Things To Do
Brennan's
A fantastic breakfast spot and the birth place of bananas foster! Make sure to make reservations as far ahead that you can if you're interested in going and prepare for a meal and a show, they make the bananas foster at the table side!
The Carousel Bar & Lounge
Located in the Hotel Monteleone, The Carousel Bar is a slowly moving indoor carousel! Richly decorated and a must see in NOLA, be sure to get there early or prepare to wait for seats at the carousel to open up.
Ruby Slipper Cafe
One of the BEST brunch spots! If you're an Egg's Benedict fan you're in luck as they have many options that offer a unique twist on an old favorite. There are multiple locations and we plan on hitting Ruby Slipper for brunch (and Bloody Marys!). While they don’t accept “reservations” they do have a digital “wait-list” on their website that starts new each day. Multiple Locations to Choose From: 1. 200 Magazine St, New Orleans (French Quarter) 2. 204 Decatur Street, New Orleans (French Quarter) 3. 2001 Burgundy St, New Orleans (Marigny Neighborhood) 4. 315 S. Broad, New Orleans (Mid-City) 5. 2802 Magazine St, New Orleans (Uptown)
Garden District
It’s more than hype, the beautiful Garden District of New Orleans lives up to its name and is the capital of southern charm. You’ll street shading oaks, beautiful gardens, classy streetcars, million-dollar southern mansions, and even some leftover house-floats can be seen. There’s also great shopping on Magazine Street. Magazine is a 6mile stretch that’s filled with everything from art galleries of local artists like Alex Beard and Casey Langteau, local eateries such as La Petite Grocery and Gris-Gris, and some fun local shops like Fleurty Girl where you’re bound to find something fun to take home.
Frenchmen Street
For those looking to get off Bourbon Street and see a little more of the local nightlife, a stroll down Frenchman Street to some of the famous Jazz Clubs is something you won’t soon forget. World Famous Jazz Clubs like Snug Harbor, The Spotted Cat, D.B.A., Blue Nile, and Café Negril. It’s a lively street most nights of the week with music spilling out from the clubs to those walking past and even the music out in the streets carrying you down the street with your own musical serenade.
Jackson Square
You can't miss this one, located in the heart of the city Jackson Square has views of the Mississippi River and St. Louis Cathedral. Across the square is Cafe du Monde where you can grab your beignets and get the infamous picture of the square from the steps.
Luke
A new restaurant to the New Orleans food scene that is knocking people’s socks off, they have the BEST seafood and French 75's.
Haunted History Tours
There are a wide range of tours that are offered in New Orleans from Cemetery Tours to Haunted Pub Crawls and even True Crime Tours for those that just can’t get enough.
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
A haunted, historic bar just a little off Bourbon Street. Famous for its purple Voodoo slushie drink and its dimly lit atmosphere, Lafitte's has been serving drinks since the 1700s. Built in 1722, this is the oldest surviving structure in New Orleans. Though not actually the oldest bar in America, it’s ranked as ONE of the oldest. The pirate, Jean Lafitte, and his brother used this location as a base of operations for their smuggling business starting in 1772.
Bourbon Street
Can’t have a list of things to do in New Orleans without mentioning Bourbon Street. While this strip is known for drunken tourists, bead throwing, and hurricanes to-go, there are a number of very cool, classic bars & Jazz clubs on Bourbon St. which are definitely worth a visit. Including The Old Absinthe House (frequented by the likes of FDR, Mark Twain, Liza Minnelli and more), Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (the oldest bar in the USA!), and Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse (features free local music every night).
Bourbon 'O' Bar
Refined, moody bar serving seasonal & classic cocktails, plus live entertainment most nights. Located in the delightfully authentic Bourbon Orleans hotel of the New Orleans Hotel Collection, the Bourbon O is a "velvet rope" jazz Bar, unlike any other on Bourbon Street. Billed as the classiest bar on Bourbon, the Bourbon O offers a wide range of historically accurate craft cocktails, including the only Ramos Gin Fizz with its original recipe 6- minute shake! From Wednesday to Sunday evenings, some of the best New Orleans Jazz performers are on stage here, with great audience engagement, traditional tunes as well as some contemporary jazz twists and jams. The atmosphere is comfortable, yet sophisticated- exactly the place to end a nice evening in the French Quarter!
Pat O'Brien's
When in NOLA...you have to make sure to hit Pat O'Brien's for a Hurricane. Pat O'Brien's is the birthplace of the Hurricane! If you're feeling bold, they make a jumbo version that is equivalent of 16 regular sized Hurricanes! (Please feel bold AFTER the wedding reception...) Two Entrances: 1. 718 St Peter, New Orleans 2. 624 Bourbon Street, New Orleans
Tropical Isle
A Bourbon Street first timers’ MUST stop; Tropical Isle sells the 'world famous hand grenade'. One location is conveniently across the street from the Bourbon Orleans Hotel in the middle of the French Quarter. The hand grenade is a mystery drink in a long green grenade shaped glass, but if you want to walk and drink, ask them to put yours in a non-labeled cup so that you can take your drink with you into other places (it’s heavily trademarked so other bars won’t allow you to enter if it’s in one of the souvenir cups). You'll only need one of these, have two and your friends will be taking you back to the hotel sooner than expected. Multiple Locations to Choose From: 1. Tropical Isle® Original: 600 Bourbon Street 2. Tropical Isle’s Bayou Club: 610 Bourbon Street 3. Little Tropical Isle: 435 Bourbon Street 4. Tropical Isle Bourbon: 721 Bourbon Street
Café Du Monde
If you've never been (and even if you have), don't skimp on a visit to Café du Monde - the open-air and popular cafe in the heart of the French Quarter. Be sure to order a plate of beignets (hot & delicious fried dough covered with a hefty coating of powdered sugar) and a chicory coffee.
Marie Laveau's House Of Voodoo
Whether you believe or don't, New Orleans voodoo is everywhere. Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, had powers beyond explanation from healing the sick to bringing wealth to the poor. Her grave is located in St. Louis Cemetery #1, which you’ll need to book a cemetery tour to see, but if you're strolling down Bourbon Street you're likely to see this famous voodoo shop. Careful what you touch, there is a lot of superstition surrounding the altars inside the store!
The National WWII Museum
Amazingly rated the #1 tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S., the National WWII Museum is an unforgettable way to experience this historic war. A compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail, the Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, an expansive collection of artifacts, first-person oral histories, as well as unique access to experiential history - including the opportunity to tour and ride on an authentically restored PT-boat. The National WWII Museum, formerly known as The National D-Day Museum, is a military history museum located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., on Andrew Higgins Drive between Camp Street and Magazine Street.
City Park
City Park is a 1300 acre park with beautiful scenery, if you have time to make it to the park it's worth a trip! Located inside the park are things like New Orleans Museum of Art, the Sculpture Gardens, the Peristyle, and Café Du Monde City Park Location. For those Benjamin Button movie lovers, you’ll also be treated to a few of the movie locations where you can recreate a few of your favorite moments!
Paladar 511
Rob met Swayze's family for the first time here! It was also his first Mardi Gras!
Port of Call
Best burger in town!
The Country Club
Awesome bar/restaurant with a pool in the back yard.