you can feel the power and pulse that is always surging through its streets. From the traditional French and Spanish architecture to the delicious food to the rich history, this city has something to offer any visitor. It’s one of my favorite places I’ve visited. On this trip, we arrived in the city on not only a full moon, but the spring equinox. The energy there at the time was palpable, and it’s like the stars aligned. We only spent around 48 hours exploring the city, but we packed a lot into our visit. I wanted to share some of my favorite places we went, to give you ideas if you are planning a trip to The Big Easy.

 

Areas to Explore

THE FRENCH QUARTER

This is one of the most popular and bustling areas in the whole city. This is where many of the sights, food and activities are. From the riverside, to Decatur Street, to Bourbon Street, and beyond, there is an energy that is unique to New Orleans. The blocks surrounding the world-famous Bourbon Street (which is the main tourist and party area of the city) are just as beautiful, but much less crowded and loud, giving you the perfect opportunity to see the French and Spanish architecture and scout out more low-key stores and restaurants. We happened upon the cutest little bookstore. It was very disorganized, but that was part of the fun of it; you could spend hours sifting through the numerous shelves and piles (yes, piles), trying to hunt down the perfect read. We also found an art gallery, where they served free wine and showcased mostly local artists. We even felt inclined to bring a few pieces home with us.

BOURBON STREET

A quick stroll down Bourbon Street is all you need, but it’s worth a visit, especially if it’s your first time in town. You can grab a hurricane in a tall, curvy glass to-go (yes, you can walk the streets of NOLA with alcohol) and survey the area, filled with street performers, bachelorette parties, music, and lots and lots of people watching. After the sun sets, the nightlife here is in full effect. We grabbed a drink at one of the many bars that had top patio access, providing us with the perfect vantage point to view the bustling street and its many patrons. After a little liquid courage, we headed over to the world-famous Cat’s Meow, a karaoke bar known for fun times. The vibes were good and the music was even better.

FRENCHMEN STREET

If you’re looking for a more locals-centric party scene, then Frenchmen is just the ticket! This street ditches all the noise and congestion of Bourbon Street and focuses on the real star of New Orleans nightlife…the music. We popped into Maison, a popular bar and music venue where some of the most talented local musicians come to entertain. They have live music every night of the week, so its always a go-to if you’re looking for a good time. The drinks were reasonably priced and very strong, and the music that night was some of the greatest jazz I have ever heard. It’s the spot to be to let loose and hear some of the best jazz in New Orleans.

JACKSON SQUARE

After hours of walking and exploring, you might need to rest your feet. Historic Jackson Square is the perfect place. We sat down on the green beneath the statue of Andrew Jackson, gazing up at the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral (which is actually the oldest cathedral in the United States) and listening to the street performers behind us. It was one of my favorite parts of the day, and it was completely free!

GARDEN DISTRICT/BUCKNER MANSION

Hop on the streetcar (only $3 for all-day unlimited access) and travel to the historic Garden District. Here you can spend some time walking around, looking at some of the most beautiful houses in the city (and perhaps the world). Although we loved aimlessly walking through the neighborhood looking at all the towering mansions, we had a particular destination in mind: The Buckner Mansion. So what’s so special about this house? For all my American Horror Story fans, it’s better known as the Coven House, where they filmed much of Season 3. I was definitely fan-girling as we took pictures out front, and we even met some fellow fans when we arrived. I highly recommend a visit if you’re a fan of the show!

Places to Go

CITY PARK

It’s easy to spend hours in its 1,300 acres, and there is something for everyone. You could walk, run or bike around the extensive grounds; browse the fine art at New Orleans Museum of Art; explore the sculpture garden; or do what we did…visit the Botanical Gardens. Extensive paths under vine-covered arches lead you around the grounds. Gigantic oak trees dripping in Spanish moss tower over you, providing some much-needed shade. Between the hedges are long strips of immaculately cut grass and beds filled with a variety of colorful flowers, as well as organic produce like rainbow chard and tomatoes. An “aromatic garden” also caught my eye (and nose), filled with mint, lavender, rosemary, and other herbs. And let’s not forget one of my favorite parts, the greenhouses filled with uniquely-shaped succulents and cacti. If you love the outdoors, this is a must-see spot to include in your NOLA itinerary.

HISTORIC VOODOO MUSEUM

After some meandering, we stopped by the second place on our itinerary: The Historic Voodoo Museum. The ticket price was reasonable. A narrow hallway, its walls lined with pictures, artifacts, and educational plaques, leads you to two separate rooms. Both rooms were filled with more artifacts, skulls, taxidermy animals, and actual pictures of voodoo rituals and ceremonies being performed. But the most eye-catching sight in the museum had to be the altars, where the courageous tourist can write a wish or desire on a piece of paper, attach it to an offering of money or a personal item, and place it somewhere on or near the structure. There was an altar specifically made for Marie Lavaeu (a famous Voodoo priestess) and Papa Legba (a diety in the Voodoo faith). Although I was not brave enough to leave my own offering, it was still very fascinating to observe this time-honored tradition. I must say, this place is one-of-a-kind, and although it’s a little weird, a trip to New Orleans wouldn’t really be complete without a visit.  It’s the best place to learn more about this fascinating and prominent part of New Orleans culture.

LAFAYETTE CEMETERY NO. 1

Located in the Garden District, only a few blocks over from the Buckner Mansion, is the famous Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. It is free to explore, but you can also pay to have a knowledgeable tour guide show you around the grounds. However, we decided to just wander around ourselves, taking in the serene silence and  looking at graves that were as old as the 1800’s. One thing that sets apart New Orleans cemeteries from others is that the graves are above ground. This is due to the fact that NOLA is below sea level, so having the tombs above ground prevents flooding from unearthing these graves. This makes the cemeteries here that much more intriguing and interesting. There are other famous cemeteries throughout the city to visit, including St. Louis No. 1, where Marie Laveau is buried. Exploring a cemetery at some point during your trip is a must!

BOTTOM OF THE CUP TEA ROOM

Here, they have a shop where you can buy a lot of quirky gifts and supplies, including Tarot Cards, crystals, interesting books and more. In the back, they also give readings, including tarot card readings and tea leaf readings. Everyone working there is very friendly and knowledgeable.

RIVERSIDE WALK

When the sun is setting and the sky is a beautiful culmination of orange and pink, it’s the perfect time to head down to the riverside to take in the view. It was relaxing to watch the barges and ferries cruise down the river and enjoy walking along the shoreline. We also saw The Natchez ferry (where you can take a $5 sunset cruise).

THE LALAURIE MANSION

This house is one of the most haunted places in New Orleans. It was owned by socialite and infamous serial killer Delphine LaLaurie. Here, she tortured and killed multiple people, mostly her own slaves. If you visit this place with a ghost tour group, you can hear all of the gruesome details of the crimes, as well as what ghosts have been spotted here. I recommend taking a ghost tour, because these people are walking encyclopedias of interesting history and paranormal information, and you can really get to know the streets you are walking. The LaLaurie Mansion was very creepy, and almost sad, but regardless is a major part of New Orleans’ history and worth a visit if the macabre fascinates you.

 

Places to Eat

LUIZZA’S LOUNGE & GRILL

When it’s time for a good old-fashioned New Orleans style lunch… you have to find PO-BOYS! After a quick search on Google, we decided on Luizza’s Lounge and Grill. This decision was completely random, but we later learned that this is one of the most prized spots in town by locals, a sort of “hidden gem” that the average tourist doesn’t know about. And we soon found out why…the po-boys were delicious. We ordered a mix of shrimp and soft-shell crab…not bad for our first official meal in NOLA. I highly recommend!

NEW ORLEANS CREOLE COOKERY

This cute little restaurant, complete with a courtyard that had a fountain surrounded by patio tables, is the perfect place to treat yourself to some fresh, delicious seafood and other NOLA delicacies.  We sat down and quickly ordered oysters and white wine as an appetizer. A New Orleans specialty, these oysters did not disappoint, pairing perfectly with a light sauvignon blanc. I then proceeded to order a dish called “A Taste of New Orleans”, and it was complete with a generous portion of shrimp creole, jambalya, gumbo, and red beans and rice. Fresh, tasty, and oh-so authentic, I left dinner feeling full and satisfied.

CAFÉ DUMONDE

No NOLA trip is complete without stopping by the highly-revered Café DuMonde to get your hands on some beignets. These delicious French pastries, which are almost reminiscent of a funnel cake, are what New Orleans is famous for. The café is open 24 hours, making it the perfect place to stop by after a long night out. We got our beignets to-go from the take-out window, but if you’re cool with waiting in a long line, you can also sit on the famous patio and enjoy these yummy, powdered sugar-covered delicacies with a cup of hot or frozen coffee.

RUBY SLIPPER CAFE

Ruby Slipper Café is the perfect spot for brunch. They are famous for their eggs benedict, and after one bite of the pulled pork and shrimp creole variety, I understood why. After washing them down with some mimosas, we strolled a few blocks over to St. Charles Avenue to walk off our meal while browsing all the tourist shops.

CENTRAL GROCERY

This is the perfect place to pick up a Muffuletta, a delicious traditional sandwich comprised of ham and salami, cheese, and olive tapenade. It’s also the perfect place to pick up a few yummy souvenirs to bring the taste of New Orleans home with you, including spices, hot sauces, beignet mixes, and more .

PAGODA CAFE

This place was a great stop for a quick bite before we continued exploring. It is a tiny hut that serves sandwiches, breakfast, and coffee. You order at the counter and then find a seat in the outdoor-only seating area. It’s the perfect place to bring your dog or just spend a sunny day…and did I mention the sandwiches were phenomenal?

I hope this guide gave you a little bit of insight into what there is to see and do on a trip to this fantastic city. It’s hard to really capture the magic of this place through words, so I recommend making a trip down yourself if you get the chance!

Thanks for reading!