Jovanni & Henah
Things To Do
The Spotted Cat Music Club
Live jazz in a non-touristy part of the city, with good drinks, dancing, and the best jams. It's one of our favorite things to do here!
New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tours
You can't come to New Orleans without embarking on a ghost tour. We've done several over our visits here, and all of them are fantastic.
Free Tours by Foot
Free Tours by Foot is a "pay what you wish" walking tour company, with experienced tour guides and a solid itinerary that covers everything you'd need to know about New Orleans your first time here. They have over a dozen options to choose from, and they're all incredible. We generally tip $15-20 a person at the end of the tour. Pro-tip: We recommend booking a morning OR night tour -- it gets to be unbearably hot in the afternoons/early evenings.
Hoodoo, Voodoo, and a Bottle of Rum
The less you know, the more you'll enjoy this incredibly eye-opening Airbnb experience/tour we did. Here's the blurb below: "A walk through Congo Square and the Historic Faubourg Treme culminating in a talk at my studio about Hoodoo, Voodoo, Black Carnival Traditions, the deeds and misdeeds of my own Louisiana Creole ancestors and other lesser known aspects of New Orleans history and culture. In my studio rum bar you will enjoy coffee, rum and a chance to check out my art and black masking Indian attire. My house has long been a place where friends come to ground themselves in the cultural vibration of the city. I am so excited to now share this experience with you!"
Cafe Du Monde
A New Orleans staple you can't pass up - enjoy all of the hot, fresh beignets covered in powdered sugar! Located in the French Quarter, you can also see the local square/shops and tourist traps. ;)
Garden District
The Garden District is one of the most beautiful parts of New Orleans (and our favorite, hence why we chose this venue located smack dab in the middle!). Take a leisurely walk through the area, check out one of their cute coffee shops or restaurants, and stop by the mansions to see where American Horror Story was filmed.
Whitney Plantation
The Whitney Plantation is, yes, a plantation, but it's one of the only sites in the entire area that shares the realistic perspective of slaves throughout the time the plantation was used. It provides an honest, historic look on the slave experience.
Carousel Bar
Inside the Hotel Monteleone, this bar is on an actual indoor carousel. It moves slowly enough that you don't get sick, but is a very fun way to spend a few hours with a good drink.
Pat O'Brien's
If you'd like to check out the Bourbon Street area, Pat O'Briens is a New Orleans staple complete with "dueling pianos" -- Head there one night, and you'll see what we mean!