Exploring New Orleans and absorb the rich history that makes New Orleans one of the most interesting places to visit. This City is famous for its delicious variety cuisines, mardi gras and Essence festival, but also home to big and small theater companies offering orchestra, various dance styles, traditional shows and lots more. They offer a variety of galleries as New Orleans is a magnet for artists: painter, sculptors, weavers & ceramicists. The city is buzzing with party scenes, food, culture and history. If you are visiting New Orleans for the first time, French quarter is about 25/30 minutes from MSY Airport. It’s best to stay in the French Quarter which is a popular area for tourists and easier to get around the city. There are hotels and bed and breakfast to choose from. When visiting New Orleans for the first time, it’s best to avoid the hot summer months with many events and crowded. Spring and fall visits are recommended. For the revelers and those who love the exciting events NOLA has in the summer, book early to get better rates and hotels as they fill up fast. Not a fan of being in the center of party city, you have the option of booking an Airbnb minutes away from the French Quarter where you will enjoy serenity after a day’s tour or walk through the French Quarter, Bourbon Street area. Mid-City District is only 7 minutes away from the French Quarter.
This busy area centered in Jackson Square is best to navigate on foot, to soak up the history and explore New Orleans’ culinary history. This is one of the most popular areas to visit in New Orleans. If you love historic monuments, delicious restaurants and live jazz music, you will love French Quarter. Explore New Orleans at night. Revelers stay up late in the night dancing on street corners while a variety of restaurants are serving up the best drinks and yummy dishes. Love cocktails? Try the infamous hurricane cocktail drink. It is one of many popular New Orleans drink served in a tall curvy glass or a to-go plastic bottle which you get to keep as a souvenir. You can switch out your walking shoes and opt for a guided tour of the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Garden District, The Esplanade and more, where you will hear a commentary on the rich history of New Orleans and stop at a lot of amazing spots. Your one stop shopping for guided tours
Mississippi River Tour
Cruise down the Mississippi River for two hours on a river boat while enjoying live jazz music across town. The Mississippi River is the second largest river in North America flowing 2,350 miles from its source in Minnesota through the center of the continental United States to the Gulf of Mexico. The river boat also offers an evening jazz cruise and a dinner cruise.
Horse and Carriage Tour
A relaxing hour ride on a mule-drawn carriage while a tour guide unpacks hundreds of years history. You discover historic neighborhoods, the vibrant history, architecture, and culture. One of the memorable stops on this tour is a stop at the St. Louis Cemetery, home to the tomb of voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. You have the option of a short walking tour of the cemetery.
National WWII Museum
The National WWII Museum is housed in five historical buildings down town New Orleans. This is a must-see for history lovers to hear how young men and women changed the world through courage, teamwork, ad sacrifice. There are several exhibits to include The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, and The Victory Solomon Theater Pavilion, The U.S. Freedom Pavilion, and the Liberation Pavilion.
New Orleans Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
A fun way to see the city on the city sightseeing bus with live onboard commentary. On this tour, you can hop on and off at your leisure during the duration of the tour. One stop you must not miss is the French Market. Get ahead of the long lines at Café Due Monde, a traditional coffee shop for a taste of a yummy beignet. A beignet is a French-style doughnut, covered in powdered sugar (powdered sugar is optional).
Restaurants
If you love oysters, then Dragos is the place to dine on a plate of delicious charbroiled oysters and other seafood menu items. Dragos is nested on the ground level of Hilton, Riverside. It’s best to make a reservation to avoid the long lines at the restaurant. For a taste of gumbo and fried green tomatoes, Monty’s is a great option for dining. Another great food choice is The Pythian Market. Pythian Market is a food hall with a variety of vendors and food choices, culture and arts. Almost all the restaurants have craft beer, and various larger and ale to please those who desire a sensational brew.
Shopping
There are various shops all over the city depending on what your heart desires. A visit to New Orleans calls for a mask, beads, sequins and all the fantastic attire of the locals. You may see dancing adults with light up shoes, and beads loaded around their necks, and decide you want one to take home a piece of New Orleans.
Enjoy NOLA!