Things To Do
Places to See:
Jackson Square and the St Louis Cathedral are located in the heart of the French Quarter and definitely worth a look. Stop at Café Du’ Monde for a café au lait and some beignets. The line is long but it moves quickly. (Cash only). Magazine Street and the uptown garden district are a short cab ride from downtown and offer eclectic local shopping and mansions dripping with southern charm. The Funky Monkey, Miss Claudia’s Vintage, and Saint Claude Social club are boutiques that capitalize on the New Orleans penchant for wearing costumes as regular clothing and are worth a look. The Hotel St Vincent is a new Bunkhouse property brimming with style and a fantastic cocktail menu. The National World War II Museum is one of the most popular museums in the country and we absolutely love it. It’s a short walk from the hotels where most of our guests will be staying and we highly recommend a stop there.
Places to Eat:
Shaya on Magazine St is a standout in a city full of exceptional restaurants. You WILL be telling your friends at home about the hummus at this gem of a middle-eastern restaurant and you will be ruined for all other hummus. Ever. Period. Saffron is a fantastic modern Indian restaurant and their lamb chops are, in our humble opinion, the best in the city. Their gumbo is a delicious Indian-inspired take on a classic favorite. For a more traditional gumbo experience, try Stanley in the French Quarter. New Orleans is a city brimming with great brunches. Atchafalaya on Louisiana Ave will serve you the best shrimp and grits you will ever have and the festive dining room feels like a party. The Chloe is a beautiful boutique hotel on Magazine St and their brunch is more stylish and less festive than Atchafalaya but their food is just as good (maybe better). The smoked pork belly lettuce cups and the pork and shrimp dumplings are two standouts on an exceptional brunch menu.
Places to Drink & Enjoy Live Music:
Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is the oldest bar in the United States and a French Quarter staple. The purple drink is their signature cocktail. It’s frozen and sugary sweet but if you want to try one of the many touristy drinks that New Orleans is famous for, this is the only one with street credit. Beware of imposter bars with the name “Jean Lafitte” trying to capitalize of the Blacksmith Shop’s fame. There is only one and it’s on the far end of Bourbon St. The Spotted Cat and DBA are on Frenchman St. just past the French Quarter and are good places to catch live music. Three Keys in the Ace Hotel also has good live music from time to time. The Soul Rebels are a great local band stationed at an uptown bar called “Lesse Bon Temps Roule” but play venues all over the city. If you can catch them, you should. If you want to drink at one of Tennessee Williams old haunts and listen to the daughter of Louie Prima sing his songs, The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone is worth a stop.