Top things to do in New Orleans
The Sazerac House
Museums
National WWII Museum
one of the best WWII Museums in the country. The design is unlike any other museum and you feel like you are in the trenches. There is a LOT to see, so carve out a good 4 hours at least to get a high-level view of this museum.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Pretty decent aquarium! You have your typical shark tunnel, and huge shark wall. When I went, the water was a little murky, and nothing is as good as the Georgia Aquarium, but it’s a good trip.
Museum of Death
For my true crime lovers, this place is for you! There are only 2 in the world - one in LA and one in New Orleans. The one in LA seems to be a bit more educational, while the one in New Orleans is a bit more shocking. But both are great for those interested in true crime.
Sazerac House
This is a new museum to New Orleans and it is amazing! It is free admission for you to visit and do the basic tour, but they offer more extensive tours for a charge. They had the same designers as the National WWII Museum, so you know it’s amazing and beautiful.
Pharmacy Museum
Anyone interested in medicine or herbs, this is such a unique museum! They are so knowledgeable about medicine in the old days - herbs, poisons, surgeries, etc. They even show how abortions took place.
M.S. Rau (FQ)
Art, sculptures, rare musical instruments… This place is an incredible retreat from the heat, humidity, and insanity in the French Quarter. We love popping in here for a “free art museum” experience and marvel at the super rare pieces they have. PS - they also have great restrooms.
Bars - WATCH YOUR DRINKS
The Swamp (FQ)
Classic Bourbon St. craziness
Orleans Grapevine (FQ)
They do a bacon basket instead of a bread basket. They also have a great happy hour. I also got a ton of food here and it was all incredible. Their gumbo, the chicken and mixed greens salad, the charcuterie board, their different baked bries… Get it all.
Bacchanal (9th Ward)
Amazing outdoor wine bar. You order the wine by the bottle, so it’s great to go with a group and get a few bottles and some snacks.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shoppe (FQ)
The Bombay Club
An absolute icon in New Orleans. Haunted, no electricity (except in the restroom), and just a spooky vibe.
Bombay Club (FQ)
Beautiful and secluded courtyard. Their cocktails are also amazing
Sylvain (FQ)
Also an amazing courtyard. I got their French 75 and loooved it. They have amazing food, as well. I recommend the cornbread and the bolognese.
The Carousel Bar (FQ)
This bar is famous, and while it is very unique, I was drugged here (and I was being very cautious and aware of my surroundings). This place is usually teeming with tourists, so be sure to watch your drink. Keep your hand over it and keep it in your line of sight at all times.
Curio (FQ)
Great balcony and good food! I get their French 75 and loved their Crawfish Etouffee.
Second Line Brewing (Uptown)
Neal and I got the beer flight and loved their selections! If they have their cranberry sour, get that.
The Dungeon (FQ)
The coolest goth bar ever. No pictures are allowed, and it is definitely shocking, but you immediately feel cooler going here.
The Vintage (Magazine St)
Great cocktails, great champagne and wine selection, great food and pastries. Just great.
Cure (Freret St)
They won a James Beard Award for Bar Service, which means you know the cocktails are going to be absolutely incredible. And they were. We got a margarita, the “Cameo'“ and “Bluer Than Velvet.” All of them were top-notch.
Latitude 29 (FQ)
If you love a tiki bar, be sure to visit this hole in the wall! Using the traditional and historical recipes for tiki drinks, you are sure to find a buzzy and delicious cocktail or mocktail here. I love the Pontchartrain Pearl Diver, Missionary’s Downfall, and Latitude 29. Be sure to get the burger and fries too :)
The Chloe (Garden District)
Whether the weather is nice or rainy, be sure to check out The Chloe. A beautiful hotel on St. Charles right along the street car line with beautiful outdoor space (with a pool in the back and garden games up front). The interior is cozy and sexy and they make a great cocktail. I got the margarita with reposado and my sister got the Chloe Spritz - both a hit.
St. Vincent (Garden District)
Another hotel bar. It reminded me of old money Palm Beach, with multiple bars across the property. We got a quick cocktail and enjoyed the AC and palm fronds inside.
The Bulldog (Magazine St)
A cool dive bar with a cool courtyard. Great beers on tap, and an interesting crowd. I got in a bar fight here once.
Restaurants
Domenica (CBD) or Pizza Domenica (Magazine St)
They have an incredible pizza happy hour (3-5pm on weekdays and it’s half off pizzas). They also have a build-your-own-charcuterie option which I loved.
Galatoire’s (FQ)
One of the most well-known restaurants in New Orleans, and worth every bit of the hype. I got the broiled red fish with the lemon caper beurre blanc. Neal got the steak. Both of us were incredibly happy with our choices.
Mona Lisa (FQ)
Amazing Italian food. The entire restaurant is covered in patron’s renderings of Mona Lisa, hence its name.
Josephine Estelle (CBD)
If you’re from Memphis and have been to any of the Andrew & Michael restaurants (Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Catherine & Mary’s, Bishop, etc.), then you know what I’m talking about. I made my family go here when we visited recently and they LOVED it. It’s in the Central Business District, so walkable from the French Quarter, but just so.
Manolito’s (FQ)
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, I continue to dream of their Cuban coffees. They have great Cuban food here as well, but I usually stop in for a Cuban coffee and get back to the party.
Justine (FQ)
Beautiful, trendy French brasserie. I definitely recommend this place for a girl’s night or a sexy date night. I recommend the Onion Soup, the burger, and the Mac & Brie (pictured)
Cafe Amelie (FQ)
The most beautiful courtyard in the Quarter by far. I love coming here for a romantic date night. We got the short rib, gumbo, and citrus chicken. Everything is great.
La Boulangerie (Magazine St)
My favorite breakfast and pastry place in New Orleans. I get the yogurt and granola bowl. They put sooo much honey and the fattest blueberries in it, it’s amazing. All of their croissants, breads, and pastries are to die for. Mine and Neal’s go-to order is the yogurt and granola bowl, ham & cheese croissant, the Parisien sandwich, and chocolate croissant.
Shaya (Magazine St)
Honestly just a beautiful Middle Eastern restaurant. They have a sister restaurant, Saba, but I haven’t visited that one yet. At Shaya, I got the lamb ragu hummus and wine and it was amazing. The hummus was so smooth and the ragu was amazing on top of it. Loved it.
La Petite Grocery (Magazine St)
I was so excited to eat here and wow, it did not disappoint! James Beard Award-winning restaurant and pastry chef hail here on Magazine Street. We got the shrimp and grits, short rib, and burger, with their mac & cheese and blue crab beignets for snacks. We loved every little bit of this.
Broussard’s (FQ)
I love to do their prixe fixe menu for $48. My dad and I went when they had their “Berries” menu and I got the arugula goat cheese salad, pan-seared atlantic salmon, and the blueberry-almond bread pudding.
The Gumbo Shop (FQ)
You’d be hard-pressed to find bad gumbo in New Orleans, but The Gumbo Shop is by far my favorite gumbo. They have a seafood, chicken and andouille, and a vegetarian option so everyone can enjoy a bowl! They don’t have the best bar, but their daiquiris are pretty good!
Sweet Saint (FQ)
Homemade and unique ice cream flavors here at a small, family-owned and -operated shop. I got the Mona Lisa, which was a lavender, blueberry, and citrus cream cheese ice cream.
Barracuda (Uptown)
A tiny backyard setup with some of the best tacos and fresh margaritas. I got 3 tacos: vegetarian broccoli, chicken, and pork. I also got the quesadilla and it was so salty and cheesy… we love it. The margarita was so fresh, too.
Jewel of the South (FQ)
This cute restaurant won a “Top 50 Bars in the World” award and it was warranted. We went on a Wednesday night during the Caviar Happy Hour and I highly recommend it if you enjoy caviar (all caviar is 50% off). I also got their take on a French 75, my favorite cocktail. If you love incredibly thought out cocktails and fresh, interesting food - this is your spot.
Seaworthy (Warehouse District)
If you like oysters and seafood, check out Seaworthy. We went during their late night happy hour so my sister could eat plenty of oysters. I’m not an oyster fan so it was lost on me, but their parker house rolls were also delicious.
Turkey and the Wolf (Garden District)
A newly famous sandwich shop, Turkey and the Wolf is a divey shop with eccentric decor but delicious food. I got the burger and the chicken pot hand pie. The burger was just your classic burger with american cheese, but the chicken pot hand pie was revolutionary.
St. James Cheese Company (Warehouse District)
I have been dying to try this place and we finally did as we were leaving New Orleans December 2023. I got the turkey sandwich (ciabatta, turkey, avocado, aged white cheddar, dijon, basil) with a side green salad, the Italian wedding soup, and Neal got the ham and brie baguette - then we split a cheese board with a GENEROUS helping of bread. Absolutely divine!
Galleries/Shopping
Lakeside Mall (Metairie)
It’s maybe 15-20 minutes from Downtown/French Quarter, but they have a pretty decent selection of stores! Zara, LEGO (lol), lululemon, Restoration Hardware.
Shops at Canal St (FQ)
If you’re looking for your Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Chanel, this is your spot.
Ashley Longshore Studio Gallery (Magazine St)
My goal in life is to be able to afford one of her Audrey Hepburn portraits. Her gallery is full of bright colors, profanity, irreverence, and just FUN. It’s across the street from La Boulangerie, so I recommend doing these both together.
Shopping along Magazine St.
There are lots of cute and unique shops along Magazine St. Century Girl Vintage (amazing and curated with love and detail), Hemline, Lululemon, Stoney Clover Ln, Monomin,etc.
Century Girl Vintage Bridal Suite
The Dr. Seuss Gallery (FQ)
My dad and Neal had to actively talk me against using my unemployment money to buy a Dr. Seuss print about books. If you are a Dr. Seuss fan, be sure to check out this studio, I’m obsessed.
Forever New Orleans (multiple locations throughout FQ)
For your typical New Orleans gifts and souvenirs. They have some really great things and then some of your typical cheap things!
Tips & Tricks
Always get a go cup!! You can drink in the streets in New Orleans! If you don’t finish your drink at a restaurant or bar, ask for it to go.
Make reservations. So many restaurants get booked in advance. If there is a specific restaurant you want to visit, make a reservation.
Get snacks at Rouse’s in the French Quarter - I always grab a bundle of bananas and that’s my breakfast for the week usually.
Ask your waiters where they drink and eat - they’ll have the best tips.
If you feel like I’m leaving anything out, drop a comment below!